Chapter 11 AURORA Mommy , are youing home ? my son , Tristan , asked .


    He looked so much like his father .


    My heart ached with the sadness in his voice .


    Not yet , sweetheart .


    Next to me in the car , Holden reached over and patted my knee with one hand as he steered us over the winding roads with the other .


    I squeezed his fingers forfort .


    But mommy , we miss you! said Seraphina , my little girl , calling my attention back to the bright screen .


    Yeah , we miss you ! Tristan echoed .


    Tristan had his fathers dark eyes , but he was blond though his blond was gold where mine was silver .


    He was a strong , sturdy boy who cared about protecting me and his sister more than anything .


    Seraphina was more petite than her brother and quieter , but just as brave and smart .


    She had my moon pale skin and lc eyes , but her fathers dark hair .


    Id only been away from them two days , but it felt like too long .


    I might be in Anta for months , and I hated that .


    Chapter 11 But if I became Luna of High Alpine , no one would hurt us again .


    Id be in control of my own destiny .


    Wed be safe .


    2/6 I miss you , too , I said .


    But youre being good for Mrs.


    Melville and Cousin Evander , right ? Mrs.


    Melville was their nanny , and Evander DeVere was my 23 year old cousin who had be like a brother since .


    rediscovering my true family .


    Tristan sighed sadly and Seraphina said , Were being good .


    I heard a low voice in the background , and Tristan tilted the phone so I saw Evander .


    He sat next to the twins on the couch in my little cottage back home .


    He had deep bronze skin a tousled sweep of ck hair , and lc eyes like mine .


    Id heard my grandmothers maids whisper how handsome he was with his finely sculpted face and those light eyes fringed by ckshes , but to me , he was just Evander .


    Theyre angels , he said in his lightly ented English , winking at me .


    As always .


    Mrs.


    Melville is spoiling them rotten and making sure they cat all their vegetables .


    Mrs.


    Melville had taken care of both me and the twins practically since they were born , and Evander was a more than adequate protector .


    That didnt make being away from my babies any easier .


    Chapter 11 Mommy … Tristan trailed off .


    He and Seraphina exchanged nces , then didnt say anything.


    What ? I asked .


    Sometimes I couldnt get over how much their expressions looked like Danes .


    So serious .


    Its nothing , Tristan said .


    3/6 I heard Evanders voice again as he told the kids it was bedtime and to say goodnight .


    They did , blowing kisses through the phone .


    Then Mrs.


    Melville called them to brush their teeth .


    When the twins were gone , Evander lifted the phone .


    He looked worried , and I felt unease in the pit of my stomach .


    They havent been sleeping since you left .


    Mrs.


    Melville thinks theyll adjust , but I dont know .


    I dont like when youre worried , Evander .


    It makes me worried , too .


    My cousin had an uncanny instinct for danger .


    It was what made him one of the best warriors in the pack after Trajan .


    Evander was usually quick with a joke , but he didnt smile .


    It might be nothing .


    Trust your gut , I told him .


    Dont let anything happen to the twins .


    Or to you or Mrs.


    Melville .


    Finally , he did smile a little .


    No worries .


    Just focus on Chapter 11 4/6 bing Luna .


    Ill make sure the little monsters are safe .


    Thank you .


    We hung up , and not long after that , Holden pulled into the driveway of my house .


    Trajan pulled in behind us .


    Do you want me toe in ? Id hate to leave my fiancé alone when she might wantpany .


    Holden grinned .


    Iughed as Trajan opened my door and I took his hand to pull myself from the low sports car .


    Thanks , Holden .


    But no .


    Its been a long night .


    Was that genuine disappointment on his face ? It couldnt be .


    Holden and I were just friends .


    No problem , he said , his voice going warm and dark .


    But Im always avable if theres … anything … you need .


    Before I could respond , Trajan closed the car door .


    Holden drove away .


    Trajan grumbled as we walked toward the house .


    His grumpy mood made meugh .


    What are youining about now , old man ? I teased .


    At 32 , Trajan was only three years older than me .


    Coleridge , Trajan muttered .


    Hes harmless , Iughed as Trajan unlocked the door and we Chapter 11 went inside .


    Hes an ass , Trajan retorted .


    5/6 I waited by the door as he did a brief sweep , scenting the air and walking around to make sure no one snuck in while we were gone .


    When he was satisfied , he signaled that everything was clear .


    Go for a run , I said .


    Weve both had a long night .


    Trajan considered this , then nodded .


    Ill stay close to the house so I can hear you if you need me .


    We walked to the back deck , and he shifted into his massive steel gray wolf and ran into the woods .


    I watched , feeling sad like I always did .


    Id had my wolf , then lost her .


    The pain of that never went away .


    The leaves rustled .


    I looked to the tree line , only about thirty feet away , thinking Trajan was back .


    The wolf who stepped from the trees wasnt Trajan .


    He wasnky , with pale fur a stained a dirty orange with the red Georgia soil .


    His tongue lolled out , and he looked at me with eyes a sickly color of green .


    A scream froze in my throat as he grew and transformed into a monstrous lycan version of the wolf and snarled in a Southern drawl , Hey , little sister .


    So good of you to finallye home .


    Chapter 11 6/6 He lunged at me .


    Before I could make a sound , my abusive former brother , Remington Reed , wrapped his ws around my throat and squeezed .