Scarlet Heat Quotes

“Celeste was finally looking at Victor—at the beast he had become—and I could see the terror and disbelief on her face. “No,” she breathed as he lifted her, his scarlet animal eyes glaring into hers. “No, it can’t be. The curse—it’s not true. It’s all superstition and nonsense!” Victor raised her higher and growled, deep in his throat. Celeste screamed and tried to break his grip but she couldn’t get free. She looked like a doll in his massive hands, a tiny blonde doll that kicked and shrieked as he brought her closer and closer to his gaping jaws. “Get back! Get away!” Celeste reached out with one hand and clawed at his eyes. She got the side of his face instead—the side she’d so recently branded. Victor’s beast snarled in pain and anger. He grabbed her arm and I heard a low popping sound as her shoulder disconnected from the socket. Then he simply yanked the arm off, like a hungry man twisting off a chicken drumstick. Celeste shrieked in mingled pain and disbelief, staring at the bloody socket where her arm had been. I understood her confusion—Victor shouldn’t have been able to tear her apart like this. She was a three-star vampire—one of the strongest beings on the planet. But clearly the beast inside him was stronger. “You can’t do this to me!” she screamed, lashing out with her other arm and baring her fangs. “I have lived for centuries and soon I will have the power to—” The beast’s jaws opened wide and I saw teeth as long as my hand glitter in the moonlight. He clamped down hard and bit into the slender white column of her throat. Celeste shrieked again, a high, terrified sound that ended abruptly in a dull, crunching—the bones of her neck being crushed, I realized. As I watched, the beast’s jaws met completely and I saw that he had bitten clean through her throat and spinal column. Her eyes were still wide with horror as her head toppled off and rolled to the ground at his feet.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“Oh, excuse me!” I put a hand to my midsection, my cheeks getting hot with embarrassment. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Ever since I started eating solid food again it seems like I’m always hungry.” The old lady’s wrinkled face broke into a warm smile. “Now then, there’s no need to be embarrassed,” she said, taking my hand anyway. “You’re just hungry and that’s perfectly normal when you’re pregnant.” “What?” Gwendolyn and I said at the same time. “You heard me.” Gwendolyn’s grandmother smiled and patted my abdomen. “You’re pregnant, child. Do you mean to tell me you didn’t know?” “Oh, I…” I shook my head. “I just, I didn’t think it was possible. I mean, it’s not possible.” I looked at Gwendolyn. “Is it?” She shrugged helplessly. “I would have said no but this is one thing Grams always knows about. She’s one hundred percent accurate. If she says you’re pregnant, it doesn’t matter how impossible it is—you’re pregnant.” “But… but…” “If you’re worried about the baby, don’t be.” The old lady smiled at me and patted my tummy gently. “She’s a healthy baby girl and she’s going to be just fine." "A… a little girl?" My hands started to shake and I felt dizzy. "A girl?" I repeated but my voice sounded like it was coming from far away." "Easy there!" Gwendolyn grabbed me just as I started to tilt sideways. "I know it's surprising but don't faint." "My dream… I had a dream," I babbled. "I dreamed Victor and I were walking along the beach and we had a little girl with dark hair and brown eyes." "Well, that sounds just about right," Gwendolyn's grandmother said, smiling. "Like I said, child, she's going to be just fine. As long as you feed her, that is,” she added when my stomach growled again.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“Taylor,” I whispered hoarsely, stroking her back. “Baby, do you feel that?” She retracted her fangs and licked my neck to seal the punctures before looking at me. “Yes.” Her eyes were bright. “It’s back, Victor. Our blood-bond… it’s back.” “More than a blood-bond now,” I reminded her, kissing her fiercely. “It’s a life-bond now.” She looked worried. “Is that… are you all right with that?” “Of course, I am,” I promised her. “It’s what I wanted all along. It’s fucking perfect.” “Victor,” she murmured, her eyes wet with tears. “I love you so much. I’m so glad you feel the same way.” “I never stopped feeling it,” I whispered, kissing her gently. “You’re mine, baby. Mine forever and I’m never letting you go. Never.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“Bite me,” I repeated. “Take my blood. Do it now.” She shook her head. “But… but I thought we were broken up. I thought that was how you wanted it.” “It’s not,” I said recklessly. “I never wanted to lose you, baby. I love you.” “Oh, Victor…” Her face was still flushed and her eyes were bright from coming. I thought I’d never seen anyone so beautiful, so desirable in my life. “I… I love you too,” she whispered and I thought she might cry. “Drink from me, then,” I urged her. “Do it, baby. Let’s reform our bond. I want you in my life—I want you forever.” “I want you too. But… are you sure?” Her eyes looked troubled. “You know how vampires get when they take blood and make love at the same time. I might get… a little out of control.” “I can handle it,” I assured her dryly. “I can handle you, baby. So go on…” I bared my throat for her, giving her the sign of submission. “Bite me,” I growled. “Get those hot little fangs in me deep.