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.”

sniffed with disdain but withheld further comment. Tieran took her silence as a good sign that she

soft squeeze. “Have Iona look at your wound before it festers. I will return after I’ve checked on Cassandra. We will talk

he was impatient to check on Cassandra and left Serra behind. Whatever else Serra had to say could wait. His mate needed

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

“You are unharmed?”

“Of course.”

forgiving of her expanding waistline and his gut tightened at the full, lush

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

the smooth silk of her skin but there was something in her eyes that kept him at a distance, which served to

will find that I will often disobey you if you insist on giving 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

was right but he could not abide Cassandra

of an Alpha and she was unlike any female their species has ever seen. Under normal circumstances, he’d have to punish anyone who disobeyed a

“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

and going straight for

not test me,” he warned. “Serra is not the issue here. Your blatant disregard for everything we

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, if I call bullshit.

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

pulse-pounding angry, he would’ve been fighting an erection at the thought of smacking those beautiful, full buttocks.

closing in. It is because of Serra that we

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