ThePatchworkSeries

BrokenPieces

PiecedTogether(ComingSoon)

The rules of The Works have remained unchanged for centuries. There is to be no romantic mixing
betweenanyofthefivesupernaturalclans.

ButfromthemomentOceanusvonStein,second-in-commandtothePatchworkfamily,caughtsightof
TaeganConner,daughteroftheleaderoftheWolves,heknewhewouldneverloveanyoneelse.

Only now, Taegan has been promised in marriage to another, an arrangement to strengthen her
family’salliances—andshegetsnosayinthematter.

NeitherdoesOceanus.

Whiletheybothknowtheyhavetheirplacesandresponsibilitiesintheirclans,theirloveistoostrong.
Howcantheyletgoofwhattheyhave?Thoughitisforbidden,OceanusandTaeganwon’tstopuntil
theycanhaveeachother.Theonlyproblemisthattheworldisagainstthem,andOceanushasathreat
tohissister’slifetovanquish.

Cantheyfindawaytobetogether,orwilltheybothalwaysbetwoBrokenPieces?

eingtheoldestisn’talwayseasy.

Everyonedependsonyou.

Looksuptoyou.
Youaretheposterchildforthefamily.
Plus,youworryabouteverything.
Well,atleast,Ido.
Whichmeansbeingselfishisn’tpossible.Maybenotselfish—thatwordisharshandI’veneverreally

likedit,butsomethingalongthoselines.WhatImeanisthatmyneeds,mywantsarenotimportantwhenI
havethreeyoungersiblingsandafathertoworryfor.

Yousee,I’maverybusyman.Ihavemanyjobs.Thefirstandmostimportantbeingtoprotectandlove

myfamily.Witheverythinginsideofme.Itismyjobtoguidemybrothersandsisterintherightdirection
tobefutureleadersofourcommunity.Thecommunitymyfamilyruns.Acommunitythatisunseentothe
human eye, which is fine by me. Dealing with witches, wolves, shifters, and vampires, along with the
Patchworkcitizensisenoughinmyopinion.Theycauseenoughdramaforoneman,yetIlovethem.Iwant
toprotectthem.

Theyaremyextendedfamily.
EvenifafactionofourWorks—theshifters—wantstooverthrowmyfamilyandtakeover,Istillcare

fortheirwell-being.Ihaveto.It’smyjobasafutureleaderoftheWorks.Whenmyfatherdecidestostep
down,whichcouldbeatanymoment,itwillbemyjobtostepupandbethekingthiscommunityneeds.
Notthatmyfatherisn’tdoinghisjob;heis.It’sjust…he’sold-school.Veryold-school,andwhileallhis
partsareworkingattheirfullcapacity,heisn’tthemanheusedtobe.Somuchhaschanged.Thisisn’tthe
1800sanymore,butmyfatherapparentlymissedthatmemo.He’sbudgedabit,adaptedsome,buthestill
hasthesamenotionshehadbackthen,andtheydrivemeabsolutelymad.

Beyondfurious,actually.
ButwhatdoIexpect?Helivedinatimewhereamanwasalwaysrightandyoufollowedyourfather,

yourleader.Afterhelosthisfathertotheplague,hebecametheleaderandledhisfamily.Idon’tthinkmy
father meant for his life to go where it did, but it all changed when he found his grandfather’s old lab
books.

ThatgrandfatherwasDr.Frankenstein.
TheguywhomadeFrankenstein’smonsterhimself.Yes,thestoriesaretrue.Butwhatthestoriesdon’t

tell you is that he had a son, who had four more sons, my father being one of them. With Father’s
grandfathergone,andthenhisownfatherdying,IdoubtanyoneexpectedforDr.Frankenstein’sworkever
tosurfaceagain.Butmyfatherwasandmaybesmarterthanhisancestors.Forwhenhefoundthebooks,
hebecameobsessedwiththem,andsoonhedevelopedaformulathatgrantedamanimmortality.

Trueimmortality.
Hesoonadministratedtheformulatohisbrother,Samuel.Butaftertheirmotherandtwootherbrothers

diedwhentheformuladidn’tworkonthem,SamuelandFatherwerediscovered.So,ofcourse,theyfled.
Theyhadnochoice.ButtheydidhaveachoicewhentheydecidedtocometoAmericaandmaketheir
ownclan.

Aclanfullofimmortalpeoplewhowouldfollowandbowdowntothem.Or,really,tomyfather.I

doubtSamuelhadmuchsayinit,butmyfather,yeah,hewasdrunkwiththepowerhehad.Heknewhe
wasthebest,agodinhismind,andpeopleflockedtohim.Theybeggedfortheformula,neededit,and

soonmyfatherhadhisclan.

HisPatchwork.
You would think that would be enough, but it wasn’t. Soon he reached out to the other supernatural

groups.Thevampireswerefirst.Themainreasonwasthesimplefactthatmyunclelovedtosleepwith
them. The vampires didn’t need anything from my father, but he offered them an alliance, a way to get
themconstantbloodsincehehadturnedtheownerofthelocalhospitalimmortal.Aslongasthevampires
followedmyfather,hewouldbetheretohelpthem.Ascreaturesofthenight,andbeingkilledoffalmost
everyothernightbyhuntersandhumans,theysignedonquickly.

Nextwerethewitches.Myfatherpromisedtoexportandimportanythingtheyneededorwantedonhis

fleetofships.Inreturn,hewouldusetheirspellsandritualsforthingshewasunabletofix.

Thewolvessignedonforthemoney.Myfatherneededlotsofguardsandsecuritysupport,andhepaid

very heavily for them. At first, it was just employment. But somewhere in there, my father worked out
somekindofalliance.It’sbeyondme,buthedidit,andnowtheyarebasicallyeatingoutofhishand.

Nopunintended.
The shifters are a whole other story. The resisted us, only coming to us with offers for the formula

itself.Fatherdeniedthem,ofcourse,buthedidaskthemtojoinus.Heofferedthatwewouldprotectthem
andevenemploysomeofthem.Hewantedtomakeourcommunitycompletewiththefivestrongestclans
of supernatural beings. But the shifters didn’t want any part; they were independent. That was, until
peoplestarteddyingandtheyneededtheprotectionmyfatherofferedsincenoonecouldcatchwhowas
killingofftheirclan.Ibelievemyfatherhadapartinit,thathehiredpeopletokillthem,buthedeniesit.

Eitherway,myfathergothisundergroundclan,andsoon,theruleswereinplace.
Dowhatyourclanisexpectedtodo.AllofushaveaparticularjobtokeeptheWorksrunning.The

guard support the wolves offer—along with their construction work. The spells and treatments the
witches provide. The political connections the vampires play a part in. And we can’t forget the
connections on Wall Street that the shifters give us. It’s simple, really. Everyone plays their part and
reportsbacktoFather.Well,theclanleadersdo,atleast.

Anotherruleispayingyourtaxes.Forobviousreasons,ifmyfatherisprotectingyourgroup,curing

diseases,providinggoodhousing,andeverythingelsehedoes,theleastyoucandoispaythemonthlytax.

Lastly,don’tmixclans.Fatherwantstokeepthepurestofbloodlines,tomakethefuturechildrenofthe

Worksthestrongestandbest—myfather’swords,notmine.Now,thatistherulethatgetsbrokenthemost.
MostlybymyuncleSamuelandhisobsessionwithvampires.Butevenwithhislustforthecreatures,he
has never fathered a child, mostly because vampires can’t have children. That isn’t the case for other
clans,though.Andwhenithappens,Imean,whenamixed-clanchildisconceived,itisn’tlongafterbirth
thatthechildiskilled.

ThatsickensmeandwillbeoneofthefirstthingsIchangewhenIamtheleaderoftheWorks.
Ijusthavetogetthere.
“You’rethinkingwaytoohardforsomeonewhojustwokeup.”
Ismile,myheartfillingwithsuchunadulteratedtendernessforthewideblueeyesthatsoontrapmein

theirgaze.Agrinpullsatmysweetheart’slips,herlong,flowingstrawberry-blondhairfallingeveryso
delicatelyalongherjawandontomychestasshetracesthescaronmystomach.

“I thought you were sleeping,” I whisper, my lips pressing against hers as my hands grasp the thick

globesofherass.Holdinghertightagainstmyside,Ikissher.Softly,eversoslowly,memorizingevery
singlethingaboutherlipsandthewaytheymakemefeel.

Perfection.Pureperfection.
Whenshepullsback,hereyesdarkenabitasshethrowsherlegacrossme,straddlingmeashernails

biteintomychest.“I’mnotsleeping,”shesays,hercheeksdustingwithcolorasIdrinkinthegorgeous
freckles along her body. She is covered head to toe in them, and I swear, I want nothing more than to

spend the rest of my days tracing each of them with my tongue, my fingers, anything. As long as I’m
touchingher.

Mylove.
Asshemovesherhotcenteragainstmygrowingerection,Ismile.“Icanseethat.”Myhandcomesup

tocupherfullbreast.“Whateverareyoudoingupthere?”

She scoffs, her wet core making every single thought from before disappear within seconds. “If you

have to ask, I worry for ya,” she jokes, and I smile, my eyes falling shut a bit. Her voice, her thick
Scottishbrogue,doesthedirtiestthingstomybody.Turnsmeontothepointofnoreturn.

“Ithoughtyouhadtoleave?”
“IthinkIhaveaweebitoftime.Maybewecanspendit?”
Bringingherdownbyahandatthebackofherneck,Ikissherjawasherbreastspressintomychest.

“Iknowwecan,”Isaybeforerollingherover,mybodypressingintohersasIpushherlegsbackintoher
chestandenterherquickly.Sheishot,acceptingmeandsqueezingme,makingmebreathlessasIstare
downintoherbeautiful,flushedface.

She stuns me, and I just look at her, my lips curving as my cock throbs inside of her, begging for

release.ButIcan’tmove.Notwhensheislookingatmelikethat.Shereachesup,agrinpullingather
lipsassherunsherthumbdownmyjaw.

“Gonnastareatme,mylove?Orfuckme?”
“Stare,”Isaysimply,mybodyheavyagainstherlegs.“IswearI’veneverseenanyoneasbeautifulas

you.”

Her grin grows, her body flushing even more, and my heart explodes in my chest. Cupping my face

with her other hand, she threads her fingers through my hair. My body breaks out in gooseflesh as she
holds my gaze. When she looks at me, I know she doesn’t see the scars or the wounded flesh, the cut
marksorthegunshotwounds.Sheseesme,herlover.

Becausethat’sallIcaneverbe.
“Iloveyou,Oceanus,”shewhispers,hereyessodark,sofulloflust,andofcourse,love.Fuck,Ilove

it when she says those words. Those three words that are ever so beautiful—but more tragic than one
couldthink.Well,thatisuntilItakeovertheWorks.Themomentthathappens,whichprayGodissoon,I
willmarrymylove.Iwillmakehermine,Iwillputmychildinher,andtogetherwewillleadtheWorks.

Shewillbemyqueen.
Idon’tcarethatsheisTaeganConner,theprincessofthewolves,becauseIdon’tseeherfactionor

evenherfamilyname.

Iseeherheart.
Andit’smine.
Allmine.
Moving her hair out of her eyes, I kiss her nose before sliding mine against it. “I love you too, my

love.”

Whenhermouthcapturesmine,Iliftherup,holdingherassinmyhandsasIfallbackonmyhaunches,

thrustingupintoher.Herbreathisharshagainstmymouth,herbreastsheavyagainstmychest,andasI
driveintoher,Idon’tcareaboutanythingbutherandme.

I’mbeingselfish.
I’mtakingwhatIwant.
AndIdon’tcareonebit.
Itdoesn’thappenenoughinmyopinion,butIguess,beingme,Idon’tgetthatluxury.
Truthbetold,beingOceanusvonSteinisn’teasy.
Butit’swhoIam.AndwhileIlosemyselfinsideofthisbeautifulwoman,Idon’tthinkofanythingbut

her,andthat’sokayfornow.

Eventually,I’llbeabletodoitfortherestofmydays.
Ijusthavetobepatient.
Becausemytimeiscoming.

“C

oliniscominghome.”

AsIwrapapieceofTaegan’shairaroundmyfinger,Ismile.Notbecauseherbrotheriscoming

home—I’mnotworriedaboutthatsnot-nosedbratwhohookedupmysistermanytimes—Ismilebecause
Taeganissobeautiful.Herfaceisflushed,herbodystillradiatingsomuchheatfromourlovemaking.It’s
alwayslikethatwithher.Onlyher.Butthen,sherunshotallthetime.

“Whyisthat?”
I ask only because my father sent him away a long time ago, and I thought I’d never see him again.

WhenFathersendssomeoneaway,it’susuallyaforeverkindofthing.Colinwasgettingtooclosetomy
littlesister,andsincemixingtheclansissoforbidden,thepoorkidhadaone-waytickettoIreland.That
happensalotwhenFatherfeelsthingsareoutofhiscontrol.TheyclaimedColin’sownfatherhadsent
himtocareforhisgrandmother,butIknowthetruth.

“He’smethisbetrothed,ismadlyinlovewithher,andthey’resettomarrybytheyear’send,”shesays

simply,herleghookingacrossmymidsection.Takingachunkofherthighinmyhand,Icuddlehercloser.
“Mydatalkedtoyourda,andheagreed.”

“Surprising.”
“That’s what I said,” she says on a small chuckle, snuggling her face into my neck. I close my eyes,

leaningmyheadintohersasherfingerstracealongmychestandmynipple.

“Ithoughtyouhadtogo?”Iask,notthatIwanthertogo,butIalsodon’twanthertogetintrouble.She

hadafamilythingtogoto.MaybeColin’shomecoming.“Whatareyougoingfor,bytheway?”

Lookingupatme,shepinchesmyjaw,asneakygrinturningupherlips.“Jealous?”
“No.”Squeezingherthightightly,Igrowlagainstherlips.“You’remine.”
Giggling,shegivesmeaquickkissthatkick-startsmyheart.“Asyouaremine.”
“Exactly.Sowhereyougoing?”
“Doyounotlistentome?Coliniscominghome.”
Inod,mynosemovingagainsthercheek.“Ah.Wishhimwellforme.”
“Iwill,”shewhispers.“Ithinkhe’llgoseeRebekahassoonashecan.”
Mybrowscometogether.“Ithoughthewasinlovewithanother.”
“Heis.”
“Thenwhywouldheseemysister?”
Tippingherheadback,hereyesmeetmine,sobrightandshiny.Ilovethem.Iloveeverythingabout

her.Herlittlefairynose,hersoftfeatures.Sheisn’tlikehersiblings,whohavehardlinestotheirfaces.
She’sbyfarthemostgorgeousoutofhertwoothersisters.Shelooksmorefeminine,whiletheyfavorher
father,lookingabitrough.Morewolflike,Iguess.

ButnotmysweetTaegan.
No,shelookslikemyqueen.
“Don’tyaknow?”sheasks,andmylipsquirk.
“Knowwhat,mylove?”
“ThatonceyougovonStein,thereisnogoingback?”
Whenshepauses,herlipscurving,Ican’thelpit,Ilaugh.Hard.Ishakethebedwithmylaughter,and

herbodyshakesagainstme.Shecompletesme,mylovedoes,andIreallydon’tknowhowIwentaslong
asIdidwithouther.

Imean,itwasjustsixteenyearsofmylifebeforeImether,andanotherfivebeforeshewasmine,but

itfeltlikealifetime.Assillyasitsounds,Ialwayssworeshe’dbemine.Irememberwhisperingtomy
brotherJonasthatIwantedherandIwouldhaveher.But,no,TaeganConnerdidn’twantanythingtodo
withme.Shewasthemasterofhardtoget.Sheresistedmeallthroughschool.Ignoredme.Foundmean
annoyance. I don’t know why, but it turned me on more than I can describe. It soon became my life’s
missiontogethertowantme,toloveher,andtobelovedbyher.

Butwhenwefinishedschool,sheleft.WenthometoScotland,andIdidn’tseeherforthreeyears.I

thoughtaboutherconstantly.Missedher.Though,Iassumedsheneverthoughtofme;IlearnedlaterIwas
wrong.Ithoughtshewasgoneforever.ThenwordgottomethatTaeganConnerwascominghome,and
therewastobeatraditionalhomecomingforhersincesheisthefirstbornofherfamily.IdecidedIhadto
go.Thankfully,myfatherhaddecidedtosendmeasanambassadorforourfamily.

IrememberhownervousIwastoseeher.Ihadchanged,forobviousreasons.Newarms,onenewleg,

and a few scars on my face from battling with my brothers. I knew I didn’t look the same—not that I
thoughtshefoundmetobeattractivebefore—butwhatifshedidn’trecognizeme?Thatallchangedwhen
shecamedownthestairsintothehugeballroomoftheConners’estate.Tothisday,fouryearslater,Istill
remembereverydetailofthatmoment.

The Conners are very traditional and proud people. They are also very skilled hunters, which is a

given, I guess. But even with being in New York, when at a festival or homecoming, everyone always
wears their last kill. I knew of this tradition, thought it was quite cool. Seeing some of the other pack
leadersintheirkillswasamazing,especiallywhentheoutsiderslikemeandtheambassadorsoftheother
clansworeonlyourbestsuits,lookingcompletelyoutofplace.Itwasintriguingtome.Ilovedit.

ButI’llneverforgetwatchingTaegan,theonlygirlIknewIcouldeverlove,comedownthestairsin

herkill.

She wore a stark white dress that not only hugged every single one of her curves but made her skin

glowinthedimlylitroom.Thedresssparkled;itwasstunning,madeofdiamondsandlace.Itwasthe
onlythingIcouldsee,andIadmireditgreatly…thatisuntilthehuge,thick,brownpeltthathungoffher
shoulders caught my eye. I was speechless, completely taken aback by how much fur it was. But then,
Taegancameintoview.Herbrightblueeyessparkled,andherstrawberry-blondhairwasinwavesalong
thefur.Herfacewasmadeupdramatically,notlikehowIusuallyseehernow,socleanandsoft.No,she
lookedliketheleaderofapack,andthenIsawthehugebearheadwithitsmouthopen,perchedonher
head.

Almostlikeacrown.
Peopleoohedandaahedasshepassed,bowingtoherandherbeauty.IwasattheendofthehallbutI

sawherclearly,andIknewmymouthwashangingopen.NotthatIcared.Shewasmagnificent.Iwatched
asherfathertookherhand,kissingthebackofitbeforeturningherandshowingherofftotherestofthe
clan.Everyonecheered,hooted,andholleredforher,butIstoodthere,completelyengrossedinher.

Idon’tknowifshesawmeorfeltmestaring,butastheyturnedformysideoftheroomtocheerfor

her,hereyeslockedwithmineandIcouldn’tmove.Couldn’tformaword.Couldn’tmakemyselfsmile,
nothing.Istoodthereasshedrankmein,hereyesdarkeningbeforesheturnedtoherfather,kissinghis
cheek,andhestartedhisspeech.

ButIdidn’thearaword,notwhenhereyesmetmineagain.
Itwaslikeseeingeachotherfortheveryfirsttime.
Breathingwasn’tanoption,butwhenshestartedforme,onlytobestoppedbyapersonIassumedwas

anadmirerorwhatever,Irealizedsheprobablyhadn’tevenbeenlookingatme.Thoughithadfeltlike
shewas,whywouldshe?Thiswasherworld,thewolvesandtheirtraditions.NotonlywasInotapart
ofit,beinganoutsider,butIknewwhattheruleswere.

Andshecouldn’tbemine.
NomatterhowmuchIwantedher.

Deflatedandmaybeevenalittlebroken,Idecideditwastimetoleave.
Iturned,readytoleaveandneverlookback,butgladIwasabletogetmylastlook.Mylastmemory

of the beautiful Taegan Conner. But then a hand slid into mine, a soft one with fingers that laced with
mine,stoppingme.Lookingovermyshoulder,ImetthebearheadsinceIwassotall,butwhenIlooked
down,Taeganwasgrinningupatme.

“StillstalkingmeIsee,vonStein?”
“Me?Never,”Isaid,tryingtoplayitoff.ButmaybeIhadbecomeastalker.Andwhatabeautiful

creaturetostalk.“Why?Wasthereanopeningforthejob?”

Herlipsquirked.“Unfortunately,no.Butthereisanopeningforthefirstdance.”
Myheartstopped.Everythingdid.AllIsawwasher.“Areyouasking?”
Shescoffed.“Thisismyparty,yasee,andI’mthebigdealaroundhere.”
“Ididseethat.Mightyfinekillyouhavethere.”
Shegrinnedproudly,runningherhandsdownthefrontofherfur.Itooknoticethattherewasno

ringonherfinger,nothingbindinghertoanother.“MyHerb?Yes,hewasanawesomegrizzly,yasee.
Tookmealmostanhourtotakehimdown.Igotanawesomebiteonmybellyfromhim.”

Iwantedtokillthebeartentimesoverforhurtingher.“I’dlovetoseethatsometime.”
Herlipspursed.“I’msureyouwould,whichiswhyyoushouldaskmetodance.Neverknowwhat

canhappenbytheendofthenight.”

I almost choked on my tongue. “It would be a pleasure to have the first dance with you, Taegan

Conner.Ifyou’llhaveme.”

Hereyesfellshutabitasourhandslocked.Iwasn’tevensurehoworwhenImoved,butIknewI

hadwiththewayherlipscurved.“I’dlovetohaveyou,OceanusvonStein.”

While she may have meant to sound innocent—and truly, her words weren’t even suggestive—her

eyeswereseductive.Breathless,Ismiled.“Youcanhavemeanywayyou’dlikeme.”

Leaningin,herbrowswaggledabit.“Promise?”
“Ipromise.”
That’swhenitstarted.Wedanced.Allnight.Welaughed.Wedrank.Wekissedunderthenightsky,her

bodypressedagainstmineandmyheartbecomingevenmorehers.

Her father didn’t say anything, but when my father found out, he said enough for both of them. He

forbadeit,toldmeitwasn’tworthit,thatIwaswastingmytime.

Itisagainstthecode,Oceanus.Don’tdisappointme.
IwanttosayIcomplied.ThatIdidwhatwasexpectedofme,thatIrespectedmyfamilyandmyfather,

butIdidn’t.Instead,wemetinsecret.Wemadeloveanywherewecould.ItoldherIlovedher,andshe
toldmethesame.IknewIwasplayingwithfire,thatitcouldendbadlyforme,butitdidn’t.We’vemade
itworktheselastfouryears,andIjustknowmytimeiscoming.

She’llbemyqueen.
As our laughter subsides, I cuddle her closer, moving my nose against hers…until she stops all of a

sudden. I watch as her nose twitches, then her eyes darken, before she sits up quickly, her arm coming
acrosstoholdherbreasts.“Jonasisatthedoor.”

Igrin,amazedbyhertalents,beforeIlooktowardthedoorasaknockcomes.
“Yeah?”
Mybrotherpausesandthenasks,“Osh,areyoucomingdownfordinner?”
BringingTaegandowntome,Iwrapmyarmsaroundherandkissherforehead.“Nothungryforfood.”
ShelaughsquietlyagainstmyneckasJonassays,“Rebekahisaskingforyou.”
IstiffenagainstTaeganasshelooksupatme,hervoiceawhisper.“Ihavetogoanyway.”
Iswallowedhardandthennod.“Yeah,I’mcoming.”
ButIdon’tmove.

“HowisRebekah?Hersurgerygowell?”
IsuckinabreathasInod,heavywithworryformysisterwhohasjustbeengivenbrand-newlegs.

Notatherrequest,though.Fathersaidsheneedednewones,andwhileIdidn’tagree,Rebekahgother
newlegs.“Herlegsareworking,thankGod,butIdon’tknowhowmuchmoreshe’lltake.”

“Yeah?”
“Yeah,she’sgettingfedupwithitall.”
“Poorthing,”shewhispers,andIknowshemeansit.
SheknowsthetruthaboutRebekah,eventhoughnooneistoknow.ButTaeganismylove,andItrust

herwithmylife.Tippingherheadback,Ikissherearnestly,ourlegstanglingtogetherasherhandscome
uptoholdmyface.“Idon’twantyoutoleave,”Iwhisperagainstherlips.

“Doyaever?”
Ismileagainstherlips,hernosepressingintomine.“Never.”
“Oneday,Iwon’thaveto,”shesays,pattingmychestbeforekissingmeoncemore.Asourlipsmove

together,Ican’twaitforthatdaytocome.I’mprettysureI’dneverleaveourbedroom.I’dbewithher
everysecond.

“Thatdaycan’tcomefastenough.”
“That’sthedarntruth,”shelaughs,pullingback.“ButI’llwait.”
“Forme?”
Comingbacktome,shestraddlesmybodyandwrapsherarmsaroundmyneck,almostchokingme.

“Onlyyou.”

“Itmightbeabitlonger.Myfatherisresistanttolettingmebeincontrol.”
“Hasn’thealwaysbeen?Butit’sfine,ourdayiscoming,”shewhispersagainstmylips.
“Ihopeso.”
“Nohope,itwill.Iwon’tagreetomarriagewithanyonebecauseIwanttomarryyou.”
Aruefullookcoversmyface.“Onlybecauseyoursistersmarriedthelasttwo.Someonewillcome,

Tae,andyourfatherwillforceyou.”

“I’lltellthemtofuckoff.IamTaeganConner,theprincessofClanConner,Idon’tmarrybutforlove.

I’mnotlikeColin,I’mnotbetrothed,andmyfatherwon’tforceme.Helovesmetoomuch,wantsmeto
behappy.So,noworries.”

Ilaugh.“Iworryallthetime.”
Leaningdown,shekissesmynose.“I’myours,Osh.”
Holdingherface,Ikisshernoserightback.Mytimeisrunningout,andI’mawareofthis.Ihaveto

stay on my father. I have to get control so that I can marry this beautiful and stunning creature. “I don’t
deserveyou,mylove.”

“Well,youonlygetme,”shesayssimply,tappingmychestagainbeforerollingoffthebedandpulling

herhairup,hernakedbodyglowingwithmarksofourlovemaking.Thebearbiteshehadspokenofthat
night taunts me from her side. The scar is jagged and, to some, horrid, but I am made of scars, so it
doesn’tbothermeatall.

Ithinksheislovely.
“Ionlywantyou,”Icalltoher,andshegrinsbacktome.
“Good,”shesays.Andthen,withoutmuchwarning,shetransformsrightbeforemyeyesintoawolf.

Now,Iknowit’scrazytosaythatmygirlfriendisbyfartheprettiestwolfI’veeverseen,butsheis.Her
furissuchagorgeousshadeofblondwithalightredtint.Thenshehasthoseice-blueeyesthatalways
piercemysoul.

Shecomestothebed,andIsitupasshenuzzlesmyhands.Ikissherheadasshewhinesinmyhold.

“Besafe,mylove.”Lookingupatme,shelicksmyjaw.“Iloveyou.”

Anotherlicktomyjawandthenshe’sgone,outthewindow.

WhenIhearherhowl,though,Ican’thelpbutgrin.

hemakesmenervous.

Sheisn’tthelittleinfantIrememberholding.Oreventhetoddleroryoungchildwhochasedme

around,beggingtoplaywithmyknife.No,she’sanadultnow.Sheisbeautiful,withlong,darkhairthat
shewearspulledbackorinaknotontopofherhead.Today,it’sinthatknot.Hereyes—oneblue,one
green—aredark,adeterminedlookonherface,andherbrowsarepulledtogetherashertoplipcurlsa
bit.She’soutforblood.

Butthat’smysister,RebekahvonStein,alwaysoutforblood.
Mysisterisn’tforthefaintofheart,butIcouldn’tloveheranymorethanIdo.Asshewatchesme,I

standonguard.Shemaybeagoodfootshorterthanme,shemayevenweighahundredpoundsless,but
mydearsisterisstrong.Verystrong.Sheisn’taregulargirl,andjustlikemybrothersandme,sheismade
with all the parts that make her stronger. Her new addition is a pair of legs from a award-winning
triathletewhohadpassedindrowningaccident.Oratleast,that’swhatweweretold.

Notthatsheasked.No,mysisterisverykindhearted.Whileshecankickthehelloutofanyman,she

doesn’tlikethatweusehumansforparts.Iknowit’sawaytoliveformyfamily,thatitkeepsusstrong,
thatweneedtheirpartstosurviveforyearstocome,butitbothersRebekah.WhichIfindtobeavery
sweettraitinmysister.

NotthatI’devertellherthat.
AsIwatchher,Iseethatsheisstillalittleweakonherlegs,whichIwillusetomyadvantage.She’s

notatfullstrength,sheprobablyshouldn’tevenbesparringwithus,butyoudon’ttellRebekahno.She’ll
bitchyoutodeathanddowhatshewantsanyway.Itannoysmybrothers,evenherguard,JJ,anddefinitely
myfather,butIsortofunderstandit.

Whileweallcangoanddowhatweplease,Rebekahcan’t.Sheisn’tallowedtoleave,isn’tallowed

tobearegulargirl,becausesheisonlockdown.Sheisconstantlywatched,alwayshasaguard.Iknow
shehatesit,butit’stoprotecther.Soarethecountlessexperimentssheundergoesandhates.Shehasto,to
stay alive. She could be killed at any moment because, unlike the rest of the family, the formula for
immortalitydidn’tworkonher.Itscaresme.Iknowshecandieatanymoment,andIcan’timaginethat
happening.Sheismylittlesister,myresponsibility,butIunderstandherhostility,heranger.BecauseifI
wereapincushiontomyfather,alongwiththefactIcouldn’tgetlaidwhenIwanted,I’dbepissedtoo.
Butshehasnochoice.

It’sthatordeath.
Itscaresme,though,thatoneday,ifmyfatherdoesn’tfindaformulathatworkswithherbody,she’ll

choosedeath.

Andthatjustcan’thappen.SoI’lllisten,I’llbepatient,andaboveall,I’llloveher.
“Nicelegs,Rebekah,”mybrotherJonasteases.Heandouryoungerbrother,Cyrus,standtogether,both

theirarmscrossedovertheirbarechests,theirbrownhairwildlyaskew.Theyalmostlookliketwins,but
theyarealmosttwoyearsapart.

CyrusscoffsasRebekahglares,hereyesneverleavingmine.
“Fuckoff,Jo,”sheseethes,herhandsoutaswecircleeachother.She’ssensitiveaboutherlegs,hates

them,andIgetit.

Whowantsmanlegsasachick?
Grinningather,Isay,“I’llgoeasy,Rebekah.”
Hereyesflickerwithanger,butIknowsheknowsI’mjustkidding.Iwon’tgoeasy.I’llgiveherall

I’vegot,andIknowshe’lldothesame.

She stretches her neck, and her eyes are full of fortitude as she says, “Don’t need to. I’ve been

training.”

“What?Youweresupposedtotakeiteasy,”Cyruscomplainsfromtheside,andthat’sbecauseshecan

kickhisasswithherpinkie.Mylittlebrotherisn’tmuchofafighter—alover,yes,sincehe’drathersiton
hisassandsmokethewackytobackythantraintoprotecthisfamily.Inaway,Iguesshedoesn’tneedto.
With Jonas and me, both of us strong and big presences, he’s fine being in the background. He’ll also
never be king. We are too close together in age for him ever to need to reign. No, he’ll be expected to
marry,makesomebabies,andworkatwhateverpleaseshim.Sohislazinessisn’tsurprisingtome.Jonas,
though, there isn’t a lazy bone in his body. He wants to be the king, not enough so to kill me off, but
enough that he is wooing every leader’s daughter in other Patchwork clans all over the world for the
chancetorulethatclan.He’llleaveusoneday,againstmyfather’swill.

IfFatherhadhisway,hischildrenwouldneverleave.
“WhenamIeverstill?”sheasksinnocently,stealingmyattentionback,andIshakemyhead.Glancing

to her guard, our friend JJ, he too is shaking his head in frustration. She drives us all insane. She was
understrictorderstotakeiteasyuntilshewashealed,butIdon’tknowwhatIreallyexpected.Likeshe
said,shecan’tsitstill,shehastobemoving,andifsomeonetellshertosit,she’supandrunning.Arebel,
mysisteris,anditscaresme.Oneday,she’llbesickofitall,andIdon’tknowwhatwillhappen.She
can’trun,they’llcatchher,sothatleaveskillingherself.Thatalonehasmystomachdroppingtothefloor.
No,thatcan’tbeanoption.Fatherisworkingonaformula;she’llbefine,andthenshecanlivetheway
shewants.

Atleast,Ihopeso.
“Plus,Igottastaystrongtowhoopyourasses.”
Igroan.She’sneverkickedmyassandsheknowsit,butshe’sacockylittleshit.Guessgrowingup

withthreeolderbrothers,shewasboundtobe.

As she hops on the balls of her feet, I can’t help but smile. While she is strong and maybe to some

scary,she’sjust adorabletome. Iwantto letherwin, butthat’s nothowI roll.Haveto takedownmy
sisteronceagain.

“Well,bringit,Rebekah.Don’tleavemewaiting,”Iteaseher,andshegrins.Anevilgrinthatshould

scareaman,butitonlymakesmelaugh.

“Allright,Osh.Let’sgo.”
ShetakesastepjustasIdo,myhandscomingoutforher.Butunfortunately,she’sfaster,battingmy

handsawayandswingingherlegintomyribs.Idon’tevenfeelit,though.Herhitsarelikenothingmore
thananitch,andIknowthatfrustratesher.Shewantstotakemedown,shewantsmetofeelthepainshe
doeswhenIhither,butIdon’t—andIwon’t.

Thejoysofnotreallybeingabletofeelmuchofyourbody,sincealotofitisn’tevenmine.
Wedanceforasecond,andwhenshegetstooclose,Iseemychance,backhandingher.Shedoesn’t

even flinch, throwing her leg into my ribs, and I know she wants me to grab it. She wants an easy
takedown,butIwon’tgiveittoher.Instead,Iswingather,butshedodgesme,slammingherfistintomy
chestandthenmyjaw.Quicklittleshit,andwhileIwanttolaugh,Ican’tbecausesoonwearebattling.
WhileI’mfast,she’sfaster,usinghersizeasanadvantage.Butwhenmyfistlandsanotherhittoherface,
Iseethetearsandthensheisbackingaway.

IknowifIcoddleher,she’llkickmeintheballs,soIlaugh.“Aw,didthathurt?”
IkindofwishIhadcoddledherbecausewithinseconds,herfaceturnsredandthensheisrunningat

me,herfootcomingtowardmyface.Reachingout,Itakeherfoot,readytoflipherupsidedown,butshe
quicklyflipsup,wrappingherotherlegaroundmyneck.PanickingbecauseIseethetakedowncoming,I
letgoofherlegtothrowheroffme,butshewrapstheotheronearoundmequickly,usingtheforceofher

upper body to flip me over onto the mat. Next thing I know, I’m landing hard against the mat as my
brothersandJJholleroutinsurprise.

IwouldsayI’mimpressed,butthatwillhavetobelater.Now,Ihavetoshowthisgirlwhoisboss.I

takeherbytheankles,knowingsheisn’tstrongenoughtoholdthemtogethertightly,andIeasilyseparate
themasIsitupandhereyeswideninshock.Shethoughtshehadme.Throwingherbodytothemat,Idig
mykneeintoherthroat.Breathless,Isay,“Done.”

“No!”sheyellsdefiantlyassheswingsatme,unabletoreachme.Herfaceisturningred,andIwant

hertogivein,butIwon’t.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see JJ come off the wall, his voice filling the room. “Oceanus, that’s

enough.”

Idon’tletup,though.Iwait,myeyespleadingwithherasherfacestartstoturnredderandredder.

Finally,shetapsmyknee,andIgouptomyfeetwitheasebeforeliftingherup.Kissinghertemple,Isay,
“Almosthadme.Surprisedme,forsure.”

She’spoutingasshegaspsforbreath,butshedoessmilealittle.“Iwantedtobeatyou.”
“Yeah,butyouwon’t,”Iremindherandsherollshereyes.“ButyoucouldeasilytakeoutJonasand

Cyrus.”

“Hey!”theycomplain,andIjustsmile,kissingheroncemore.
“Proudofyou.”
Shebeamsupatme,andIcantellthatmadeherhappy.Shehateslosingtome,butknowingI’mproud

keepshercomingatme.Ilovethatabouther.Beforeshecanspeak,though,ourfather’svoicefillsthe
room.

“Yourlegsarestillweak.Giveittime,andyoucantakehimdown.Butthosehitsarelacking.Maybe

weshouldlookintoanewpairofarms?Biggerones.LikeOceanusorJonas.”