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“But the thing that made our lovemaking so unforgettable was that the entire time he was filling me, Victor was looking into my eyes. I might have been sucked into bad memories of the past but he never let that happen. He never let me go, never let me disconnect. He kept me in the present with him as he made slow, deep, deliberate love to me, his body thrusting into mine and his arms wrapped protectively around me. Every breath I took seemed to draw him nearer. I felt filled by him and not just below. His warm, masculine scent of fur and sunshine in the forest filled my senses and the look of protective concentration his face filled my heart. No one had ever made love to me like this, so slowly, so tenderly, so thoroughly. I felt like every bit of his attention was completely focused on me, like every ounce of his concentration was going into making sure I felt good. Our foreheads were pressed together, our eyes locked as his body moved within mine. I had never felt so loved.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“Getting sassy, huh? That’s naughty, Taylor. Very naughty. I might have to punish you for that.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“Don’t be shy, baby,” he murmured, stroking my knees, which seemed to want to stay firmly glued together. “You know how much I love to look at you.” “I know,” I whispered. “I just… I feel so… so vulnerable.” “That’s what making love is about,” he said softly. “Making yourself vulnerable—trusting the other person not to hurt you. I know you don’t remember what happened between us last time but I didn’t get to be nearly as gentle as I wanted to be. Please let me make it up to you.” His soft words and the way he was stroking up and down my legs with his big, warm hands slowly melted my reserves. Biting my lip, I nodded.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“And… you won’t be upset if it doesn’t work?” She looked at me anxiously. “Because I really have no idea—” “I gotta be honest with you, baby—at this point, I don’t give a flying fuck if it works or not,” I admitted, kissing her again. “I just want to hold you one more time.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“How could I hate you for your beast, Victor? He’s a part of you, just like the wolf. I was scared at first but you never tried to hurt me in that form. You just wanted to love me… to comfort me. It was sweet.” Her words startled me into a short, sharp laugh. “Sweet? You saw me turn into a fucking nine foot tall ravening wolfman and you’re calling it sweet?” “Well, it was,” she said defensively. “You nuzzled me, Victor. You tried to heal me, the way I healed you after I bit you. After I… fed from you.” Her cheeks got pink again. “And you saved me from Celeste. I like your beast. He’s a little scarier and a hell of a lot bigger than your wolf, but he’s still a good guy inside. Just like you are.” I could scarcely believe what she was saying but the earnest look in her big blue eyes told me she was being completely honest. She really did love and accept me in all my forms—even the cursed one. “Taylor,” I said hoarsely. “Baby… you don’t know what it does to me to hear you say that. The other weres—” “I know what they think but I’m not one of them,” she said crisply. “I’m not scared of you, Victor—no matter what form you take.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“Look, maybe it’s none of those things or a combination of them. All I know for sure is if you don’t talk to him you’ll never know. Call him.” “I can’t—he hasn’t called me.” “So?” “So, I don’t want to be the one to call first—it’s too desperate,” I protested. “Will you listen to yourself? You’re a strong, independent woman—a supernatural creature with almost unlimited physical strength and immense magical capabilities and you’re acting like you’re back in high school,” she scoffed. “Excuse me,” I snapped. “I know it must seem stupid to you but this is complicated. I don’t want to chase after him if he doesn’t want me.” “Of course he wants you. He came after you even though he knew he was walking into a trap. Even though he was pretty sure he was going to die—he still came. And you…” Addison pointed at me with her white plastic spoon. “You came back from the freaking dead for him.” I frowned. “I don’t actually remember a whole lot of that.” “Well, Gwendolyn does. She said you were all set to go into the light—and by the way, you ought to tell your bigoted parents that because apparently vampires can go to Heaven. Anyway, you were almost past the pearly gates and she got you to come back by saying Victor’s name.” “She did?” I asked. I had vague, blurry images of a vast black pit filled with writhing things and the horror of falling… and then waking up in my own body. But that was as far as my memory went. Addison nodded. “You weren’t even going to come back for me, roomie—but you came for him. You came back for Victor.” She pushed her spoon back into the upside down banana split. “I can’t eat any more of this. I’m going to be sick.” “I didn’t know I was that far gone,” I said quietly. “I mean, I had some vague memories but I thought they were just dreams… nightmares.” “They were real,” Addison said shortly. “I didn’t want to talk to you about it because I didn’t want to think about how close… how close I came to losing you.” She sniffed dabbed at her eyes with another paper napkin. “Addison…” She cleared her throat, obviously trying to get control of her emotions. “I don’t know for sure but I got the impression that Gwendolyn risked a lot to bring you back—apparently, it’s kind of a big no-no to snatch someone from death’s door like that. But she wouldn’t have been able to do it if you weren’t willing to come. And the only reason you were willing was—” “Victor,” I finished for her, in a whisper. “Right.” She nodded decisively.