THE AWAKENING

In the days that followed, Cassandra found herself overwhelmed with the newfound knowledge that’d flooded her brain at Iona’s passing.

Suddenly, she had access to her lineage, understanding how the bloodlines crossed and intersected and how the Mother Goddess cherished her wolf-children and blessed them with gifts that surpassed anything humanity had ever known.

She knew at a glance someone’s intentions as their energy pulsed with malicious or generous intent. It was unnerving at first but she embraced her gifts with courage and determination.

Her babies, a girl and a boy, were named Ianna and Veris, and they were exceptional children who grew like beautiful, alien weeds that were both dangerous and yet mesmerizing.

And they had the ability to transform at will, which made for some challenging parenting. Cassandra never knew if she were going to find pups or babies in the cradle but she always knew where to find them if they happened to escape their beds.

She suckled them as both human and wolf, depending on her pups disposition. It was easier to discipline them in her wolf form, leaning on instinct when necessary. But the love she felt for her babies was equally strong in either form.

“You are amazing with them,” Tieran said with pride. “You are a formidable Alpha’s Mate. You will raise our pups with strong hearts and even stronger minds.”

Cassandra smiled and accepted his praise with a glowing heart. So much had changed in such a short time frame that it was difficult to comprehend how radical the switch in her life.

She went from a nobody in college, struggling to find her identity in books and academia when her true identity had been hidden from her until fate determined it was time to emerge.

And as traumatic as certain events were, Cassandra wouldn’t trade her life for anything.

Since Ulster’s defeat, Cassandra and Tieran had managed to convince a few of Clan Janus to join with Barrachius but it was not an easy transition.

Ingrained prejudices made for tense relationships but a few were grateful for the change and ready to embrace a new way of thinking, particularly the women who’d been horrifically abused, such as Arja, who in spite of her limp, had become quite helpful in the kitchen with Hannah.

But it wasn’t factions within Clan Janus that worried Cassandra and Tieran. It was a threat from within that had nearly taken everything.

Serra, in spite of an exhaustive search, had managed to escape justice. The fact that she roamed free was a worry that kept both Tieran and Cassandra awake at night.

Tieran, gazing at their sleeping twins, said, “If she dares to step foot on Clan Barrachius land I will know.”

“As will I,” Cassandra said with deadly calm. “She would be foolish to try.”

Tieran smiled in approval at Cassandra’s fierce protectiveness. He knew she didn’t offer idle threats either.

“If she hadn’t tried to kill me and the babies, I could’ve been compassionate to her situation,” Cassandra shared. “I cannot imagine the agony of losing my heart to the one I couldn’t have.”

Tieran’s expression darkened with regret. “Serra was right in that I never should’ve allowed her to stay. I should’ve known she would not go down without a fight. I put you and the babies in danger and I will never forget that.”

Cassandra caressed his jaw. “Don’t take on her decision as somehow your fault. You are not to blame for her actions.”

Since Iona had passed on her knowledge, Cassandra had been able to unlock gifts that had been lying dormant in her mind. She felt the weight of his guilt and it pained her to know that he blamed himself for Serra’s actions.

“You are such a good man,” she whispered, brushing a kiss across his lips. “Solid, strong, and firm, but able to know the difference between kindness and weakness.”

Tieran smiled with love in his eyes. “You are a gift from the Goddess.”

“Damn straight I am.” She grinned, accepting the compliment with bold cheekiness. Cassandra was one bad ass Seer, one that definitely didn’t take any shit from anyone and she liked that about herself.

“You have that look,” Tieran noted with a faint smile.

“Which look is that?”

look that says you want to tear

bothering to deny it. “Serra better hope never to cross paths with me. I fear that confrontation would be

to hers in a fierce kiss that stole her

eyes, loving this man more than life itself. “What was that for?” she

True Mate. I look forward to a lifetime with you by my

the sound of that. Cassandra smiled as he pushed her down to the bed. “And what exactly do

intent as he plucked at the buttons on her night gown until he could part the halves, revealing her full breasts that were always swollen now with milk for their twins. He paused to lap the pearl of thick milk beaded at her

whisper as moisture trickled down her thigh at his wicked statement. Within seconds, his sharp sense of

against her quivering flesh. “I could happily die with my face

made two of them.

the bed, now,” he commanded, rising above her as she laid back. “Let me see

creating more wetness to dribble from her slit.

enough to ruin her for life. He was her everything. Her

he fucked like a

was

future but the present was exactly as she wanted it to be — with Tieran, their babies, and

-ALSO BY ALEXX ANDRIA-

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of BLOOD

***

a half that went down,” Elijah Kane muttered to his partner Rook Valentino, surveying the gore and violence spread around like the white powder spilled

rest of the SWAT team as they converged on the abandoned warehouse, the sounds of metal artillery and Kevlar echoing in the gloom. “Looks like the party started without us. Everyone’s dead

times,” Rook said, his eagle eye taking in

shouldered his AK-47 with a grunt of disappointment. “Day late and a dollar short. Story of my life. What do you make

the dope would be gone. I’d say there’s a cool five

maybe a rival gang trying to set up shop and

warning of something bigger, more sinister and far

the air. There it was...the lingering scent of something that immediately caused his lip to curl.

was human but he knew

Got something,

keeping his voice low. “And

Maybe I’ll get to use this bad boy after all,” Rook said, grinning. “Nothing

in that bad boy?” Elijah quipped darkly. “’Cause the bullets you got in that thing will just

criminals. The best. Tell me why I hang out with

influence,” Elijah said, going to one of the

to take a closer look. Rook followed. His hunch

“You know him?”

They’ve been controlling this territory for generations.” He paused in thought. “This doesn’t feel right. There hasn’t been a

gain from removing this guy?” Rook gestured to the

a while. And I doubt it’s a Keller involved. They’re too fat and happy sitting on the Council

someone wasn’t happy and things did not end well,” Rook said, surveying the blood spatter and entrails littered on the cement. “This

was something

for weeks but Elijah hadn’t

hadn’t expected to find so much