When she’d run from the forest, panicked about being late? “Shut up,” she teased. “I can’t always be beautiful.”
Soft fingers traced her lips. “You’re always beautiful to me.”
Though the words made her want to jump with glee, she didn’t think she could handle flattery when he was just going to leave her in a few days. Her heart sank at the thought. “Don’t say things like that.”
He sighed and moved his hand to cup her cheek. “I thought I’d lost you. It felt like my world was about to end.” His voice broke. “I can’t ignore my feelings for you. Not even to spare myself.”
Her stomach fluttered. Was it too much to hope? “Feelings?”
He nodded and swallowed hard. “Love.” It was barely a whisper, as if he was having trouble speaking.
“You…love me?”
“I do.” He smiled. “I adore you. I’m humbled by you. I want to make you happy.”
Her eyes filled with tears, and she was pretty sure she was grinning stupidly. “Really? Like, you want to be with me in a real relationship? One where you take me home to meet your parents?”
He chuckled. “Yes.” A frown appeared, and his brow creased. “If you’ll have me. I’d understand if you said no. I haven’t exactly been good to you since we met. You have no idea how sorry I am.”
A sob escaped her. He wanted her. He loved her. Nothing else mattered. “It’s in the past.”
“It wasn’t right.”
“Just shhh.” She pressed her finger over his lips. “You’re ruining the moment.” She snorted a half giggle.
“I’m trying to apologize.”
“You don’t have to.”
He opened his mouth to respond, but a new voice came from the doorway. “She’s up,” a smiling man said. “How are you feeling?”
Dalton jolted off the bed and took a protective stance in front of her.
“I’m okay,” she answered, giving Dalton a push so she could see the man. “Just a little sore.”
“Let’s get you checked out.” The man came toward the bed, and Dalton reluctantly moved away. “I’m Rafe. The pack doctor.”
She smiled. “Eden.”
After donning a pair of rubber gloves, he checked her pulse then her eyes and asked her a few questions. When it was clear she wasn’t concussed, he slowly unwrapped the bandage around her ribs. Dalton frowned then he took off his T-shirt and threw it over her bare breasts.
“Look at that,” Rafe said, studying her injury.
She looked down. The burn marks were gone. Just some angry bruising remained.
“Told you she was tough,” he said to Dalton.
“Does that mean I can get up? I gotta pee like a motherfucker, and I’m starving.”
Rafe laughed but nodded. “Let me take the IV out first.”
There was a little pinch coming out, and then she was free. She looked up at Dalton. “Clothes?”
“Oh! Right.” He grabbed his bag from the corner of the room and fished out her spare T-shirt and shorts. Then he glared at the doctor. “Can we get some privacy?”
“Of course. Go slow getting up, Eden. Cafeteria is the big cabin to the right. There’ll be food there. Just follow your nose.” With that, he winked and then left the room.
After they both dressed in clean clothing and she had used the bathroom, they headed toward the cafeteria. A whiff of delicious-scented air caught her as they walked through the door. Eggs, bacon, fruit. Her stomach growled.
They loaded up their plates and took seats at one of the long tables. The room was mostly empty. A few women sat to one side, speaking in low murmurs. They only glanced at them once then went back to talking.
Cristian walked in as they were finishing up, accompanied by a tall redhead with pale skin, violet eyes, and toned body wrapped in tight leather. Then her scent hit Eden. Blood.
Eden flew out of her seat. “Vampire,” she whispered.
Dalton stood, turning toward the stranger, and then he pulled Eden behind his back, almost knocking the table over in the process.
“Easy,” Cristian said, his hands out in a peaceful gesture. “This is my mate, Natalia.”
Mate? He’d mated with a vampire? Dalton didn’t back down, but his shoulders relaxed a little. Eden peeked out from behind him. Natalia’s lips stayed set in a firm line. She didn’t seem offended at least. In fact, she looked rather bored.
“I’ll leave you to deal with this,” she said to Cristian.
He grabbed her around the waist before she’d made it two steps then kissed her. Immediately, Eden saw a shift in Natalia. Her hard body softened and melted against Cristian’s.
