THE AWAKENING

Tieran burst through the front door, his mind centered on Cassandra and her blatant disregard for his commands as Alpha, skidded to a stuttering halt as a familiar scent washed over him.

The minute recognition hit, Serra was in his arms, sobbing her relief that he was unharmed.

Her arms wound around his neck as she buried her nose against his chest and for a blinding second he was elated beyond measure to feel Serra against him again.

But there was a false note to the joy that he might never have recognized if he hadn’t met Cassandra and it was this realization that caused him to gently pluck Serra’s arms from his neck.

“Serra,” he said, plucking her arms gently from his neck. “What are you doing here?” Serra’s wounded expression cut at him but his first thought was of Cassandra.

It was then he realized Serra was wounded. Blood seeped from an angry laceration on her forearm. He gently lifted Serra’s arm. “What happened?”

“It’s nothing. All that matters is that you’re unharmed,” Serra said, attempting to pull her arm free but Tieran wouldn’t let go until she’d explained.

She shrugged with a subtle motion though she winced as she answered, “I must’ve cut it when I was running to get here. I found Ulster’s band encroaching on our land and knew if I didn’t come to warn you, the clan would be in danger. I couldn’t ignore the threat to my clan. Or to you,” she added quietly.

“You are so loyal,” he said warmly, approving of her actions. “Without your warning, Cassandra and I might’ve easily been overrun by Clan Janus. Ulster brought all of his warriors and they were out for blood. Where is Cassandra?”

At the mention of his woman’s name, Serra visibly bristled and her eyes flashed with open resentment though she knew well enough to tamp it down before answering, “She mentioned needing a bath. She was covered in filth.”

“She fought like a warrior,” Tieran said, proud of Cassandra. “She’s a mate worthy of an Alpha.”

sign that she was accepting their new fates and that

Serra’s hand a soft squeeze. “Have Iona look at your wound before it festers. I will return after I’ve checked on

left Serra

time and strode into Cassandra’s room, dismissing the women tending to her needs and closing

“You are unharmed?”

“Of course.”

the rounded curves barely concealed in the gauzy outfit meant to be forgiving of her expanding waistline and his gut tightened at the full, lush roundness of her

each day, shortening the gestational period by half of a regular

to put his hands on her belly to feel them squirm beneath the smooth silk of her skin but there was something in her eyes that kept him at a distance, which served to remind him that

out ridiculous orders,” she retorted, not the least bit apologetic. “It made more sense for me to go for help in case Ulster’s stragglers attempted to double back. I was better at running and you were better at fighting. Seemed

light, Cassandra was right but he could not abide Cassandra

was unlike any female their species has ever seen. Under normal circumstances, he’d have to punish anyone

him not to go there with Cassandra. “Your disobedience cannot be tolerated,” he bit out, growing frustration at his predicament sharpening his words. “Without a firm grasp on the hierarchy of the clan, chaos will destroy everything we’ve built over the centuries with Clan Barrachius. You are new to our ways but you must learn them if you are to teach our pups

and going straight

him growl low in his chest. “Cassandra do not test me,” he warned. “Serra is not the issue here. Your blatant disregard for everything we value is the bigger

toe-to-toe with him, surprising him with the fire in her eyes. “I heartily disagree. Your former flame is suddenly here — someone you’re still carrying a torch for, by the way — and you think me using logic over your silly command is the bigger issue? Forgive me,

throw her onto the bed and across his knee so that he could paddle her soft ass

hadn’t been so pulse-pounding angry, he would’ve been fighting an erection at the thought of

closing in. It is because of Serra that we are both alive. We owe her our

but there was still an edge to her as she said, “She seemed disappointed that I managed to return. While I’m grateful for her help, I don’t trust her motives and you’d be stupid to ignore what is staring at you right in the face.