Allfourofusturn,andIhearRebekahsighinannoyanceasCyruscomplains,“Orbetteryet,canIget

somearmssinceI’msoweakandall?”

“You have good arms, you need to work them. She is weak,” Father says, pointing to Rebekah, and

nowI’mtheonesighinginannoyance.She’sperfectthewaysheis.Shejustneedsaformulathatworks.
“Sheneedstheextrapieces.”

“I’mnotweak,andI’mfine,”shespitsbackbeforeIcan.
“Ah,weshallsee.Butenoughfortoday.Wehaveameeting.”
“Ameeting?”sheasksand,crap,Ithoughtsheknew.Thiswon’tbegood.
AsIreachformyshirt,Ifeelhereyesonmeassheasks,“Whatmeeting?”
“Notyou,mylove.Yougorest.”
WhenIlookbackather,she’sglaring,hershouldersbacktaut,thefrustrationcomingoffherinatidal

wave.Sheisn’tallowedtogotothefamilymeetings.She’stooyoung,accordingtomyfather.But,really,
hejustwantstokeepherinthedarkbecausehefeelsit’salltoomuchforher.Thefactthatshecan’tbe
immortal like us is enough for her to handle, no reason to give her the rest of the problems of the
Patchwork.Plus,hefeelsshe’llgetscared,andhecan’thavethathappentohisbaby.Hewantshertofeel
safe at all times, and I do too. But I truly believe knowledge is power, and the more she knows, the
strongershe’llbe.

Squeezingherfist,shetipsherchinup.“ButIwanttogotothemeeting.What’sthemeetingabout?”
“You’retooyoung,”Fathersays,givinglifetomypreviousthought,butIknowthat’snotenoughfor

her.

Slidingmyfeetintomytennisshoes,Imeetherheatedgaze.“It’snotabigdeal.Justamatterwehave

toaddress.Stupidshiftershit,”Iexplain,mygreeneyesdrillingintohers.Iwanthertobequiet,Idon’t
wanthercausingafight,butevenIknowthatisapointlessrequest.

“ButIwanttoknow.WhendoIgettoknow?”

“Whenyou’reolder,”myfathersaysdismissivelyashestartsforthedoor,butshe’srightonhisheels,

herhandsgoingupintheair.

“But Cyrus gets to go? He’s one year older than me! Plus, I’m way smarter than him, you’ve said it

yourself.”

Iscoff,lookingbackatCyrus,whoispullinghisheadoutofhisshirtandglaring.“Hey!”
She isn’t lying, though, she’s a very smart girl, Cyrus…well, he’s good at other things. That’s why

we’vealwayssaid,“ThankGodCyrusispretty.”

BeforeIcanrazzhimany,myfatherisspeakingagain,andIlookupasRebekah’sbodyflusheswith

exasperation.“It’snothingthatconcernsyou.Theboys,yes,becausetheyfightforthisfamily—”

“Thenletmefight!”sheyells,andIshakemyhead.Iappreciatehertenacity,Ido,butIneedhertobe

immortal before she fights. She could take down armies of people, I know she can, but one stick of a
bladeinherheartandit’sover.Herheartbeatsloudly,oursdon’t.Untilherheartmatchesours,shecan’t
fightforthisfamily.Nomatterhowmuchshewantsto.

“Soyoucandie?No,Iloveyoumorethanthat.Now,goon.”
“No! I want to be involved. I want to feel included. I’m always locked away, I never get to do

anything.Beapartofanything.Father,letmebeapartofthisfamily,”sheimplores,andwhileIagreeit’s
notfair,Idon’tunderstandhowshedoesn’tgetthatwearetryingtoprotecther.

“Youare,”hestresses,andIcanseethepainonhisface.Helovesusepically,butespeciallyher.I

knowhefeelslikeafailurewhenitcomestothebabyofthisfamily.Hefeelsheshouldbeabletosave
her,andhehasn’tbeenabletoyetanditweighsheavyonhisheart.I’veofferedtotakeovereverythingso
hecanfocusonjusther,butFatherwon’tbudge.

Andwhilemyoffermaybeformyownselfishreasons,Ialsowantmysistertobeimmortallikeus.I

hateseeingherstruggling.

“But we have to protect you,” he reminds her, and I suck in a deep breath. She doesn’t like being

babied.

“No,youdon’t.Icanprotectmyself.Iamapartofthisfamily,yes?I’manadult.Letmebeinvolved.”

Shecrossesherarmsoverherchestashisgazeholdshers.“Youdon’tletmedoanything.Idon’tgoto
meetings,Idon’tgettogoout,andit’snotright.Especiallywhentheboysgettodowhatevertheywant.”

Shehasapoint,butagain,itispointless.Hewon’tlethergountilsheisimmortal.It’sthatsimple.

Comingupbehindher,Iplacemyhandonthesmallofherback.Sheflinchesalittle,readyforthefight,
untilsheseesit’sme.Shethencalmsabit,hereyeshopefulasImeetmyfather’sannoyedgaze.“Father,
ifImay,Ifeelshe’sattheagewhereshecanhandleeverything.She’ssmarterthanallofusandjustas
strong.Ifeelitmaybetimetoallowherinonsomethings.”

ShebeamsatmewhileJonasnods.“Andlet’sbehonest,she’llgetinthereandgetbored.Soreally,

let’sjustentertainher.

SheglaresbackatJonasashewrapshisarmaroundher,kissinghertemple.
Clearinghisthroat,Cyrusadds,“She’spartofthisfamily,andsincesheispartofthethreat,sheneeds

toknow.”

“Threat?” Rebekah asks, concern bubbling in her voice, and my eyes drift shut. This is what we

wantedtoprotectherfrom.Allthebadintheworld.Ourworld.Well,maybenotthewholeworld,just
thedamnKelleys,theshifterclan.“Whatthreat?”

Lettingoutanannoyedbreath,Fathershakeshishead.“Tomyoffice.”
Withthatandthewinninggrinonmysister’sface,Iknowshehaswon.
WhichmeansIguessit’stimetoletherinonthedealingsofthePatchwork.
Ijusthopeshecanhandleit.

yfather’sofficealwaysremindsmeoftheofficefromTheGodfather.

SometimesIfeellikeI’llwalkinhereandseeDonVitoCorleonebehindthedesk,that’show

muchitremindsmeofthefilm.It’sveryoldandrustic.Fullofallthetreasuresmyfatherhascollected
overthemanyyearsofhislife.It’salmostlikesteppingbackintime,andwhilemysiblingsmightlikeit,I
don’t.Ilikethemodernlookmore,ormaybeit’sbecausethisroomjustremindsmeoftheoldrules,the
oldway,andI’mreadyforthenewway.I’mreadyforanewPatchwork.

OneI’llrun.
Butalas,Ihaven’tfoundtheGodfatherbehindthedesk,onlymyfather,someonewhoinstillsfearin

almosteveryonehemeets.Mostlybecausehelookslikehehasonefootinthegrave.He’sancient,looks
almost mummified. Very Tales of the Crypt, which is why everyone is scared to talk to him. Not me,
though.I’mnotscaredofhim.Notasaperson.Buthispower…that’sawholeotherstory.

WhileI’mscaredofit,Iwantit.Iwanttobethekingheisn’t,andIwillbe.I’mjustnotsurewhen

since I was actually already supposed to be in command. When my name day came—we call it the
CeremonyofthePatchwork—itwassaidIwouldtakeovercommandonmytwenty-fifthbirthday.Father
figuredbythenhewouldbereadytoretire.Tomydismay,healsohadputinthecontractinverysmall
printthatitwasuptohimifhewasreadytostepdown.Nooneelse.Justhim,andbecauseofthat,Ijust
celebratedmytwenty-sixthbirthday,andI’mstillnotincommand.

Bullshit.
Isitdownfirstaroundtheroundtablethatispositionedtotheleftofmyfather’sdeskinhisbigoffice.

Whiletheofficeisold,it’snotsmall.Therearethreeroomsconnectedasone.Totheleftoftheround
tableisalsoalargelibrary,thenhisactualoffice,andthenhissittingroomforwhenheneedstothink.I
don’twantthisofficewhenItakeover,butthat’ssomethingI’llworryaboutwhenit’stime.

CyrusandJonassitfirst,withJJandthenRebekahrightbehindthem.Shepositionsherselfbesideme

withanalmostscaredlookonherface.She’sprobablytormentingherselfaboutthethreatthing,andIhate
thatCyrussaidsomething.Iwishshewasn’tevenhere,butthennoonewouldgetanypeace.Thepoor
girlisalwayslockedaway;sheneedstobeinvolved,nomatterhowmuchthatscaresme.

AsIwatchmyfathersit,hedoesn’tdososmoothly.Hismovementsarejerkybeforehefoldshisold,

leatheryhandstogetherandhiseyesscantheroom.Thescarsareveryprominentonhisfaceandhands.
Alltheexperimentshedidonhimselfarevisible,alongwiththescartissuethatisancientandfreakishon
him.Whilehiseyesarebright,fromthenewpairhejustobtained,helookslikedeath.Andtired.Very
tired.

Clearinghisthroat,heletshisgazefallonme,andImeetitheadon.
“IhadameetingwithKurtConner.”
KurtConner.
Thepackleaderofthewolves.
Mylove’sfather.
Clearing my throat, I sit up straighter as my forearms lay against the cool top of the old oak table.

BeforeIcancomment,though,heisgoingon.“HeneededaloanfortheweddingofTaegan.”

What?
Myworldstops.
Ifeelalleyesonme.Myfatherisstaringatme,waitingforaresponse,butIdon’thaveone.
Becausewhattheactualfuckisgoingon?

DidIhearhimwrong?
“Awedding?”
“Yeah, she is marrying some other pack leader’s son—you know how those wolves are. Wanting to

unitefamilieswitharrangedmarriageandallthatwolfishnonsense,Idon’tknow.ButIdidn’tgivehim
themoneyuntil—”

“Until?”Igasp,myheartinmythroat,mystomachontheground,andeverypieceofmefeelingasifI

amfallingintothefierydepthsofhellbecausesurelyIamhearingmyfatherwrong.

Taeganistomarryme.
“HeofferedupsomeinformationonFrankKelley—”
“Hehasn’tdiedyet?”Jonasasks,andIknowit’stogivemetime.Toletmethink,toletmeprocess,

butIcan’t.Taeganistomarrysomeoneelse?Shedidn’teventellme.Weweretogetherlastnight!Had
sheknown?Wassheplayingme?Damnit,whatthehell?Howcouldsheallowmetofindoutthisway?I
mean, I knew my time was running out, but hell, did she keep this from me? I’ve never experienced
heartacheortrueheartbreak,butI’mprettysurethisfeelingofmychestcavinginandblowingupisjust
that.

She’smarryingsomeoneelse?
Sheisn’twaitingforme?
GaspingforbreathasItrytopushthebilebackdownmythroat,Iwatchasmyfathershakeshishead.

“Not yet. And apparently, they are wanting to attack us in one more attempt to get the formula for him.
TheythinktheycankidnapRebekahanduseherasleverage.”

IfeelRebekahmoveasshesqueaks.“Me?”
“You.Soweareonhighalert.Keepyoureyesopen,and,Rebekah,Idon’twantyouworkingatthebar

untilthisistakencareof.IhaveameetingwithFrankKelleyonFriday.”

“Father,I’mfineatthebar.It’sownedbyourfamily,mostofourfamilyisthere,alongwithJJ.The

Kelleysdon’tevencomethatmuch.”

“Yes,butotherfamiliescometothebar,andthatmakesmeuncomfortable.”
“I’mfine,Icantakecareofmyself.”
He leans on his desk, and I don’t care about their melodrama. I can’t. Even though I know I should

intervene,calmbothsides—becausemyfatherisright,weneedtokeepRebekahundergroundwhilethis
goeson—Ican’thelpbutthinkofthefactthatmyloveismarryinganother.Someoneotherthanme.How
intheworldisthisfair?Whydidn’tshefightthem?Shetoldmeshewasmine,andIwashers.Whydidn’t
shewaitforme?

Andthenit’slikeI’mbeingslappedbackintoreality.
Shedidn’twaitformebecausewecan’t.
Wecan’tbeselfishandloveeachotherbecausewehavecommitmentstoourfamilies.Yes,welove

each other. Yes, she is my world, and I’ll love only her. But just like I have to, she has to protect her
family.I’msurethereissomethingmoretothis,andwhileIwishshehadtoldme,IknowIcan’tbeupset.
Ihavetorespecttheprocessofourfamilies.

Beingtheeldest,wehavenochoice.
Wedon’tgettobegreedy.
Wow,Idon’tevenbelieveI’mtryingtoconvincemyself.
Howcouldshe?
Clearingmythroatfreeoftheemotionthatwantstoescape,IlookupandprayIdon’tlookaffectedas

Isay,“Maybeweshouldtaketurnsonhershiftstobethere,helpJJout.Notthatheneedsthehelp,”Iadd
when JJ scoffs at me. “She loves working, Father. She can’t be locked up, and we also can’t have the
Kelleys knowing that we know of their plans. You know it’s unwise for them to know the wolves are
workingwithus.”

IfeelRebekahstaringatme,alongwithmybrothers,butmyeyesaretrainedonmyfather’s.Iwon’t

seemweakinfrontofhim.Lovemakesyouweak,andthoughIwanttosuccumbtoit,Ican’t.Iwilllead
thisfamily,thiscommunity,andI’lldoitwithfuckinggrace.IwantedTaeganbymyside,butthatisn’t
attainablenow.Shehasbetrayedme,andthat’sfine.I’llmoveon.

Ortryto,atleast.
WhothehellamIkidding?
Leaningbackinhischair,FatherwatchesmeasIclearmythroat,andIquicklyformaplaninmyhead.

MyfatherhasalwayscomplimentedmeonthewayIcanmakeaplanonthefly.It’swhoIam,aquick
thinker,andwhileIdon’twanttodealwithallthis,IknowIhaveto.Ihavetoprotectmyfamily.

Nomatterifmyheartisslowlybutsurelybreakinginmychest.
“You take Rebekah out from behind the bar, everyone will know something is wrong. It will bring

attention.Itwouldbebesttoleavethingsastheyare.We’llbethere,won’twe?”IsaythentoCyrusand
Jonas.

TheybothagreeasFatherslowlydrawsinabreath.“Alwaysfightingforher.”
AndIwilluntilmylastday.Wheneverthatis.Inod.“Iloveher.”
“Wealldo,whichiswhynothingwillhappentoher,”Jonasadds.Idon’tdoubtthateveryoneloves

Rebekah, or each other, but for some reason, I can’t appreciate that right now. As much as I wish it
weren’t,mymindisstillrevolvingaroundtheissueofTaeganandherfatheraskingmineformoneyfor
herwedding.Herfatherwantstotakemylovefrommeandthenexpectmyfamilytopayforit.

Whatadouche.
“DidyougiveConnerthemoney?”
Meetingmygaze,myfathernods.“Yes.”
MystomachjustcollapsesonitselfasIcroakout,“Taeganistomarry,then?”
The silence is so thick in the room as my father’s gaze bores into mine. I can feel the tension,

especiallyRebekah’s.Herheartisbreakingforme.Idon’twanthersympathy,noranyoneelse’s.Iwill
getthroughthis;I’lljustbefuckingpissedandheartbroken.Notthatanyoneelsewillknow.No.Noone
will know. “I guess, but why that matters is beyond me. This infatuation you have with her is not to be
givenlight.Itwouldneverwork.”

Stupidfuckingrules.Iwanttoscream.Iwanttobreakthetable.Iwanttobeatthehelloutofmyfather

andmakehimchangetherule.It’sunfair!

“Youthinkweareatwarwiththeshiftersnow?Ha!Warwiththewolveswouldbefatal,”headds,

andIpausemyinternalbattle.He’sright.Iknowthis.HowcouldIbesostupid?

BecauseI’minlove.
Likeadumbass.
“Ofcourse,Father,”Isay,slappingmyhandstogether.“Arewedone?IwanttoworkwithRebekah

somemore.”

“Yes,thankyou.”
Beforethelastwordisoutofhismouth,Iamupandoutofmychair,headingforthedoor.Pullingout

myphone,IdialTaegan’snumber,butitgoesstraighttovoicemail.Itryagain,andoncemore,hervoice
mailpicksup.She’savoidingme.

Closingmyeyes,Ishakemyhead,tearsstingingmyeyes,notthatI’llletthemfall.Idon’tcry.I’ma

man.WhenIfeelRebekahleaningintome,Igotautasherarmswraparoundmine.

“Areyouokay?”shewhispers,hervoicesosmallthatallIcandoisscofftokeepfromcrying.
Iwanttotakehersupport.Iwanttowrapmyarmsaroundherandbeghertomakethepaingoaway.

Butsheisn’ttheoldersibling,Iam.Clearingmythroat,Ishrug.“Yes,whywouldn’tIbe?”

“Justasking,”shesays,hereyesonme.Ilookdownather,andhereyesarefullofsorrow.“I’msorry,

Osh.”

Ishakemyhead,disgustcoveringmyface.“Don’tbe.I’mnot.Ifshewantstomarrysomefuckingwolf

thatwillbeatherandtreatherlikeshit,thenlether.Noneofmybusiness.Sheisn’tmine.”

Thosewordsshouldn’tbetrue.
Shewassupposedtobemine.
ButIranoutoftime.

lammingmyselfdownonmybed,Ileanmyheadintomyfistasmyelbowsdigintomythighs.My
knuckles are burning, my everything is breaking, and I feel horrible for what I did to my siblings

downinthesparringroom.Ishouldhavejustcomeupstairs,cooledoff,butIhadtogetthefrustrationout.
Ihadtohitsomething,butIshouldhavetakeniteasybecauseI’mprettysureIbrokeJonas’snose.Iknow
hecangetanewone,butstill,Ineedtoapologizeoncemore.Later.Ican’trightnow.

Rightnow,Ineedtobreathe.
Ihaven’tbeenabletocatchmybreath.
AllIheararemyfather’swords,overandoveragaininmyhead.
Taeganistomarry.
How did this happen? When did this happen? I haven’t heard anything. Usually, I hear about these

dealsfromthewolveswhoworkforus,buttherehasbeennochatter.How,inthelasttwelvehours,did
shegofrombeingminetogettingengagedtosomebastard?Howcouldshe?Howdareshelookmeinthe
eye,tellmeshelovesmeandthatI’mhers,whenobviouslyshehasn’tfoughtnottomarryhim?Addto
that,shewon’tevenanswermyphonecalls!

Digginginmypocketformyphone,Idialhernumberoncemore,onlytobemetwithvoicemailonce

more.

“Fuck,”Igroan,fallingbackintothebedasmyeyesclose,lettingmyphonedroptotheground.This

isn’tlikeher.Shealwaysanswersmycalls.Isthismyfault?Wassheplayingme?

Suckinginadeepbreath,Ipausebeforetearsfloodmyeyes.
Ismellher.She’sallovermysheets.
Hersoft,richperfumethatusuallydrivesmemadwithlusthasmeholdingontothesheetsasIpush

backthetears.Ijustdon’tunderstand.Havetheselastfouryearsmeantnothingtoher?Imean,evenifshe
hastomarrythisfuckingbastard-asswolf,couldn’tsherespectmeenoughtotellme?Answerthephone,
explainthesituation?I’mnotanidiot,Iknewourtimemightrunout,butIdidn’texpectittohappenso
unexpectedly.

OrthatIwouldhurtthisbad.
But,really,whatdidIexpect?IhavelovedTaeganalmostmywholelife.Evenwhenshedidn’twant

me,Iwantedher.Finally,Igether,fourgloriousyearsofthatbeautifulwoman,andnow…nowit’sover.

Fucking,over.
Coveringmyeyeswithmyfist,Itrytocatchmybreath,myheartdeadinsideofme.Figuratively,since

it’salreadyliterallydead,butwhatever,I’mfuckingdyinghere.Ineverthoughtitcouldhappen.Inever
thoughtIwouldeverknowwhatdeathfeltlike.

Butapparently,allIhadtodowasfallinlove,loseher,andIwouldknowthefeeling.
Ican’thelpbutthinkmaybeIstillhaveachance.MaybeIcantalkmyfatherintolettingmetakeover,

maybeIcanstopthewedding?ButifIstillhadachance,whyisn’tsheansweringmycalls?Doesshenot
wantme?MaybeIshouldgoseeher.Butwhatifpeoplehearus,andthenitgetsbacktomyfather?Ican’t
riskit,butwhatcanIdo?

MaybeIshouldn’tdoanything.
Inaway,Ireallycan’t.
Maybethisistheforcesbeyondatwork,andIshouldjustacceptthatmyrelationshipwithTaeganwill

never be more than a love I can’t have. That we are nothing but two star-crossed lovers. I have
responsibilities;Ihaveafamilytoprotect.CanIreallydothatifI’mbreakingnosesandsulkinginmy

room? I can’t, so maybe I should take this as a blessing. I have to worry about my family. About my
obligations as the future king of the Patchwork. Can I even be the king this community needs if I’m
completelyinlovewithmyqueen,andIcaremoreforherthanIdoanyoneelse?Idon’tknow,andmaybe
I’vebeentooblindtoseethat.Ihavetodowhat’srightanddomyduty.

That’snotaproblem…butcanIdoit?CanIlethergo?
ThescariestthingisIdon’tknow.
Before I really know what I’m doing, I’m moving, out of my room and down the hall. As I take the

stairstwoatatime,Ihearpeopledownstairs,mysiblings,butIhavetoseemyfather.Idon’tknowwhat
I’mdoing,whatI’llsay,butIhavetotry.Ican’tlethergo.

Iloveher.
WhenIgettohisdoor,IknockasIpushitopen,meetinghissurprisedgazeasIenter.
“Oceanus.”
“Father,”Isay,shuttingthedoorandthenwalkingtowardhisdesk.
Closingthebookinfrontofhim,hefoldshishands,givingmehisattention.“HeardyoubrokeJonas’s

nose.”

InodasIfallbackintothechairinfrontofhisdesk.“Yeah,he’sfine.”
“Howareyourhands?Doyouneednewones?”
Ishakemyhead,glancingatmybustedknuckles,butIdon’tcare.“No,I’mfine.”
Meetingmyfather’sconcern-filledeyes,Iswallowhardashesays,“Youseemupset.Areyouokay?”
“Fine,”Isay,wavinghimoff.“Father—”
“DoesthishavetodowiththeConnerwolf?”
I shake my head quickly, bile in my throat as I hold my father’s gaze. “No, this is about something

else.”

Hisbrowrisesasheeyesme.“Please,goon.”
Taking in a breath before clearing my throat, I lean back in my chair. “I feel we need to discuss my

takingmyrightfulspotasleaderoftheclan.”

Hislipstipupabitinamusement.“Oh,dowe?”
“Yes,” I say sternly, my whole life on the edge as I hold his gaze. “It’s been months since we’ve

discussed it. You look exhausted, Father. I know you are working night and day for this formula for
Rebekah,”Iadd,andhislipspresstogether.“Letmetakesomeoftheweightoffyourshoulders.Youcan
focusjustonRebekah.Onretirement.I’mready,Father,youknowIam.”

“Idon’tdoubtthatyouareready,Oceanus,butI’mnotreadytohanditover.”
“Why?”Iyell,lettingmyemotionstakeover.Surprisedbymyoutburst,henarrowshiseyesasIlook

away.MyeyesslowlyfallshutasItakeinacleansingbreath.Ican’tactlikethis.Thisisn’twhoIam.
I’mnotanemotionalbasketcase,.Iamstrong.

IamOceanusvonStein.
Futureleaderofthisfuckingclan.
Clearingmythroat,Isay,“Father,excuseme.I’mworn-out,andIjustworryaboutyou.”
Whenhestartstolaugh,Ilookup,completelystartledasheshakeshishead.“Son,youaren’tworried

aboutme.You’reworriedaboutthefactthatbitchisgettingmarried,andit’snottoyou.”

Withinseconds,I’mstanding,myhandsslammingagainsthisdesk.Rageandfrustrationrunthroughmy

veins.“Donotcallherthat,”Iroar,andIcan’tbelievethepersonwhoisstandinginfrontofmyfather.I
justoutedmyself,completely,likeanidiot.Whoisthisperson?I’musuallysocalm,cool,collected.At
least,Iwasbeforemylovedecidedtomarryanother.

Crossinghisarmsoverhischest,heshakeshisheadoncemore.“Oceanus,comeon,whathaveyou

done?”

“Nothing,”Ibiteout,steppingbackandawayfromhim.WalkingaroundthechairIhadbeensittingin,

Icrossmyarmsandlookoutattheroom,tryingtocollectmyself.“Justdon’tdisrespectherlikethat.”

“Why?Sheisnothingtoyou.”
“You’reright,”Isaysadly,mysoulbreakingevenmore.“Butstill,don’tdisrespecthername.”
“Fine,”hesaysafteramoment,andIknowhe’sscrutinizingme.“Thewolfprincess.Thisisabouther

andherwedding,I’msure.”

“It’snot,”Ianswer.ButevenIdon’tbelieveme,sowhywouldhe?
“Lying isn’t your strong suit, my son, and I see right through you. I always have been able to, and I

don’tunderstandwhatyou’redoing.Doyouknowwhoyouare?”

“Yes,ofcourse,Ido,”Isay,rollingmyeyesbeforefacinghim.“Butyet,youwon’tletmehavemy

rightfulplace!”

Swallowinghard,Iwatchasmyfatherslowlystands.“BecauseI’mnotreadytogiveittoyou.It’sat

mydiscretion.”

“Butit’smyplace.It’smytime!Letmehavewhatismine.”
“Induetime.Maybetomorrow,maybeafterthewolfmarries,maybeinanotheryear,youneverknow.”
“HernameisTaegan—”
ButbeforeIcansayanythingelse,hisfisthitsthetable.“No,nomore.Thisconversationisover.The

wolfisnolongeryourconcern.Sheistomarry,andit’snotyourplacetocare,”heyells,hiseyeswild
withanger.“YouareOceanusvonStein,mysonandthefutureleaderofthisclan.Youwillnotdosowith
somewolfatyourside.Nomixingoftheclans,Oceanus.None.”

“But,Father—”Itry,buthecutsmeoff.
“Also, what in the hell would she bring to this family to make us better? Nothing. We only marry to

makeusstronger.Shewillnotmakeyoustronger!”

“Yes,shewill,”Iyell,andIdon’tevenrecognizemyvoice.“Shemakesmestrongerbyjustlovingme,

Father.Iunderstandthatyou’veneverlovedanother,thatyouusedwomentohaveus,butit’sdifferentfor
me.IloveherandIwanttobewithher,andIcan’tuntilthatfuckingruleisgone!”

“Itisn’tgoinganywhere.”
“Yes!ItwillwhenI’mincommand.”
“Thenmaybeyouwon’tbeincommand.”
It’slikehe’ssmackedme.Hard,acrosstheface.IholdmychestasIholdhisgaze.“It’smyplace.It’s

onmyCeremonyofthePatchworkdecree.”

Myfathershrugs.“ButitalsosayswhenI’mready.MaybeI’llneverbeready.”
“Father—”
“No, son, you forget who has the power here,” he says simply, and I look away, trying to take in a

breath.

Broken.Completelybroken.That’sallIcansay.Ilookupathim,feelingnothingbutpain.“Ihadn’t

forgotten.Ijusthopedmaybeyou’dbealittlelenient.”

“Lenientisn’twhoIam,myson,”hesays,andjustlikethat,IknowIhavenochancehere.Inolonger

feelanything.I’mempty.Reachingout,hetakesmyfaceinhishand,bringingmygazetohisashisvoice
dropstoalmostawhisper.“Oceanus,doyoureallythinkherfatherwouldlethermarryyou?Whatinthe
hellwouldthatdoforhisbloodline?Heneedsstrength,power,andsomeonetocarryonhisnamesince
heonlyhasoneson.Taeganisprimeblood,hecouldgetsomuchoutofamarriageforher.Notfromyou,
though.Hecan’tdoanythingwithamixedbreed,andhewon’tgetaheadwithus.Yes,hisdaughterwill
bethequeenofitall,butwhatwillthatdoforhim?Hisclan?Nothing.Don’tbeanidiot.”

Itrytoshakeoutofhisgrip,butit’stightasheholdsmygaze.Forlookinglikedeath,hesureisstrong.

Shakingme,hedigshisfingersintomyface.“Itwillonlyhurtherinthelongrunbecauseweallknow
youwon’tleavethisfamily,yourrightfulplace,torunawaywithher.Lethergo.It’sonlymorepaininthe
future if you try to marry that girl. The war we have right now with the Kelleys will be child’s play

comparedtothewarthatwillcomeifyoumarrytheprincessoftheConnerclan.Kurtwilltrytokillyou,
andhewillpullallourprotection—”

“KurtConnerrespectsme,”Itry,butFathershakeshishead.
“Becauseyouarenotathreat.Noonereallythinksyoutwowoulddoanything.It’sallfun,kidsbeing

kids,butyoutwoknowyourplaces.Youknowwhatyouhavetodoforyourfamilies.”

Finally,heletsmyfacego,andIlookaway,holdingmyjawasIpushbackthetears.Iknowheisright.

Ihadn’tthoughtmuchaboutitbecauseIreallydidn’tcare.Ididn’tcarewhatherfatherwouldthink,what
he would do, because Taegan would be mine. That’s all I cared about—being with Taegan—but the
repercussionsarefargreaterthanIeverthought.Ionlythoughtofherandme.

Iwasselfish.
SomethingI’mnotallowedtobe.
Swallowinghard,Iclosemyeyesasmyfathergoeson,“Youcan’tmarryher,nomatterhowmuchyou

wantto.”

“ButIloveher,”Iwhisper,andthenIcan’tholditin,“We’llrunaway.”
Helaughs,shakinghisheadasImeethismenacinggaze.“AndI’llfindyou—andkillher.”
Mymouthfallsopen,andheshrugs,socalloustothefactthathejustadmittedtowantingtodoharmto

my love. “You know it will be nothing for me to have her killed. I’ve done it before, and I know this
won’tbethelasttime.”

“You’dkillaninnocentgirl?”Iask,emotionthickinmythroat.“SomeoneIlove?”
“If,intheend,itwillruinthisfamily,yes,”hesayscoldheartedly.Really,whydoesthatsurpriseme?

Myfatherisananimalofsorts.Hehasnopassionforanyonebutus.Hewilldoanythingtogetaheador
protectwhatishis.Ijustdidn’tthinkitwouldbesomeoneIlove.Heclearshisthroat,andIlookdownat
the ground as he goes on, “I don’t want to do that. I don’t want you to hurt, my boy, I don’t. But I am
protectingyou.Ican’tallowforyoutoruinnotonlythisfamilyorthiscommunitybutyourself.Ihaveto
guideyoutomaketherightdecisions.Don’tyouunderstandthat?”

Lookingaway,IclosemyeyesasIletmyheadfall.WhenItookmyoathtothePatchwork,itwasto

loveandprotectmykind.Likemyfatherhas.Hehasdoneeverythingandanythingtoprotectthisfamily.
Hehaskilledthethreats;hehadraisedmybrothersandmetofightforthisfamily.I’matrainedkillerin
myownright,andIknowwhatIwasgivenlifetodo.I’vealwaysknownitwastoprotectthisfamily,to
lovemycommunity,andnevertoloveanyonemorethanIdomycommunityandfamily.I’vedonejustthat
sinceItookmyoath,andIwillfortherestofmylife.ButIthoughtmaybeIcouldhavethePatchworkand
Taegantoo.

Hearingthesewordsfrommyfather,Iknowhewoulddowhathesaid.Iknowheonlywantstoprotect

me,buthejustbrokemeevenmore.HemademerealizethatIwillcausemorepaintryingtobewithher
thanIwillifIjustlethergo.

ButIdon’twanttobelieveit.Idon’twanttobelieveanyofit.
EspeciallythepartwhereTaeganistomarry.
Someonewhoisnotme.

fterleavingmyfather’soffice,Idon’tseeanypointindoinganythingelsebutgoingtobed.Ineedto
clearmyhead,sleepofftherageandfrustrationthatareburninginmysoul.It’snothealthyforme.I

can’tdothistomyself.Ican’tchangewhatisoutofmycontrol.Whatiscompletelyinmyfather’scontrol.
Just like my whole life has been—and more than likely my future too. I know I have a purpose, a
responsibility to my family to uphold, and I can’t lose sight of that, but just the thought of her clear-as-
glassblueeyesandsomehowIdo.

Nomatterhowstupiditis,Ijustdon’tunderstand.
Whycan’tIhaveboth?
Myrightfulplaceandmygirl?
Itisn’tfair.
Butthen,isiteverfairforanyofthevonSteinkids?
MaybeCyrusbecausehehasnocaresintheworld,butfortherestofus,itjustisn’tfair.
Aslongasmyfatherisincommand,wewillneverhavewhatwewant.Iconsidersayingfuckitall,

running away, but can I leave my siblings to deal with him without me? To never have a fair future in
sight?IknowIcan’t,nomatterhowmuchIloveTaegan.Iknowshe’dunderstandthat,butthen,maybe
shedoesn’tcare.She’smovedon.She’sleftme.

She’stomarrysomebastardotherthanme.
While my intention was to sleep, all I do is toss and turn. Pathetically calling Taegan again, just for

someinsight.Forsomeanswers.Maybehearingitfromherwillhelp.Helphealmysoul.Idon’tthinkit
will, though. I’m sure I’ll just be even more upset when I finally hear her voice. Frustrated, I turn my
phoneoffanddecidetoletitgo.Ortryto,atleast.Squeezingmyeyesshuttightly,Iknowitwon’tbethat
easy.

Somehow,thedarknesstakesme,buteveninthedarkness,myheartisn’tsafe.Asalways,Idreamof

her.

Sheisnakedinmyarms,herlipsmovingagainstmineasourhandsslidewildlyalongeachother’s

bodies.WhenIpickherup,shewhispers,“Iloveyou.”

“Iloveyou,”Imoan,mybodysotightandfulloflustformybeautifullove.
Asherhandsglidedownmybacktomyass,aharshsoundleavesmylipsasshebiteshardagainst

myneck.Igotowrapmyarmsaroundher,butthensheisn’tthere.Openingmyeyes,Iseesheisbeing
heldbymyfatherandherfather,KurtConner.Igotograbher,tosaveher,butthentwoguardsare
holdingmeback,aknifetomyneck.

“Tae!”
She’sscreaming,tearsrunningdownherface,beforesomeone,atall,brawnyman,comesupbehind

ourfathersandsnatchesheraway,hismouthcapturinghers.

“Taegan!”Icryout.Butthensheiskissinghim,andbeforeIknowit,he’sfuckingheragainstthe

wall. His body flexing with each thrust as my love, my sweet, beautiful Taegan is screaming her
praises.

Unabletowatch,Ilookaway,suckinginabreathasmyfather’swordscutme.“Sheisn’tyours.”
Waking with a jerk, I sit up, gasping for breath. My body is shaking with anger, my mind going a

hundredmilesaminute,andIdon’tknowhowIamgoingtogetoverthis.

Getoverher.
Swallowinghard,Irunmyhandsdownmyfacebeforeexhalingharshly.Ireachformyphone,butthen

Istop.Idon’twanttotalktoher.Ican’t.AsmuchasIneedtohearhervoice,hersideofthestory,Ijust
feeltoodeceived.Droppingmyhandstomylap,Irunthemdownmythighsbeforeslowlystandingand
heading to the bathroom. I decide I have to get out of here. I could go down to the bar that my family
owns,theClandestine,butI’mreallynotinthemood.MaybeIcanconvinceJonastogooutsomewhere
else.Hopefully,heisn’ttoomadatme.

Leavingmyphonebecauseitdoesn’thaveanythingIneed,Ithrowonateeandthenchangeintomy

jeansbeforeslidingmyfeetintosometennisshoes.Ireallydon’tcarewhatIlooklike.Ijustwanttoget
outofhere. Headingoutof myroom,I startdownthe stairsjust intimeto seeJonascoming outofhis
room.

“Jo.”
My brother looks up, and I cringe. His nose is completely smashed to the left, and when his eyes

narrowtoslits,Iknowhe’sstillpissed.“Whatthefuckdoyouwant,asshole?”

Yup,he’salittleangry.“Comeon,IsaidIwassorry.”
“Youbrokemynose,andFathercan’tfixittilltomorrow,soI’llbemadatyouuntilthen.”
Igrimace.“HowaboutItakeyououtforabeer?”
Heglares.“HowaboutIbreakyournose?”
Iscoff.“Youcantry.”
“Ihateyou,”hemoans,shakinghisheadbeforewalkingoff.Ifallinstepwithhimashesays,“You’re

buyingallthebeertonight.”

