Glamoured (Shadow Beast Shifters, #6)

by Jaymin Eve

Everything was exactly as I wanted, my life moving along a path that I could not be unhappy about, with the only dark mark to my existence a lack of mate.

“There’s no peace,” I murmured, giving my reflection one last look before turning to face him. “But I will not back out. You know that. You’ve kept me dangling here until your son was of age to be mated after his first shift. I know what my duty is, but once it’s done and you have your heir, you better keep your side of the bargain or I’ll rip your fucking head off and dance in the blood.”

if I’ve learned anything, it’s that blaming yourself for being a normal person and screwing up isn’t helpful. Acknowledge, learn, and grow from the mistakes. If you continue to be your own worst enemy, you’ll never rise and claim your future.”

Shadow, who had clearly been listening in, called back to us, “All of those that Mera considers pack have a greater destiny than they would have ever thought.” He didn’t turn, his broad shoulders visible a dozen yards in front, but his voice was as clear as if he stood beside us. “But only if you fight for it. The path to light will not come easily. But if you want it hard enough, you’ll make it in the end.”

But if it ever was, I wanted this sort of love. An imperfectly perfect one.

My hand was engulfed in her free one. “You’re a fucking warrior. From here on out, there’s no more talk of weakness. Most would not have survived what you did, and we will walk the path of queens together.”

Good girl. Fuck, that deep rumble slipped down my body, and if the damp heat between my legs was any indication, the fae might have just unlocked a new kink.

Len’s expression softened, and even as he reached out for our daughter, he was looking at me. “You’ve already lost too much time with her, and I never questioned your need to keep her close. If anything, I admire the ferocity and protectiveness you hold toward her. It’s all I would ask for in the mother of my child. All I would ask for you.”

Len shook his head, a chuckle escaping those perfect lips. “As long as there is life in my veins, I will defend what is mine. We have our strengths, and I do not diminish yours. Pick your battles, little Storm.” He paused, reaching out as if to touch my face before he refrained. “For there are some you’ll never win against me.”

“I’m only going to say this one time,” he murmured, in those smooth but feral tones he did so well. “No part of me is here with you because we have a child.

“I promise,” he continued, “to not allow your insecurities to break us before we have a chance. I might have only just found you, Sam, but I’m already certain about one thing: you are mine.”

she called me Dada.” There was a ring of pride in his tone. “Who knew such a tiny being could own my heart so thoroughly.”

A low chuckle had me turning with exasperation to Tyrin. “Give up, gorgeous,” he said sipping his drink again. “Len is a powerhouse when it comes to protecting what’s his. You no longer walk your battles alone, and for that you should thank the gods.”

“You are whatever the hell you want to be. Don’t let genetics dictate your happiness. Don’t let anything dictate it. You walk in there, head held high, and you show them why the fates chose you for their prince. Princesses might be born, but queens are made. So yes, you’re right. You’re no princess… you’re a damn queen.”

No one should ever accept the bottom of the barrel; we all had strengths beyond what we believed. We just had to be brave enough to take that first step. Queen energy, here I come.

Len straightened, his expression serious. “You are the only female in my life. Romantically. From the moment I felt your energy, heard your call for help, I’ve been lost to all others.”

Len reached up and wrapped both of his across mine, trapping me against him. “I find myself fighting the instinct to murder any who have touched you,” he said, leaning in to murmur the words. “It’s not a normal fae reaction. We’re possessive, yes, but also reasonable. I have zero fucking reason when it comes to you.”

“When I open a book, it feels like opening a treasure chest. You never know what you’ll uncover. An adventure without even having to leave your house.”

his power infused into my light filled cage as he pressed closer. “Love, I need our pack’s help, and I can’t take you from Faerie, since this is where the stones will be strongest. But know that the glamour is broken, at least for me, and I will never forget you.”

“So, the glamour I’ve been under since birth collided with the true mate energy of Len’s walk, and the result was the sort of memory loss that cost us years of time with our daughter?”

“I don’t ever want you to think that you’re not an important and valued member of this pack,” he told me, his expression serious. “I didn’t even understand what I was missing until you returned in my life. Fuck, I’ve searched a lifetime for you, Storm. I’ll never let you go now.”

“I love you, Winter,” I whispered, having no idea if the timing was right, but who really gave a fuck about timing? We didn’t have a damn clue what was waiting for us around the corner in this land of monsters, so I would take the opportunity now to tell him how I felt. “I loved you before we were torn apart, and it’s only grown over the years. You and Tabitha are the best part of my existence, and I… just need you to know.”