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.”

took her silence as a good sign that she was accepting their new fates and that eased the worry in his

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

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

stairs two at a time and strode into Cassandra’s room, dismissing the

“You are unharmed?”

“Of course.”

gaze skimmed the rounded curves barely concealed in the gauzy outfit meant to be forgiving

shortening the

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 he needed to address her

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 to double back. I was better at running and you were better at fighting. Seemed the

paused. Put in that light, Cassandra was right but he

species has ever seen. Under normal circumstances, he’d have

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 the right

ignoring his firm reprimand and going straight for the jugular.

dismissal and her sudden subject change made him growl low in his chest. “Cassandra do not test me,” he warned. “Serra is not the issue here. Your blatant disregard

Cassandra popped from the chair and went 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,

to control his temper but the urge to throw her onto the bed and across his knee so that he could paddle her soft ass until she cried was

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

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

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