A moment later, he smiled at her then whispered, “I’ll come find you when I’m done.”
Natalia left, and Cristian turned to her and Dalton. “Please. Sit. You’re not in any danger.”
Dalton nodded at Eden, and they both sat down. Cristian did the same on the other side of the table. “The pack counsel decided to help you. I’ll send a team of some of my best to Wales as soon as possible.”
“Really?” Eden beamed. “You’ll help us? Oh that would be awesome!”
He chuckled then added, in a serious tone, “But if it starts looking like a suicide mission, we reserve the right to reconsider.”
“I understand,” Dalton said. “I’d do the same.”
They’d won. She’d actually succeeded in her first mission. Salvatore would be so proud of her. And now she would have a real role in the rebellion.
“Good.” Cristian sat back in his seat. “We’ll work out the specifics later. For now, eat, rest.” He set his gaze on Eden. “You’re looking better.”
“I feel fine. Just my ribs hurt a bit.”
“I bet. You were a mess when you came in last night.” His brow creased, and he leaned toward her. “I’m so sorry that was your first experience with your kind. If your partner here hadn’t killed the betrayers already, you can bet I would have. I wish I could prove to you how safe it normally is here. The offer still stands to stay if you want to.”
Dalton shot her a worried look. Did he really think she’d ditch him now? Keeping a steady gaze on Dalton, she smiled. “I go where he goes.”
His crinkled brow smoothed over as he gazed at her.
“I figured.” Cristian stood. “Well, I better get going. I’ll start gathering a team, and then you can provide a debriefing.”
Dalton had eyes only for her, so she nodded to Cristian. He grinned then stepped away. “Cabin’s still yours if you need to, uh, take a nap.”
Eden’s cheeks heated.
Cristian left, and she turned her attention to Dalton. He cupped her face in his hands. “Are you sure, love? We can stay here if you want. I’ll tell Salvatore I –”
“I’m sure.” She turned her face into one of his hands and kissed his palm. “I want to be with you. And you belong in the rebellion. It’s your passion, and I would never take you away from that. And, after these last few days, I know without a doubt that being in the rebellion is what I want, too. Except…”
“What?”
“I really need to work on my combat skills,” she said, chuckling.
He laughed then kissed her, softly, sweetly, letting her drink him in. “I love you, little wolf.”
She smiled. “I love you, too.”
The End
A Thank you from your Authors
Thank you so much for reading Ever After! We’re so happy to be able to show you what we have to offer as just a taste. We do hope if you liked these, that you would please leave a review. Not only does a review spread the word to other readers, they let us know if you’d like to see more stories like this from us. We each love hearing from readers and talking to them when we can. You can reach each of us through our websites, as well as on social media. You guys are the reason we get to do what we do and we thank you.
If you are looking for more stories like these, you don’t have to wait much longer! Each of these novellas are either in
a series of their own or are part of our greater works.
USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan’s His Choice a novella in her Dante’s Circle series which comes after An Unlucky Moon in the timeline. The Dante’s Circle world is centered on seven lightning struck women and their journeys in finding their mates and their selves. The first book, Dust of My Wings, is where you meet Lily and Shade. The second book, Her Warriors’ Three Wishes, you meet Jamie, Ambrose, and Balin—Fawkes also makes his first appearance here. Book three in the series, An Unlucky Moon, is where you meet Hunter and Becca—Leslie makes her first appearance here. The next book in the series, Tangled Innocence, is about Jace, Dante, and Nadie, and comes out in 2014. Would you like to know when Carrie Ann’s next book is available? You can sign up for her newsletter at www.CarrieAnnRyan.com; follow her on twitter at @CarrieAnnRyan, or like her Facebook page.
USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has penned a brand new story full of danger, humor, and romance. Beasts of Burden is the first in a brand new series by an author who always has one iron in the forge. Valkryies, shapeshifters, and mythical creatures come together to celebrate the games of the gods. So long as no one cheats, what could go wrong? To read more about what Marie’s working on, visit her at http://marieharte.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter, follow her Facebook page or on Twitter. Marie loves hearing from readers, so feel free to email her at [email protected].