“See?Youloveme.”
“ThatandIknowyouneedme.”
IsuckmyteethasIslowlynod.“Thatobvious?”
“EveryoneheardwhenyouwentafterFather,soyeah,it’sobvious.”
Exhalinghard,Iwince.“Theyheard?”
“Yeah,everyone.You’rethetalkofthehouse.”
“Great.”
“Nobigdeal.Itwon’tleavethehouse.Butyeah,areyouokay?”
“No,”Isayhonestly,andIcanfeelmybrother’sgazeonme.
“Whatareyougoingtodo?”
“WhatcanIdo?”Iaskhim,meetinghisgaze,andheshrugs.
“Nothing.”
“Exactly.”
“Fuck,thatsucks.”
“Yeah,itdoes.”
As we take the stairs down one by one, I wish I could come up with something. Where are my

awesomeplanningskillswhenIreallyneedthem?Ifeellost,andIhatefeelinglikethat.

“Igotit,”Jonassaysthen,andIlooktohimexpectantly.
“What?”
“YougorunoffwithTaegan,andI’lltakeover.”
Irollmyeyes.“Inyourdreams.”
“Soyou’llchoosetheclanoverher?”
“Isn’tthatwhatsheisdoing?”Hepresseshislipstogether.“Plus,ifIdidtrytomarryher,itwould

startawar,fromwhatFatherthinks.”

“Ohyeah,forsure.Ihadn’teventhoughtaboutthat.”Whenhestartslaughing,Ilooktohim,confused.

“Itwouldbecrazy,thewolvescomingforyouandtheshiftersforRebekah.”

Islowlynod.“AndthethreatagainstRebekahismuchgreaterandnotsomethingwecanavoid.Ican

avoidtheonewiththewolves.”

“Yeah,”heagreesbeforechancingaglanceatme.“Butwhataboutyou?”
“Whataboutme?Idon’tmatter,onlymyfamily,”IsayasstronglyasIcan,eventhoughit’slikeknives

inmyback.Iwanttobeselfish,IwanttoloveTaeganfortherestofmylifeashusbandandwife,buthow
canIwhentheworldisagainstus?

“True.It’sjustshitty,though,”hesaysthen,andIlooktohim,nodding.
“Youhavenoclue—”
Ihadn’tevenrealizedwehadreachedthelobbyoftheClandestine,whenmygazemeetstheoneofthe

womanwhohasstayedonmymindforalmostmywholelife.

“Taegan,”Ibreathe,myvoiceunrecognizable.
Hereyesarebloodshot,herfaceisred,andshelooksjustmiserable.“Oceanus,Jonas,”shesaystomy

brother,andhenods.

“Hey,Taegan.Eversogorgeous,”hecompliments,buthereyesareonme,beggingme,andIcan’ttake

it.

Lookingaway,Ihearhersay,“Thanks.Um,Oceanus,I’vebeentryingtoreachyou.”
Clearingmythroat,Idon’tlookup,feelinglikeafuckingcowardasIsay,“Yeah,Ishutmyphoneoff.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.”
Silencestretchesbetweenus,andthenIlooktoJonas,needingtogetawayfromher.“Ready?”
Jonaslookscompletelyoutofsortsandholdshishandsupinconfusion.“Yes?”
ButbeforeIcanmoveorevensayanything,Taegan’shandcomesintomine.Likeitdidsomanyyears

ago.Likebefore,mybreathstops,mymindgoeswild,andIamstunnedasIlookdownintoherblueeyes.
“Ineedtospeakwithyou,please.”

“Whatistheretospeakabout?”Iask,mylipstartingtotrembleashereyespleadwithmine.
“Alot,”shesays,hereyeskillingme.“Jonaswillwait,won’tyou?”
“Yup.Inthebar.Takeallthetimeyouneed,”hesays,andbeforeIcanbreakhisnoseoncemore,heis

hightailingitintothebar.

“Bastard,”Icalltohimbeforelookingbackattheground.“Taegan,Ican’tdothis.”
“Please,”shebegs,andIfeelhermiserycomingoffherinwaves.“Idon’twanttodothishere,butI

will.”

Ilookaround,andIseetheguardsarewatchingus,asaresomeofthepatronsenteringthebar.Ina

lowvoice,Iwarn,“Taegan.”

“Oceanus,”shedemands,andfinally,Ilooktoher.“Justfiveminutes.”
She’scrying.
Hertearsaremorelikeknivestwistinginmychest.BeforeIloseit,Ipullheroutside,outofearshot

andawayfromunwantedeyes.Butjustbeingoutsideisn’tenough.Itakeheraroundthebuildingtothe
alleywhereIknownoonewillbe.

Turning,Idropherhandandthencrossmyarms,lookingdownather.“So?”
Herbrowstouchassheshakesherhead,lookingaway.“Soyouknow.”
“Yeah.”
“Itriedtostopit.”
“Didyou?”Iask,lookingather,andsheglaresupatme.
“Yes!Idon’twanttomarryhim!”
Itrytoseemsounaffected,almostasifIdon’tcare,butIcan’t.“Oh,really?’Causeifyoudidn’twant

tomarryhim,youwouldn’thaveto!”

“You tell that to my father,” she shouts, her eyes wild and full of tears. “You don’t tell the Kerrigan

familyno.Oceanus,youknowthis!”

Ipause.Kerrigan?Whatthehell?Nowsheislyingtome.“WhointheKerriganfamilywantstomarry

you?Everyoneisbetrothed!”

“Marcello,”sheyells,herfaceturningred.
“Taegan,really?You’regoingtolietomyface?Thelasttimewe’llbetogether,you’regoingtolie?”
“I’mnotlying,”shepleads,reachingforme,butIpushherhandsaway.
“He’sengagedtoGraceMacMartin.Ihavethedamninviteinmyoffice!”
“Well,theweddinghasbeencanceled’causeshe’sdead.”
Ipause,mybrowspullingtogether.“What?”
“Shewaskilledinahuntingaccident.Shewastryingtogetthebestkilltowearwithherdress,andthe

beargother.”

“Whenthehelldidthishappen?”
“Lastweek.”
“Ihadn’theardanythingofthis.”
“Whywouldyou?Theyaren’tpartoftheWorks,butIbetyourdaknows.”
Ilookaway,shakingmyhead.Whyhadn’thetoldme?Really,doesitmatter?Taeganisn’tmarrying

me.Iglare.“Sonowyou’regoingtomarrythisdouche?”

WhenIlookbackather,herlipiswobbling,hertearsfallinginstreamsoffherfaceandontothewhite

shirtshewears.“Ihaveto.Mydasaidyesbeforeheevenspoketomebecauseitwillbesogoodforour
family.Theyarethesecond-greatestwolffamilyinourworld,rightbehindus.Sincetheyhaveallbeen
betrothed since the beginning of time, Da never considered them for us, but now…now, they want me.
Theyareagreatbloodline.It’sanhonoreventobeconsideredbecauseI’llbequeen,Oceanus.”

“Youweretobemyqueen!”Ispitout,andshejerksbacklikeI’vehither,butIwouldnever.
Never.
“Iknow,anddon’tyouunderstandhowmuchthiskillsme?”
“Killsyou?”Ilaugh.“Tae,I’mdyinghere.I’mcompletelybroken.”
“ThereisnothingIcando.DasaysI’mmarryingMarcello,thatwecan’tdisrespectthem.”
“Thenmarryhim,Taegan.Whothefuckcares?”Ibark,actinglikeachild,andIknowthat,butIdon’t

knowhowelsetoact.Idon’tknowhowtohandlethis.Iknowwhatsheissayingisalltrue.TheKerrigan
familyisupthere,almostasbigastheConnerfamily.Richbeyondwords.AndwhiletheConnershave
been the biggest and wealthiest wolf family since the dawn of time, they are stretched pretty thin right
now,whichisprobablythereasonKurtneededmoneyfrommyfather.Hehastoputonaweddingthatis
worthyoftheKerriganfamily,andthatwon’tbecheap.

“Icare,Osh.Pleasedon’twalkawayfromme.”
“Idon’twanttospeakofthisanymore!”
I can’t speak of this, but I can’t tell her that. I have to seem strong. Though, I feel I’m breaking into

piecesbeforeher.

“Wehavetospeakaboutthis,Oceanus,itcan’tendlikethis!”
“Endit?Tae,thiswasoverthemomentyouagreedtomarrysomeoneotherthanme.Howdareyou!

Andnottellmeanything?IthoughtImeantmoretoyouthanthat,”Iroar,mywholebodygoingintoshock.

It’sover.
Shejustsaiditwas.
Hervoiceisfullofpanicandpainassheyellsbackatme,“Oceanus,Ididn’tdothis.Myfather,hedid

it.Hewantstobringthepackstogether,andI’msosorry.Iwantedtotellyou,buthegottoyourfather
beforeIcouldgettoyou.”

“Aphone—”
“No,Iwantedtodoitinperson!”shecries,andIfeelthetearsstingingmyeyes.Theywanttofallfor

her.Formyself,butmostofallfortheendofthisbeautifulthingIthoughtIwouldhaveforever.“Idon’t
wantthis,youknowthat.Surely,youknowthat.”

“Thenwhyareyoudoingit?”
“BecausewhatchoicedoIhave?Wedowhatourfamiliessay,Oceanus.Youknowthatmostofall.”

Shepauses,hervoicebreaking.“Andlet’sbehonest,itisn’tlikeyouareaskingmetomarryyouandwant
ustorunofftogether.No,notyou,OceanusvonStein,nextinlineforthePatchwork.Youcaremoreabout
thisdamnlegacy,thisfamily,thanme.Sodon’tmakemefeelbadforsomethingyouwoulddoiftheroles
werereversed.”

Idon’tevenpause,myfeetscuffingagainstthegroundasIshout,“You’reright,Iwoulddoit.ButI

would make sure to tell you, to apologize for ripping your heart out of your chest and destroying it. I
wouldapologizefornotbeingthemanyoudeserve,forhurtingyou,andbreakingyou—”

“YouthinkI’mnotbroken?Iloveyou,Osh,somuch,andIcan’thaveyou.”
Hertearscomedownherfacefaster,herbodyshakingwithsobs,andIcan’ttakeit.Clutchingherin

myarms,Icupherfaceasshewrapsherarmsaroundme,huggingmetightlyasItipherheadbacktolook
ather.Yes,thisisending,andIhatethat,butIwon’tletherleavewithoutknowinghowmuchIloveher.
“AndIloveyou,mylove,myheart.Ihatethis,Ido.”Whenalonetearrollsfrommyeyedownmycheek
tomyjawandthenontoherface,hereyeswidenasIclosemine.“Butwhat—”

“Run away with me?” she suggests then, so desperate, and everything inside me breaks even more.

She’snotthinkingclearly.Surelysheknowswecan’tdothat.

“Wecan’t,youknowthat.They’llfindus,andnotellingwhatwillhappenthen.”
“Butmaybetheywon’t.Maybewecangetaway,justus,behappy—”
Gripping her face tighter, I shake my head. “No, Tae. Beautiful, no. We can’t. I’m sorry. I can’t— I

can’triskyourlifethatway.He’dkillyouifIranawaywithyou.Hewantsmyfamilytostaytogether
forever,andwecan’tmixclans,youknowthat—”

“Didyoucareaboutthatwhenyoutoldmeyoulovedme?No,wethrewcautiontothewindandlove

—”

“Andmaybethatwasabadidea,mylove.I’msorry,butasmuchasthishurts,asmuchasIcan’tstand

thethoughtofthisdogtouchingyou,thereisnothingIcando.”

Hertearsrunovermyhandsastheyshakeagainstherface.Sheisbeggingmewiththoseeyesthathold

nothingbutloveforme,andthereisnothingIcando.AsmuchasIwanttoleaveandneverturnback,I
can’t.Iwon’tdothattoher.Iwon’tdothattomyfamily.

“Iloveyou,don’teverforgetthat.”
“Thenleavewithme.”
“Tae,youknowwecan’t.”
“Thenwhydidweevendothis?”shecriesbeforetryingtopushmeaway,butIholdherclosetome,

mylipsrightathers.

“Becausewearemeanttobe,”Idemand,myeyesburningintohers.“Nomatterwhat,nomatterwho

youmarry,orwhereyougo,youaremine.Youmaynotbeinmylifeanymore,Taegan,butyou’llalways
beinmyheart.AndIwillneverbewithanyoneelsebecauseIcanneverloveanother.Don’tyouever
forgetthat.”

Lettingoutasob,shepushesmeaway.“Soyou’llletmemarryhim?”
“WhateveramItodo,mylove?Tellme?”
“Bewithme!”
“Ialwayswillbe,butIwon’tputyourlifeindanger.Iwon’tletanythinghappentoyou,andawaris

bound to break out if we run. If that happens, your father will pull our security, and let’s be real, the
wolves’loyaltyistoyourfather.Itjustwon’twork.”

Glaringatme,sheshakesherhead.“Yousaidwewould,though.YoupromisedIwasyours!”
I try to reach for her, but she smacks me away, her eyes on fire. “And you are, but, my love, I was

blind. I am recklessly in love with you, Taegan, and I didn’t see anything but you. Because of that, I

apologize,butIwon’truinyourlifeanylonger.”

“Youmakemylifebetter,”shecries,coveringherface,andIlookaway.“Iloveyou,Osh.Idon’twant

thistoend.”

Lookingbackather,Ireachoutand,thankfully,shedoesn’tsmackmyhandaway,onlyleansintoitas

oureyeslock.“NordoI,mylove,butitis.”

“No,”shecries,andIknowifIdon’twalkaway,we’llneverleteachothergo.“Don’tleaveme!”
Turning, I start for the front of the house as her sobs follow me down the dark alley, begging me to

comeback,butIcan’t.IwipemyfaceasIturnthecornertofindJonaswaitingforme.

“Thatdidn’tgowell.”
“Nope,notatall,”Iagree,goingpasthim.
“There’ssomenewguybehindthebarwithRebekah.”
Ialmoststop.Ido.ButIneedtheconfinementofmybedroom.“I’lldealwithittomorrow.”
“Wait,nobeer?”heasks,andIshakemyhead.
“Nobeer.”
WhileIreallycoulduseadrink,Iknowthatnothingcanhelptheburninghotpaininthemiddleofmy

chest.

Nothingatall.

thoughtcomingtomyroomwasagoodidea,thatIneededthesolitude.ButwhenIopenthedoor,I’m
prettysureIshouldhavegoneforthebeer.

MaybethenIcoulddealwiththeveryangryshe-wolfthatsitsonmybed,herarmscrossed,wearinga

discardedshirtofmine.Herhairisupinher“Imeanbusiness”bun,andhereyesarestillbloodshot.I’m
sureminewouldmatchifIactuallyallowedmyselftocry.

“Thatshirtisdirty,”Isay,shuttingthedoorandleaningonit.
“DoIlooklikeIcare?”shesnapsatme,andIshrug.
“Tae,whatareyoudoing?You’reonlymakingthisworse,”Ipleadwithher,andjustlikethat,she’s

cryingagain.

“Ican’tletyougo,OceanusvonStein.Ican’t.”
Iscoff.“AndyouthinkIcan?Tae,I’mdeadinside,andIdon’tknowwhatthefucktodoaboutit.Ifeel

fuckingweak,somethingIneverhavefeltinmylife,nordoIknowhowtohandle.That’swhatyouare
doingtome.Iwanttosaythat,ifIhadknownwhenIsawyoubackinschoolthiswasthepainthatwould
come,I’dhavestayedaway,butIdon’tregretanything.Nothing.”

Whenshestands,Iholdmybreath,lookingaway.“DoyouthinkIdo?I’dreversetimeifIcould,so

we’dhaveitalloveragain.ThenI’ddoitagain,”shesays,hervoicebreakingwitheachstepshetakes.
“Idon’twantthistobeover.Itcan’tbeover,Osh.”

She’ssayingeverythingIwant,butthiswon’twork.“Idon’tevenknowwhattosayrightnowbecause

nothing will make this situation better. We’ll never be able to be together, and because of that, I’m a
fucking bundle of broken pieces. And I know I’ll never, ever, be whole again.” When her tears come
faster,Iholdmyhandsoutinapology.“I’msorry,Taegan.Idon’tknowhowtocontrolwhatI’mfeelingor
saying.I’mawreck.I’msorry,sosorry.”

She stops in front of me as her head tips back, and her crystalline eyes that blow me into another

dimensionlockwithmine.Forthatsplitsecond,Ifeelwhole.Butthenherarmscomearoundme,andshe
issqueezingmesotightlyIcan’tbreathe.ButIwon’tstopher.Ican’t.Ineedher.

Withherlipsatmychin,shewhispers,“I’mgonnakeephuggin’yatight,andthenmaybe,justmaybe,

you’llbewhole.”

Closingmyeyes,Inuzzlemyfaceinherneck,takinginhermind-alteringscent.“Iwon’tbewholetill

youaremyqueen,TaeganConner.”

Pullingback,shetakesmyfaceinherhands,herthumbsmovingalongmyjawassheholdsmygaze.“I

amyourqueen.”

“No,you’rethatfuckingdog’squeen.”
“Notyet,”shewhispers,andthenbeforeIcansayanything—though,I’mnotonehundredpercentsure

whatIwouldhavesaid—herlipscrashagainstmine.

Iwanttopushheraway,orbetteryet,IknowIshouldpushherawayorstopher,butIcan’t.Soonmy

fingersthreadthroughherhair,whilemyotherhandbringsherincloser.Ourbodiesbecomeoneasour
mouthsmovetogetherfeverishly.Withmytongue,Iurgehertoopenhermouth,andwhenshefinallydoes,
lightsgooffbehindmyeyesasIdeepenthekiss,myfingerssqueezingherscalp,needingmore.

Allofher.
Gripping her ass, I find she is wearing nothing under my shirt, which shouldn’t surprise me. She’s

usuallynakedwhenshecomestomyroomsincesheisinwolfform,butthefeelofhersoftglobessetmy
bodyonfire.Withinseconds,Idropmyotherhandfromherhairtoherassandthenpickherup,carrying

hertomybedasshemuttersmynameagainstmylips.

Ilovemynameonherlips.
Iloveher.
Layingherdownslowly,IcoverherwithmybodyasIslowlypulltheshirtshewearsupandoverher

head,revealingherperfect,perkybreastsandflatstomach.AsItakehernippleinmymouth,shearches
intome,herfingerstanglinginmyhairasIfallbetweenherlegs,pressingmyselfintoherandmoaning
againstherbreast.Idon’tknowhowIamsupposedtosaygood-byeafterthis.HowI’msupposedtolet
hergo.Ididn’tknowhowIwasgoingtodoitbeforenow,butIknowthisisgoingtomakeitevenharder.

Theonlyproblemis,Idon’tcare.
Kissingthebottomofherbreast,Imovetotheother,givingitthesameattentionandlovethatIgave

thefirstone.Kissingdownherbreaststoherstomach,Idipmytongueintoherbellybeforekissingher
moundandthenrunningmytonguealongherbare,immaculatepussy.Icouldlivebetweenherlegs.Ilove
thetasteofher,thesmell,andthesoundsthatI’mrewardedwith.

“Oh.Oh,God,”shemoansasImovemytonguealongjusttheoutsideofherlips,kissingandloving

herasshesquirmsundermytouch.“Osh.Ugh,God,please,openmeup.”

“Shh,”Idemand,smilingagainstherasshecontinuestofidget.
Still kissing her, I slowly move my finger along her rapidly dampening center, her breaths and the

soundofmynamefillingmyroomwitheachcaress,eachkiss.She’sgoingtokillme,butIdon’tcare.I
wanttodrawthisout.IfthisisthelasttimeI’mevergoingtofeelthispussyagainstmymouth,I’mgoing
tomemorizeit.Closingmyeyes,I’mrattledfromtheinsideoutbythethought,andI’mstunnedinplace.

Thisisthelasttime.
“Osh?”Openingmyeyes,Iseeherwatchingme,herhandextendingouttoholdmyface.“Youokay?”
“Yeah,you’rejustsogorgeous,”Iwhisper,theemotionsothickanddrowningmyvoice.
Herlipstiltinanaughtylittlegrinbeforeshesitsup.“Soareyou.”
BeforeIknowit,shepushesmeoffherandthensheisundoingmypantsasIthrowmyshirtovermy

head.Standingup,Itakeoffmyjeansandboxers,readytogetbackontopofher,butshepatsthebed.My
browrises,butIdoassheasks.Soon,shehasmeinherhands,andhermouthismovingonmyhardcock,
sendingmeintoawhirlwindofemotions.Iwanttobesad,Iwanttomournandcherishthismomentwith
her,butwhenTaeganhasmeinhermouth,thereisnothinking.

Justfeeling.
Lettingmyheadfallback,IhissoutabreathasIthrobinhermouth,needingmore.Reachingforher

ass,Isqueezeit,moldingitwithmyhandasIwatchhermovehermouthupanddownonme.Lickingthe
tip,shelocksherplayfuleyeswithminerightas,outofthecornerofmyeye,Iseeherlegsopenbefore
herhandfindsitswaydownthere.

Smackingherhandaway,Itakeherbyherthighs,directinghersothatherpussyhoversovermymouth

asherbodyalignswithmine,mycockcirclinghermouthasherhandsgripmythighs.Grabbingherbyher
ass,Ibringherdown,herlowerlipsopeningperfectlyformeasIdevourher.Takingherwholeintomy
mouth,Irunmytongueupanddownherlips,meetingherclitassheshakesaboveme.Meanwhile,my
cockissofardownherthroat,ittakeseverythingformetobeabletorememberthatI’mpleasinghertoo.

Everythingnerveendingisshootingoff,andmytoesarecurlingassheblowsmymind,suckingmeand

playingwithmyballsasIfuckhermouth.Iwanttocome.Sofuckingbad,butIwanttodoitinher,andI
alsowanthertocomefirst.Ifeelitbuilding;herbodyistaut,herlegsareshaking,andwitheverysuckis
apausesoshecancryoutmyname.

“Fuck,” she cries, her lips at the tip of my cock, making me jump from the sensation, as my tongue

pressestoherclit.

WhenIburymyfaceinherpussy,shecriesout,andIknowsheisthere.Iholdherstill,andmycock

goesdeepintoherthroatasIsuckherclitintomymouth,bitingiteversosoftly.Sheshattersagainstmy

mouth,chokingonmycockasshecomeswiththeforceofatsunami.Shegaspsforbreath,andmycock
falls out of her mouth as I slowly lick her, kissing her thighs before placing her down on the bed and
coveringherbodywithmine.

“Thatwassodamnwrong,”shesaysagainstmylipsasIpushmyselfintoherwithonethrust.Taking

herbythebackofherknees,Ipressherlegsbackfarther,needingtobedeeperasshecriesout,“Butso
fuckinggood.”

Igrinagainstherlips,pushingtothehiltasmytoescurlagainstmysheets.“Itwas,”Iagree,moving

outandthenpushingbackintoherwithmoreforcethanneeded,butIcan’thelpit.I’mabouttoloseit.

Butfuck,Iforgotacondom.
Groaning, I let my head fall to her chest as I shake my head, gasping for breath. “What?” she asks,

confused,andIlookupather,mychindiggingintoherchest.

“Ineedacondom,butIdon’twantone.Youfeelsofuckinggood.”
Shegrins,movingastraypieceofhairoutofmyeyes.“Itdoes.”
Watchingher,Ithrobinsideofher.AndIswear,Ijustfellforheralloveragain.Herfaceispink,her

frecklesalmostdisappearingbecauseofhowflushedsheis.Hereyesaresodark,herlidshoodedasshe
gaspsforbreath.Idon’twantthisevertoend.“Ishouldputachildinyou.”

WhydidIsaythat?
Hergrindrops,hereyeswiden,andIcan’tbelieveIsaidthat.ThatwasthestupidestthingIevercould

havesaid,butyet,Iwantto.“Thenhewon’twanttomarryyou.”

“Yeah,butyourdawillkillit.”
“I’llkillhimbeforehecould,”Ipromise,andhereyessoftenasshewatchesme.I’mnotsurewhatshe

isthinking,butbothofusknowitcan’thappen.

“Ican’tstopyou.I’mkindofinacompromisingposition.”
Ichuckle,kissingthesideofherbreastbeforesittingup.“True,butIwouldn’truinyoulikethat.”
Lettinghergo,IremovemyselffromherbodyasIreachintomynightstand.“Youkeepsayingyou’ll

ruinmebut,Osh,I’veneverbeenhappierthanIamwithyou.”

Swallowinghard,InodasIsitback,herlegsstillaroundmywaistasIsheathmyself.“That’swhen

wearetogether,though.Whenweareapart,theworldisagainstus,”Isaybeforereenteringher,taking
herkneeslikeIhadherbeforeandpressingthemback.

“Fucktheworld,”shegroans,andIcouldn’tagreemore.
Soon, I’m moving in and out of her, each thrust more demanding as she holds on, a sweet little

whimperleavingherlipswitheachthrust.Ilovehowperfectherbodylooks.Allflushed,markedwith
mylovebites,andherfingersdiggingintomyforearms.Idon’twantthistoend,Idon’twanttocome,but
soon,herbodyissqueezingminesoimpeccablythatIcan’tstopit.I’mhissinghernameasIcomehard,
mybodyjerkingagainsthers.

Archingup,herbodysqueezesmineasshecriesout,anotherorgasmrackingher.Throbbinginsideof

her,Icollapseonher,nuzzlingmynoseintoherneckasIfalltothesidesoIdon’tsquishhertoomuch.
Our breathing is erratic, and the feel of her heart beating against my chest is something I never want to
forget.Orthefactthatsheburnsagainstme.Closingmyeyes,Inuzzlecloser,kissinghercollarboneand
thenherneckoncemoreasshecuddlesagainstme,herarmsholdingmecloseasIsqueezeheragainst
me.

Inourfinalpost-sexhug.
MyeyesburnwhileIholdher,asthethoughtsofneverbeingtouchedbyheragainshatterme.Fucking

MarcelloKerriganwillholdheraftersexfortherestofherlife.He’llkisshercollarbonebecauseit’s
fuckingkissable.He’llcomehardinsideofherwithoutafuckingcondomandmakeachild.He’llgetto
wakeuptohereverymorningandfeelhermouthanytimehewants.AllwhileI’mfuckingmiserable.

Withouther.

“Oceanus,ImeantwhatIsaid.”Pullingback,Imeethergaze.Hereyesaresadoncemore,fillingwith

tears.“I’mnothisyet.”

Holdinghergaze,Iknowwhatsheisimplying,andIwanttojumpatthenotionthatwecanbetogether

untilthemomentsheishis,butI’mscared.Again,anotheremotionIhaven’tfelteverinmylife.“Iknow
that,mylove,butyouwillbe.AndeverytimeI’mwithyou,seeyou,Ifallevenmore.”

Shenodsslowly,hereyesneverleavingmine.“SodoI,butIdon’tthinkitmattersifwe’reapartor

together.I’llalwaysloveyou,andI’llneverloveMarcello.”

Hisnameisviletome,andIdon’tevenwanttohearitonherlips.“Don’tsayhisname.”
Holdingmyface,sherunsherthumbsalongmycheek.“Idon’teverwanttosayit.Ionlywanttosay

yours.”

“I know,” I whisper, my lips moving against hers. Silence falls between us, just the sounds of our

breathingaudiblealongwiththebeatofherheartagainstmychest.

Movinghernosealongmine,shenuzzlesmynoseandthenwhispers,“I’myours,Osh.Always.”
MylipstipupasIkisshersoftly,myeyesopeningaswepart.“AndI’myours.”
“Don’tmakemeleave.”
“LikeIcouldifIwantedto.”
“Imean,like,ever.IpromiseIwon’ttouchhimorallowhimtotouchmeupuntilthemomentImarry

him.Justbewithmeuntilthen.”

Iswallowhard.“Don’tyouthinkthatisnaïveofus?Don’tyouthinkitwillhurtmore?”
“Yeah,butit’sgonnasuckeitherway.Atleast,thisway,wecangetasmuchaswewantofeachother

beforewecan’tseeeachothereveragain.”

Pullingback,Iholdherhopefulgaze.“Iwon’tbetheotherguy.Ifyou’rewithme,you’rewithme.”
“Iknow,sameforyou.Heisn’tevencomingtoNewYorktillaweekbeforethewedding.Theywant

metogooutthere,butIwon’t.Ipromise.”

IknowthatI’mnotbeingsmarthere,butIcan’thelpit.I’mirresponsiblyinlovewithher.“Okay.”
“Iloveyou,Oceanus,”shedeclaresbeforepressingherlipstomine.Asshepullsaway,hereyesare

sofullofhopeandeversofulloflove.Iwanttobeelated,Iwanttofeelrightaboutthis,butIknowI’m
inbigtrouble.

Forwhenthisends,it’sgoingtokillme.

canstillfeelheronme,andIhopeIneverlosethatfeeling.

Iyearnforit.

Clearingmythroat,IknowthelastthingIwanttodoisgodowntotheClandestineandsit,watching

mysisterassheworks,butit’smynighttodoso.I’dmuchratherstayinmyroomwithTaegan,buteven
shehadtoleave,andthethoughtsinmyheadaregoingtodrivemecrazy.Thoughtsofherseeinghim,the
dog. Meeting with him, talking to him… It makes me shake with jealousy. I know he is not in town; he
won’tbeuntiltheweekofthewedding.Whichisanotherthing.Neitherofusknowswhenitwillhappen.

Whenourrelationshipwillreallybeover.
AsIwalktowardthebar,Iconsiderleavingitallandchancingagetaway.Icanprotecther.IknowI

can.Butwouldweevenbeabletoliveagoodlife?Willshebehappy,alwaysontherun?Evenifitis
withme?Andwhatifmyfatherfindsher?Orwhomeverhesendstofindus.AmIselfishenoughtoallow
her to be killed because I want her? Because I don’t want anyone else with her? The thoughts are
consumingme,andIfeeltheemotioncloggingmythroat.Ijustdon’tknowwhattodootherthanenjoythe
timeIhavewithher.

TheonlyproblemisIknowthat’snotenoughtimewithher.
Ineedmore.
Swallowinghard,IentertheClandestine.Ourfamilybarmirrorsanoldspeakeasy;thisonejusthasa

lotofmonstersinit.Tuckingmyhandsinmypockets,IheadtothebarwhereIseemysisterworking,
servingdrinksandsmilingatpeople.AsparkofprideburnsinmychestasIwatchher.Sheshouldbe
scared,sheshouldn’twanttoworkwiththethreatofthefuckingshifters,butnotmysister.She’sgrinning
andenjoyinghershift.

Isureashelldon’tmissthewayshesmilesatthenewvampireeither.Heisn’tpayingattentiontoher,

busyloadingtheicechest,butshe’slookedathisasstwicesinceI’vebeenwatchingher.Glaringathim,
despitethefactIdon’tknowhim,IheadtowhereJJissitting,justasRebekahturns.That’swhenIsee
thatonesideofherfaceiscompletelyswollenandburningred.

“My God, Rebekah,” I gasp as I go around the bar, taking her shoulders in my hands, panic filling

everypartofme.“Whathappenedtoyourface?Areyouokay?”

Clearingherthroat,sheholdsherhandsup,tocalmme,I’msure.“I’mfine.ItwasFather.”
Myfacetwistsinconfusionasmyvoicerisesabit.“Hehityou?”
I swear if he did, I’ll kill him with my bare hands, limb by limb. But just as quickly as the thought

comes,mybabysisterisshakingherhead.

“No,notatall.Hemessedwithmyeye,andIthinkthestuffheinjecteditwithmadeitswell.”
I should have known that was it. As much as I hate that I went straight to violence, I know why. He

wantstokillmylove,andthatthoughtinandofitselfmurdersanyhopeofbeingwithTaeganoutsideof
mybedroom.RealizingRebekahiswatchingme,Islowlynodmyheadbeforelettinghergoandheading
forJJ,butthenshestopsme.

“Butareyouokay?”
Iswallowhard,shruggingmyshoulders.Ihopeshehasn’theardaboutTaegan.Butifshehasn’t,I’m

notunloadingmyissuesonher.Irefuseto.“Okay?Whywouldn’tIbeokay?”

“Noreason,justmakingsure,”shesays,divertinghergazeandwalkingaroundmetogobacktowork.

Idon’tknowwhatsheknows,andIdon’twanttoknow.Mysisteristooyoungtodealwithmyproblems,
especiallywhenshehasherownproblems.

Andboy,doesshehaveenough.
SittingdownbesideJJ,Ipullinabreathandgrabthebeerthatisinfrontofhimbeforedrainingit.The

cool,bitterliquidisamust.

“Please,helpyourself,”hesays,andIsmileasIsettheglassdown.
“Youdon’tdrink,”Isay,andhesmiles,shrugginghisshoulders.
“MaybeIgotitforyou.”
“Figuredyou did,” Isay, smiling athanks as the otherbartender, a verysexy vampire named Alena,

comes to refill my glass. I smile at her, and she grins back before heading back to work. She’s been
workingthebarforaslongasIcanremember.Lookingaround,Irealizeit’ssortofdeadinhere.“Quiet
night?”

“Sofar.Idon’tlikethatvampire,though.”
IlooktowhereJJisglaring,andthenheyells,“Rebekah!”
ThevampirewasreachingforRebekah’sface,butatJJ’svoice,hedropshishand,andtheybothlook

backatus.Thevampirelooksnormalenough,butI’msurethereisareasonJJhateshim.

Withadisgruntledlook,Rebekahsnaps,“What?”
JJ doesn’t even answer her; he just waves her away. Then, in turn, she takes a wide step back.

Laughing,IlookbackatJJ.“Dude,letherhavesomefun.”

JJshakeshishead,though.“No.Thatboyistrouble,andIdon’ttrusthim.”
“Why?”
“Idon’tknow.Ihaveagutfeeling.”
“Ah,thosegutfeelings,”Itease,andhescoffsbeforelookingoveratme.
“Howareyou,myboy?”
Ishrug.“I’malive.”
“Haveyouseenher?”
“Yeah.Lastnight,”Isay,leavingoutthedetailsthatmypseudofatherdoesn’tneedtoknow.
JJnods.“How’dthatgo?”
“Some bad, some good. I just don’t know what to do. She wants to keep seeing each other until the

wedding,”Iadmit,andwhenImeetJJ’sconcernedgaze,Iknowhe’sthinkingwhatIam.It’sabadidea.
ButIcan’tquither.Ijustcan’t.

“Don’tknowifthatisasoundchoice,Osh.”
“Iknow,butIloveher,”Iadmit,andJJnods,visiblymullingovermypredicament.JJhasalwaysbeen

like a second father to us. He has been a part of this family since before I was born. He protected my
fatherandkilledforhim.Thenwhenwewereborn,hewastoprotectusandhedid,whilealsohelpingto
raiseus.Hecleanedplentyofmywounds.Talkedaboutthebirdsandbeeswithmeandtaughtmetofight.
He’sagoodman;though,hecanbealittlesuffocating.

“You’replayingwithfire,Oceanus.”
“Iknow.ButwhatcanIdo?”
“Lethergo.”
“Ican’t.”
Heshakeshishead.“Butyou’llhavetowhenshemarriesthatguy.”
“I know, but I should have at least a couple more months before that happens. Gives us time to say

good-bye.”

Hescoffs.“You’regoingtobeamess.”
“Ialreadyam.”
Heglancesoveratme.“Iwishthingsweredifferent.”
“Metoo.”
“She’sagoodgirl.”

“Sheis,”IagreejustasInoticemysistergiggling.“So,whoisthisguy?”
JJglares.“KillianleFevre.”
“What’shisdeal?Wheredidhecomefrom?”
“No one knows,” JJ says. “Pretty sure he is up to something. He zoned right in on her, and, yes,

Rebekahisabeautifulgirl,butitisalmostlikehewassentforher.”

“Youthink?”Iask,watchingthem,andJJnods.
“Yeah.I’monredalertwiththatguy.”
ImakeanoncommittalnoiseasIleanback,nursingmybeer.Forthenextcouplehours,IwatchwithJJ

as Rebekah, Alena, and Killian all work. The bar gets incredibly busy, and when that happens, no one
reallyspeakstoeachother,onlytorelaythingstheyneed.Meanwhile,I’mdrinking,tryingsohardnotto
thinkofTaegan.

