Page 1

ONE

Playing: Numb Little Bug by Em Beihold

October

Eden found her way out of the woods and across the meadow, her pants rough and limbs shaky.

She could no longer hear the hard steps behind her, but that did not mean they weren’t nearby.

She panicked, having no more cover as she tried to make stealthy steps on the artificial green.

The castle stood tall, and she cursed herself for ending up in the backyard of her prison.

She hoped there were no witnesses eyeing her suspiciously from any of the many windows up above.

They would find her barefoot and sweaty, and that was not the way proper princesses displayed themselves.

Before she could find her way back into the castle woods, she felt a sudden rush of air from her left.

She didn’t have time to look before she felt her back upon the mossy hill.

Her heart rate quickened, her assailant’s hands already ravishing the front of her bodice.

“And you thought you would win,” he whispered huskily in her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

She did not have to see his face to know he bore a devious smile.

“I’m just glad I’m the one that found you.

You and I both know I am much more friendly.

” He nicked her neck with his teeth, and the beast inside her leaned to the side to offer more.

One day, if I had anything to say about it, I would bear his mark there, s he thought . Until then, we’ll enjoy these forbidden games in the woods.

“James, you bastard.” They both looked up from their scandalous position on the ground as James’ pack mates stalked over.

They were barely breaking a sweat, and Eden’s core spasmed at the desire in their eyes.

This will be my pack , she declared in her mind.

She felt James harden against her, their scents overwhelming her pleasantly.

“Someone will see,” she whispered, looking up at the windows. Fear rose up her neck, but there was also deep heat. The idea of anyone seeing her with her mates made her perfume much more apparent.

“My love,” James whispered as Phillips and Sterling came up behind him, partially blocking her view of the prison walls. They both groaned at the sight and smell of her. “Our little game isn’t over. You know the rules. If one of us catches you…”

She felt his hand finding its way under her many dress layers. His touch on her sensitive skin made her sigh. She wanted them. She wanted them so bad.

“Please,” she whispered even quieter, wanting the decision to be out of her hands. But these were her boys. They knew her better than anyone, so the decision was already made.

“Ma belle,” he sighed, finding the apex between her legs. She was already wound tight, ready for relief. He pulled her undergarments to the side and moaned in her ear as he finally slid his fingers ? —

Something strikes me in the face. Hard. A harsh curse flies out of my mouth as the item plummets to the ground, leaving me disoriented and confused.

Where am I? What just happened?

My yellow comforter comes into focus, followed by a figure. One with cyan hair and a smirk that says she’s the one that just forcibly pulled me from my story.

Rory crosses her arms, watching me knowingly. My cheeks redden in an instant. I slide my bookmark into place and guiltily place it beside me.

“Why couldn’t you throw something softer?” I ask before picking up the empty dvd case that was supposed to be holding an original copy of The Princess Diaries 2 . I lost it a long time ago in our humble abode. Maybe I’ll find it after graduation in a few years.

“I thought about it,” she starts, “but I was ranting about my film class for twenty whole minutes before I realized you were doing that thing you do where you respond but actually have no idea I’m here.”

My eyes widen. I can’t even refute that because… well, that does happen. A lot. I don’t even have to be reading a good book. Sometimes I just blank out mid-conversation.

She sees the realization of defeat on my face and playfully rolls her eyes before sitting beside me. Rory may pretend to be mad at me, but she never is. She understands me.

She fully accepts my tendency to accidentally detach. Others aren’t so forgiving when they notice they’re not the center of my attention.

Rory picks up my book and looks at the cover. It’s pretty tame for a historical romance, but still not very discreet with all the exposed abs. “What scene kept you from me this time?” She wonders out loud before opening up the bookmarked page.

I bite my lip and fight the temptation to hide my face in my hands. Her eyebrows raise high on her forehead before she snaps my book shut and fans her face.

“Oh, shit,” she says, still fanning herself. “I’m so sorry. I interrupted you at the best part!”

I give a small laugh. “It’s okay. I’ll just read from the beginning of the chase scene later. Restart the build-up.” I say before I realize how insane that sounds out loud. I gently put a palm on my forehead, cringing at myself.

She gives me another knowing look before standing up and heading to my closet.

“We’re going out tonight. It’s Saturday and we haven’t been out in ages.

” She pulls out one of my favorite dresses, but it would probably leave me a bit too cold in the autumn air.

“Please say yes.” She holds it up and gives me her future award-winning pouty eyes.

“I would, but…” I sigh, thinking of my plans tonight, “Derek wanted me to go to his game.”

“But you hate going to his games.” She narrows her eyes at me before ticking the reasons off with her fingers. “It’s too cold. It’s crowded. The fact that it’s hockey in general and you hate it?”

I wince. I do hate the arena, and how close the seats are to one another. “I don’t mind hockey as a sport. Just the icebox that it’s played in.”

“That still doesn’t explain why you feel the need to go.”

“He’s my boyfriend, Rory. I should want to support him.”

“Fine,” she says with defiance and puts my dress back.

She then heads out of my room without another word.

I stare blankly at the door, surprised by her abrupt goodbye.

Before I can get up to close it, she comes marching back in, this time with her jacket and a bottle of neutralizing scent spray.

“If you’re going to suffer through that cold rink, then so am I. Let’s go.”

I smile widely at her. “It doesn’t start for another two hours.”

“Oh.” She runs her hand through her blue locks before shrugging. “We could get dinner?”

I have the best friend in the entire world. “Let’s do it.”