Rebecca Royce’s story, Alpha Rising, is the first in her new Fallen Alpha series. Look for more to come soon! You can read the entirety of Rebecca’s Westervelt Wolves, eight books in total, that is now complete with Gabriel’s story Lone Wolf and you can join the ongoing adventure of the Outsiders, which will be continued later this year. Rebecca has also recently finished her young adult series called The Warrior. Be sure to check out www.rebeccaroyce.com It always has the most up to date information on all of her work!
Lia Davis’ A Rebel’s Heart is the second novella and #3.5 in her Ashwood Falls series. It follows Surrendering to the Alpha in the reading order of the series and opens a new plot arch for the next book in the series, Divided Loyalties, coming in early 2014. You first met Sarah Mathews briefly in the prequel, Winter Eve. She is the stepmother of hero, Nevan Mathews. For more on Ashwood Falls and other books by Lia check out her website, http://www.authorliadavis.com/. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Leia Shaw’s Destined for Eden is a part of her Shadows of Destiny series. Destiny Forgiven is the fifth book in the series and released October 2013. This story about Dalton’s rebel partner, Felicity, is a darker tale of redemption and love during the most trying times. The next book in the series is a novella coming out for Christmas called, Slaves of Destiny. You can learn more about the entire series, plus read samples, at www.leiashaw.com. Follow Leia on facebook at www.facebook.com/leiashaw or on twitter at @LeiaShaw. And if you’re interested in a naughtier series by Leia, you can find out more about the Badass Brats here www.badassbrats.com
Excerpt: Shattered Emotions
Did you enjoy this selection? Why not try another paranormal romance from Fated Desires?
From USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan’s Redwood Pack Series
Shattered Emotions
Maddox Jamenson is the Omega of the Redwood Pack, the one burdened by emotions stronger than his own. He's spent his entire life shrouded in the secrets of his "gift" and the price he has to pay to keep it, yet the cost just escalated. He's known a mate could be in the cards for him, but he can't have what he wants. Not when the battles he has yet to fight could destroy her.
Ellie Reyes was the Central's princess, the daughter of the most hated Alpha of all time, yet not prized. No, she's spent her life as the toy of her brother's sadistic torture and has endured a pain that no one else should have to even contemplate. Though when she's rescued, the one person who could help her, her mate, turns his back on her for reasons unknown to her. As each day passes, the strength that everyone sees in her dwindles to a point that there may be no coming back from.
When the Centrals find a new way to attack, leaving Ellie's only protection a mate that she doesn’t think wants her, they’ll both have to overcome their fears and fight for something stronger than their pain. The war isn't over and new players are coming that will decide the outcome. Maddox and Ellie's connection will be tested even as their fragile bond is only newly forming.
www.CarrieAnnRyan.com
Excerpt: Surrendering to the Alpha
Did you enjoy this selection? Why not try another paranormal romance from Fated Desires?
From Bestselling Author Lia Davis’s Ashwood Falls Series
Surrendering to the Alpha
Ashwood Falls’ leopard Alpha, Keegan Andrews holds onto the pain of his deceased mate as his own personal hell—a reminder that not all things are what they seem. The Pack Scribe, Addyson Lewis is no exception. She’s intrigued him like no other since the day she stumbled into Ashwood territory about twenty-five years ago. When he discovers that just being near her calms the storm inside him, he can’t stay away even if it means exposing her to the evil she tried to escape.
Over a hundred years of psychological torture at the hands of the rogue Onyx Pack has left Addyson with no memories of her life before captivity and with the inability to control her psychometric nature. Anything or anyone she touches sends her into their darkest past and secrets, causing her pain she wouldn’t wish on anyone. Without the ability to control it, she’s forced to deny her leopard the connection she craves from the Pack that welcomed her with love and without judgment. That is, until the day Keegan involuntarily touches her bare skin and she finds the peace she’d craved for far too long.
Warning: Contains one sexy alpha leopard who craves the most decadent of dreams, a hidden treasure contained within a spunky woman, and the ability to create a mating bond that’s the most explosive yet.
www.AuthorLiaDavis.com
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