ButthenJJspeaksup.“Iknowyoudon’twanttohearthis.”
Ilookovertohim,andhe’swatchingme.“Thismustnotbegood.”
JJ grins ruefully. “While I know you think she completes you, you’ll find someone else. I know you

will.”

“Idon’twantanyoneelse.Iwanther.”
“Now,youdo.Butthatwillchange.Don’tworry.”
Still,Ishakemyhead.“No,itwon’t.Haveyoueverbeeninlove,JJ?”
Leaningbackinhisseat,helaughs.“WhenintheworlddoIhavetimetofallforanyone,boy?”
Ishrug.“Sothat’sano.”
“It’sano.Idon’thavetime,norhaveIever.IhadpuppylovewhenIwasateenager,butIdon’tfeelit

wasreallove.”

“See,IhavelovedTaegansinceIwassixteen.Ilovedherallthroughschool,andevenwhenshewas

gone to her homeland. When we got together, I knew I wouldn’t love anyone else. I’ve had this master
plantotakeover,changetherules,andmarryher,butmyfather…”Itrailoffbecausejustsayingthatis
enough.

JJknowshowFatheris.
“Heforbadeit,likehedoeseverythingelse,”hesays,shakinghishead.“Don’tworry,Oceanus,your

timeiscoming.”

Iswallowhard,lookingatthetopofthebar.“ButwillitcomebeforeTaeganmarries?”
Glancingup,Imeethisconcernedgazeasheslowlyshrugs.“ThatIcan’tanswer,myboy.”
BeforeIcansayanythingelse,though,outofthecornerofmyeye,Iseeafamiliarface.AfaceIknow

well,oneIgrewupwith.Thefaceofsomeonewhousedtobeaclosefriendbutisnowanenemy.AsI
stand,myheadwhippinginthenewcomer’sdirection,JJasks,“IsthatThomasKelley?”

“Yes,itis,”IgrowlasIstalktowardhim,watchingashespeakstomysister.Sheisnonethewiseras

Ileanagainstthebarbesidehim.“AKelley,intheClandestine?Thatisodd,I’dsay.”

IseeRebekahgowhiteasmyoldfriendgrinsupatmemockingly.Sometimes,ImissthefriendshipI

hadwithThomas.Wewereclose,twopeasinapod,butwhenhisfatherbecameverysick,hebeggedme
fortheformulafrommyfather.Itriedtogetitforhim,butwhenIcouldn’t,Thomastriedtofightme.I
figured it was just an emotional response; he was worried for his father. But then Thomas completely
stoppedtalkingtomeanddraggedmynamethroughthemud.Callingmeapieceofshitandaliar.Icould
dealwithmynamebeingrunthroughthemud,butIcannotdealwithmysister’slifebeingthreatened,and
Thomashasdoneallthethreatening.Ihaven’tspokentohiminyearsuntilthismoment,andIdon’tknow
thepersonlookingbackatme.

Thomasshrugs,hiseyeswickedasJJcomesbesideme.“Ah,Oceanus,don’tbelikethat.Ithoughtthis

clubwasforeveryoneintheWorks.”

“Itusuallyis,Thomas.Butyousee,thatwasbeforeyourfamilythreatenedthelifeofmysister.”

Thomas’sfacefillswithconfusion.“Blasphemy.WewouldneverhurtthePrincessvonStein.”
“That’snotwhatweweretold,”JJsayssternly.“Andbecauseofthat,we’daskyoutoleave,please.”
BeforeIcanagreeandhaulhisassout,anothervoicecomesfromtheleft.“Now,boys,can’tweplay

nice?”

Turning to the source of the voice, I see a very stunning woman standing in all her gorgeous glory

lookingbackatme.She’swearingatightblackdress,herstraightblackhairisinabob,andherhoney
eyesareinslits.Veryfamiliarhoneyeyes,onesthatbelongtoagirlIusedtodate.Itwasaregrettable
mistakeduringadarkperiodwhenIwasmissingTaeganevenmorepainfullythanusual.

“Christiana,”Isay,myeyesnarrowingasmyshouldersgoback,onthedefensive.“Twoshiftersinone

night,alltheproductofFrankKelley.Yeah,thisisn’tfishyatall.”

“Oh, please, I’m here to meet my brother,” she says, waving me off and moving past me to sit by

Thomas.ShesmilessweetlybeforeaskingRebekah,“CanIhaveaglassofyourbestPinotGrigio?”

Rebekah is stark white in the face as she quickly nods before going to work. Looking back to me,

Christianagrinswhilemypoorsisterlookslikeacatinaroomfullofrockingchairs.

“Ipromise,boys,wearejustvisiting.Mybrotherisinfromoutoftown.I’dlovetohangoutwithhim

outsideofourhome,”Christianasays,pullingmyattentionfrommyworriedsister.

Clearingmythroat,Ishakemyhead.She’sfullofshit.“Well,Christiana,likeItoldyourbrother,Ifind

itoddthatarumorhasmadeitswaythroughmyfamilythatyou’reaftermysister,andnowyoutwoshow
up.Tellmethatdoesn’tstink.”

“Ah,itstinks,butIassureyou,wearen’therebuttovisit.”
“Idon’ttrustyou,andIwon’tapologizeforthat.”
Shewavesmeoffeffortlessly,andIdon’tmisshersmugassatall.Sheusedtodothattomeallthe

time.Itbotheredmethenasmuchasitdoesnow.I’mnotsurewhatIsawinthePrincessKelley,butI
regretthatchoiceimmensely.Iprobablywentafterherbecauseshe’snotonlybeautifulbuteasy.

“Your precious sister is in no danger, and our fathers are to meet tomorrow. Would we really risk

somethingstupidwhenWilliamvonSteiniscomingintoourhomeandweneedhishelp?”

Whatthehellisshetalkingabout?BeforeIcanask,Thomasclearshisthroat.“Wearehonestlyjust

visiting.Wedon’twishanyillwilltoyoursister.”

IglancetoJJ,unsurewhattodo,butheonlynods.ThenInoticethatheistuckinghisknifebackinto

hispocket.Atleastoneofushadprotection;Iwasjustgoingtotakethemwithmyhands.Lookingbackto
theKelleychildren,JJsays,“Fine,butwearewatching.AndRebekah,youdon’tservethem.Vampire,
you’reonyourown.”

Ilooktothevampireashenods.“Yes,ofcourse.”
“Move,”JJsaystoRebekah,andshequicklymovesaway,downbywhereweweresitting.Ifollow

hertotheendofthebar,myeyesonthemandher,onhighalert.Idon’tknowwhattheyaredoing,what
theyareupto,buttheywon’ttouchmysisteronmywatch.Orever.I’llkillthemallforher.

AsIsitdown,JJsitstoo,hiseyesonthemashespeaksverylow.“Somethingisnotright.”
“Iagree.”
“Weshouldgetheroutofhere.”
“They’llknowwe’rescared,”Rebekahsaysthen,andImeethergaze,nodding.
“She’sright.Iwanttowatchthem.”
JJ doesn’t answer at first, but I know he knows Rebekah is right. He just doesn’t want to admit it.

MeansthatRebekahisgrowingup,andboy,isshe.Thoughshelooksscaredtodeath,shestandsproudly,
hershouldersbackasshepullsinadeepbreathandsays,“Butiftheywerereallywantingtodomeharm,
wouldn’ttheyshiftintoanotherpersontheyknewItrustedandgetmethatway?Whywouldtheycomeat
meinfrontofeveryone,intheirrealbodies?TheyknowIcan’tleave,soitisn’tliketheycangetme,you
know?Maybetheyareherejusttovisit.”Ilookbackather,fullyimpressed.Ihadn’teventhoughtofthat.

Shrugginghershoulders,shesays,“YouknowwhatImean?”

JJnods.“Yes,myRebekah,you’reright,thoughIstilldon’ttrustthem.”
Inodtoo,myeyesbackonthemasthevampireiscarryingonaveryintenseconversation.MaybeJJ

wasright,maybethatguyisuptosomething.Lookingbacktomysister,IholdhergazeasIsay,“Yeah,
goodpoint,butdon’tletyourguarddown.”

“Didn’tplanonit,”shesayswithalaugh,andassheturnstoservesomeone,IlookbacktoJJ.
“Thatvampireisuptosomething.”
JJ’sgazehasn’tlefttheKelleysorthevampire,andhenodsslowly.“Toldyou.”
Andtothink,IthoughtmybiggestandmostimportantissuewasmyrelationshipwasTaegan.
Really,it’sthefuckingshiftersandwhatIassumeistheirvampirespy.
Orbetteryet,theirassassin.

I’

mdeadasleepwhenIfeelherlipsonmyjaw.

IalmostthinkI’mdreaminguntilIopenmyeyes,blinkinginthepitchblacktoseetheoutlineofher

body.Hereyesaresparklinginthemoonlightashernakedbodywarmsmine.WhileI’mgiddytoseeher,
sheisn’tsupposedtobehere.Shehadadinnertonightwithherbrotherandhissoon-to-bewife.Shehad
said she would be out late with them, wanting to spend time with them, and that she would see me
tomorrow.Confused,Iwrapmyarmsaroundher,kissinghertemple,butthenIcanfeelthatsheiscrying.

Myeyeswiden,andI’mfullyawakeasIkisshercheek,whispering,“Mylove,what’swrong?”
Chokingbackasob,shewhispers,“Theysetadate.”
Mybodygoescold.Evenwiththefurnacesheisputtingout,I’mfrozenwithfear.
Fortheendisnear.
“For?”Iask,wantingtobuytimebeforeshetellsmewhatIalreadyknowiscoming.
“Myweddingtohim,”shesaysthroughhersobs,herbodyrackedwiththem,shakingmyownbody.

“Oh,Oceanus,Idon’twanttomarryhim!”

Holdinghercloser,Ikisshertemple,hernose,andthenthespotbetweenhereyes.“Idon’twantyouto

either,mylove,”Isay,myeyesclosingasIleanintoher,needingher.Welielikethatforwhatseemslike
hours. Neither of us saying anything, neither of us moving. Nothing, just her sobs and the sounds of my
soulshatteringfillingmydark,emptyroom.

“Wecan’trun,canwe?”
Islowlyshakemyhead.“Myfatherwillkillyou,Tae.Ican’t.Ijustcan’t.I’dratherhaveyouwiththat

dogthantakeyouformyselfwiththefearofmyfatherfindingus.”

Hersobsaredeafening,andallIcandoisholdhertighter,kissingherandbegginghertocalmdown.

“Myfathersaidthesame,”shewhispersthroughhertears.“Itoldhimaboutus.”

“Oh,Tae.”
“Iknow,Ishouldhavejustletitbe.Butwhenhetoldme,Itoldhimno,thatIlovedanother.Hegotme

bymythroatandtoldmeIwouldnotruinthis,thatthiswillhelpourfamiliesmorethanIrealize.ThatifI
didn’tmarryMarcello,he’dkillthemanIdomarry.”

Moving my nose along hers, I swallow hard. “I’m sorry, my love. I wish I knew how to make this

better,tomakeyouhappy.”

“Justholdme,”shewhispers,andIagree,knowingIcandothat.Closingmyeyes,Imakethedarkness

my friend as her body shatters against mine. I feel out of options, and a part of me is glad that we are
doingthisuntilthedayshemarrieshim.I’mnotreadytosaygood-bye.Notyet.

AndwhileIdon’twanttoknow,IknowIhavetoknow.
“When?”Iwhisper.
“Alittleoveramonth,”sheanswers,andjustlikethat,mybodygoesnumb.“Fiveweeks,tobeexact.”
Wenowhaveanexpirationdate.

It’sbeenaweeksincetheKelleyshavebeentotheClandestine.It’salsobeenaweeksinceTaegan

cameintomyroomtotellmeaboutherupcomingnuptials.AweekI’vespentgoingthrougheveryoption
tobewithTaegan,thoughIknowit’snaïveofme.Thereisreallynooptionforus—exceptdeath.WhileI

might just die without her—yes, very dramatic of me—I can’t live with myself knowing she would die
becauseofme.No,never.Soinstead,Ihavefourmoreweekstoloveherandgivehermemoriestolast
hertherestofherlife.

Atleast,that’swhatIkeeptellingmyself.
Fallingintotheseatbesidemysisterinmyfather’soffice,Igrinather,hopingshedoesn’tseethepain

I’min.Rebekahdoesn’tsmileback,though,notfully,atleast.No,sheistoonervous.

ThisisherfirstmeetingofthePatchwork.
As my father takes his spot at the head of the table with his brother, Samuel, I rub Rebekah’s back,

giving her support. She is going to be fine. Usually, these meetings are boring as hell. We do have the
issueoftheshifters,butinthelastweek,we’vehadnosignofthem,noranythreats.Iwonderiftheyare
even after Rebekah anymore. JJ seems to think so and has been watching her like a hawk. Along with
watchingthevampire,Killian.

Neitherofthemhasgivenusanythingtoworryabout,butJJstillworries.Andbecausehedoes,Ido.
Themeetingstartslikeanyother,talkingaboutthegoings-onoftheWorks.Andsoon,Ibeyondbored

asmyfatherandhisbrotherargueaboutvampireaffairs.Samuelisverypro-vampireanddoeseverything
hecantoprotectthem.He’sinlovewithhalfofthemandhassleptwiththeotherhalf.Fatherhatesit,but
heneversaysanythingtoSamuelaboutit.Today,though,theyarearguingaboutthewolvesprotectingthe
vampiresfortheirbloodruns.Fatherdoesn’tfeelweshouldhavetopayforit,butSamuelsaystheyneed
theprotection.

Iagreetheydo,butnotatourexpense.
“Yes,theywillpay,”Samuelpushes,andIrollmyeyes.We’vebeendiscussingthisforhalfanhour.

Whywasheholdingthatback?“I’vealreadyspokenwithAlistair.Hewantstheprotectionfromtherogue
vampsandiswillingtopayextra.”

“Thenwhyarewediscussingthis?”Iask,annoyed,asCyrusnods.
“Exactly.Wastedtime,righthere,”Cyrusaddsashecrosseshisarms.“Idon’tevenknowwhywecare

abouttheiraffairs.”

“BecausetheyarepartoftheWorks,”Iadd,glaringoverathim.Helookslikeaslob,scruncheddown

inhischairwithaboredexpressiononhisface.Reachingout,Ismackhimupsidethebackofhisheadas
hecriesoutindistress.“Situp,youslob.Showsomerespect.”

Slowly inching back up in the chair, he looks to our father. “Let’s talk about something that matters.

Thoseshifters,forexample.”

Forthefirsttimesincethemeetingstarted,Rebekahsitsup,fullypayingattentionnow.“Yes,Iagree.”
Fatherlookstoher,though,andshakeshishead.“Induetime.Tellme,Rebekah,you’vebeenspending

alotoftimeinthebastille.Anynewsfromdownthere?”

IletmyheadfallbackasRebekahgoesonabouttheguyswholivedowninthebastille.It’sourform

ofprisonforthePatchworkpeoplewhobreakthelawsmyfatherhasestablished.Ifhedoesn’tkillyou,
you go down there. Somehow, my sister has fallen in love with the group down there. She goes down
thereweeklytofeedthem,bathethem,andreadtothem.It’ssweet,andwhileIappreciatehergoingdown
there, I worry for her. Those people have killed or stolen from us. Some aren’t good people, yet she
doesn’tseethebadinanyone.Onlythegood.

Thatwillprobablygetherkilledoneday.
Godforbid.
“Fine,nowforwhateveryonehasbeenwaitingfor,arecapofmymeetingwithFrankKelley.”
Finally.ThankGod.
Sittingup,Ileanonmyelbows,watchingasSamuelslowlyclearshisthroatbeforesaying,“You’ve

keptuswaitingalmostaweek.Please,outwithit.”

Fathernods,movingapieceofhairoutofhiseye.“Thatreasonisbecausewehadasecondmeeting

lastnight.”

“Asecondmeeting?”JJasks,crossinghisarmsoverhischest.“Iwasn’taware.”
“Noonewas,”Fathersaysbluntly,leaningbackinhischair.“LastweekwhenIwent,wediscussed

therumorofhisfamilycomingforRebekah.Hedeniedit,broughthischildrenin.Theydeniedittoo,asI
thoughttheywould.It’sfine,”hesays,wavingitoff.ButI,forone,don’tthinkit’sfine.Nordoesanyone
elseatthetable,butFatherdoesn’tnotice,he’stoodeepinhisstory.“Heaskedfortheformula,Isaidno.
Hethenaskedformetohealhim,andIagreed.”

He, what? As my mouth drops, I look around the room, finding everyone basically matching my

expression.Sputteringwithconfusion,Idemand,“Youagreed?Why?”

Fatherholdsuphishand.“Forreassurance.HepromisedhewouldnotsendanyoneafterRebekahor

anyoneelseifIdid—”

“He’slying!”JJyells,standingup.“William,thisisnaïveofyou.AdeadFrankKelleyisahelluvalot

betterthanaliveone!He’stheonewhohatesyou,nothisfamily.Theyonlyfollowhim.Butdoingthis—”

“Willbringthefamiliestogether,whichiswhatIwant.Iwantunity.Icanhealhim,givehimasecond

chanceatlife,butIrefusetomakehimorhisfamilyimmortal.I’vethoughtthisout.Thisiswhytherewas
asecondmeeting.It’sdone.”

JJ lowers into his seat, and I feel Rebekah’s apprehension pouring off her. I look to her as she asks

shakily,“Sotheywon’tcomeaftermeanylonger?”

Father’seyessoftenashelookstoher.“No,mylove.HewantsthesameasIdo.Peacethroughoutthe

Works.”

I’mhesitanttobelievethat.“Canwetrusthim?”
“Idon’tthinkso,”Cyrussays.“Becauseifso,thenwhythreatenus?Whatifhe’shealedbutgetssick

again,orChristianaorThomasdo?Thenwhat?Threatenusagainforanotherdose?Ifeelyou’vesetus
upforfailure.”

“Exactly,”Jonasagrees.“Thisshouldhavebeendiscussedwithallofus.”
Fathershakeshishead,areassuringsmilepullingathislips.“Mychildren,Ipromiseyou,itwillbe

fine.Frankwantswhatwewant.Iknowit.”

“He’saliar,andIdon’ttrustthelotofthem,”JJmutters,andIcouldn’tagreemore.
IpointtoJJ.“NeitherdoI,Father.Idon’tknowifthiswastherightchoice.”
“Well, when you run the Works, you can make that decision, my boy. I feel good about this,” Father

says,lookingtoSamuel,whonodsslowly.

“It’sfourtreatments.Hemessesupwithinthenextyear,we’lljustkillhim,”Samuelannounces,andI

cringe.That’stheanswertoeverythingaroundhere.

Justkillthem.
“Simpleenough.Ipromise,thiswillwork,everyone.Don’tlooksoworried.OurloveRebekahwill

befine.”

ButIamworried.EspeciallyforRebekah.Besideme,though,sheasks,“SoI’mallowedtoleave?I

don’tneedmyconstantpainintheass,JJ?”

Leaveittomysistertobreakabitofthetension.Smiling,Iwatchasmyfathershakeshishead,likeI

knewhewould.“Oh,no.NotuntilIfigureouttheformula.”

Rebekah’sshouldersfallindefeatasJJholdshergaze.“I’mnotgoinganywhere,andneitherareyou.

Asmuchasthissoundsdone,it’snot.Iknowthosepeople.Theywantimmortality,andtheywon’tstop
untiltheygetit.”

“And everyone calls me the neurotic one,” Father teases, but JJ doesn’t find it funny. Nor do I. A

worriedJJmeansanevenmoreworriedme.Somethingisup,andItrustJJbeforeanyoneelse.

“I’mtellingyou,somethingisn’trighthere.You’llsee.”
HoldingJJ’sgaze,Fathernods.“Fine,wewillsee,”hesays.“Untilthen,doyourjob.”

“Oh,Iwill.Yourstoo,”JJadds.IlookawayquicklyasFatherglares.WeallknowJJconsidersushis,

butitisn’ttoooftenthathethrowsitinmyfather’sface.

“Allright,boys,enough.”Samuelshakeshishead.“JJ,Iunderstandthatyoudon’ttrustthatfamily,and

neitherdoI.ButthisiswhatisbestfortheWorksasawhole.Butthefirsttimeanythinggoessideways,
he’sdead.IfWilliamhasn’tconveyedthattothem,Iwill.Don’tworry—”

“My job is to worry for her, and I will,” JJ says, and then he looks to the boys and me. “We will

continuetheshiftsaswehave.”

Inodandgotoagree,butthenFathersays,“Ifshe’djustquit,therewouldn’tbeaproblem.”
“Butshewon’t,soI’llwatchoverher.LikeIhavebeendoingforthelastthreeyears,”JJsnaps,andI

worryhemightkillmyfatherrighthere.

Father seems unfazed, though, as he waves him off. “Fine. Next order of business, the wedding of

Taeganandherwolfhusband,Marcello,istotakeplaceinamonth.”

My stomach drops, and bile gathers in my throat. I didn’t need this reminder. Though, there it is,

tauntingme.Huntingme.Swallowinghardasmyfathergoeson,Iwanttosinkunderthetableandhide.
“SamuelandIwillbeinLouisianatomeetwiththeclanleaderthere.KurtConneriscuriousastowhich
ofourfamilywillrepresentourclan.SinceRebekahwillbeunabletoattend,forobviousreasons,that
leavesoneofyouthree.”Father’seyesfalltome,inslitsashismouthdriftsopen,andIswearhebetter
notsaywhatIthinkheisgoingtosay.“I’dlikeyoutogo,Oceanus.”

“Me?”Ibiteout,andwithinseconds,I’mshakingwithanger.
“Yes.Itseemsonlyright,yes?”
Ican’tspeak.I’mstunned,thatisuntilJJslapsthetablebeforeholdinghishandtowardme.“Thatis

cruel,andyouknowit,William.Don’taskhimtodothat—”

Idon’tneedanyonetodefendme,though.Iamaman.Thiswillbemyclanoneday.Ihavetogo.As

much as I don’t want to, and I’d rather dig my eyeballs out than watch my love marry someone else, I
can’tletmyfatherknowheisbreakingmeevenmore.Ican’tlethimhavethatcontroloverme.Thisisa
gametohimnow.Hewantstobreakme,andIwon’tallowhimtodothat.

Holdingmyhandup,IstopJJ.“No,it’sfine.”
“But,Osh,”Rebekahmurmurs,layingherhandonmyarm,butIbrushheroff.
“I’mnextinlinefortheclan,it’smyduty.”Isomehowgetthewordsout,thoughtome,itsoundslike

gibberish.

Itmustpleasemyfather,though,becauseheisgrinning.“That’sright,myboy.I’mproud.”
Ican’ttakethatsmile,though.Ican’ttakeanyofthis.I’mshakinguncontrollably,andIneedtogetout

ofhere.Standing,Iclearmythroatbeforesaying,“Excuseme.”

AsIleave,theroomissilent.ButwhenIreachthehall,IhearRebekahflyoffthehandle.Sheyells

thatIshouldn’thavetogo,JJagrees,asdomybrothers.I,too,agree,butitiswhatitis.Ihavetodowhat
myfamilywants,orI’llnevergettherightfulspotIneed.

While I appreciate their wanting to protect me, I wish Rebekah hadn’t. She’s giving my father more

powerthanhedeserves,andIhatehimforit.Forthefirsttime,Ihatemyfather.Ihatethathecanmake
megotoaweddingthatwillslowlybutsurelykillme.Ihatethathewon’tletmebewithTaeganandthat
henowhasmysiblingstryingtofightforme.AmIthatpathetic?AmIweaknowtothem?Becauseof
love?

Reachingthesparringroom,Ineedtobeatthefuckoutofsomething.Ineedtogetthefrustrationoutof

me.Needtofeelsomethingotherthanthisfuckingpainconsumingme.

“Osh.”
Thesoundofmysister’svoicemakesmepause,myheadleaningintothedoorasIsuckinabreath.

Notlookingather,Iscold,“Rebekah,Iheardyou.Don’tdothat.”

“Itisn’tfair.”

“Itdoesn’tmatter,”Ishootback,openingthedoorwider.“Letitgo.”
Shestopsme,grabbingmyarm,butwhenIlookbackather,hereyeswiden.Shelooksscaredofme,

and I don’t understand that. I would never hurt her. I go to say that, but she asks, “Wanna throw down
some?”

Ilaugh.Really?“Yousure?I’vegotsomesteamtoblowoff.”
“AsdoI.”
Idon’tknowwhatiswrongwithher,butIdon’task.Instead,Inod,gettingundressedasshedoesthe

same,bothofusinourworkoutgearbeneathourclothes.Iknowsheisjusttryingtohelpme,tryingtoget
metotalk.ButIhavenothingtosay.Idon’twanttotalkaboutit,nottoher,atleast.

Liningup,Iholdhergazeasshewalksaroundme,hereyesintentonmine.
Whenshepauses,though,Ialmostswingonher,butthenshewhispers,“Whenyou’retheleaderofthis

family,changetherules.”

Shakingoutmyarms,Iholdhergaze.Iknowwhatsheissaying,butstill,Iask,“What?Whatrules?”
“Thatwecan’tmixthesefamilies.Changeit,Osh.”
I laugh with no humor, my eyes darkening with the pain eating me alive. “By then, it would be too

late.”Iswing,butsheducks,hergazelockedwithmine,pleadingwithme.“Mylovewouldbegone,”I
addbeforekickingherinthegut.

Shewheezesonlyforasecondbeforeshebacksaway,hoppingontheballsofherfeet.“Thenrun.”
BeforeIcananswerher,though,sheisrushingme.Sheslamsherfistintomychest,thenherforearm

intomyjawbeforeturningquickly,swingingherlegintomyabdomen.

Itdoesn’tfazeme,though,andIshakemyhead.“Asmuchasyouthinkthat’sagoodidea,Iwouldn’t

beabletogiveherthelifeshedeserves.”

“Butyou’llbeinlove.”
Iscoff. She isso innocent. Shedoesn’t know what wouldhappen. How livescould be ruined. How

peoplecoulddie.Shakingmyhead,Iwhisper,“Loveisn’teverything,mydearRebekah.”

Iswingthen,butshedodgesme,hergazesearchingmine.“Doyoureallybelievethat?”
Iswingmyfistoncemore,andthistime,Iconnectwiththesideofherhead,knockinghertothemat.

ShelooksupatmeandInod.“Ihaveto,”Isay,avertingmygazetothesidebecauseIknowthat’sallI
cansay.Ican’tunloadonher.Itwouldn’tbefairtoher.Inherworld,lovecuresall.

Butthat’snotreality.
Shakingmyhead,Ilooktoheranddirecthertogetup.“Nowgetupandcomeon.”
BecauseIneedafuckingdistraction.

hearherbeforeIseeher.

Lookingup,IwatchasTaeganleansintothebarinfrontofmysister,hereyeswildandfullofpanic

asshesays,“PleasetellmeOceanusisnotcomingtothewedding.Pleasetellmeyourfatherisnotthat
cruel.”

RebekahappearsstrickenasshelooksupatTaegan.Mysistersputterswithananswer,andIcansee

Taegan’seyesarepleadingasIslowlystand.Iwishshewouldhavecometome,butshemustnothave
seenme.IhadjustsatdownwhenIheardher.

“Oh,Lord,”JJsaysthenfrombesideme,andInod.It’sournightonshiftforRebekah.Ihadplanned

ontellingTaeganwhatmyfatherhaddemandedlatertonightwhenIsawher,butapparently,thatisgoing
tohappennow.

Wonderful.
RebekahstartstoapologizeasIslowlyheadtowardthem,thoughwhy,I’mnotsure.Shedoesn’tneed

toapologize;itisn’therfault.It’sallmyfather’s.He’safuckingmonster,andIdon’tunderstandhowhe
can be the person who made us. In pure disgust, I head toward Taegan, her name coming from my lips
verylowanddefeated.“Taegan.”

Bothofthemlooktome,alongwiththevampire,asIstopinfrontofher.“It’sfine.”
“No.It’snot,”shedemands,hereyesfillingwithtears.Ilooktomysister,andshetoolooksasifshe

might start crying. Shaking my head, I take Taegan by her arm, bringing her to a dark corner of the
Clandestine. I know I should take her outside, but I know she won’t make it. She needs answers, and I
don’tblameher.I’vebeentryingtothinkofeverythingandanythingtogetoutofgoingtoherwedding.It
isn’tfairtobothofus,butmyfatherdoesn’tcareaboutbeingfair.Heonlycaresaboutwhathewants.
Whathedemands.

Hispowerovereveryone.
Hispoweroverme.
“Iknowit’snot,mylove,butyoucan’tcomeinhere,freakingout.EspeciallytoRebekah,shedoesn’t

needtodealwithourissues.Plus,peoplecanhearyou,”Iremindher,andTaeganshakesherhead,alone
tearrunningdownherstunningface.

Tonight,herhairisinabeautifullongbraidthatlaysgentlyonherchest.She’swearingaverytight,

low-cut shirt, one that has my mouth watering. But then I drink in her tight jeans, and I’m really unsure
how I am to go on seeing her around the Works without being able to touch her. She’ll be a married
woman.Notmywoman,either.

“Andwhatareyouwearing?”Iask,mylipscurving,andhereyeswidenasmyhandstakeherhips.
“Osh,focus.”
Ismile,lookingdeepintohereyes.“HoweveramItofunctionwithyoulookingsogorgeousallthe

timeandnotbeingmine?”

Assheholdsmygaze,hereyesglistenwithtearsasshewhispers,“Youwon’thaveto.I’llbegoing

backwithhimtoChicago.”

Asifmyworldwasn’tcrushedbefore,it’sdemolishednow.“Oh.”
I’llneverseeheragain.Inamonth’stime.
“I’msorry.”
“Don’tapologize,itisn’tyourfault.”
Shelooksaway,hertearsfallingeversoslowlydownherperfectlypinkface.“Still,I’msorry,Osh.I

hatethatthisishappening,butIcan’tevendealwithyourfather.Mydajusttoldmeyou’recoming,and
thatcan’thappen.Itisn’tfairtoyou—orme.Idon’twanttomarrythismanasitis,andnowIhavetodo
itinfrontofyou?”

Trying to gather myself, I nod. “I know, I don’t want to go, and I’m trying to get out of it. But he is

beingunreasonable,pushingmybuttons,lookingforareasontonevergivememyrightfulspot.I’mgoing
tofigureitout.Iwill,evenifit’sonlytocomeinsoKurtseesmeandthenleave,that’swhatI’lldo.I
won’truinyourwedding.”

Herlipwobbles.“Itwasruinedthemomentthegroomwasnotyou.”
MyheartmeltsasIreachout,takingherfaceinmyhands.IknowIshouldbecareful,thatpeoplecan

seeus,butIjustdon’tfuckingcare.Ineedhertoknowthatwewillgetthroughthis.Eveniftheendmeans
wewon’tbetogether.“Iloveyou,Taegan.Ido.”

“Iloveyoutoo,it’ssonotfair.Pleasedon’tcome,butifyoudo,cometorescueme,”shesaysbefore

flashingmeawinningsmilethatIgrinbackto.

“That’sasolidplan,rightthere.”
“Agreed,youcanrunupandthrowmeoveryourshoulder,claimingmeasyours.”
“Ilikethisideaofyours,”Isaywithawink,mythumbmovingalonghercheek.“I’llevenwaittillthe

momenttheyaskforsomeonetoobjecttotheunion.”

“Yes!Andmakeitalldramaticasyourunup,claimingyourlove,andthatwearemeanttobetogether.

I’llpunchhim,andyoutellmydadtofuckoff.”Shedissolvesintoapatheticsoundinggiggle,butstill,I
loveit.Ilovetoseehersmile,evenifitisjustduetoaplanthathashadfailurewrittenalloveritsince
themomentwethoughtit.

“I’mthere,”Ijokeasherarmscomeupandaroundmyneck.
“Don’tteaseme,”shesayssadly,leaningherheadtomine.
“Iknow,”Iwhisper,mylipsmovingalongherforehead.Icradleheragainstme,andherlipspressinto

myjaw,causingmyeyestoclose.

Ilovehavingherinmyarms,feelingherbodynexttomine.Icouldstayhereallnight,justus,inthis

darklittlecorner.Butunfortunately,it’sonlyforasplitsecondbeforeIhear,“ButIloveyou,Rebekah.
Tellmeyoulovemetoo.”

Lookingbehindme,IseeTaegan’slittlebrother,Colin,standingonthecouch,drunk,ashehollersat

my sister. His fiancée is sitting beside him, looking extremely infuriated, but I guess he doesn’t care.
“Whyisyourbrotherproclaiminghisloveformysister?”

Taeganlookspastmeandthenrollshereyes.“Aw,shite,he’sdrunk.”
“Great.”
WhenColingoestothebar,grabbingformysister,I’mmovingasTaegansays,“Let’sgethimoutof

here.”

Thatwasmyplan,evenbeforehewasscreamingformysistertorunawaywithhim,butnow,Iknow

heneedstogobeforehedoessomethingdumb.Thankfully,itdoesn’ttakemuchtogethimoutofhere.He
doesn’tgoquietly,though,screamingforRebekah.Andwhileit’sannoyingashell,lovedoesmakeyoua
bitstupid.Iknowthatfirsthand.AfterIpushhimintothecar,hepromptlypassesout,causingTaeganto
laugh.

AsoundIwillforevermiss.
Turningtome,shehassofteyesasshelacesherfingerswithmine.“Thanksforhelpingme.”
Ishrug.“Anytime.Yougoingwithhim?”
“Yeah,gottamakesurehegetshomeokay,”shesaysslowly,exhalingloudlyasshestandsbetweenthe

cardoorandtheseat.“WhenwillIseeyounext?Tonight?”

“You’realwayswelcome,”Isay,agrinpullingatmylips.“ButmaybeIcantakeyouout?”
Herlipscurvesinfullyassheleansintome,kissingmylipssoftly.Pullingback,sheholdsmyfaceas

shesays,“Iwouldlovethat,probablyasmuchasIloveyou.”

“Iloveyoumore,”Iwhisperbeforeplacingalittlekisstoherlipsthenhelpingherbackintothecar.

Tappingthewindowoncesheisin,Iwatchastheypullaway,andIfeellikemyheartwentalongwith
her.Man,itwillsuckmorethanIcanimaginewhensheisgone.ToChicago.Hoursfromhere.Butthen,it
doesn’tmatter.Shewon’tbemine.IthinkIhadhopedshewouldbeheresoIcouldadmireherfromafar.

Exhalingloudly,IturnandwalkbackintotheClandestine,hopingthatmysisterisinonepieceandthat

JJhasn’tkilledanyone.Onceinside,Iseethateverythingisgood,thateveryonehasmovedonfrommy
love’sbrotheractinganass.It’sasifnoonecares.WhenIseethereisabeerwithmynameonitrightby
mychair,Ithinkmaybethenightislookingup.

Probablynot,though.
AsIsitdown,takingalongpull,IseethatKillianandRebekaharereallyclose,speakinginhushed

tones.AndasmuchasIwanthertohavefun,playaround,Iworryaboutthatguy.

Idon’ttrusthim.
“Weshouldjustfirethisguy,”Isaythen,andJJnods.
“Iconsideredthat.Butthisway,he’srightundermynose,andIcanseewhatheisdoing,”hesays,and

Iagree,thoughIwishhewouldjustdisappear.“Keepyourenemiesclose,Oceanus.Always.”

“True.”
JJnods,bothofuswatchingRebekahandKillianastheytalkandflirt.IhearJJbreathingharderand

gettingmadder,buthedoesn’tsaymuch,justsendsdaggerswithhiseyes.Iloveseeingmysistersmile,
andIwishshewasalwayshappylikethat.Ijusthopesheisn’tfallingforthisguybecausehewon’tever
beabletobeanythingforher.Iwishshe’dlearnfrommyactions,butapparently,sheisn’t.

As the night progresses, I see them getting closer and closer. I want to say something, warn her, but

thenIknowyouhavetomakeyourownmistakesoryou’llneverlearn.Though,whenKilliansendshera
verysinfulgrin,Iknowtheyareuptosomething.

Assheturnsslowly,lookingbackathim,Ishakemyhead.“You’llneedtofollowher.”
JJlooksatme.“What?”
“They’regonnameetinthekitchen,Ibet.”
“No,” he says, almost in disbelief, but I can tell. Their body language is out of this world. They’re

feelingeachother,almostasifthey’veknowneachothertheirwholelives.IfthatwereTaeganandme,
I’dtakehertothekitchentodoheragainstthewall.

“Betyoutheyare,”IsayasRebekahcomestowardme,alittlegrinonherface.“Whatareyoudoing?”
“Heading to the back for ice,” she says simply, a grin playing on her lips. She doesn’t have the ice

bucketinherhand,soIknowshe’slying.Reachingforme,though,herhandonmybicep,sheasks,“Are
youokay?”

“Fine.Rebekah,don’tworryaboutme,”Isay,wishinglikehellshewouldn’taskmethat.Idon’twant

herworryingforme.Ireallydon’t.Butthen,issheworryingforme?Becausehereyesseemveryplayful.
“Whyareyoulookingatmelikethat?”

Grinning,shewhispers,“YounevertoldmeyoudatedChristianaKelley.”
Whatthefuck?“H-howdoyouknowthat?”
Sheshrugs,andagain,she’slyingasshesays,“Idon’tknow.”
“Don’tyoulie,Rebekah.”
Lookingaway,shebitesintoherlip.“Killiantoldme.”
Ilookpasther,Killian’sgazemeetingmineasIglare.“Howdidheknow?”
“He went to school with you.” One, vampires aren’t allowed in our schools, and two, no, that kid

didn’t.Mybloodrunscoldasshegoeson.“Don’tbemadathim.Ikindofpressedfortheinfo.”

Unabletotellmysisterthatherlittlefriendisalyingasshole,Ionlynod.“It’sfine,Rebekah.Goon

now,gettheice.”

Shedoesn’tmove,though.Hereyesarelockedonmine,pleading.“Promisemeyouwon’tsayanything

tohim.Orstartafight.”

Oh,Iwon’tstartafight.Orsayanythingtohim.Icanpromiseherthat,butIwon’tpromisethatIwon’t

kill him because that guy is not who he says he is. Looking to my sister, though, I smile as I say,
“Promise.”

She doesn’t go right away, but finally, she turns, heading to the back, and I stand, tapping JJ’s arm.

“Thatfuckerisn’twhohesays.”

“What?”JJasks,standinguptooasItextCyrusandJonastogetdowntotheClandestineASAP.
“TheonlypersonwhoknowsIdatedChristianaKelleyisherbrotherRylandwhocaughtusscrewing

aroundinherroom.He’sdead,sohowdoesthisguyknowthat?Especiallywhenheissupposedtobea
vampire.Whywouldheknowshifterbusiness?”

“YoudatedChristiana?”JJasksasKillianmovesaroundthebar,cleaningandstraighteningthings,but

Inoticeheiswatchingustoo.

“Idid,butnooneknew,whichismypoint.Wegottatakethisguyoutofhereandquestionhim.”
“Okay,”JJagreesjustasJonasandCyruscomeupbesideus,neitherofthemoutofbreath,thoughI

knowtheybothranhardtogethere.Extralungsdoabodygood.

“Cy,staydownhereandwatchRebekah.Jo,Ineedyourhelpgettingthisguyoutofhere.”
They agree just as Killian comes toward us, trying not to make eye contact, but I stop him. “Hey,

Killian.”

“Hey.”
“Whydon’tyoucomewithme?”
Hiseyesarecautious,lookingfrommetoJJtoJonasandthenCyrus.“Why?”heasks,andIsmile.
“Ineedtoaskyousomequestions,”Isay,buthedoesn’tmove.
“Isthatright?”
“Yup,socomeon.”
“Irathernot.Ihavethingstodo,”Killiansayscoyly,andIglare.
“Youcangoeasy,oryoucangobloody.EitherwayisfinebyJJhere.”
JJglaresathim,andIcantellKillian’smindisrunningathousandmilesanhour.Aminutepasses,no

onemoves,andIknowheisthinkingofrunning.Igotoaskhimoncemore,butthenhejumpsonthebar
withease.Whenhetriestojumpoff,JJgrabshim,twistinghimaroundandpressingKillian’sbackinto
hisownchestbeforehisknifeappearsatthebaseofKillian’sthroat.JonasandIgrabhimquickly,trying
nottomakeascenebeforewetakehimoutthesidedooroftheClandestine.

Onceinthehall,JJscoffs,“Toldyou.”
Inod.“Youcertainlydid,butI’mprettysurethisguyisn’tgoingtotelluswhoheis.”
WhenKillianlooksupatme,hiseyesarechallenging,andIknowI’minforalongnight.
Anditdoesn’tinvolveTaegan.

“Whoareyou?”
KillianlooksupatJJ,hiseyesredandswollenfromwherehehasbeenhitonetoomanytimes.The

airaroundmeisthickwithtension,butalsowiththesmellofburningflesh.JJ’sassumptionsofKillian
beingashifterwererightbecauseassoonasweslappedonthesilvershackles,hisskinstartedburning
andsizzling.Unlikemostshifters,though,hehadn’tchangedbacktohistrueformwhenthesilverhithis
skin like it would any others of his kind. Instead, he is still a vampire, and that makes everyone in the
roomuneasy.

Especiallymyfather.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Killian says back, his eyes bright and his pride still intact. If I didn’t

think he was sent here to kill my sister, I would be impressed because JJ doesn’t hit softly. It hurts.
Speakingofhispunches,helandsoneonKillian’sjawoncemore,justasmyfatherstands.

“Whyhasn’thechangedback?”
Noneofushastheanswer,andallIcandoiswatchasJJstalkshim,glaringandaskingwhoheis.
“Iwon’tsay,”Killiansays,butwhenJJpullsbacktohithim,Istophim.
“Whywon’tyousay?”Iask,andKillian’seyescuttomyown.
“Ihavetoprotectmyfamily,”hemutters,butIdon’tthinkhewantedtobeheard.
“Whoisyourfamily?”Iask,andherollshiseyes.
“Hewon’ttellyou,”JJsaysasIstandup,comingtowardhim.
“Wereyouheretokillmysister?”
“Yes,”hesayssimply,andIinhalesharply.
Somethingisbotheringme,though.“You’vehadplentyofopportunitiestodoso.Whyhaven’tyou?”

Whenhedoesn’tanswerme,onlylooksaway,mybrowspulltogetherinconfusion.“Didyounothavethe
chanceIassumeyoudid?”

“Idid,”hebarksatme,glaring,andIeyehim.
“Sowhydidn’tyou?”
Shakinghishead,heyells,“Whydon’tyoujustkillme?Getitoverwith!”
“Thatseemslikeagoodidea.Let’sdothat,”Jonassays,butIshakemyhead.
“No,weneedtofindoutwhoheis,”Isay,turningmybacktohimandlookingtomyfather.“Canwe

callonthewitches?Surelytheyhavesomespellorsomethingthatcanascertainwhohereallyis.”

JJnodsinagreementasmyfathertapshischin.“Yes.Letmecallher,”hesays,speakingofthehigh

witch,butwhenheturns,Killianlooksrightupatme.

“Itwon’twork.”
Ieyehim.“No?”
“Nope,”hesayssmugly.“I’mnotwhatyouthinkIam.”
“Ithinkyou’reashifter.”
“You’rewrong.”
“Thenwhatareyou?”
“Something that your father has tried to prevent,” he says matter-of-factly, and with that, my father

looksoveratus,anexpressionofpanicinhiseyesbeforeheturns,speakingtowhoeverisonthephone.

AchillrunsdownmyspineasIwatchKillian.AsIreallylookintohiseyes,tryingtofigureoutwhat

heis,Istarttonoticesomething.Hiswoundsareslowlybutsurelydisappearing,andsoonallhehasis
bloodonhisface,butnowounds.

“JJ,whatcreaturedoyouknowthatcanheallikethat?”
Comingupbesideme,heglares.“OnlyoneIknow,”hesaysbeforelookingoveratme.“Andthat’sa

wolf.”

Yeah,Iwasafraidofthat.

“I

fheisn’tashifter,doesthatmeanhe’sawolf?DidweloseourloyaltiesfromtheConners?”Jonas
asks, his eyes a little crazy. But Killian, or whoever the hell is he, is just laughing. He finds this

mightycomical.“OrdidtheKelleyshirefromanotherclan?Ithoughtweweregoodwitheveryone.Who
elsedidwelose?”

Shakingmyheadinannoyance,Ilooktomybrother.“Don’tgojumpingtoconclusions.I’msurewe

haven’tlostanything.”

“Yeah, surely the wolves wouldn’t betray you, Anus. Why would they when you’re screwing their

princess?”Killiansays,andIwhiparound,myeyesgoingdarkasangerfloodsmywholebody.

“Watchyourfuckingmouth,”Iwarn,andhegrins.
“Aw, don’t like when I speak of your precious wolf? Heard she’s marrying another. Wouldn’t it be

somethingiftheKerriganfamilyweretheoneswhohiredme?Tryingtokilloffeveryoneyoulovebefore
theirheirmarriesyourbitch.”

My body roars with anger, but just as quickly as I was ready to rip his head off, I swallow it back.

He’stryingtopissmeoff;he’stryingtoputincorrectassumptionsinmyhead.Myfamilyisfinewiththe
Kerrigans.Evenifthatdogismarryingmylove.“Theydidn’tsendyou.”

“No?”
“No,theywouldn’t.Butwe’llfindoutwho.”
Henodsverycondescendingly.“Sureyouwill,Anus.”
Irritated,Ilookbackatmybrother,onlytofindthatheislaughing.“Hecalledyouanus. You know,

’causeyournameisOceanus.”

“Areyoudone?”Iask,andJonasgrins.
“What?It’sfunny!”
“Dumbass,”Imutterbeforelookingtomyfather,whoisapproachingus.“Anyword?”
“She’sonherway,”hesays,glancingtoKillian.“IwanttoknowmoreaboutwhatyouassumeI’ve

triedtopreventinmycommunity.”

Killianshrugs.“Thinkrealhardandmaybeyou’llfigureitout.”
FatherlookstomeasIlooktohim.“Mixingoftheclans?”
“Ahybrid,then?”heasks,andIshrug.
“Butdon’tyoukillallofthem?”
Henods.“Ido.Idon’tunderstand.”
BeforeIcansayanythingmore,somethingalongthelinesofmaybeKillianwasmadeinsecret,Ihear

Rebekahinthehall.

“AndIignoredyou.Letmego!”
“Someonedealwiththat,”Fathersaysdismissively,andIrollmyeyes.NotbecauseIknowitwillbe

me to take care of it but because he never wants to do anything that involves dealing with Rebekah.
Openingthedoor,IfindRebekahandCyrusstrugglingwitheachotheragainstthewall.Theydon’tseeme
orhearmeastheyargue.

“Now,brother,webothknowI’mstrongerthanyou,”sheyellsbeforeslamminghisfaceintothewall,

herelbowdiggingintothebackofhisskull.

That’swhenCyrusseesme.ReachingforRebekah,Itakeherbythebackofherarms,threadingmy

armsthroughhersandholdingherbackassheyellsoutinfrustration

Laughing,Cyrussays,“Yeah,butyouaren’tstrongerthanOceanus.”

Withdispleasureinmyvoice,Iask,“Rebekah,whyareyouassaultingourbrother?”
Shetriestoshakeme,butI’mnotlettinggo.Withasigh,shesays,“Hewon’ttellmewhereyouwent

orwhathappenedtoKillian.”

Idon’twanttolietomysister.It’sthelastthingIwanttodo.Itwillmakemelikeeveryoneelseinour

familywhotreatsherasachild,butIknowifshefindsoutheisbehindthedoorwearestandinginfront
of,she’lllosehershit.She’sallaboutsavingpeople.Foolgirlwillgoafterhim,andI’mnotsurewhat
myfatherwilldoifthathappens.

“IhadtomeetFather,andKillianleftbeforewedid,”Isay,andshestrugglesagainstme.
“Canyouletmeup?”
“AreyougoingtoattackCyrusagain?”
“Notatthismoment.”Inodandlethergo.Sheturns,stretchingherarmsout.“DidKilliansaywhere

hewent?”

I shake my head, looking to Cyrus, hoping he can tell that we are hiding everything about Killian.

“Nope,hesaidhehadtogo.Isaid,whatever,andthenFathercalledforus.”

ShelooksatmelikeI’mlying,likeshecanseerightthroughme,butIstandtall,stickingtomyguns.

Thatis,untilIseeIrvinaKovalchik,theGrandHighWitchoftheWorks.Ihaven’tseenherinyears,andI
expected her to be old and scary by now, but I was so wrong. Irvina is breathtaking. Like a beautiful
sprite,withwhiteskin,longblackhair,andcatlikegreeneyes.Noonewouldexpecthertobeadayover
thirty,butsheisactuallyahundredandthirty.

Also,she’sthesecondmostpowerfulpersonintheWorks.
Shescarestheshitoutofme,butsheisouronlyhoperightnow.WeneedhertotelluswhatKillianis.

Withoutevenlookingatus,though,shewalksintomyfather’soffice.

IlookbacktoRebekah,andourgazesmeetassheasks,“WhatintheworldisIrvinadoinghere?”
Morelies.“Idon’tknow,Rebekah.Goontobed.”
“No!Iwanttoknowwhatisgoingon.”
Holdingontoher,Iurgeherwithmyeyesasmyfingersbiteintoherarms.“Pleasegotobed.Don’t

fightmeonthis.Tomorrow,we’lltalk.”

Shedoesn’tseemconvinced,andsheglaresatme.Tryingtocomeoffasunfazed,IsmileasIsay,“It’s

nobigdeal.Justsomewitchyshit.”

Holdingmygaze,sheasks,“DoesithavetodowithKillian?”
Swallowinghard,Ishakemyheadoncemore.“No,Rebekah,heleft.Seriously.”
Whensheturnswithoutsayingmore,Iknowsheispissed,butIcan’tdealwiththatrightnow.Ihaveto

knowwhatKillianis.Ineedtoknowmore,butbeforeIcanentermyfather’soffice,myphonevibratesin
mypocket.Pullingitout,Iseeit’satextfromTaegan.

Taegan:Whereyaat?
Me:Familyshit.Raincheck?
Taegan:Yousuck.
Me:Yes,you’reright,butpleaseunderstand.I’msorry.I’llmakeituptoyou.
Taegan:Youbetter.Textmewhenyou’redone.I’llcomeover.
Me:Awesome.Loveyou.
Taegan:Iloveyou.
Istareatourwords.Thethreewordsthatholdsomuchmeaningbetweenus.ShouldIevenbetelling

herIloveher?Won’titjustmakeitworse?

WhoamIkidding?I’vecompletelyfuckedupwithher,butIcan’tquither.
Tuckingmyphonebackintomypocket,IopenthedoorjustasIrvina’shandsliftfromKillian’shead.

Herheadishangingback,hereyesrolledupinthebackofhersockets,whileKillianlooksupatherlike
she’sthescariestthinghe’severseen.I,too,thinkshelooksterrifying,butapparently,I’mtheonlyone

becauseeveryoneelseiswatchingher,mesmerized.

“So,whatamI?”Killianasks,butIrvinaisstilldoingwhateversheisdoing.“Amonster?Ooh,noone

hasseenoneofthose,huh?”

Her eyes haven’t rolled back into place, nor has she moved, and it’s sort of freaky watching as she

standsthere,swayingfromsidetoside.WalkingupbesideJonas,Iwhisper,“Whathappened?”

“Sheputatruthspellonhimsoshecanreadhim,”hewhispersback.“Don’tknowifitisworking.”
“Shouldn’tyouknowwhatIambynow?Ifnot,youkindofsuck,”Killiansaysthen.Man,thisguyis

annoying.Heremindsmeofsomeone,though;Ijustcan’tplacehim.

Suddenly,thelightsflicker,andwhenIlookbacktoIrvina,herheadisuprightandshe’slookingatmy

father.“William,Ihavenocluewhatthiscreatureis.Ican’treadhim.”

“Oh,no,”Killiansays,lookingaroundtheroom.“Whatareyousegoingtodonow?”
“Thisguyisfunny,”Jonaswhisperstome,butI’mtoobusytryingtolisten.
“Whatdoesthatmean?Doesthathappenalot?”Fatherasks,andIrvinashakesherhead.
“Almostnever.Idon’tknowwhatheisdoing,buthe’sblockedme.I’msureheisashifter,though,”

shedecides,andIstandup.

“Well,weknewthatfromthesilver.Butsilvercanburnwolvestoo,”Isay,andshenods.
“Yes,butittakeswolvesawhiletohealfromsilvercuts.He’shealingandburning,thenrehealingand

reburning.It’sodd,butallI’msureofis,heisashifter.”

“Soyoucouldn’tseewhosenthim?”JJasks.“TheKelleys?”
“No,nothing.He’sblockedmeout.It’sridiculous.Letmetryonemorething,”shesays,andthatmust

havesurprisedKillianbecausehiseyeswidenasshecomestowardhim,avialinherhandfromherbag.

“Whatthehellareyoudoing?”heyellsasshetakesoutaknife,andforthefirsttime,hissmugnessis

gone—replacedbyfear.Shepullshisshirtdownandthencutshimcleanacrosshisshoulder.Hedoesn’t
react, only watches what she is doing. Quickly, before he heals, she pours a purple powder into his
wound.Withinseconds,itstartstosparkwithagreenlight.I’veneverseensomethingsobizarre.Butthen
it’sgone,andhe’shealed.

“He’saKelley,butnotafullKelley.”
MyfacescrunchesupinconfusionasIlooktomyfather.“Whatdoesthatmean?”
TheroomiseerilyquietasKillianlooksaroundtheroom.“MeansI’mthemonsterthatgoesbumpin

thenight,Iguess?”helaughsbeforeshakinghishead.“Listen,noonesentme.IcametokidnapRebekah
forthepossibilityofarewardfromthemanyclansthatwantherasleverage.”Idon’tbelievehim,notin
theleastbit,butthenhecontinues,“ButthenIthoughtaboutit,anditwasdumb.Itisn’tlikeanyonecan
killher,andIcouldn’tgetpastthehiredmonkeysanyway.SoIletitgo.”

“Oryoustartedtolikeher,”Isay,andhiseyeswidenaseveryonelooksatmeinconfusion.“Isawthe

wayyoulookather.”

Glancingdownathislap,Killianshrugs.“Guessitdoesn’tmatternow,huh?I’madeadman.”
I look to my father, and he is glaring. I fully expect him to agree, but instead, he shakes his head.

“You’reavilepieceoftrash,anduntilIcanfigureoutwhatthehellyouare,orwhoreallysentyou,Iwill
notgiveyouthesatisfactionofdeath.Instead,Iamsendingyoudowntothebastille.”

HorrorisallthatisinKillian’seyesashelooksuptomyfather.“Bastille?What’sthat?”
Beforehecangetananswer,though,JJhashimupandoutofthechair,leadinghimoutoftheoffice.I

guessheisabouttofindout.Whenthedoorshuts,IlooktomyfatherashekissesthepalmsofIrvina’s
hands.

“Ithankyouforyourhelp.”
Shenods,herfacestilltwistedinconfusion.“Hesparkedabitofyellow,William.Thatmeanshehas

Connerbloodinhim.”

Mystomachdrops.WhydidhesparktheConners?Father’sfacetwistslikehersashesays,“Hm,I

wonder.”

“He’sdangerous,William.Heisresistanttoeverything.Youshouldjustkillhim,”shestresses,andfor

thefirsttime,Iagreethatdeathistheanswerforthisguy.I’veneverseensomeonesounaffectedbythings
that are meant to torture them. It was crazy to see, and I worry that if he can withstand that, what will
happenwhenhegetsdownintothebastille?

BeforeIcanvoicethat,Fathersays,“NotuntilIknowwhatheis.”
AndIseeitinhiseyes,heseesKillianasascienceprojecthehastofix,whichissoidioticofhim.

WehavetoprotectRebekah.

“We will leave, go to our neighboring clans, and see if anyone has any information,” he says then,

lookingtoJonasandme.“Weleaveinthenextfewdays.”

“WhataboutKillian?”Iaskfrantically.“Idon’tthinkleavinghimwithRebekahinthehouseisagood

idea.”

“She’llbefine.I’llheightensecuritybecauseJJwillneedtogo.Heknowssomeoftheseclansbetter

thanI,”hesays,visiblythinkingbeforehelooksbacktome.“Wewillfigurethisout.”

Ijusthopewedoitbeforesomethinghappenstomysister.

“I don’t think we should leave Rebekah,” Jonas says cautiously as Father looks back at us. “She

protectsCyrus,yetyouwanthimtoprotecther?”

“Screwyou,I’vegotthis.Howhardcanitbe?”Cyruslaughs,andforgoodness’sake,he’sashighasa

kite.

“Foronething,ifyou’regoingtoprotectoursister,makesureyou’renothigh,”Isay,smackinghim

upside his head. “And two, he can do it, but the extra security will be needed,” I say to Father, and he
nods.

“Already in place. Kurt was very generous when I told him what was going on. He says it’s all the

Kelleys,butIworryheisjusttryingtocoverhimself.Iplantogettothebottomofitwhenwegotohis
house.”

We’regoingtotheConners’estate?“Wearestoppingthere?”
Henods,unawareoftheexcitementinmyvoice.IcouldgettoseeTaegan.“Yes,foranight.”
InodasCyrussays,“Rebekah’llbefine.Promise.”
“Maybeweshouldtakeherwithus,”Jonassuggests.“Justtobesure.”
“Shecan’tknowwhyweareleavingorforwhat,”FathersaysandInod.“NorcanIallowhertoleave

thishouse.”

BeforeIarguethat,IlooktoCyrus.“Shecan’tknowaboutKillianbeinginthehouse.Ifeelweneedto

tellherwhatheis,butthatwekilledhim.”

“Fine,”hesayssimply.“Icandothat.”
“She’llgoafterhim,”Isay,andFathernodsinagreement.WhileIknowshe’llbefine,Ireallydon’t

want to leave her. But I know we have to. We have to go to each faction’s headquarters, talk to the
leaders, and make sure everyone is still loyal to us. Staying the night in their houses, speaking with all
whoresidetheregetsthejobdone,butitistiring.TheonlygoodthingisthatI’llseeTaegan,outsideof
mybedroom.That’senoughtourgemetogo.

“We’llgetthisfiguredout,”Fathersaysfortheumpteenthtime,butforthefirsttime,Icantellheis

nervous.Whichmakesmenervous.Doeshetrulybelievewe’llfigurethisout,orishejustsayingthatto
saveface?I’munsure,butIdon’thaveachancetoaskbeforetheredlightinhisofficeflashesandan
alarmsounds.

WhichmeansthereisanissueintheClandestine.
Usually, I wouldn’t worry. Probably just a fight, but Rebekah is working tonight. We have sent her

assassindownintothebastille,andthethreatagainstherisstillreal.Soit’seasytosayIamoutofmy
seatandrunningdownthemanystairstotheClandestinewithouteventhinking.I’munsurewhatI’mabout
to walk into, but I pray my sister is alive and in one piece. Coming through the side door, I enter the
Clandestine.Everyoneisinmotion,visiblyupsetandpanic-stricken,asRebekahstandsproudly,herarms
acrossherchestinasmugway.

Samuelcomesfromtheleft,grabbingCyrusbeforetheytakeoffoutside,leavingmetothanktheGod

abovethatmysisterisalive.

“Areyouokay?”Iask,breathless,butthankfulbeyondbelief.
“Fine,therewasnoproblem.Itookcareofit,”shesays,grinningfromeartoear.
“Whathappened?”Iask,andJJturnstome.SamuelcomesbacktostandbesideJJ,breathinghardand

lookingalittlelikehecoulddieatanymoment.He’sgettingalotolder.Iglancearound,makingsureno
onecanhearus,tofindthateveryoneisbeingusheredoutbysecurity.

“GuycomesinaskingforKillian.Rebekahistalkingtohim,andthenextthingIknow,shehashimon

thebar,herkneeinhisneck.Iwentovertobreakitup,butheknockedheroffandtookoff.”

“So,ashifter?”Jonasasks,hisarmscrossingoverhischest.
“Iguess,”JJsays,sighingheavily.HelookstoSamuel.“Youcouldn’tcatch’em?”
Heshakeshishead,defeated.“Theywerelonggone,andHankdidn’tseethelicenseplate,sonohelp

there.”

“Buttheygotamakeandmodel?”
“Towncar,”Cyrussays,shakinghishead.“Couldbeanyone.”
“True,butwho?”Samuelasks,andeveryoneisstumped.“WouldtheKelleysreallytrytocomeinhere

aftertheirfirstsoldierfailed?”

“Theydon’tknowhefailed.Theyaskedwherehewas,”Rebekahannounces,andweallturntoherin

surprise.“Theyarelookingforhim.”

Inod,turningtoJJ.“Weneedtokeepitthatway.Noonecanknowwehavehim,andifanyoneasks,

Samuelfiredhim,andwehaven’tseenhim.”

Everyone nods minus Rebekah; her eyes are wide with disbelief. I can’t deal with her right now,

though.I’llexplainlater.

Jonasclearshisthroatasheasks,“Whenisthemeeting?”
“Monday,”Isay,assumingheistalkingaboutthemeetingwiththeclans.
“Meetingforwhat?”Rebekahinquires.
“Nothing,”JJrepliesquickly,butshedoesn’tlikethat.
“JJ, I just single-handedly took someone down, ready to kick ass until you stopped me, yet you still

can’ttellmeanything?”

Everyonelooksateachotherandthenbacktoher.“Nope.Nothing.”
Withthat,JJturnstoleave,andweallgotofollowhim.Wehaveto.WehavetoreportbacktoFather

andseehowhewantstoproceedwiththis.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me!” Rebekah hollers, and I pause. I can’t help it. I can’t leave her in the

dark.Shejustkickedass,andIoweherthat.

“Wearemeetingwitheachleadertomakesureloyaltiesarestillintact.FatherthinksKilliancameon

hisown,notsentbytheKelleys.Butnow,withthis,thatmaybedifferent.Wejustaren’tsure.”

Her little face scrunches up, and I know she is confused. “So he doesn’t suspect the vampires are

workingwiththeKelleys?”

Bitingmylip,Islowlyshakemyhead.“Killianisn’tavampire.”
Hereyeswidenmore.“What?”

“He’sashifter.”
That stuns her. Without saying anything else, I grab her hand and take her with me out of the

Clandestine.Ican’tleaveherthere,notwhenpeoplearelookingforKillian.Iexpecthertosaymore,but
shedoesn’t,andI’mthankfulforthatbecauseIdon’tknowwhatelsetosay.I’matalossforwords.Not
only for the situation but because I just realized there is no way I can run. This war with the Kelleys,
worryingaboutmyfamily,it’stakingitstoll.

Icouldn’tbearawarwiththewolves.I’dbeterrifiedforTaegan,formylife,foreverything.
I’drathershebesafeandalive.
Evenifthatmeansshe’snotmarriedtome.

uzzlingmynoseagainstTaegan’schest,Iclosemyeyesandexhaleloudly.

“Iwouldsaymyexcellentlovemakinghaswornyaout,butIknowthatisn’tthecase,”shejokes,

movingmyhairoutofmyeyesthenbehindmyears.“Apennyforyourthoughts.”

“Hopeyouhavealot,”Iscoff,nuzzlingcloser.“Andwhileyourlovemakingwasenoughtokillme,

you’reright.It’sjustsomestuffwithRebekah.”

ShepausesherstrokingofmyhairandlooksdownatmeasIlookup.“Issheokay?”
The concern is apparent. She cares for my sister as much as I do. “Yeah,” I say with a laugh. “She

actuallytookoutaguy,notthatIeverdoubtedherstrength,butshedidit.TheKelleysareoutforus,my
love,Ijustknowit.They’vesentinanassassin,buthecouldn’tsucceed.”

“Howdoyouknowheisanassassin?”
“He’sashifterposingasavampire.Youknowtheguybehindthebar,Killian?”
Shenods.“Oh,okay.Wow,sohe’saKelley?”
“Wedon’tknow,hewon’tchangeback.Irvinasaysheis,butshesaysheisofConnerbloodtoo,”I

say,andthenIsitup,lookingather.“Fatherquestionedyourfamily.”

Sheseemsalittletakenaback,butthenshenods.“Withgoodreason,I’msure.Butweareloyal.Me

moresothananyoneelse,”shesays,kissingmynose,butthenshepauses.“HehasConnerblood?”

“Yeah,doyourparentshaveotherkids,oneswhoweremadewiththeKelleys?”
Taeganshakesherheadquickly.“God,no,”shesays,horrifiedbythethought.“Mawouldkillmyda.”
Ismile.“Yeah,sheiscrazy.Youmustgetthatfromher,”Itease,andshepushesmebackintothesheets

beforecoveringmybodywithhers.

“Youlovethiscrazy.”
“Ido,verymuchso,”Iagree,kissingherjawandthenexhalingloudly,everythingstillweighingvery

heavilyonmyheart.“Shemakesmenervous.”

“Rebekah?”
“Yeah,she’ssodamnstubborn.Sheknowswhatshewants,anditdoesn’tmatterwhateveryoneelse

thinks. I’m scared out my mind that she’ll go after this guy. Though she knows it would be a bad idea,
she’sjustsonaïve,wantingtosaveeveryone,evenpeoplewhoareouttokillher.”

“She’s a good person, a sweet girl,” Taegan says, leaning her forehead to mine. “I think she’s been

lockedupforsolongthatshezonesinonaproblemandwantstofixitbecauseshecan’tfixherlife.”

“You’reontosomething,forsure,”Iagreewithanod.“ButIdon’tknowwhattodo.Iwanttoprotect

her.Iwanttokillthem,allofthem,forcomingaftermysisterandputtingusinthispredicament.Weare
supposedtobeapeacefulclan.Whyallthisfighting?Overafuckingformulaforeternallife?What’sthe
pointofitwhenit’snotevenagoodlife?”

Holdingmygaze,shesmilesbeforemovingherselfagainstme.“Notagoodlife?”
Ireachup,takingherfaceinmyhands.“Youwon’tbemineinamatterofweeks,Taegan,so,yeah,it’s

abouttobeahorriblelife.”

Sheleansintomyhand,andhereyesflickerwithsadnessasshenods.“Iknow.”
“Itsucks,andIdon’twanttoloseyou.Idon’twanttofighttheKelleys,andIsureashelldon’twant

anyonetryingtokillmysister.”

Shelaysherheadonmychest.“IwishIcouldmakeitbetter.”
“Metoo.”Iclosemyeyes,butthenshestartskissingdownmychest.Openingmyeyesagain,Imeet

hersasshetakesmeintoherhands,hermouthhoveringonlyinchesfromme.

“MaybeIcan?”
AsmilepullsatmylipsasIthreadmyfingersintoherhair.“Fornow.”
Kissingthetipofmyquicklygrowingcock,shegrinsbackupatme.“Adistraction,maybe?”
“Averywelcomeone,”Iagreerightashermouthtakesme.
Andwhileitiswelcomed,wanted,needed,soonitwillbemissed.
Morethanshe’lleverrealize.

FightingwithRebekahisnotwhatIwantedthismorning.
It’sthelastthingIwant,actually.
It’s been two days since the person was sent here inquiring about Killian. And in those two days,

Rebekahhasbeenbeggingandpesteringmeforinformation,butIdon’tknowwhattotellher.Apartof
memightbetryingtoprotecthertoo,butmostlyit’sbecauseIhavenocluewhatisgoingon.Whichis
whyFatherishavingthismeeting.Wearethinkingofwhattodonext,andtruthis,Idon’tthinkanyone
knowswhatwearesupposedtodo.

Butbeforewecanmakeanydecisions,thedoorfliesopen,andtherestandsmyveryangrysister.
AndwhenIsayangry,she’sshaking,andthepoorguardbehindherlooksterrified.
Sheprobablythreatenedtokillhim.
“Rebekah,whatareyoudoinghere?You’retobesleeping,mydear,”myfathersays,butevenIknow

that’spointless.She’soutforblood.

Glaring,sheshakesherheadhardasshesays,“No,Ineedtoknowwhatisgoingon.”
Shethendropsintotheseatattheendofthetable,steambasicallycomingoutofherearsasmyfather

asks,“Mylove,whatareyouspeakingof?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Father. I’m talking about this whole Killian thing,” she says sharply,

leaningonherelbows.Man,thisisn’tgoingtogowell.

ButIunderstandherfrustration.Shewantstoknowwhat’sgoingon.Shecaresabouttheguy,andwhile

I hate that, she has a right to know. I don’t think she really understands that we are doing our best to
protecther.Itmaynotseemthatwaytoher,butweare.

Lookingaroundthetable,sheholdsherhandsout.“It’sbeenovertwodayssincehiscousincameinto

the club. Over two days with no answers to my questions. None of you will even talk to me, everyone
avoids me while I stew, trying to figure out what is going on. I feel it’s my right as the person this
concernstoknowwhatisgoingon.”

Sheseemsproudofherself.IknowIamproudofher,butmyfather…Iknowheseesheranuisance.

“Isthatright?”

“Yes,”Rebekahsays,hervoicebreakingabit.“Isingle-handedlytookdowntheguyclaimingtobehis

cousin. I have done what I was told…to an extent,” she adds when JJ scoffs. “And I am old enough,
Father.Iamnotachild.Iamawoman.I’mturningtwentyinamonth,Icanhandleit.Ijustneedanswers
beforeIdrivemyselfmad.”

Iagreeinsomerespects,butmyfatheristoyingwithher.Lookingupather,hehasasnidelookinhis

eyesashesays,“Whatdoyouneedtoknow?”

“Everything!” she exclaims, frustration apparent on her sweet face. “What happened? What do you

guyssuspect?IneedtoknowwhathappenedfromthemomentIwalkedintotheback,onward.”

Iclearmythroat,readytoexplainwhatisgoingon,butmyfatherholdshishandup.“But,mylove,

why?Whateverwouldthatdoforyou?Itdoesn’tmatterwhatisgoingonwithallthis.Whatmattersisif
youaresafe.Yourneedtoknowthingswillpass,I’msureofit.”

Hesaysitasifshedoesn’tevenknowhowtofeel.Asifsheisatoddlerandheknowsbest.Rolling

myeyes,Iexhaleloudlyasshethrowsherhandsup,narrowinghereyes.ThatisuntilSamuelholdshis
handuptoher.

“Ithinksheneedsclosure,William,”hesaysslowly,leaningbackinhischair.“Theywerefriends,and

I’msureshemustfeelbetrayed.”

“Exactly,”Isay,andwhilethatwasn’twhatIwasgoingtosay,itgetsstraighttothepoint.Buildingoff

Samuel’scomments, I explain,“As much asJJ and I didn’twant her aroundhim, they worked together.
Sheisn’tarobot,Father.Shehasfeelings,andshedoescareforpeopleeasily,youknowthat.”

“Fine,butthisboyisnothing.Filth,”heannounceswithawaveofhisfrailhand,andthatdoesn’thelp.
Shaking my head, I hold my hand out to where Rebekah is sitting, vibrating with anger. “To us, yes,

because we know the truth. But she doesn’t, so she probably thinks differently.” Turning to Rebekah, I
holdhergazeandtrytoexplain.IprayIdon’tscareher,butlikeshesaid,sheisalmosttwenty.Sheisa
woman.Shecanhandlethis.“Whenyoutoldmewhatyou’dheardaboutChristiana,Iknewnooneknew
thatbutherfamily.Herbrotherwastheonetodiscoverus,sohewouldbetheonlyonewhoknew.When
IaskedKillianaboutit,heclaimedheknewfromschool.Butitdidn’thappeninschool.Ithappenedafter
wegraduated.Icalledhimonit,andhetriedtoflee.Wecaughthim,broughthimupstairs,andtriedtoget
himtotalk.Heisverytight-lipped,though,nomatterwhatwedo.”

Shejuststaresatme,almostindisbelief,asIholdhergaze.Clearingmythroat,Ichoosemywords

carefully.“Hewon’ttelluswhoheis,hewon’tshiftbackintohisoriginalform,hewon’tevenadmitto
whosenthimhere,tostealyou.”

“Thenhowdoyouknowheisashifter?”
“We chained him up with silver,” Samuel adds. “He burned up like a firecracker. And when we

unleashedIrvinaonhim,sheconfirmedhewasofKelleybloodandhewassentheretokidnapyou.”

“Howdoessheknowthat,though?”sheasks,andIcantellsheistryingtofindsomegoodinthis,but

thereisnone.

“Truthspell,buthesomehowfoughtmostofitoff.We’reunsurehow,butnomatterhowmanytimes

shecastit,heresistedit.Itwasarathermagnificentthingtosee,”Fathersays,hiseyessparkling,andit
makesmesick.

“Soyou’reholdinghimcaptivebecausehe’sashifter,andsometruthspellreadthathewashereto

kidnap me? He never admitted to it?” she asks, and I shake my head. How does she not see that he is
corrupt?“Thatdoesn’tseemlikeenoughtoholdhimfor.”

“You’re right, and it’s not, but until he speaks, he stays. Well, that was until a shifter came poking

aroundlookingforhim,”JJadds,sittingdownbesideme.“Wegottheplatesoffthecarhedroveoffin.
It’slinkedtoThomasKelley.”

Rebekah’seyeswidenasherjawdrops.“SoThomasshiftedintoavampiretocomeaskquestions?”
“Yes,andwefeelhe’sbehindthis.We’regoingtogomeetFrankKelleytomorrowmorning.Atthat

point,we’llaskifheknowsanythingabouthisson’sdoings.Ifhedeniesit,we’llasktheson.Ifhedenies
it,thenwe’llwait,seeifanyoneelsecomesaroundlookingforKillian.Iftheydo,we’llsnatchthemup.
Buteveryday,we’llpushtheboyforinfo.Everyonehasabreakingpoint,andwe’llfindKillian’s.”

Whenmyfather’slipscurveinasinistergrin,I’msureheisthinkingofallsortsofwaystotorturethe

kid.Ihatethat,butitneedstobedone.Wecan’tletanythinghappentomysister.

Clapping his hands together, Father smiles back to Rebekah. “So, see? Nothing to worry that pretty

littleheadabout.Wehaveitundercontrol.”

Shedoesn’tmoveatfirst,doesn’tevenagree.Rebekahjuststaresatusall,calculatinginherhead.I

knowshewantsmore,butI’msuremyfatherwon’tbesupplyinganythingelse.

Clearingherthroat,sheasks,“CanIspeaktohim?”
“Whyonearthwouldyouthinkwe’dallowthat?”JJasksbeforeIcan.

“Becausewe’refriends.Icanseewherehisheadis.Hetrustsme.”
“Noway.Nofuckingway,”Idemand,shakingmyhead.“Iwon’tallowit.”
“Youwon’tallowit?”sheaskswithalaugh.“Youaren’ttheleaderoftheclan,forone.Fortwo,I’ma

grown-asswoman.Andforthree,I’lldowhatIwant!”

Thathasmelaughinghard.Shethinksshe’ssmart,throwingoutthefactthatthePatchworkisn’tmine,

butwhatshedoesn’trealizeisIknowthat,andtoday,Idon’tcareatall.AllIcareaboutisprotectingher.
Glaring at her, I yell, “We both know that’s a load of malarkey, Rebekah. You do as we say, and that’s
final.”

Iprobablydidn’tneedthatlastsentence,butshehastoknowwemeanbusiness.Shegetsevenangrier,

throwingherhandsupandscreaming,“I’mtiredoftheserules.Icantakecareofmyself!”

“Rebekah,”myfathersaysslowly,hisannoyancefloodinghisfeatures.“Pleaseunderstand—”
“That everything you do is to protect me? Yeah. Well, guess what, Father? I don’t need protecting. I

needtoberespect—”

“Takedownoneperson,andyouthinkyoucantakedowntheworld,”Ilaugh.
“Ican,”shethrowsatme,glaring.“Andplus,what’sKilliangoingtodo?He’sbehindbars.Hecan’t

gettome,sowhatistheworstthatcanhappen?”

“Hecanbrainwashyou.Nextthingyouknow,you’retryingtobreakhimout,”Fathersays,butRebekah

doesn’tagree,rollinghereyesbeforefallingbackinherseat.

“I’mnotnaïve,Father,Ijustwanttoknowwhathisintentionsare—fromhismouth.”
“No.Youarenotallowedtoseehim.Stayoutofthebastilleuntilfurthernotice.”
“Buttheboys!Theyneedme,”shecries,speakingoftheguysshetakescareof,butit’sbestthatshe

doesn’tgodownthereatall.

“They’llbefinewithoutyou.”
“No,theywill—”
Iknewitwascoming,butthatdoesn’tmeanIdon’tjumpinsurprisewhenmyfather’sfistsslamonto

thetable,hisfingercomingouttopointatRebekah.“Nomorewillcomeofthis.It’sover.Yougotyour
closure,nowleaveitbe.”

Glaring,shestandsslowlyasshebitesout,“Ifyoudon’tgivemesomeroomtogrow,Father,I’mnot

goingtolast.Iwilllashout.”

“Ifyou’reimplyingthatyou’llactlikeatoddler,mydear,weareallusedtothat.”
Iswallowhardashereyesstarttoflood,yetsheholdsherchinuphigh.“Iwon’tstandforthis.”
Heading for the door, she slams it hard, leaving me feeling like utter shit. I didn’t want her leaving

upset.Ididn’twanthertohateus,whichIthinkiswhatjusthappened.Gettingup,Iignoremyfatherwhen
hecallsmyname,andIfollowbehindRebekah.

“Rebekah,”Icallasshestompsdownthehall.Sheignoresme,though,soIcallhernameoncemore.
“What?”
Shedoesn’tturntoanswerme,soIhavetoruntocatchup,fallinginstepwithher.“Ineedtospeak

withyou.”

Shescoffs,herlittlebrowstouchinginfrustration.“Youmeanyouneedtotellmehowtolivemylife

anddemandIdowhatyoutellmetodo?Youknowwhat?IthinkI’llpass.”

God,sheknowshowtogetundermyskin.Reachingforher,Itakeherforearmtostopher,totalkthis

out,butshetriestoshakemeoff,furyburninginhereyes.Shejustdoesn’tgetit.Shedoesn’tunderstand
thatherlifeisatrisk.Whippingheraround,Islamherintothewall,andherheadjerksbackatme.Idon’t
meantohurther,butshejustdoesn’tunderstand.Shecoulddie.

“Oceanus!”JJyells,butIignorehim,myhandcomingtoherthroatandsqueezing.
Holdingherterrifiedgaze,Iyell,“Youfeelthat?Thatpain?”
ThenIpullback,deckingherintheface.“That?”Iyelloncemore,shakingher.“Thatispain.Youfeel

thatbecauseyouarestillafuckinghuman,Rebekah.Youarenotimmortal.Youarenotinvinciblelikeall
ofus!”

Anglingherlegs,shekicksmeback,butIdon’tgofar,myeyesholdinghersastheblooddripsdown

hernose.Iwanttofeelbad,butIcan’t.Shewantstobetreatedlikeeveryoneelse?Well,herewego.She
hastograspthatsheisgoingtodieifshedoesn’trelaxandletusprotecther.

“YouthinkIdon’tknowthat?Ido,”sheyellsbackatme,butIshakemyhead.
“No. If you did, you’d understand why we are on high alert. Rebekah, please understand. This guy

being here for you is basically treason from the Kelleys. This may very well start a war between our
clans,mysister,andyouaretreatingitlikethisisallnobigdeal,likethisguyisinnocent,likehe’snot
dangerous!”

“Heisn’t.Youdon’tknowhimlikeIdo.”
Igototellhershedoesn’tknowshit,butherfistlandsinthemiddleofmychest,andasshetakesmy

jawoutwithherelbow,shescreams,“Icanhandlemyfuckingself!”

“Guys,calmdown,”JJtries,butneitherofuspayshimanymind,ourgazeslockedinhostility.
“Rebekah,”Itry,butshe’sstillraging.
“Youtreatmelikeafuckingbaby.I’mstrongerthanmost,and I’m human. What does that even say?

Don’tknow?Letmetellyou,”sheyells,goingtoe-to-toewithme.“ThatI’mafuckingbadass!”

Withthat,Ipushhersohardthatshefallsbackandrollstwice,landingonherfacehardwithaloud

oomph.JJtriestostopme,butIshakeoutofhishold,goingtoherandlookingdownather.“Andwhatif
youmeetsomeonelikeme?Youcan’tbeatme,sister!”

“Nooneislikeyou,”sheroars,standingupandstretchinghershouldersback.“Youbigdick.”
She’s a pain. “Rebekah, this guy, the one you feel isn’t dangerous because you ‘know him,’ he is

obviously on a level we don’t understand. He isn’t like other shifters. He didn’t change automatically
when the silver hit his wrist. He fought me off, almost broke my grasp. It took three of us to hold him
beforethesilvershouldhavetakenhimdown.Andthenitdidn’t,Rebekah!Itwaslikeabracelettothe
guy.Hisskinburned,butthatwasit,”Istress,myeyespleading.“Mysister,please,Ibegofyou.Thisguy
issomethinginsane.Idon’tevenknowwhattodo.Idon’tevenknowhowtostresstoyouhowyoumust
stayaway.”

But I don’t think she is listening. Leaning toward her, I hold her gaze, dropping my voice so maybe

she’ll listen. “I know you,” I say, slowly reaching out to her. She moves away, but just for a moment
beforeIwipethebloodawayfromhernose.“Iknowyouwanttofixthis.Iknowyouwanttoredeemhim,
thatmaybeyouhaveacrush.But,mylove,itcannothappen.Hewassenttokillyou,Rebekah.AndI’m
sorry,selfishasitis,Icannotloseyou.”

Thathasherlookingaway,hereyesfillingwithtears.Holdingherchin,Iforcehertolookatme.“I

loveyou,Rebekah,somuch,andIjustwantyousafe.Iknowyoucanfightthelotofthem,andyouwould,
butIcan’tletyoudie.Ineedyoutotakeastepback.Letushandlethis.”

“Whycan’tI—”
“Becauseyouarealiability,sister.Theygotintoourhome,oursanctuary.Thisismind-blowing.IfI’m

toprotectthishome,andyou,Ineedtoknowthatyouaresafeandthatyouwon’ttrytoseethisguyorfix
anything.Juststayput.”

“Stayput?”sheasksincredulously.“I’mnotfuckingthree,Osh.”
Inod.“Iknow.Weallknow,Rebekah.Butpleaseunderstand,wearedoingthisbecausewealllove

youandwantyousafe.”

JJappearsbesideus,hishandcomingtoherback,hiseyesfulloflovelikemine.“Wedon’tdoubtthat

you can take out anyone who comes at you, but we ask that you don’t put yourself in danger, my sweet
darling.Losingyouwouldbreakthisfamily.”

Sheisstillfiredup,Icanseethat,butIthinkIgottoher.Especiallywhensheanswers,“Fine.”

Making sure, though, I lift her chin, forcing her to look at me. “You understand why, though. Please

don’tthinkit’s’causewedon’tthinkyoucanhandleyourself.”

Shenodsstubbornly.“It’s’causeIcoulddie.”
“Exactly.Iloveyou,mysweetsister.Don’tforgetthat,”Isay,andapartofmeisscaredthatwhenI

comeback,shewon’tbehere.Shewon’tbealive.Ifullyexpecthertogodownandseethatguy.Ido,but
Iprayshewillbesmartwhiledoingso.

Eyeingme,sheasks,“WhileIloveyoutoo,Osh,whydoesitsoundlikeyou’releaving?”
MylipscurveasIletherfacego.Shereallyisamazing.“Soquick.”
“ToldyaIcanhandlemyself.”
IscoffasIshakemyhead.“ItsoundslikeI’mleavingbecauseIam.Weallare,exceptyouandCyrus.

Wearegoingtovisittheclans,spendafewdayswiththemtocheckthingsout.”

“Staywiththem?Theylivedowntheroad.”
“Yes,butwewanttoshowourpresence.Fatherdoesthisalot.”
Shenods.“Okay.”
Icanseeinherfacethatsheisexcitedwe’releaving.Shewillgodowntothebastille.Ishouldtell

hernottogo,tobecareful,butIknowshewon’tlisten.Instead,Iremindher.“Okay,don’tdoanything
stupid.”

“IwishIhadadollarforeverytimeyousaidthat,”shesays,herlipscomingtomytemple.
Laughing,Ibackaway,shakingmyhead.“You’dberich.”
Alongwithdead.
Deep inside my soul, I know that my words are falling on deaf ears and that she’ll go down there.

She’llgofindhimandtalktohim.Notsurewhatwillbesaid,butI’msureshe’llwanttosavehim.Ijust
praysheisn’tstupidaboutit.

ButI’mprettysuremyprayerswillgounanswered.

“D

oyouthinkthiswillbeourlastdate?”

A sullen smile pulls at my lips as I look over at Taegan. We’re on the very back lot, near the

riverthatrunsaroundherfamily’scompound.Hereyesarewideandhappy,andherfaceisflushedfrom
ourrecentlovemaking.Closingmyeyes,Isuckinadeepbreath,butIknowtheanswer.Reachingover,I
holdherface,rubbingherjawwithmythumb.

“Ithinkso.”
“That’sdepressing.”
“Itis.”
This whole trip has been depressing. Our trip to the Kelleys’ was unsuccessful. They denied

everything. Even when we came at them with the pictures of Thomas’s car, they said the car had been
stolen. They even handed us police reports, but that gave them away. People of the Works never go to
humanpolice;theygotomyfatherforanyissues.Soweallknowthey’relying,butmyfatherissittingon
it,whichIthinkisdumb.IfeelweshouldtossFrankKelleyintothebastille,throwawaythekey,lethim
rotaway.ButFatherwantstowaitawhile,seewhathecanfigureout.

WhichIthinkisnaïveofhim.
Wewenttothewitchesnext,andtheyguaranteedustheywereloyal,andIdon’tthinkanyofusever

reallyquestionedthat.Nextwerethevampires,who,again,weresolid.Theywereloyalandthingswere
fine,butthenJonassaidhewastakingasidetrip.Noneofusthoughtanythingaboutit,butcometofind
out,hewenttoNewOrleanswithagirlwhoisnotinaleadershipposition,andmyfatherispissed.Now
theonlywayJonaswilleverleadthePatchworkisiftheotherfourmembersofourfamilydie,whichis
highly unlikely. I asked him what he was doing, and he told me he loved her. So I didn’t question him
anymore.It’shislife,notmine.

Ithinkmyfatherfeelsdifferently,whichiswhyweareheadingtoNewOrleansafterthisstopatthe

Conners’.Thisstop,whichcouldverywellbemylasttimewithTaegan.

“Weshouldjustsayfuckitandbetogether,”shesaysthen,andIsmile.
“’Causethatwouldgoovergreat,I’msure.”
Shelaughs,aneasygoingsound,andherbodyvibratesagainstmineasshelaysasoftkisstomyjaw.

“Itwouldmakeushappy,though.”

“Itwould,”Iagree,turningmyfacetolookather.Herhairisfallinginhereyes,andshe’sgorgeous

withherlipsswollenfromourkisses.“Butitwillalsogetyouinalotoftroubleifwordgotbacktoyour
fiancé.Mutiny,I’msure.”

Sherollshereyes.“Ihatehim.”
“Doyou?”
“Yes,heisn’tyou,forone,andfortwo,heisasnob,”shesays,thesamedistasteIhaveforhiminher

voice.“Andwhileheismightyattractive,IthinkhethinksI’magoodfitjustbecauseI’mpretty—”

“Stunning,youmean,”Isupply,andshegivesmeadeadpanlook.
“Whatever,andthenIhavethisfeelinginsideme,likeIknow,Ijustknow,heisgoingtosmackme

around.Icanseeitinhisface.”

Clenchingmyfists,Ifeelmynailsbiteintomypalms.“IsweartoGod,Tae,hehitsyou,youcallme.”
“And,what?”sheasks,lookingupatme,hereyesmisting.“You’llcomesaveme?Riskwarwithhis

familyjusttosaveme?I’mfucked.I’mleavingthisplace,thepersonIlove,andmyfamilytogostarta
life where I’m basically just a breeder, making babies for this guy. I won’t have a life of my own. I’ll

havehislife,andIsureashellwillhateit.I’mcertain.”

Swallowing hard, I don’t want to hear her words. I don’t want to see the truth, her future. I can’t. It

hurts.Wrappingmyarmsaroundher,Ipullherintight,kissinghernose,thenhercheekbeforeherlips.“I
wishtherewasanotherway.”

“Metoo,butthereisn’t.Guessthat’swhatIgetforbeingsopretty,”sheteases,andIsmile,myeyes

fallingshutagainsthersilkyhair.

“Yeah,”Isaysoftly,myheartinmythroat.Asmuchasitpainsme,IknowIcan’tlethergointoher

marriagelikethis.She’llneverbehappy.Iwanthertobehappywithme,Ido,butthatcan’thappen.It
won’thappen,andbecauseofthat,Ihavetomakesureshehasagoodlife.Alifeshewilllove.“Maybe
youshouldtry.”

Ifeelhertensebesideme.“What?”
“Trytolovehim.”
Pullingback,shelooksdownatmeincredulously.“Excuseme?Iwillneverlovehim.Iloveyou.”
Lookingupather,Iwrapherhairbehindherearandslowlynod.“AndItrulywillneverloveanyone

butyou,mylove.ButIcan’tgoonknowingyouarenothappy.AsmuchasIwillsuffer,Ican’tallowyou
to.”

“Iwillaslongaswe’renottogether,Osh,”shesnaps,hereyesgoingwild.
“Iknow.Tae,pleasedon’tgetangry.Listentome,”Isay,reachingouttakingherjawsoshecan’tlook

away.“Ifyougointothiswithanopenmind,maybethingscanchange.Maybeyou’llbehappyandlove
him,andhewon’tsmackyouaroundbecausehe’llrespectyou.Idoubthewantstomarryyou,hewasin
lovewiththelastgirl,sobothofyouwillbehealing.Butmaybeyoucanfallforeachotherandhavea
goodlifetogether.”

Movingawayfrommytouch,sheshakesherhead.“Ican’tbelieveyouaresayingthis.”
“I’msayingitbecauseIloveyou,andIwantyoutohaveagoodlife.Givehimachance.Marryhim,

lovehim,andmakealifetogetherthatyou’llbeproudof.”

“Idon’twantalifewithhim.Iwantitwithyou.”
Inod.“Iwantthesamething,butwecan’thaveit.Itwouldn’tbegood,Tae.Wewouldn’tbehappy

becausewe’dbeconstantlywatchingourbacksandfightingwithourfamilies.Youknowit’strue.”

Shelooksaway.“Thatwouldn’tbethecaseifyouweretheleaderofyourfuckingclan.”
She’sangryandIunderstandwhy,butshe’skillingme.“Iknow.I’msorry.”
She swallows hard. I can’t let her leave me with the mind-set she has now. I want her to be happy.

Clearingmythroat,Iwhisper,“Marryhim.Iwantyouto.”

“No,youdon’t,”shechallenges,andIshakemyhead.
“Ido,Iwantyoutobehappy,andifhecangiveyouthelifeyoudeserve,thenplease,behappyand

marryhim.”

“Ideservetobewithyou,”shetries,sittingupcompletelyawayfromme.
Straighteningwithher,Ilookatthesideofherfaceasatearrollsdownhercheek.“Maybeyoudon’t,”

Isay,andit’sreallyhardtochokeout.“Ifyoudid,I’dsayfuckmyfamily,fuckmyspotastheleader,and
I’drunwithyou.I’dtakeyousofarawaywe’dneverbefound.ButIwon’tleave.”

Lookingoveratme,shescrunchesherfaceupassheshakesherhead.“Soyoudon’tloveme?Isthat

whatyou’resaying?”

Iscoff.“Taegan,myloveforyoucouldmovemountains.Itcould.Butitisn’tenoughtomakemeleave

the Works with you, and that’s not fair to you. You should be with someone who would leave it all
behind.”

Her eyes darken as she eyes me. “You’re lying.” I don’t move, and I watch her as she glares at me.

“You’re saying this because you think I can be happy. I’m not dumb, Oceanus. Don’t disrespect me by
saying things you don’t mean to try to protect me. I know damn well you’d leave it all for me, but you

won’tbecauseIcouldbekilled.Iknowyou.Iknowyoubetterthananyoneinthisworld,andIloveyou
forit.”

Lookingaway,IfeelmyowntearscloudmyeyesasIshakemyhead.“Ionlywantyoutobehappy,

andifitcan’tbewithme,thenIwantyoutotrywithsomeoneelse.”

“Sowe’rebreakingup?”
Iswallowhard.Ihadn’trealizedwewere.“Dowehaveachoice?”
“Idon’twanttobreakup.”
“NordoI,”Isay,strugglingwithmywords.“ButhowcanyoufocusonyourfutureifI’mholdingyou

back?”

She doesn’t move or say a word. We sit in the clear blackness, listening to the sounds of frogs and

otherwildlifemovingthroughoutthemeadow.Theriverisrushing,it’ssopeaceful,butonitsbanks,two
heartsarebreaking.I’llneverloveanyoneasmuchasIloveher,that’sagiven.Whileitpainsmetothink
ofherwithhim,Ihavetobelieveshecanfindhappiness.Closingmyeyes,Iwishthingsweredifferent.I
wishweneverhadtoleavethismeadow.Justthetwoofus.

Together.
Whensheleansherheadagainstmyshoulder,Isuckinabreathassheslowlynods.“Fine,I’lltry.But

Iwillneverstoplovingyou.”

Smiling,Imovemylipstothetopofherhead.“Promise?”
Whenshelooksupatme,mylipsfalltohernose,andshesmiles.“Ipromise.”
Webothsmile.“Ipromisetoo.”
Whataneasypromisethatistomake.

WhenwelefttheConnerhome,itwashardtokeepmyemotionsunderwrapsasIsaidgood-byeto

Taegan.IthinkIfeltitwouldbethelasttimeIsawher.AsmuchasIwantedtobelieveshe’dcometomy
roomatnight,Ithinkwebothknewthatlastnightwasgood-bye.Idon’tknowwhatwillhappenwiththe
wedding,andIdon’twanttothinkofitatall.Iwanttobetheretosupporther,toshowmylove,andtolet
herknowIunderstand,butatthesametime,I’mprettysureitwillkillme.

Leaningbackinmychair,Iletoutalongsigh,bored,whileinsideI’mdying.We’reintheofficeofmy

father’s cousin, Fredrick, in New Orleans. Though, I’m unsure how they are cousins… I think they just
claimtobe.Whoknows?ButevenbeinginthebeautifulcityofNewOrleans,Ican’tgetmyheadtoclear
ofthoughtsofTaegan.Shecloudsit,twenty-fourseven.Deepinsideofme,IfeellikeImadetheworst
decisionbyaskinghertomarrythatdogandbehappy.Ishouldhavetakenher.Run.Triedtobehappy
untilwewerefoundandkilled.MaybeIcouldhaveaskedformercy.Mylifeforhers.ButIdon’twanta
tragiclovestory;Iwantoneofustobehappy.Her,preferably.

Though,IwishlikehellIcouldbelikeJonas.
He was our first stop, at the home of the Thomasons, where my brother has found a bride. Ellena

Thomason is the eldest daughter of the second most-powerful man in New Orleans, Louis. He runs the
moneyandthepoliticsoftheNewOrleansPatchwork,whilehislongtimebestfriend,Fredrick,runsthe
scienceanddevelopmentaspect.JonaswasverysmartinhischoiceofEllena—sheisabeautifulgirl—
butmyfatherdoesn’tagree.HeknowsthatJonaswon’tbecominghome.Thathislifewillnowrevolve
aroundEllenaandherclan,whichbothersmyfatherbecauseJonaswillneverhaveanypowerhere.

ButIdon’tcare;Jonasishappy.
“Itwillwork,”Fredrickguarantees,hisfacesmugasheleansbackinhisownchair,hisarmscrossing

overhischest.

Likemyfather,heisobsessedwithalchemyandtheworkingsofthePatchworkclan.Theysharealot

of each other’s findings and are in constant contact. As much as my father pressed to come here to
convinceJonastocomehome,IsuspectitwasmoretoseeFredrick.Don’tgetmewrong,hetoldJonasto
comehome,butwhenJonassaidno,Fatherdidn’tpress.Fatherwasunhappy,buthedidn’tdemandfor
Jonastodoashesaid,whichiswhyIbelievewhatIdo.

ButwhenwegottoFredrick’sofficeandIheardwhywewerehere,itwasunderstandablewhyFather

wasinsuchahurrytomeetwithhim.Fredrickhasdevelopedaformulathatturnsourpeopleimmortalif
the first formula doesn’t work. Father hasn’t been able to come up with one, but Fredrick has. And
apparently,fromhiscasestudies,itworks.

Andmyfatherwantsit.
ForRebekah.
“I’vehadmanycases,allofthemimmortalnow.”
“Interesting,”myfathersays,lookingthroughthemanyfilesinfrontofhim.“Nofatalities?”
“Twoinmyearlierexperiments,butnonesincethenewestformula.”
“Oldestsurvivingparticipant?”
“Hundredandthree.”
Father’sfacetwistsinconfusion.“How?Ifyoujustdevelopedthistenyearsago?”
“Hewasninety-threewhenIadministeredit.Hewillforeverbestuckinhisold,decayingbody,but

he’llbealive,withnewpartsasweinstallthem.”

Fathernods,hiseyeslightingupwithexcitementashelooksovereverythingathirdtime.Ifthisworks,

Rebekahwillbesaved.Shecanfinallyhavethelifeshewants.Shecanbehappy.

FatherlooksuptoJJ,handinghimsomeofthecases,whichJJgladlytakes,studyingthem.Whenhe

offersthemtome,Ishakemyhead.“Ihavenocluewhatthatstuffsays.”

Fatherchuckles at that,while Fredrick laughs.“You should learn,” hesays, and Ishrug, clearly in a

bad mood. I don’t want to be here. I want to go home, lick my wounds, and hate myself even more for
leavingTaegan.

“Why,whenmyfatherwon’teverdie?”Ijoke,andeveryonelaughsatthat.
As our laughter subsides, my father closes the file and looks across the table to Fredrick. “So, how

much?”

Hiscousinchucklesashesitsup,matchingmyfather’sposition,hisarmsonthetableashiseyesmeet

Father’s.“Moneyisofnousetome.Ourclaniswell-off,happy.”

“Soit’sfree?”
EvenIknowthat’snotthecaseasIlookoveratFredrick.Fatherwantsthisformula,needsit,butIfeel

itwon’tcomeeasy.“No,ofcoursenot,cousin,”helaughs,leaningontohiselbows.“Iwanttobringour
clanstogether.”

My brows touch my forehead as I look from my father back to Fredrick. “We are together. We are

family.Loyaltoeachother.”

Meetingmygaze,Fredricknods.“Imeaninunion.”
Swallowinghard,Iknowhehasadaughter,andIhaveafeelingIknowexactlywherethisisgoing.

“Union?”Iask,justtohearitfromhismouth.

“Ihaveadaughterwhowouldverymuchlovetomarryyou.”
Iscoff,muchtomyfather’sdismay.“I’msorry,no.”
Father’sandJJ’seyeswideninshockasmyfatherwarns,“Oceanus.”
“Excuseme?”Fredrickasks,andIshakemyheadoncemore.
“NotonlydoInotknowyourdaughter,Iaminlovewithanother.I’mabouttotakeovermyownclan,

whichIdoubtyourdaughterisreadytorunatonlyeighteen.Iwantawoman,notachild.Nottomention,I
can’trunthisclanbecauseyoursonwill.Igainnothingfromthisarrangement.Idon’tneedtheformula.

Myfatherdoes,makehimmarrysomeone.”Igesturetohimdismissively.

Myfatherbarks,“Oceanus,thatisenough.”
“Fine,”Isay,holdingmyhandsup.“ButI’mnotmarryingher.”
Shakinghishead,FatherlookstoJJ,whojustshrugs,andbothofthemareclearlyunsurewheretogo

withthis.GlancingtoFredrick,myfatherasks,“WhataboutCyrus?Heisclosertoyourdaughter’sage.”

ButFredrickdoesn’tbite.“MydarlingAmeliawantstomarryOceanus.Ifsheistomarry,thatisyour

option.”

Fatherlookstome,andIshakemyhead.“ThenIguesswearen’tgettingtheformula’causeI’moffthe

market.”

“Youwillmarrythisgirl,foryoursister.”
“Nope,”Isaysimply.“Mysisterwouldn’twantthis.Ibelievethatinmysoul.”
“William,”JJsays,butIstillholdmyfather’sgaze.Iwon’tbebullied.I’mdone.Myheartisbroken

becauseofhim.

“No,hewillcomply!”
Ishakemyheadagain.“Idoeverythingforthisfamily.IgaveupthewomanIloveforthisfamily.”My

voiceisbreakingasIfightbackmytears.“Idoeverythingyousay,evenwhenIdon’tagree.Iwon’tdo
this.It’sthatsimple.”

Slamminghisfisttothetable,Fatherstands,butIdon’tflinch,nordoIcare.Irefusetobeunhappy,

alongwithbeingmarriedtosomeoneIdonotloveorwant.Noway.“Leave.”

I’mtakenaback.“Excuseme?”
“Youheardme.Youaredismissed.”
Unbelievable. Rolling my eyes, I head out the door, slamming it for good measure. My father has

completelylosthismind.Imayhavejustsetmyselfbackevenfurtherfromgettingtomyrightfulspot,but
I won’t allow him to use me as bait. No way in fucking hell. I understand that I probably just hurt my
sisterintheprocess,butItrulybelieveshewouldkillmeifsheknewI’ddonethat.Shewouldn’twant
that.She’dwantmetobehappy.I’mnotgoingtomarryanyoneifIcan’thaveTaegan.

Reachingformyphoneinmypocket,IgotocallTaegan,butthenIstop.Ican’tdothis.Sheisn’tmine

anymore.Ican’tburdenherwithmyfamilyproblems.

Lettingoutalongbreath,Igototuckmyphonebackintomypocket,butthenitstartstoring.
It’sCyrus.
My stomach drops as I hit the green button, fearful that he is calling to say something happened to

Rebekah.“Cyrus.”

“Hey,whenareyouguyscominghome?”
“Adayortwo.Why?Iseverythingokay?”
He hesitates, and I hear Rebekah complaining in the background. “Eh, well, yeah, but no? I kind of

knockedRebekahwithmyfoot,andshecan’tsee.”

“Jesus,”Imutterbeforeshakingmyhead.“Tellhertohanginthere,we’llbehomesoon.”
Hanging up, I tuck my phone back into my pocket and then head back to the office where JJ and my

fatherarewithFredrick.WhenIopenthedoor,Iseemyfathersigningsomethingbeforehandingitbackto
Fredrick.Standingup,theyshakehandsasFredricksays,“Soit’sfinal.”

“It’sfinal,”Fatheragrees.
“What’sfinal?”Iask,andFatherlookstome,fireinhiseyes.
“Noneofyourbusiness,”hesnaps,andIglare.“Whatdoyouneed?”
“Ifeelitismybusiness.Thiswillbemyclan.”
Hescoffs.“Willit?”
“Yes,itwillbe.Youcan’trunitforever,Father,andmydaywillcome.Whathaveyoudone?”
“Again,noneofyourbusiness,”hesays,hisvoicelowandwarning.“Nowwhatdoyouneed?”

Ifeeleveryone’sgazeonus,andIknowthisisn’ttheplacetoargue.Swallowinghardpastthelumpof

angerinmythroat,Inod.“Weneedtogohome.Now.”

Thankfully,Idon’thavetoexplain.JJandFatherjustgetup,andweheadout.WhileI’mthankfulfor

that,Iknowsomethingwasdoneduringmyabsence.

I’mjustunsurewhatitwasorwhatwillhappennext.

heplaneridehomewithmyfatherwasbothbrutalanduneventful.

Wedidn’tacknowledgeeachother,nordidwediscussanythingconsideringwhathadhappened,

orevenRebekah.IhadtoldJJthatRebekahhadbeenhurt,andhetoldFather,butthatwasit.Weareboth
too proud. Plus, I was livid. I was mad that he had ruined my life thus far, add to that the fact that he
wantedtomakeitworsebymarryingmeofftomycousin.IfIcan’thaveTaegan,Idon’twantanyone.I
don’tunderstandhowthatishardtocomprehend,butIrefusetobackdown.Ican’tbackdown.

Ican’tjustprotecteveryoneelse;Ihavetoprotectmyownhearttoo.
Whenwearrivedhome,Iwasunabletoseemysisterbecauseshewentstraightintothelabwithmy

father.Wearenotpermittedinsidetheroom,sowehavetowait,andIhatewaiting.Leaningagainstone
sideofthedoor,Cyrusmatchesmystance,andIcantellheblameshimself.

Whichheshould.
“Ididn’tmeanto.”
“Iknow,”Ilookoverathim.“Butithappens.”
“Sheletherguarddown.”
“WhichIwilldiscusswithher.”
Smiling,hemeetsmygaze.“Itfeltgreattogetoneonher.She’ssotough,man.”
Igrin,proudofthefightermysisterhasbecome,evenwithherrookiemistake.“Sheis.”
“She’llbeokay,though,right?”
“Yeah,I’msure,”Isay,thoughIdon’treallyknow.Sighingloudly,Iask,“Otherthanalmostblinding

oursister,anythingelsehappen?”

Heshakeshishead.“Notreally.Itwasprettychill.Sheworked,shesleptandate,andIdidthesame.

Itwaseasy.”

“Didshegodownintothebastille?”
“Yeah,”hesays.“IthinkshetalkedtoKilliantoo,thoughshehaseveryonelyingforher.”
“Awesome,”Imutteronasigh.Iknewit.Ijustknewshe’dgodownthere.“Didyouhearanything?”
Henods.“Heshiftedforher.”
Myeyeswiden.“Didyouseewhoitwas?”
Heshakeshishead.“No,itwasdark,andshewasblockingmyview.Ialsodidn’trecognizehisvoice,

butsheknewhim.”

“Shedid?”Iask,stupefied.“Really?”
“Yeah,theytalkedliketheykneweachother,andIthinkthey’vegotfeelingsforeachother.”
“What?”Iaskincredulously,unabletofathomwhatmybrotherissaying.“Areyousure?”
“Iam.Hewasprotectiveofherandwantinghertobecarefulgoingdownthere.Itwascrazy.Idon’t

knowwhohecouldbe.I’velookedthroughtheKelleys’familyhistory,andIcan’tthinkofanyone.”

“Didyouaskheraboutit?”
Heshookhishead.“No.Ididn’twanthertoknowIwasspying.”
“True.Doyouthinkshe’dtellyou?”
“No,”hesayshonestly.“Or,atleast,Idon’tthinkshewould.”
Nodding, unsure what to do with this information, I look to the door. If my father knows this, he’ll

question Rebekah ruthlessly, and it will cause more drama than needed. But, like Cyrus, I’m unsure if
she’dtellme.Ifshehastheguysdowntherelyingforher,morethanlikely,shewon’ttellanyone.She’s
protectingthatshifter,andIdon’tunderstandwhy.No,I’llsitonthis.FeelheroutandseewhatIcanget

outofher.

Whenthedooropens,webothcomeoffthewallasJJwalksout,takingCyrusbyhisarmandwalking

away.I’munsurewhattheyaredoing,butI’mmoreconcernedwithRebekah,soIfillthedoorwaytosee
her. When she turns, her eyes light up. Even though she is still beautiful, I could slaughter Cyrus for
messingupthesideofherfacesomuch.Onesideofherfaceisdarkblueandblack,butshedoesn’tseem
tocareassheyellsmyname.“Osh!”

Takingherfaceinmyhandsgently,Ishakemyhead.“Jesus,Cyrusgotyougood.Youslacking?”
Shelaughsaswewalkouttogether,neitherofussayinganythingmoretomyfather,whoiswatching

us.“No,hecaughtmeasIwastryingtogetup.”

“Sister,youknowbetter.”
“Iknow.Iwasthinkingaboutsomethingelse.”
“Again,youknowbetter,”Ilaugh,thoughIdowanttoaskwhatshewasthinkingof.
“Iknow,Iknow,”shesays,wavingmeoff.“Didyouhaveanicetrip?”
Ishrug.“IfyouthinkstandingaroundasFatherinterrogateseveryoneisnice…Iguessso.”
“Didyouguysgotoeachfaction?”
Entering the family room, we both sit as I nod. “Yeah, and I’m telling you, the Kelleys are up to

something.”

Hereyesflickerwithrecognitionasshelooksaway.“Really?”
“Yeah,Idon’tknowwhat,though.”
When she starts to pick at her nails, I know she knows something. As she looks up at me, her body

languageisguarded,andIhatethat.Doesn’tsheknowshecantellmeanything?Clearingherthroat,she
says,“IheardChristianawasshiftingintoguardstogetinhere.”

Takenaback,myeyeswiden.“What?Whotoldyouthat?”
“Somedrunkshiftertheothernight.”
She’slying.“Really?When?”
“Idon’tknow.SheapparentlyshiftedintoSamueltoo,tryingtogettome.”
“What the hell? And you’re just now saying something?” I ask, completely dumbfounded by all this.

Whydidshewaitsolongtotellme?

“Icanhandlemyself.Iwasn’tscared.”
“Youdrivemecrazy,sister,”IcomplainasItakeoutmyphone,feverishlytypingawaytoHank,our

leadguard,andthentoSamuelandJJ.“Nexttimeyouhearsomethinglikethis,youtellme.Yougotit?”

“Yes,sir,”shesays,salutingmelikethebratsheis.
Lookingbackather,Isay,“ItoldHanktogetbraceletsmadeforourguards.Imaygetsomeextrasfor

usthataremadeofsilver.Ifshetriestoshiftintoaguardagain,we’llhearthesizzleofherwrist.”

“Yum,”shesays,thoughherfaceisanythingbutpleasedatthethought.
Withalaugh,Inod.“Anythingtokeepyousafe.”
“I’mfine.”
“Whatever.Don’tfightmeonthis.”
“Fine,Iwon’t,”shesays,andIsmileatherteasing.“SodidyougoseetheConners?”
Swallowing,Inodasmybodygoestaut.“Wedid.”
“DidyouseeTaegan?”
“Idid.”
“Howdidthatgo?”
Ilaugh.“Itwaslikewalkingthroughthefierydepthsofhell.Itwashorrible.”
Herfaceisfullofsorrowassheasks,“Areyoustillgoingtothewedding?”
“Iam.”Imeethergaze.IfeelifI’mhonestwithher,maybeshe’llbehonestwithme.“Nomatterhow

muchIdon’twantto.”

“I’llgoforyou.Hopefully,Iwon’tbeonlockdownsoon.Fatherfoundaformula.”
“I know.” I lean forward on my knees, holding her gaze. I weigh my options. I could tell her what

happened,butwhy?Itdoesn’tmatter,anditwillonlyworryhermorethatIdon’tknowhowFathergotthe
formula. “And I’d love for you to go, but I need to go, too. I told her she should marry the guy, that I
understand.”

“Whywouldyoudothat?”
“Whenyoulovesomeone,youdowhat’sbestforthem.She’llbehappierthanwaitingformetogetmy

headoutofmyassandfollowmyheart.”

Leaningtowardme,shecapturesmygaze.“Ivotefollowyourheart.”
“Saystheyounggirlwithnoworriesandzeroloveexperience.Youdon’tevenknowwhatloveis.”
I’mbaitingher,andasIexpected,sheresponds,“Ido.”
“Who,then?Whodidyoueverlove?”
“Ryland.”
Whoa.Thatname.Itcrushesme.RylandKelley,theyoungestoftheKelleychildren,diedinhissleep

forsomeunknownreasononlythreeyearsago.

Rebekahwascompletelyandutterlyinlovewithhim.
Ishakemyhead.“Ihaven’theardhisnameinalongtime.”
“Iknow,”shewhispers,andit’sliketheghostofhimisinhereyes.Shehadlovedhim,verymuchso.

AndwhileitwouldbethesamestoryasTaeganandme,Ithinkithurtsmorewhenyou’reachild,asthey
were. Ryland had even written my father a letter, begging for a chance to love Rebekah freely. He was
ambitious,agoodguy,andIcanstillhearmysister’scrieswhenwewereinformedofhispassing.

I whisper, “And I’m sorry, sister. I know how much he meant to you, but you don’t understand what

wouldhappenifIfollowedmyheart.”

“You’dbehappy.”
“Yeah, but I wouldn’t have my family. Did you see how fast Father turned on Jonas? I can’t let that

happen,Ican’tnotseemybabysister,”Isay,reachingouttosqueezeherhand,tryingtoconveythatI’m
fine.Though,I’mnot.

“You’llalwaysseeme,Osh.Always.”
Lettingoutaharshsigh,Ishrug.“Oh,well.Oneday.”
“Couldbetodayifyouwanted.”
“Yeah,itcouldbe,”Iagree,shakingmyhead.“Butitwon’t.”
Istandup,andshedoesthesame,beforeIcuphersweet,naïveface.“Ihopeformoreforyou,though.

Thatyou’relovedtothefullestbyagoodman.”

“APatchworkman.”
“Well,ofcourse,”Ilaugh,becausewhatotherchoicedoesshehave?
“Unlessyouchangethelaws,”sheoffers.Well,thatisonechoice.Iletmyhandsfallasshesays,“You

couldtellTaegantowait,changethem,andthenmarryher.”

Ican’thelpbutlaugh.AsmuchasIwouldloveforthattohappen,itwon’t.War.Warwouldbreakout.

“Thatwouldcauseaninsurgence.”

“Oritwouldcausepeace.”
Which is also an option, one I could pray for all day, but there is no certainty. “I don’t know. We’ll

crossthatbridgewhenwegettoit.”

Iturn,readytoleavetoallowhertostew,maybecometomelater.ButbeforeIreachthedoor,she

says, “But what if I do want to be with someone else? A wolf, a shifter, a vampire, a one-eyed purple
monster,willyoustopme?”

Ipauseatthedoor,myheartdropping.Idon’tknowwhatsheisthinking,butthisshifterinthebastille

is dangerous and could kill her. I have to ward her off from him. Convince her that he would never be

anythingtoher,nomatterhowmuchshecaresforhim.Clearingmythroat,Iadmit,“Iwouldn’twantto.”

“Butyouwould.”
“Iwould.”
“Nomatterhowmuchthatbreaksmyheart?”
“Wehavetodowhatisright,whatisexpectedofthisfamily,Rebekah,andthat’sfollowingtherules.

Don’tforgetthat.Though,youdoconstantly.”

Grinning, I’m sure everything I said doesn’t matter. When she has her mind set, she’ll do what she

wants.“Ido.”

JustasIexpected.Iwantmoreformysister,butlikemyfatherhastoldmeeverytime,changingthat

rulemaynotwork.IwishIcouldbecarefreeanddreamlikeRebekah,thinksuchamovewouldcause
peace,butIdon’tknow.Holdingmysister’sgorgeousgaze,Ismile.“Begood,Rebekah.”

“Never,”shecallstome,andIlaughasIwalkout,runningrightintoCyrusasJJwalkspastus.
“Ididn’ttellanyoneelse,”hewhisperstome,andInod.
“Good.Shedidn’tgivemeanything,exceptaboutChristiana.”
“Whichshehadn’tgivenme,”headds,andIbiteintomylips.
“We’llsitonthis,wait,”Idecide,andCyrusagreesjustasRebekahcriesout.
CyrusismovingbeforeIdo,hisvoiceboomingthroughtheroom.“Lethergo!”
WhenIentertheroom,IseeJJholdingRebekahunderherarm,hisgriptightashiseyesarefullof

anger.“What’sgoingon?”IaskasJJletshergo,andsherushestoCyrus’sside.

“I’mtakinghertoherroom,”JJsays,pointingatRebekah.“Butshe’sresisting.”
BeforeIcansayanything,Cyrusisspeaking,lowandauthoritative,inawayI’veneverheardfrommy

brother.“Probably’causeshe’sbeendoingeverythingonherowntimesinceyouguyshavebeengone.
She’sokay.Shedoesn’tneedyou.”

ThatpissesJJoff,withgoodreason.IlooktoCyrus,unsurewhereheisgoingwiththis.“But,brother,

JJissupposedtowatchoutforher.”

Rebekah’seyesarewild,andbeforeanythingcanbesaid,shereachesouttome,takingmymoneyclip

out of my pocket, and throwing it at JJ. He catches it with ease, his eyes wide and confused as I yell,
“Rebekah!”

EyeingJJasheglares,sheshrugs,“Ithoughthewasashifter,he’sactingweird.”
WealllooktoJJashisfacedoesn’tchange.He’sglaringwhilehandingmebackmymoneyclip,and

hesneers,“I’mnotactingweird,you’vepissedmeoff.Iknowyou’relyingtome.”

“Aboutwhat?”Cyrusasks,shakinghishead.“She’sdonenothingbutbehonestwithme.Andreally,

shedoesn’tneedyou,”hesaysmatter-of-factly,lookingtoRebekah.“Gotoyourroom.”

“IwantedtogotoFather’soffice,”shereplies,butCyrusshakeshishead.
“He’sinameeting.You’llhavetogolater,butyouneedyourrest,”hesays,turninghisbacktoJJand

mebeforewhisperingtoRebekah.Idon’tknowwhatthehellisgoingonandwhenRebekahstartedtaking
ordersfromCyrus,butbeforemyeyes,mysisternods.

“Okay.”
“Okay,goodnight,”hesays,andthenheturns,lookingbacktousassheheadstoherroom.Whensheis

outofsight,JJbellows,“Thatwillnotstand,Cyrus.”

“Itwill.Sheneedsspace.Sheneedstofeellikeaperson.Leaveherbe.Iwilltalktomyfather.”
Withwideeyes,IlookbacktoJJ.Ihavetoadmit,I’mimpressed.Glaring,JJshakeshisheadbefore

turning and leaving without saying another word. Reaching out, I squeeze my brother’s shoulder. “I’m
proudofyou,Cyrus.”

My brother grins, shrugging his shoulders. “I learned from the best—the future leader of this clan.

You’vemademeabetterperson,brother,andI’mproudtobeyours.”

I’mcompletelytakenabackbyhisadmission,andIalmostcrackajoke,buthiseyesaresoserious.

Squeezinghimoncemore,IfeelprideburstinmychestasInod.“Thanks.”

ButIwishthatwasenough,toknowthatmysiblingsrespectandloveme,thattheybelieveIcouldone

daybethebestleaderthisclanwilleverhave.

ButIhavenoloveinmysoul.
Andbecauseofthat,itwillneverbeenough.

ollingtomyside,IletoutadeepbreathasIreachformyphone.Ihaveameetingtodaywithmy
family, but I’d much rather stay in this bed. I haven’t gotten much sleep the last couple days, and

whileIknowIwon’tsleep,Idon’twanttoleavethecomfortofmybed.Turningmyphoneon,sinceI
thoughtmaybehavingitofflastnightwouldhelpmesleep,itautomaticallystartssoundingwithtexts.It’s
Taegan.

Taegan:Iknowwesortofbrokeuptheothernight,butIwanttocomeseeyou.
Taegan:CanIcomeseeyou?
Taegan:No,then.Wow,youwereserious.
Taegan:Whydoesthathurtsomuch?
Taegan:Wow.Okay.Well,Iloveyou.
Lettingoutanotherlongbreath,Iwriteherbackquickly.
Me: I shut my phone off last night to sleep. If it were on, I’d play on it. I’m sorry I missed your

texts,butitwasprobablyforthebest,don’tyouthink?

Taegan:Yeah,Iguess.
Me:You’remad.
Taegan:No,myheartisbroken.
Me:Soismine.
Taegan:Iloveyou.
Me:Iloveyou.
Taegan:Doyouwantmetostoptextingyou?
Me:Ifitwillholdyoubackfromlivingyourlife,thenmaybeso.
Taegan:Idon’tknow.
Me:NeitherdoI.
Whenshedoesn’tanswerbackrightaway,Isetmyphonedown,runningmyfingersthroughmyhair

andthendownmyface.Eachbumpofmyscarsgrazemyhandasmyeyesfallshut,andIjustfeelempty.
Wrong.Idon’twanttosaygood-bye,nordoIwanttostoplovingher.Thisisallsuchbullshit.Standing
up,Igotothebathroom,showeringbeforegettingreadytogodowntothemeeting.I’munsurewhatitis
about,butIamsureitwillbesomuchfun.

Not.
CheckingmyphoneonceI’mdressed,IseeTaeganhasn’tansweredback,andIdon’tknowifthatisa

goodthingorabadone.Swallowinghard,Ituckmyphoneintomypocketbeforeheadingdowntomy
father’soffice.WhenIgetthere,Father,JJ,andSamuelarewaiting.

“Oceanus.”
“Father,”Isay,sittingdownandcrossingmyarmsovermychest.“WhereareCyrusandRebekah?”
“They’reontheirway,I’msure,butwhileIhaveyou,”myfathersays,andIleanback,fullyexpecting

to be reamed for the way the meeting went with Fredrick. “If you ever talk to me the way you did
yesterday,infrontoftheotherclans,Iwillmakesureyounever,intherestofyourexistence,leadthis
clan.”

Inod.“Iapologizeforhavinganopinion.”
Hiseyesnarrowwithaglare.“Itisyourjobtodowhatisbestforthisclan.”
“Andwhat’sbestforthisclanistohaveafreemindasIleadthem,nottobedistractedbyagirlorany

ofthatothermess,especiallywhenmyheartisn’tinit.”

“Noonesaidyouhadtolovethegirl,justmarryher,”hesays,andIscoff.
“Becausethat’sfairtoher,formetoneverloveherorevenwanther.No,Irefuse.”
“Weknow,”hesnaps,hiseyesstillnarrowedwithanger.
“Butwhilewearediscussingmyleadership,whenwillthathappen?”
“We—”
“Soon,”Samuelsaysthen.Ilooktohim,asdoesmyfather.“It’swellpasttime,andwe’vediscussed

traveling,William.It’stime,Ifeel.”

“Well,Idon’t,”myfathersnaps,andSamuellaughsasCyruscomesin,lookingaroundtheroom.
“We’lldiscussthislater,”SamuelsaysasCyrussitsdown,hiseyesmeetingmine.
“Whatcan’tIknow?”
“Hush,” Father says, his narrowed gaze landing on my brother. “I was told you demanded JJ leave

Rebekahbe.”

Cyrusshrugs.“Yeah.So?”
“Soyoudon’tcontrolthat!”
He affects a bored expression as the door opens, and Rebekah comes in, looking beyond tired. Her

hairisinamessonherhead,likeshehadn’ttriedafterstayingupallnight.Itmakesmethinkshewent
downtoseetheshifter,butsurelynotwithJJbeinghome.

“Howniceofyoutojoinus,”Fathersays,andshedropsintoaseatbetweenCyrusandme,hereyeson

ourfather.

“Let’s do this,” she says impatiently, and I’m unsure what is going on. She’s a tad bit angrier than

normal.

“Didyounotgetanysleeplastnight,Rebekah?”Cyrusasks,andsheshakesherhead.
“I’mfine.”
Hescoffs.“Oh,sure,you’renotangryatall,”heteases,andsheglaresbackathim,whichhethinksis

funny.

Whenmyfatherclearshisthroat,RebekahlooksfromCyrustoourfather.ButIwatchher.Shedoesn’t

seemtohaveanythingwrong,physically,butIworryaboutmentally.Hastheshifterbeenmessingwith
hermind?

BeforeIcanaskherifsheisokay,myfatherspeaks.“Ireallydon’tknowwhattothink,butI’mpretty

surethethreatagainstRebekahisover.WiththisKillianpersongone,Idon’tthinkwehaveanythingto
worryabout.”

Whatthehell?Sittingup,Ileanonthetableandsay,“Idon’tknow,Father.Rebekahtoldmesheheard

fromsomedrunkshifterthatChristianahadshiftedintoSamuelandcameinhereforRebekahsometime
ago.Ifixedtheproblem,hencethenewbraceletseveryonehas,butmaybeweshouldstayonhighalert
foralittlelonger.”

“What’s the point? We’ve been on high alert, and people have still gotten to me. I can take care of

myself,I’veprovedthattimeandtimeagain,”Rebekahsnapsfrombesideme,causingmetolookoverat
her.

Beforemyfathercanspeak,Cyrusnodshishead.“Shecan.I’veseenit.”
“Metoo,”Isay,clearingmythroat.“ButIstillfeeltheextrasecurityisneeded.”
“ButnotJJ?”sheasks,andmybrowscomeupasIlooktoher.
“IneverthoughtyouneededJJ,mysister,butitdoeshelptohavehim.”
“I get not being able to go anywhere,” she says, looking to our father. “Until we get a formula that

works,that’sfine.ButIdon’twanttobebabysat.Iwanttobemyownperson.”

“Shedidgreatwhileyouguysweregone,whichiswhatIwantedtospeaktoyouabout,Father,”Cyrus

says,andtomysurprise,Fathernodshishead.

“And that’s fine. JJ will only accompany you if, for some reason, you leave, which you won’t until

yourimmortalityisintact.”

“ButwhywillIneedhimthen?”sheasks,andevenIamconfused.“IfI’mimmortal,Icanleave,godo

whatIwant,justlikeeveryoneelse.”

ButFathershakeshishead.“Idon’tknowaboutthatyet.Let’swaitandsee.”
Crap.That’snotwhatshewantstohear,andIcantellthatbythewayherfacetwistsinanger.Before

shecangooff,though,Inoticemybrother’shandcometohersbeforehewhispers,“Babysteps.”

She glares at him, and I don’t blame her. She shouldn’t need anyone to babysit her once she is

immortal.Letthegirlhavealife.

“I’mveryexcitedaboutthisnewformula,though.Ifeelitwillputusatthetopofthemedicalfieldin

ourfamilyhereinNewYork.Insteadofkillingthepeoplewhodon’treacttotheformula,wecangrow,”
Fathersays,andInoticeRebekah’seyeswideninshock.

“You’vekilledpeoplebecausetheformuladidn’twork?”shecries,andIdon’tblameher.Ihatethat

myfatherdoesit.It’sanotherthingIwanttochange.Peopleshouldn’tdieforwhattheyaren’t.

Heonlyshrugs.“Ofcourse,orbanishedthemaway.Oneofthetwo.”
“Butyoukeptme?”
“You’remydaughter,Rebekah,don’tbesilly.”
Rebekahdoesn’tagree,though.“TheywerepeoplewhodeservedthesamechanceIhave.”
“Onlythestrongstayandtheweakleave.It’sthatsimple.Butwithyou,Iknewyoucouldbestrong,

andyou’veprovedthat,yes?”

Her mouth is hanging open before she snaps her gaze to Cyrus, and then me. “You guys knew about

this?”

Ishrug.“Idon’tlikeit,Rebekah,Idon’t.”
“Thisisinsane,”shesays,throwingherhandsupandsittingback.
“AndnowweknowwhyRebekahishardlyeverinvitedtomeetings,”Fatherjokes,butnoonereally

findshimfunny.“Buttoday,weneedher.”

Weneedher?
“Whyisthat?”sheasks,andIcan’thelpbutnoticehowcalmsheis.
“Becauseweneedtodiscussthetermsthatcomewiththisformula.”
Terms.Whatthehell?
“Inordertogivemetheformula,mycousinwantsyoutoconsidermarryinghisson.”
CyrusscoffsasIsitupstraighter.SurelyIheardhimwrong.“Excuseme?Marryhisson?”
Fatherlookstome,hiseyescalmashenods.“Why,yes,Oceanus,thiskindofthinghappensallthe

time.Taegan,forexample.Thefactsheismarryingthatdogtofurtherherfamily—thiswilldothesame
forus.Weneedthis.”

Uh,no,wedon’t!ButbeforeIcansaythat,Cyrussays,“Idon’tthinkthissituationisanywherenear

Taegan’s. You are basically selling my sister to some dumb kid who probably can’t find a girl of his
own.”Noddingmyhead,Iholdmyhandtomybrotherasheadds,“AndIrefuseformysistertobeforced
intosomethinglikethat.”

“Metoo.Thatisinsane,Father.Surely,youcanseewhythatwouldupsetus,”Isay,justasRebekah

putsherhandupintheair.

Lookingtoher,Fathersays,“Yes,Rebekah?”
“WhileIappreciatemybrothersstickingupformeandsayingwhattheyhave,Ifeelthechoiceismine

tomake—”

“You’reright,mylove,andI’msureyourealizehowimportantthisformulais,notonlyforyou,butfor

thePatchworkingeneral,”hesays,andmybodystartstoshakewithanger.Howdarehe?Howfucking
darehe!

“Yes, I do realize this. But do you realize how important and substantial it is to this faction and the

othersthatsomeoftherulesbechanged?”sheasks,leaningagainstherforearms.

Father’sbrowspulltogether,andIreallydon’tknowwhatheisgoingtosay.
“Idon’tunderstand.”
Whatinthehell?Howdoeshenotunderstand?
“Oh, let me enlighten you,” she says, her eyes narrowing. “The fact that people are dying because a

formuladoesn’tworkonthemisirrationalandunfair,butit’snotonlythat.Peoplearealsodyingwhen
thereismixingoftheclans,andagain,thatisunfair.Whoareyoutojudgewhoshouldliveordie?You
can’t run this faction like this. We need new leadership that is in touch with the times and can change
things.IvoteforOceanustotakeoverbecauseyou’restillstuckinthe1800sorsomething.”

Whoa. Okay… Whoa… My father is sputtering, but she holds her hand up. I have to admit, I’m so

proud,shelookssogrown-up.Butthenshesays,“DoesanyoneelsebackmeonOceanustakingover?”

Ilooktomyfather,andhisfaceisturningred.Idon’tthinksherealizeshowmuchmorethiswillhurt

methanhelp.Samuelisalreadygoingtohavemyback.Idon’tneedmyangrylittlesistertofightforme.

“Rebekah,putyourfuckinghanddown,”Imutter,butsheshakesherheadinrebellion.
“No, this is ridiculous, and I refuse to be treated like this. We all should be able to live a life with

someonewelove.”

Okay.Shetookitthere.Ishakemyhead,speechlessasmyfathersays,“Rebekah,Iamtrulyappalled

byyourightnow.”

“Yeah,Iwasappalledwhenyouthoughtyouweregoingtomarrymeofftosomedudeforaformula,”

shethrowsbackathim,andhisfaceburnswithanger.“Andwhatreallygetsmeisthatyouwouldbeokay
withmemarryingmycousin,butnotwithOceanusmarryingawolf.”

“Rebekah,”Iwarn,incompleteshockaboutwhatisgoingon.
“It’sokaybecausethisboyisaPatchwork,”Fatherremindsher,butevenIdon’tagreewiththis.IfI

didn’twanttomarrytheguy’ssister,howcanIexpectmysistertomarryhim?

“Butheismycousin.Thatisdisgusting!”
“Soyouwon’t?”
Shelaughs.“Oh,youdidn’tgetmyansweroutofallIsaid?Letmebemoredirect,then.Theansweris

not even no, but is unequivocally fuck no.” Cyrus chokes with laughter as she stands, her head shaking
alongwithmine.“ThefactyouthinkIwouldisinsulting.”

HowIadmiremysister.Eventhoughsheisthirtyshadesofinsane.
“AfterallIdoforyou?”Fatherasks,hiseyesfullofhurt.
Whatthehell?
“Doforme?Youtortureme!YouaresoobsessedwithmakingmeimmortalthatyouassumeIwould

marrysomedudeIdon’tevenlove?Noway.”

“IdoitbecauseIloveyou,”heargues,andIrollmyeyes.
“Ifyoulovedme,youwouldn’taskmetodosomethinglikethat.Youwouldn’ttellOceanustogoto

theweddingofsomeonehelovesbutcan’tmarrybecauseofyourstupidrules.”

“TherulesareinplacetoprotecttheWorks.”
“Theyareinplacebecauseifsomeonedidmixtogetherandhadababy,youwouldn’tknowhowto

controlthatcreature.It’sallaboutcontrol,andI,forone,willnotbeapartofthat.Iwon’tfeedintoitso
thatyoucangetahead.”

It’sliketennis,andIcan’tbelievewhatIamseeing.Mysisterwon’tbackdown,butwhenmyfather

laughs,allofusstop.Confused.“Yousillygirl,doyouhearyourself?Youthinkyoucandecidewhatyou
will and won’t do? I am the leader of this faction, and everything I do is to help you. You know what
wouldhappenifeveryonefoundoutyouweren’timmortal?They’dpushforyoutobekilled—”

“Because of your established policy of senseless killings. You did this! You’ve made this bed, and

now I have to lie in it. So please, if you think threatening me with the people coming to get me if they

found out about me not being immortal scares me, think again. I have people trying to kill me left and
right.Nothingnew.”

Sheturns,headingforthedoor,untilmyfather’swordsstopher.“I’mgoingtoletwhatyoujustsaid

slide. You’re obviously upset, and once you think this through, you’ll see how dire it is that you must
accept.”

“Whichshewon’t,”Cyrussays.
FatherlookstoCyrusandpointstothedoorandyells,“You’redismissed.”
Cyrus’sbrowsreachtohishairline.“What?”
“Youheardme.Leave,”Fatherdemands,andCyruslooksaround,confused.
Cyruslookstomeincompletedismay,andIshakemyhead.“Justgo.I’lltakecareofthis.”
Laughing,Cyrusshakeshisheadashestands.“Youdothat,brother.”
Whenthedoorcrashesshut,Rebekahglares.“SinceIdon’tagreewithyou,shouldIleave?”
Withastarethatcouldkill,Fatherseethes.“Go,butdon’tgofar.Yoursurgeryforyoureyeistonight.”
“Already?”
“Yes,Ineedtoremovethemfromthedonor—”
“Ihighlydoubttheydonatedtheireyes,”sheinterrupts,andevenIknowit’sabouttobebad.Andwhen

Father’sfistscrashtothetable,Iwishshehadjustleft.

Damnit,Rebekah.
True fear enters my sister’s eyes as Father says, “As I said, be ready. Tonight we fix you, like I’ve

beendoingfromthebeginning—”

“Justthink,youwouldn’thavetoifyou’djustkillme,”shesays,hereyesinslits,andFatherexhales

loudly.

“Rebekah,that’senough,”Idemand,andshepressesherlipstogether.“Goon.”
ShegoestoleavejustasFathersays,“ThinkaboutwhatIsaid.Iwantathoughtfulanswerbeforewe

getstartedtonight,andifyoucan’tgivemeone,thenI’llmakethedecisionforyou.”

No.Iwon’tlethim.
Shescoffs.“Soyou’llmakememarrysomeoneIdon’tlove?”
“Yes.”
Standingup,Ipressmyhandstothetable,mygazelockingwithhers.“Go.Iwilltakecareofthis.”
Shestompsoutthedoor,slammingitshutbehindher.JJandIglarebackatmyfather.
“Father,thisisunreal.Youcan’tforcehertomarryanyone!Sheisonlynineteenyearsold.”
“Oceanus, I don’t care what you say. I will do what’s right for this clan, our faction. We have to be

stronger, bigger, and I can’t do that when I’m executing teenagers who could be soldiers. I need this
formula.”

“You’re insane, and everything Rebekah said was true. You can’t do this. I won’t let you do this,” I

yell,mybodyshakingwithanger.

“Youwon’t?”hechallenges,andIstandtaller,knowingIamright.Ialsoknowhewon’tlistentome.I

looktoJJandSamuel.

“You’renotthinking,Father.JJ,Samuel,eitherofyou,please,talksomesenseintothisman,”Iyell,

andIhatehowmyvoicebreaks.Ican’tfailRebekah,though.Ican’tallowhertomarrysomeguybecause
Iwouldn’tmarryhissister.

“We’vetried,”JJsays.“Hismindisset.”
“Nomatterhowmuchwedon’tagree,”Samuelsays.
“Soyousaveher,onlytoloseher?’Causeyoudothis,andshe’llneverspeaktoyouagain.Unlikeme,

sheisnotforgiving.Andlet’sbehonest,shemightoffherselfbeforeshemarriesanyone.Sheisn’toneto
bepushedaround.”

“HencewhyIamdoingthesurgerytonight.Iwillsavemydaughter!”

“You’renotsavingherifyouforcehertodothis.”
“Iwilldowhatisrightforourclan,Oceanus.Agoodleaderdoesthat,andthefactyoudon’tseethat

makesmebelieveyouarenotreadytoleadtheWorks.”

Mylaughisharsh.“Please,youneverplannedonallowingmetoanyway.Notanytimesoon,atleast.”
“Youdon’tknowthat,butthat’sfine.Wearedroppingthis.Ihaveasurgerytoperform—”
“I’mnotdonefightingformysister,norwillIeverbe!”
“Andthat’sfine,son.Whileyou’reatit,godownandgetthatshiftersoIcantakehiseyesandsave

yoursister’svision.”

“What?” I roar, throwing my chair behind me, frustrated. “You can’t do this! I thought we were still

questioninghim.”

“Hewon’ttalk,”JJsays.“It’stimetogetridofhimbeforehecausesanymoreissues.”
“Areallofyoucrazy?”
“DoasIsay,son.Gogettheboy.ThecodeisRebekah’sbirthday.Bringhimtothelab.”
“No.You’vecompletelylostyourmind!Idon’tcareabouttheshifter.IcareaboutRebekah.Iamnot

donetalkingabouther.”

“Well,Iam.Youwouldn’tmarryFredrick’sdaughter,sonow,she’llmarryhisson.Inreality,it’syour

fault.”

Slammingmyfisttothetable,Ishakemyhead.“Don’tputthatonme!”
“It’strue,andshe’llmarryhimsoon.”
“Fuckno.Thatisnothappening.”
“Thenwewillnotbeabletosaveher!”
“Wewill,”Iyellback,mybodyshaking.I’munsurewhatIamdoing,butIsay,“I’llmarrythefucking

daughter.JustleaveRebekahalone!”

Whenthesmuglittlegrincomesacrossmyfather’sface,everythinginsidemegoescold.
Ihatehim.
IhatehimsomuchIcouldscream.
“Oceanus,”JJsays,butIshakemyhead.
“No,Iactuallylovemysister,andIrefusetoallowhertobehurtlikethis.”
Everyonelookstomyfather,andhescoffs.“IdothisbecauseIloveher.”
ButIshakemyhead.“Youareinsaneifyouthinkthatistrue.”
“Whatever.Oceanus,gogettheshifter—”
“Get him your fucking self. I’m not your errand boy,” I snap, heading for the door. Pausing with my

handonthehandle,Ilookbackathimandshakemyhead.“I’llneverforgiveyouforthis.Never.”

Heshrugs.“I’llkeepthatinmind.”
Before I can turn, JJ says, “Please go get the shifter, son. You’re only one who is strong enough to

handlehim.”

Withnothingbutanod,Iturn,alumpforminginmythroatatthefactIjustagreedtomarrysomeone

whoisn’tTaegan.SomeoneIdon’tlove,norwillIeverlove.

Butit’sforRebekah.
AllforRebekah.
LikeIhavetoldmyselffromthebeginning,Ican’tbeselfish.IhavetodowhatisbestforthepeopleI

love.

Evenifitcontinuestokillmeslowly.

lammingthedoorbehindme,IseeCyruscomingtowardme,hiseyesdarkwithanger.

“Notnow,Cy.”

“No,dude,I’mpissed!Thisshitisinsane.Wecan’tletthishappen.”
InodasIstartforthekitchenwherethedoorforthebastilleis.“Iknow,Cy.”
“Wehavetofixthis.”
“Ialreadydid.”
“Whatdidyoudo?”
“I’mgonnamarryFredrick’sdaughter.”
Cyrusstops,whileIkeepgoing.I’monamissiontogetthisshifter,takehimtomyfather,andthensulk

inmyroom.IalsoneedtocallTaegan,tellherthetruthbeforeshehearsitfromsomeoneelse.Whatthe
helldidIdo?Ibasicallyjustruinedmylifeevenmore.

God,Ihatemyfather.
“You’regoingtodowhat?”Cyrusyells,runningtocatchup.
“Ihaveto.”
“No!Youdon’t.”
“Ihavenochoice.Iwon’tletRebekahbeunhappy.IwilldoeverythingIcantogiveheragoodlife.”
“Itisn’tyourjob,”Cyrusyells,tryingtostopme,thoughIkeepwalking.“I’mtellingyou,Osh,thisis

bullshit.”

I nod, pushing the door open to find my sister sitting at the bar, tears welling up in her eyes. With a

shakyvoice,shesays,“I’mnotmarryinganyone.”

Rushingtoherside,IkisshertempleasIholdhertight.LookingtoCyrus,Ishakemyhead,hopinghe

getsnottosayanythingasIwhisper,“Iknow,we’llfixthis.”

Sheisalreadyupset;Idon’twanttoupsethermorebytellingherI’mmarryingsomeonesoshewon’t

haveto.

Cyrusmusthavecaughtonbecausehecomesaroundthetableandsays,“Don’tworry,Rebekah.”
Hugginghertightlyoncemore,Isay,“Whydon’tyougogetsomerest?”
I’msurprisedwhensheagrees,andapartofmeassumessheisuptosomethingasshesays,“Okay.”
Idon’tknowwhy,butinmygut,Ifeelsomethingisoff.Itisn’tthatshedoesn’tusuallycry—she’san

emotionalmess—butthistime,itseemsrawandIreallydon’tunderstandit.Yeah,sheassumesshehasto
marrysomeone,butitwouldn’tmakehercrylikethat.

No,somethingisup.
ShethenwipesherfaceasIlooktomybrother.“Cyruswillwalkwithyou.”
“Yeah,comeon,sister,”Cyrussays,takingherinhisarmsbeforeleadingheraway.AsIwatchthem,I

seeRebekahlookbackatme,hereyeswideandfullofworry.

Whatthehelldidshedo?
Rushing to the bastille, I throw the door open before falling the ten feet, landing on my feet. The

bastilleisdark,adungeonfullofnothingbutcellsforourprisoners.Lookingtomyleftandthenmyright,
all I hear is water falling and maybe some bugs crawling, which is odd. Why is there no other noise?
Insteadofgoingright,whereourregularprisonersare,Iheadtowheretheshifterisbeingheld.Idon’t
knowwhyI’mrunning,butIam,splashingthroughthepuddlesbeforereachingthedoortohiscell.It’s
cracked.Whichisn’tpartofthenorm.Goingtoit,Ihearnothing.Nobreathing,norustlingofhimgetting
up,nothing.

Openingit,Ilightthelampthathangsbythedoor.Thelightilluminatestheroom,onlyformetofind

thatthecellisnotonlyemptybutalsowideopen.

“Rebekah,whatinthehellhaveyoudone?”Imutterbeforedroppingthelampandrushingoutofthe

bastille.Climbingtheladdertothetop,I’mmetbyJJ,whoseeyesarewideandconfused.

“Iwascomingtohelpyou.”
Ignoringhim,Irushtomyfeet,runningtothewallwhereabuttonis.Ihitit,andthesirenssound.I

lookbacktoJJ,andhiseyesarefullofbewilderment.“GogetRebekah.Theshifterhasescaped.”

IknowRebekahdidit,Iknowitinmybones,butthereisnowayI’msellingoutmysister.
Ijustpraytheshifterdoesn’tkillher.
Orworse,convincehertorunawaywithhim.

“WhereisRebekah?”
Cyruslookstome,hisfacealittlewhite.“JJhasher.”
“Good,”IsayturningthecornerintheClandestine.
Wecan’tfindhim.Theshifter.He’sgone.Butthankfully,Rebekahissafe.
Evenifsheistheonewhofreedhim.
“Shedidthis,”Isayinahushedtonesothatnoonehearsme.
“Iknow,”Cyrussays,andourgazesmeetbeforeweshakeourheads.“She’sinsane.”
“Sheis.”
“Doyouthinkhewasdangerous?”
“Idon’tknow.”
“Doyouthinkshe’ssafewithhimout?”
Ishrug.“Again,Idon’tknow.Ijustwanttofindhim.”
“Yeah,”Cyrusagreesbeforeheadingforthefrontdoor.“I’llsearchthegrounds.”
“You got your gun?” He holds up his Glock that is loaded with silver bullets, and I nod. “Okay, be

safe.”

“Youtoo,”hecallstomeasIheadbackinside.AsIsearchallthelittlenooksandcranniesthatmy

siblingsandIusedtohideinaskids,Ican’thelpbutthinkRebekahhassomeballs.I’mnotsurewhere
shegotthem,probablyCyrusorJonas,becauseitwasn’tfromme.I’mtoocautiousandunselfish,butifI
weretobehonest,IwishIcouldbelikeher.IwishIcouldflyoffthehandlewithmyemotionsandhave
nocarefortherepercussions.IwishIhadrunwithTaeganwhenIhadthechance.IfIcouldgoback,I’d
doitalldifferently.Instead,I’mstucklivingalifeI’llforeverhate.

Clearingmythroat,Idon’tknowwhatI’mgoingtodoaboutRebekah.Iwon’ttellmyfathershewas

the one to free the shifter, but I have to have a talk with her. She can’t do that kind of crap. But that’s
Rebekah;shehasaheartthatistoobigforherlittlebody.Reachingforthedoortothelab,IpausewhenI
hearrustlinginside,alongwithvoices.Ialmostdon’tenter.It’sprobablymyfather,andIdon’twantto
have any interaction with him. He’s livid and calling every source he has to catch the shifter. With my
handonthedoorknob,Ialmostletgo,butthenIhearavoice.

Adeepvoicethatisnotmyfather’s.“Thenlet’sgo.”
AndthenRebekahanswers,“Okay.”
Whatthehell?
Ithrowthedooropen,andRebekahwhipsaroundwithJJinfrontofher,hishandsholdingherelbows

inaveryintimateposition.Ipause,mybodygoingintofightmodeasIreadherexpressionsandthenJJ’s.

ButIknowthatisn’tJJ.

“Rebekah?Ithoughtyouwereinyourroom,”IsaycalmlyasJJcomesaroundher,tuckinghishandsin

hispocketsinaverynon-JJway.

“Figuredit’ssaferinhere,”JJsays,butIdon’tmove,myeyeslockedwithhis,waitingforhimtomake

amove.

“Oh?”Whenhenods,Iglare.“Rebekah,comehere.”
“What’swrong,Osh?”hesaysslowly.
MygazefallsonRebekah,myeyesnarrowingasshesays,“Everythingisfine.”
“Getoverhere,Rebekah.Now.”
“No,”shesays,andmyeyeswiden.
“Rebekah,now.”
“No,”shesaysoncemore,steppinginfrontofJJ.“Letmeexplain.”
Butthereisnothingtoexplain.WhippingoutmyownGlock,IholditonJJassheshrieks,“Oceanus!”
“No,getoverherenow.That’snotJJ.”
“Iknow!”sheyells,andmygazeshiftsfromJJtoher.“It’sRyland.”
Mystomachdropsasmyfacetwistsinconfusion.“Ryland,RylandKelley?”
“Yes,”shesays,onthevergeoftears.AndwhenIlookbacktoJJ,he’sgoneandhasbeenreplacedby

RylandKelley.Someonewhoissupposedtobedead.Butashisgazemeetsmine,hislipscurvingeverso
slightly,Icanseethatheisverymuchalive.

Whatthehell?
“Please,putthegundown.”
ButIdon’t,holdingRyland’sgazeasItrytofigureoutwhatthehellisgoingon.Howisthisguyalive?
“No,he’sheretokillyou,”Itellher,holdingmyguntighter.
“No,he’snot,Ipromise.Please,trustme,putthegundown,”shebegs,butIignoreher.
“Getoverhere.”
“Oceanus,lookatme!”
Idon’tmoveatfirst,butthenmygazesnapstohers,andIglare.
“Hewasn’theretokidnapme.Well,atfirsthewas,butthenhestayedtoprotectmefromhisfamily

—”

“He’ssupposedtobedead!”
“Butheisn’t,”shesays,andIcantellsheispanicking.“Theyfakedhisdeathbecause—”
“Rebekah,no,”Rylandurges,andshelooksuptohim.
“He’smybrother,”shesays,butRylandshakeshishead.
“Andhehasagun.”
“Itdoesn’tmatter,”sheprotestsbeforelookingbackatmeandhowmygunistrainedonhim.
“Ryland isn’t here to hurt anyone. He’s protecting me. It’s fine,” she promises me, but I can’t move,

completelystunnedbywhoisstandinginfrontofme.

“He’ssupposedtobedead,Rebekah.Thisisinsane.Iwenttohisfuneral!”
Letting out a long breath, Ryland throws his hands up. “I was sent away because I’m a hybrid. An

amalgam.”

Everythingstops.Thetime,theworldonitsaxis,everything.Theonlywayheisanamalgamisifhe

wasmixedbetweenshifterandwolf…butsurelynot.Takingastepforward,Itightenmygriponmygun.
Thatis,untilRebekahstepsintomylineoffire.

“Oceanus—”
“Heisn’tsupposedtobealive.Moveawayfromhim,Rebekah.Heisdangerous.”
“No,”shesays,hereyesfillingwithtears.“No,Oceanus.Stop.”
“Heisafugitiveinthishouse.Ihavetodetainhimandprotectyou.”
“Oceanus, please,” she begs, her eyes pleading with mine while Ryland watches me closely. I don’t

blamehim.Heshould.EvenI’munsurewhenI’llpullthetrigger.“Ilovehim.”

Iknowsheloveshim;shelovedhimbeforehe“died,”butthisisinsane.Heissupposedtobedead!

AndI’mgoingtomakesurehestaysdeadthistime.Steppingtowardhim,Igotoshoot,butbeforeIcan
evenprocesswhat’shappened,Rylandhasmygun,andit’spointedatme.

“Ryland!No!”
Isputterwithshockasheholdstheguntowardme.Ryland’sgazeboresintomine,hiseyesdark,buthe

doesn’twanttoshootme.He’shesitating,probablybecauseheknowsthebulletwon’tkillme.“I’mnot
goingtohurthimaslongashedoesn’tdoanythingstupid.”

Suckinginadeepbreath,Isay,“Definestupid.”
“No,stop,”Rebekahsays,butneitherofusreallyhearsher.“Pleaselistentome,Oceanus.”
Whenmyeyescuttoher,tearsarerushingdownherface.She’spanicked,andsheverywellshouldbe.

Oneofusisgoingtogethurthere.“Hewon’thurtme.Helovesmetoo.”

God, how could she be so reckless? “He’s using you. He’s gonna take you back to his family, that

bunchoffuckingliars—”

“No, I’m going to take her away from this family that kills innocent people for no reason!” Ryland

yells,hisshouldersbackandhisjawtaut.“I’mgoingtoprotectherandloveher.”

Incredulous,IwhipmygazetoRebekah’s.“What?Pleasedon’ttellmeyou’rethinkingofgoingwith

him!”

“Osh,please,”shepleads,herhandsoutashereyesbegmine.“Ihavetofollowmyheart.Surely,you

canunderstandthatsinceyouwon’tfollowyours.”

“Wearen’tallowedtomixclans!”Itry,thoughI’mnotsurewhy.Whocaresaboutthatshit-assrule?I

sure as hell don’t, but I have to get her to understand she can’t do this. “You don’t know what could
happenifyoucontinuethiswithhim.”

“Idon’tcare.Ilovehim.”
“Youdon’tknowwhatloveis—”
“Ido,Osh.Please,youhavetounderstand.”
“Idon’t,I’msorry.Idon’tunderstandhowyoucan’tseehe’susingyou,”Ithrowbackather,butshe

justshakesherhead.

“Howdoyouknowthat?”
“’CauseheisaKelley!”
“I’mnotmyfamily,Oceanus,”Rylandsays,comingupbesideher,thegunstilltrainedonme.
“Putthatdown,”shesays,pushingitasidebeforeturningbacktome.“Hedoesn’twanttohurtme.He

wantstoprotectme,loveme.Pleasetrustme.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t,” I say, my eyes narrowing more because I see my opening. I just have to play it

cool.“AndifyouthinkI’mlettingyouleavewithhim,youhaveanotherthingcoming.”

“Oceanus—”
“Imean,Icanjustshootyou,andwe’llleave,”Rylandsays,andRebekahthrowshimadirtylook.
“Wearenotshootinganyone,”sheyellsthen,snatchingthegunfromhimandunloadingtheclipbefore

throwingtheguntotheothersideofthelab.Lookingbackatme,shepleads,“Please,Osh.Iwanttogo.I
wanttobehappy.YouknowIdon’tbelonghere.Thisisn’twhatIwantinlife.Iwanttobehappy!Letme
go,letmebewithhimthewayyouwanttobewithTaegan.”

Iwanttolethergo,Ido.Iwanthertohaveagood,happylife,butIdon’ttrustthissonofabitch,andI

refusetoletherdosomethingstupid.

“You’renotgoinganywherewithhim.”
“Please,Osh.”
“No.”
“Tohellwiththis,comeon,”Rylandsays,pullingher,butthereisnowayI’mlettinghergo.Withhis

gaze focused on the door, I react quickly, kicking him square in the chest, knocking him onto his back
before grabbing my sister and slinging her against the wall with more force than I meant. Before I can
apologize,though,Ihearaloud,ear-shatteringrippingnoise,andthenI’mflatonmyback,lookingupinto
themuzzleofabeastinchesfrommyface.

Awolf.
Drooldripsfromthebeast’steethontomyface,rightasitsnarlssoloudthatitshakesmyeardrums.

It’scomingformyfacebeforeIknowit,butI’mquick,grabbingitbyitsscruffasitstartstosnapatme.

“Holyshit,”Igasp,tryingtoholditback,butfuck,it’sstrong.Asitsnapsitsteethagain,Ifeellikethis

istheend.I’llneverseemysisteragain;I’llneverkissTaeganagain.Holyshit,Imightbetorntopieces,
andI’msuremydadwouldn’tbeabletoputmebacktogether.

ButthenRebekahisrunningtowardus,pushingintothebeasthardasshescreams,“Ryland!No!”
Thewolffallsoff-balanceandrollstotheleft.Irushtomyfeet,pullingheraway,butmyboneheaded

sisterbatsmeaway.“No,he’sjustprotectingme.”

Lookingbacktothebeast,Ifindheisn’tabeastanymore,butRylandonceagain.Justthistime,heis

stark-assnaked.Sofast…I’mamazedathowrapidlyhechanges.MuchfasterthanTaegan.

HeholdsRebekah’sgaze,hiseyessoftashesays,“Iwasn’tgoingtohurthim.”
“Iknow,”shesays,andIholdmyhandup.
“Surelookedlikeyouwere,”Iyell,completelyshakentothecore.
“Ijustfreakedwhenhethrewyoulikethat,”hesaystoher,andIpause.
Hemeansit.
“Iknow.”
Butthatdoesn’tchangeanything.“Rebekah,he’samonster.”
Lookingbacktome,shesays,“Osh,we’reallmonsters,butIlovethismonster.Ialwayshave,andI

needyoutoletmego.”

Silencesstretchesbetweenus,andIswearIcanhearherheartbeat,ormaybeit’sthewolf’s,Idon’t

know.I’mjustfreakingthehellout.Thisisinsane.I’mstillreelingfromthefactthatRylandKelleyisnot
onlyalivebutanamalgam—andthathealsotriedtoliterallybitemyheadoff.Iwanttosaysheisstupid
fortrustinghim,butIcan’tgetoverthewayheislookingather.He’slookingatherthewayhedidwhen
theywereyounger.Whenhewascompletelyinlovewithherandwantedtomarryher.Butthatwasshut
downquickly,andonlyacoupleweekslater,hewasdead.

Didmyfather“kill”him?
Iwouldn’tputitpasthim.
“Everyone is freaking out,” she gasps, her eyes going from mine to his. “We need to calm down

becausethisisokay.I’mokay,you’reokay,andRylandisokay.IjustneedyoutounderstandthatIlove
him,helovesme,andIwanttobehappy.Ineedtobehappy.I’mbeggingyoutoletmegowithoutafight.
Idon’twantyoutogethurt.”

Swallowinghard,Ishakemyhead.Mybodyandmindaretellingmetostopher;shecan’tdothis.But

myheartissayingtolethergo,andIreallydon’tknowthatmeans.AmIbeingsmart,oramIwishingI
wereher?I’msupposedtobetheolderbrother,I’msupposedtobesmartandknowwhattodo,tohavea
plan.ButIfeellost.Scared.

Clearingmythroat,Isay,“Idon’tknowifIcan.”
“Well,youhaveto,”shesays,hereyescloudingassheholdsmygaze.“’CauseI’mgoing.”
“I’llstopyou,”Ipromise—becauseIhaveto.
“Youcantry,butI’mgoing.”
“Soyou’llturnyourbackonus,forhim?”Iaskincredulously,andman,IwishIwereher.Sheisso

strong,sohardheaded,andI’mjealous.I’mgreenwithenvyofher.

“Yes,”sheanswersautomatically.“Anddon’tthinkthatdoesn’tpainme,butIhavetofollowmyheart,

anditleadstohim.”

AsmuchasIadmireher,Ican’tletherdothis.Sheisn’tthinking.“Idon’tcareifyousayheistryingto

protectyou,Ijustseeadogthatcan’tcontrolhistemperandwillhurtyou.Iloveyou,Rebekah.Iwon’t
letyoumakeastupiddecisionthatyou’llregret—orthatwillultimatelykillyou.”

“Iloveher.Iwouldneverletthathappen,”Rylandsays,comingaroundtoher,butshestopshim.“She

willalwaysbesafe.Trustme.”

“Trustyou?Youjusttriedtobitemyheadoff!”
Rylandwavesmeoff.“Ionlysnappedatyou.Relax.”
IshoothimadrylookasRebekahcomesbetweenus,hereyespleadingwithmine.“Osh,Iloveyou,I

do.Youknowthat.Butyouhavetotrustme.Rylandwouldn’thurtme.Justlooktheotherway.Youwon’t
evenhavetosayyousawme.Justletmego.Please.”Itwouldbethateasy.Icouldplayitoffwithno
issue.IknowIcould,butshouldI?CanIlethergo?“Ifthiswereyou,andhewereTaegan,wouldn’tyou
want this chance to be happy? I can’t stay here anymore. You know in your heart, you just know I’m
screwedifIdo.I’llneverbehappy.Please,Osh,please.”

Gasping,Ilookaway,myeyesfillingwithtears.Iwantthechance,Ido,butIgaveitup.CanIallow

hertodothesame?Butwhatifthisisatrapandshedies?I’llblamemyselffortherestofmylife.“Ican
protectyou,Iwon’tletanythinghappentoyou.”

“I know that, please don’t think I don’t. I know you’ll go to the ends of the earth to protect me,

Oceanus,andIloveyouforit.Butyoucan’tstophim.”HervoicebreaksasIlookdownintohereyes.“I
haveachancetoleave,tobehappy.Canyoureallystopmeandsubjectmetoourfather?Afatherwho
willusemeasawalkingscienceexperimentandmarrymeofftogetahead?”

“Iwon’tletthathappen,”Ipromise,butIdon’tknowifIcanpromisethat.He’llneverstop.
“Youcan’tstophim,youknowthat.”
“I’llberunningthePatchworksoon,justbepatient.Ican’tletyouleavewithhim.”
“Thenlooktheotherway,trustme.IknowwhatI’mdoing.”
“Youdon’tevenknowhim,”Itry,thoughit’salie.Hewasherbestfriend,herlover,andherheart.
“I do know him. I’ve known him my whole life, except for the last three years when he’s been

allegedlydead,”shesays,closingthedistancebetweenusandreachingformyhand.Myeyesmeethers,
andwhileIseefearinhereyes,Iknowshehashermindset.She’sgoing,butshewantsmyapproval.Can
Igiveittoher?

“Beforehewassentawayfornotbeingwhatheissupposedtobeinthissociety,hewroteFathera

letter.Heaskedfortherulesaboutmixingtheclanstobeabolishedbecausehelovedmeandwantedto
have a future with me. Oceanus, he went against the grain, he spoke up to Father because he loves me.
Thathastomeansomething,Osh.PleaseunderstandhowbadIneedtogetoutofhere.”

I know this, which is why I respected him so much when we were younger. Then he died. He was

gone.ButwhenIlookoverathim,he’slookingbackatme.ThesameeyesIhaveknownmywholelife.
Howisthispossible?Lookingbacktomybabysister,Isqueezeherhandbeforekissingherknuckles,my
gazeonhers.“Rebekah,Idon’tdoubtyouthinkthisguylovesyou—”

“Idoloveher,”Rylandsays,comingtoherside.He’stallerthanme,biggertoo,butthatdoesn’tmean

Iwon’tfighthimtothedeath.Hisdeath,notmine.“Iwantnothingmorethantoprotectherandloveher,
Oceanus,Ipromise.Nothingwillhappentoher.”

“Shutup…dogorshifter,whateverthehellyouare,”Ispitback,andforsomereason,hatecloudsmy

mind.“Youdon’tknowhersituation!”

“Hedoes,”sheanswers,andmyeyeswideninshock.“Itoldhim.”
“Rebekah,”Igasp.“Youaren’ttospeakofthat.”
“Ilovehim,”shesays,asifit’ssupposedtobetheanswer.“I’vealwayslovedhim.Andthethingis,

I’mscrewednomatterwhat.Thatnewformuladidn’twork,andIrefusetostayhereandletFathermarry

me off for a formula that solved nothing, or whatever else they may have planned. Don’t subject me to
that,brother,please.Letmego.”

“Itdidn’twork?”Iwhisper,andIhavetolookaway,swallowinghard.Iammarryingsomegirlfora

formulathatdoesn’tevenwork.Thatcan’tevensavemysister.IknowifRebekahstays,myfatherwon’t
stop.He’llkillher,orshe’llkillherself.Ican’tallowthattohappen;Iwon’tallowthattohappen.

“No,Oceanus,andIdon’tknowhowmuchmoreIcantakeofFatherpumpingmewithformulasthat

don’twork.IfIdie,atleastIdiehappy.Please,letmego.Ican’tbeaprisonerinhereanylonger,”she
begsasonetearrollsdownhercheekandthenanother.WhenRylandreachesover,wipingherface,my
shoulders go back as I watch them, my lips pressing together. Tearing her gaze from me, she turns to
Ryland,smilingashegivesherasmallsmileback.

“Iwon’tletthathappen,”Rylandpromises,hisvoicefullofemotion,andevenIbelievehim.ButcanI

trusthim?

DoIhaveachoice?
Thisisn’taboutme.It’sabouther.
“Thankyou.”
Rylandthenlookstome,hisshoulderstense,stillreadyforafight.“Iknowyoudon’tknowme,andI

wishyoudid.Iwishyouunderstoodhowmuchshemeanstome.HowmuchIloveher.Iwishthiswere
happening under different circumstances, that you could accept me. But it’s not, and I get that. I can
promiseyounothingwillhappentoher.Iwillkeephersafeandprotectheraswellas,ifnotmorethan,
youwould.Butonethingisforsure,wearegoingthroughthatdoor,andIdon’twanttohurtyoutodoit.I
don’tevenwanttohateyou,soplease,letusgo.”

Lookingdownatmybabysister,Idon’tknowwhatIamthinking.Idon’twanttotrustthisguy,Idon’t,

butIfeellikeIcan.Ifeelitinmygut.Andifthiswereme,I’dwanthertoletmego,toletmelivemylife
foraslongasIhad.Becauseifshestayshere,shewon’thavealife.She’llberuined.AsmuchasIdon’t
wanttodoit,IknowIhaveto.Holdinghergaze,Iwhisper,“Go.”

“Really?”shebalks.“You’renotgoingtostopus?”
“No.Go.Iwon’tletFatherhurtyouanylonger.You’reright,Ican’tstophim,nomatterhowmuchI

wishIcould.”

“Thankyou,Osh.”
“Don’tthankme.Idon’twanttoletyougo,andifyougetcaught,itisn’tonme.Ineversawanything.”
“Ofcourse,”shesaysbeforeplantingasoftkisstomycheek.“Don’tworry,I’llbefine.”
Iscoffassheleansback,lookingupintomyface.“I’llworry,moresothanyou’lleverrealize,butI

knowyou.Iknowifhecan’tprotectyou,you’llprotectyourself.”

“You’reright.”
“Soyou’resure?”
“Yes,”shesaysimmediately.
IlookoverherheadtoRyland,mygazeheatedasIstart,“Ifanythinghappenstoher—”
“I’mdead.Yeah,I’vegotit,”Rylandsays,salutingme,andIknowhemeansit.ThathetrustsImean

mywords.Idon’tknowifshe’llbesafe,butatleastshe’llbehappy.

Glancingbackdowntoher,Ismile.“Good.Gobeforesomeonefindsyou,”Isaybeforeleaningdown

andkissinghercheek.Ican’tbelieveI’mdoingthis,butIhaveto.“I’mtrustingyou,andyoumaybewhat
youare,butI’lldietryingtokillyouifanythinghappenstoher.”

“Itwon’t,”Rylandpromises,hishandcomingintohers.“’CauseI’lldiebeforeitdoes.”
“Orwe’llallstayalive,”shesuggestswithagrin,butIcan’tlaugh.I’msayinggood-byetomybaby

sister,tothegirlIhavelovedsinceshewasanewborn.

Cuppingherface,Ikisshertempleandsay,“Staysafe,sister.”
“Iwill.”

Iseehimmove,pullingherhandashesays,“Weneedtogo.”
“Yeah,youdo,”Isay,slowlybackingawaytogivethemspacetoleave.“Iloveyou,Rebekah.Stay

safe.”

“Iloveyou,Osh.TellCyrusthesame.”
“Iwill,”Ipromise.
Rylandthenreachesoutforher,agrinonhisfaceasheasks,“Ready,princess?”
And I can’t believe she is doing this, she is leaving. But before I can say anything, the door bursts

open,nearlyhittingme,andmyfather,Samuel,andCyrusarestandingthere.Everyone’seyesarewide
withtheirmouthshangingopen.Ialmostduckfartherbehindthedoortotrytohide,butI’mnotacoward.
Iwillfacetherepercussionsfromthis;Iwillsayit’smyfault.Iwon’tletRebekahgodownforthis.

“Rebekah?”myfatheryellsandRebekahfreezes.Foronce,I’mnottheonewiththeplan.
ButRylandis.
Hepullsherontohisback,andI’mstunnedasSamuelyells,“Whoisthat?”
WhenIlookoveratRyland,heisinstructingRebekah,“Holdon,don’tletgo.”
And then I’m met with the ripping sound along with a roar before Ryland is gone, replaced by the

beast. Everyone takes a step back, except me. I watch my sister clutch the beast tightly as Father yells,
“Rebekah!Whatthehell?Whatisthatcreature?”

Rebekahdoesn’tanswer,though.Herfaceisdeepinthebeast’sfurasittakesoff,mysisterholdingon

fordearlife.Myfather,Samuel,andCyrusfallbackasthewolfbreaksthedoordown,andthenthey’re
gone.

Iletmybabysisterleave.
AndIdon’tknowifthatwastherightthingtodo.

t’schaos.

ThesearchforRebekahgoesonthroughthenightandmostofthemorning,butIknowshe’sgone.I

justpraysheisn’tfound.AsmuchasIwantherhome—safe—Iknowshewouldn’tbehappy,andIcan’t
standtowatchithappen.Noreasonforbothofustobemiserable.SittingatthekitchenbarwithCyrus,I
takealongpullofmybeerasIlookatthewall,wonderinghowmyfatherdidn’tseemeinthelab.I’d
thought he had, but when he rushed out after Rebekah and Ryland, I followed. And when he saw me
outside,heretoldthestoryofwhathadhappened,andIknewIhadn’tbeenseenbehindthedoor.

IfeellikeI’mcheating,likeI’mnotowninguptomypart.Butatleast,thisway,nooneissubjectedto

hiswrath.Plus,Ican’texplainwhathappenedorwhyIlethergo.Ijustdid,andIdon’tregretit.Iwish
shehadtakenmewithher.

“SoRylandKelleyisn’tdead?”
“Apparentlynot,”Ianswer,lookingovertomybrother.
“How?”
“I don’t know,” I say, shaking my head. “I don’t know how he was made, but he was for sure an

amalgam.”

Cyrusshakeshisheadinshock.“AreyougoingtotellFather?”
“No,Idon’twanthimtoknowIknoworthatIsawherleave.”
“Orthatyoulether,”hesupplies,andInod.
“Thattoo.”
Hesmiles.“Iwouldhavedonethesame.”
“I wasn’t going to, but she said the formula didn’t work.” Cyrus looks to me, and I shrug as I say,

“Then,Ihadnochoice.Icouldn’tletherbeascienceexperiment,andshelovedtheguy.”

“No,Iagree.”
Atleast,heagrees.I’msuremyfather,JJ,andSamuelwouldnot.Leaningonmyhand,Ilooktomy

brotherandask,“HowisJJ?”

They had found JJ with his head completely turned around, body broken in many places. I can only

assume it was Ryland because Rebekah couldn’t do that kind of damage. It was gruesome, and just the
mentionofithasCyrusgrimacing.“Hiswholeheadwassnappedaround.Itwascrazy,dude,”hesays,
shakinghishead.“Hewon’tberightforacouplemonths,I’msure.”

“Wow.”Iknowthat’stheonlywayRylandcouldhaveposedasJJ,though.Itmadesense,butdamn,he

didanumberontheguy.“Atleasthe’sfixable.”

“Yeah,”Cyrusagrees,andthenhelaughs.“Aren’tweall?”
Ipause.“AllbutRebekah.”
Hissmilefalls.“I’mworriedforher.”
“Metoo,”IagreeasthebackdooropensandSamuelcomesthrough.
“Oh,good.Oceanus,yourfatherwantstoseeyouinhisoffice,”hesays,andIstandbeforeheeven

finisheshissentence.

“Cool, I just wait here,” Cyrus says, and I smile back at him before glancing back to Samuel, who

looksworn-out.

“HowisJJ?”
“Outofsurgery.Williamhadtoreplacehiswindpipeandapartofhisspinewithtitanium,buthe’llbe

fineinacouplemonths,”hesaysasIfollowhimthroughthekitchen.“Weareplanningameetingwiththe

ConnersandKelleys.WeneedtoknowhowRylandKelleyisnotdead,butalive.”

“Oh,”Isay,fallingintostepwithhim.“Soyou’resureitwashim?”
“Yeah,”hesayssimply.“AndIhatetoseewhatyourfatherwilldotothemduetothefacttheyhadall

agreedtokilltheboysincehewasahybrid.”

Ihadn’teventhoughtaboutthat.AboutthefamiliesRylandleftbehind.Wouldmyfatherkillthemor

punish them? I’m not sure what will happen, but I pray Rebekah and Ryland are far, far away and are
never found. Because as I suspected, they will be hunted. Swallowing hard, I follow Samuel into my
father’sofficewhereheiswaitingatthedesk,hisfaceinhishands.WhenFatherlooksup,helooksso
damntiredthatIalmostfeelbadforhim.

Almost.
ButthenIrememberheismakingmemarrysomegirlIdon’tloveandrefusedtoallowmetomarrythe

oneIdo.

“Son,”hesaysonabreathasIfallintotheseatinfrontofhisdesk.“Iwanttoaskyousomething.”
Ipause,mybodystartingtotremble.Hadheseenme?“Yes?”
“If you were leader of this clan,” he starts, his eyes meeting mine, “and you ordered someone to be

killed,butitwasn’tdone…Whatwouldyoudotothepeoplewhodidn’tcarryouttheact?”

Idrawinadeepbreath,lettingitoutofmynose.HehadorderedtohaveRylandkilled.Hisdaughter’s

bestfriend,theboywholovedher.Howcouldhedothat?Clearingmythroat,IholdhisgazeasIsay,
“Well,Father,Iwoulddonothing.”

Hiseyeswiden.“Nothing?”
“No, because like you kept Rebekah alive when you really shouldn’t have, they did what they did

becausetheylovedtheirson.Iwouldn’tpunishthem,Iwouldn’tevenbringthemintothisbecausenoone
needstoknowRebekahismissing.”

Samuelleansagainstthedesk,noddinghishead.“Verysmart,Oceanus.”
Inod.“Thankyou.”
Fatherslowlynodstoo,hiseyeskeepingholdofmine.“Iwantyoutofindher.”
Ipause,mybodygoingtaut.HowcanIfindthepersonIletleave?“How?”
“Idon’tknow,”heexplodes,standingupquickly,hischairfallingbehindhim.“Sheadministeredthe

formulaonherself!Idon’tknowwhy,butshedid.”

Watchinghim,Ishrug.“Howisthisabadthing?Atleastshe’llbeimmortal—”
“Youdon’tunderstand,”hegrowls,whippingaroundtolookatme,hiseyeswild.“It’sathree-dose

set.Sheneedsallthreedoseswithintwoweeksofeachother.Iftheseconddoseisnotadministeredin
twoweeks’time,attherighttime,itwillkillher.”

My eyes widen. That’s why it didn’t work. Holy shit. She’s going to die. Looking away, I swallow

hard.Ibasicallysentmysisterofftoherdeath.

WhatthefuckhaveIdone?
“Youhavetofindher,Oceanus.Youhaveto.JJcan’tdoit.Youaretheonlyonewhocan.”
“Idon’tevenknowhow,”Isay,lookingupathim,feelingdesperate.“Ihavenocluewheretheycould

havegone.”

Desperate,myfatherholdsmygaze,hisbodyshakingwithfear.
“Youcan,Iknowyoucan.”
Shakingmyhead,Isay,“AndevenifIdid,howwouldIconvincehertocomeback?Ican’tforceher.”
Hiseyeswidenmoreashebitesout,“I’llgiveyouyourrightfulspot.I’llgiveyoutheWorks.”
I’mstunnedtosilence.Myeyesnarrow.“AsmuchasIwantit,Father,Idon’tknowwheretostart.”
“Thenmaybetheleadershippositionwillmotivateyoutodoeverythingyoucantofindaplacetostart

andbringherhomebeforetheformulakillsher.”

I look to Samuel, and his gaze is on mine. “Maybe start with the Kelleys or even the Conners? Not

sayinghow,buttellingthemyouknowRylandisalive?”

Ilookbacktomyfather,andhelooksasdesperateasIfeel.“Please,Oceanus.Iknowwe’vehadour

differences,butIpromise,I’llgiveyoueverythingifyoujustbringyoursisterhome.”

I’mtorn.CanItrusthim?AndwhatifIcan’tfindher?Notonlywillshedie,butIwon’tgetwhatis

mine.CanIdothis?Ilethergobecauseshewantedit,buthowdoItellherthatshe’lldieifshedoesn’t
comeback?Willshebelieveme?“Andifshedoesn’twanttocome?”

“Makeher.TheWorksbeingyoursshouldmotivateyou.”
Itdoes,butI’mworried.“AndifIdon’tfindher?”
“Thenitwillstillbeyours.”
Wow,hereallyisdesperatetofindher,andthatworriesme.Ishesettingmeupforfailure?Willitbe

likemyPatchworkCeremony,whenheputanescapeclause?

Holdinghisgaze,Isayfirmly,“Iwantitinwriting,inblackandwhite.”
“Fine,”hesays,andthenheiswritingfrantically.Whenhehandsmethesheetofpaper,hissignatureis

underonesentence.

Intwoweeks’time,myson,OceanusvonStein,willbetheleaderoftheWorks.
Ireadthelineoncemoreandconfirmthepaperhastoday’sdate,andthenIlooktomyfather.“Iwill

findRebekahandbringherhome,butnotforyou.Forher.”

AndmaybeI’mfindingherformetoo.
Formyhappiness.

Climbing the steps of the large Victorian home, I reach for the door knocker. I’m surprised how

nervousIam.

AmIdoingtherightthing?
Whenthedooropens,Taegan’seyeswidenasshepullsthedoortowardher.“Oceanus?”
“Isyourfatherhome?”
Sheshakesherhead.“No.”
“Good,”Isay,reachingforher.Butshemovesoutofmyway,anditcrushesme.IlookdownasItake

astepbacktogiveherroomtostepontotheporch,shuttingthedoorbehindher.

“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
Imeetherpain-filledgaze,andIknowIdidthat.IknowIhurther.“Itriedcallingandtextingyou.”
“Iknow,Iignoredit.”
“Why?”
“’Causeithurts,Oceanus,sodamnbadly.”
“Iknow,”Iagree.“I’msorry.”
“Whyareyouhere?”sheasks,andIcanseesheisfightingbacktears.Ididn’twanttomakehercry,

thatwasn’tmyintention,andIthinkmaybeI’mtoolate.Maybesheisstartingtogetoverme.MaybeI
shouldjustgoaway,butholdinghergaze,IknowIcan’t.

Iloveher.
Lickingmylips,Ishrug.“Areyouoverme?”
Shescoffs.“Please,bereal.Whatdoyouwant?”
“Whatdoesthatmean?”
“ItmeansIstillloveyou,Osh.Butithurts’causeIcan’tbewithyou!”sheyells,andthenthetears

start to fall. “Seeing you, I only want to kiss you, hold you, and I can’t because I’m going to marry
someoneelsebytheendofthemonth!”

“Don’t.”
Herbrowsshootupasshelooksatmedisbelievingly.“What?”
“Don’tmarryhim.Marryme.”
“What?”sherepeats,hereyeswideningevenmore.“Whatintheworldareyoutalkingabout?”
“I’mgoingtochangethelaws,andwhenIdo,Iwantyoutomarryme.”
Sheonlyblinks.“Idon’tunderstand.”
“It’stoomuchtoexplainrightnow,mylove.Butbelievethis,youwillbemine.Iwillmarryyou,and

wewillhavethechildrenwebothverymuchwanttogether.Becausethereisnootherfutureformebut
onewithyou.”

Hereyesnarrowandarefullofcautionasshesays,“Thisisn’tfunny.Stopmessingwithme.”
“I’m not,” I say as I reach into my pocket before falling to my knee. “I want to marry you, Taegan

Conner.Iwantyoutobemineandlovemefortherestofyourlife.Sowillyouwaitforme?Willyoube
minefortherestofyourlife?”

She doesn’t move; she just looks down at me with wide eyes and her mouth hanging open. “You’re

serious.”

“Asever,butcanyoupushtheweddingtoKerriganback?Givemetime?”
Sheblinksandlooksaway,thinkingitover.“Yeah,Ican.I’llfigureitout.Iwill.”
“Then,willyou,TaeganConner,marryme?”
Whenherlipsstarttocurve,mybodygoesstill.I’mnevermorestruckbypurebeautyasIamevery

timeIlookintomylove’seyes.“Yes,Oceanus,IwillbecauseI’llforeverbeyours.”

Whenherarmswraparoundme,Itakeherintomyembracebeforestandingup.Ourmouthsmeetwith

feverishneed.Holdinghertight,Imovemymouthagainsthers,andIfeelcomplete.Pullingback,Ilook
intoherbeautifulblueeyesandsmile.“Takethatfilthoffyourhand,”Idemand,andshegrinsasshepulls
offtheringthatwassenttoherbyherformerfiancé.Puttingheronherfeet,IslidethegoldbandIbrought
ontoherfingerbeforekissingit.

“It’splain—”
“It’sperfect,”shesays,andIsmile.
“Ihavetogofindmysister,butwhenIcomeback,everythingwillchange.Ipromise,”Isay,andshe

nodseagerly.

“Wait?WhereisRebekah?”
“She’srunaway,butdon’tworry,I’llfindher.Andthenitwillbetimeforustobehappy.”
“Ican’twait,”shewhispersagainstmylips,andasmyeyesfallshut,IknowinmybonesthatIcan’t

waiteither.

ForTaeganConnertobemywife.
Formysistertobeimmortal.
AndforthechancetobetheleadertheWorksneeds.
It’smytime.
JustassoonasIfindmysister.

Thank you so much for supporting my paranormal series. I know it’s very different from the hockey I
usuallywrite—andlove!ButIhadthisseriesinmyhead,andIhadtogetitonpaperbeforeitdroveme
insane.Well…moreinsanethanusual.

IhopeyouloveOceanusandTaeganasmuchasIdo.AndIhopeyou’llcomebacklaterthisyearforthe
conclusionofRebekahandRyland’sstoryinPiecedTogether.

Love,
Toni

AssassinsSeries

TakingShots

TryingtoScore

EmptyNet

FallingfortheBackup

BlueLines

BreakingAway

LacesandLace

AVeryMerryHockeyHoliday

WantingtoForget

Overtime

RushingtheGoal

Pucks,SticksandDiapers

Face-offattheAltar

DelayedCall(ComingSoon)

IntheCrease(ComingSoon)

BellevueBulliesSeries

TakingRisks

BecomingtheWhiskeyPrincess

PatchworkSeries

(Paranormal)

Pieces

BrokenPieces

PiecedTogether(ComingSoon)

Standalones

LetitbeMe

MakesuretocheckoutthesetitlesandmoreonToni’s

OrconnectwithTonion

,andmore!

Alsomakesuretojointhe

mailinglist

foruptodatenewsfromthedeskofToniAleo.

Thisbook,BrokenPieces,isaworkoffiction.Anynames,characters,places,andincidentsareproducts
of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or
dead,isentirelycoincidental.

Allrightsreserved.ExceptaspermittedundertheU.S.CopyrightActof1976,nopartofthispublication
may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or
retrievalsystem,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionoftheauthor.

EditingbyLisaA.Hollett,SilentlyCorrectingYourGrammar

CoverbyKellieGunderman

Interiordesignandformattingby:

www.emtippettsbookdesigns.com

Document Outline

Title Page
Table of Contents
The Patchwork Series
About Broken Pieces
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
A note from Toni Aleo
More books from Toni Aleo
Copyright Notice

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