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“The brand on my cheek was still fresh and raw and very, very visible. It twisted the right side of my face into a permanent sneer. Fucking disfiguring, that was what it was. Being a were I could heal a lot of things but being burned with a silver brand wasn’t one of them. This was my face now… it was how I was going to look for the rest of my life. I wasn’t vain about my appearance—I’d never been male model material. But at least I looked normal before. Now I was a monster inside and out. I couldn’t ask Taylor to deal with that. Couldn’t expect her to still want to be with me now that she knew about my beast and I looked like a fucking freak. Not to mention what had happened between us the night we had sex. I was ashamed of the way I had acted that night—deeply ashamed. I knew I had to confess it to her eventually but just… not now. It was one thing too many. There were simply too many obstacles between us now. Too much keeping us apart for us to ever get back together.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“Is Taylor okay?” I asked anxiously, clutching the phone to my ear. “Please tell me she’s all right, Corbin. Please.” “She is well and resting comfortably,” he said soothingly. “In fact, she has already had a pint of blood and two cheeseburgers today. Apparently, though the bond between you is broken, the effects of the prophecy still hold true.” “Whose blood?” I asked, immediately jealous. I didn’t give a damn about the cheeseburgers, but the blood… “Who is she drinking from?” He sighed. “From Addison, unfortunately. I do not like it but my beloved consort will have it no other way.” “I don’t like it either,” I growled. I knew there was nothing but friendship between Taylor and her best friend but still… taking blood was a very sensual act. I wanted to feel Taylor’s fangs deep in my throat again, not hear that they were buried in someone else. “Come and feed her yourself, then,” Corbin said, making it sound like the easiest thing in the world. “I am certain she would like to see you.” “Right…” I said sarcastically. “I don’t think so, Corbin. I’m sure she’s seen enough.” “If you are referring to your beast—” “Hell, yes, that’s what I’m referring to,” I snarled. “She saw me at my worst. In my cursed form. You know that female weres won’t even associate with a cursed wolf? Let alone mate with one—they’re too afraid to pass the curse on to their offspring.” “Taylor is not a were,” he said softly. “But she is a not fully a vampire, either. She is something wholly new and different. However, there is one thing that I don’t believe has changed—the way she feels for you. Truly, you should come and see her.” “I don’t think so,” I said.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“Victor’s beast leaned toward me and licked my cheek once more—a goodbye kiss. I smelled the warm fur and musk scent that was at once and entirely Victor and saw the moonlight reflected in his scarlet eyes. Then he rushed away into the underbrush, nearly silent despite his huge bulk, and disappeared.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“His eyes, which had been red before, changed even more. The scarlet pupils seemed to spread, covering the whites, taking up the entire eye like an animal’s. As I watched, the last scrap of humanity leaked away, leaving nothing human behind. Coarse black hair sprouted all over his body until it covered him like a pelt and his mouth and nose became long and pointed, turning into a wolf’s muzzle. But though his head changed, his body didn’t follow… not the way I expected it to, anyway. He didn’t turn all the way into a wolf. Instead, he grew bigger, more massive, more muscular as his clothes burst at the seams and fell away from him. He grew until I swore he stood nine feet tall, his head blotting out the moon. I stared in terror and fascination at what he had become—a monster out of a fairy tale told to frighten children at night. A beast from mythology. A man with the head of a wolf and the appetites of an animal.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“Across from me, Taylor was openly crying now. Her sobs were muffled by the silver gag but I could see the scarlet tears running down her cheeks. Her eyes were fixed on the fresh burn on my cheek and I knew she shared my pain. A fresh surge of love and protectiveness washed over me.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“Not such a big guy now, are you?” she purred, smirking at me. “You’re gonna die tonight because you couldn’t keep it in your pants. I bet right about now you’re wishing you would have picked me over that fanger.” “Never,” I whispered hoarsely, struggling to get the words out. “I’d rather have the month I had with Taylor than a lifetime with you.” “You fucking asshole!”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“Look at him,” another were muttered nervously, staring at me. “His eyes are fucking red. Damn, I wish I never woulda got into this. No money’s worth messing with a cursed one.” “Shut your fool mouth, Tozer, and let’s get him to Celeste,” LeeAnn snapped. “The sooner she does her little spell on his fanger girlfriend, the sooner I can kill him.” “You’re the one who’s going to die tonight,” I told her, my voice dipping down into a growl. “Oh, please,” she scoffed as they started dragging me up the hill. “I know your type, Victor—you’d never break the pack laws and do violence to a female.” “I wouldn’t,” I said. “But the thing inside me—the beast—it doesn’t care, LeeAnn. All it wants is blood. And if I can’t control it…” The wolf called Tozer went pale. “You hear that, LeeAnn? We need to get up out of here.” “We’ll be fine,” she said, giving him an exasperated look. “All that talk about cursed ones is just superstition and foolishness.” “That’s what you think,” he said darkly. “That’s 'cause you never seen what a cursed one can do. Your daddy has—that’s why he told you to leave this guy alone.” “Oh please.” LeeAnn rolled her eyes. “Daddy’s just trying to scare me so I’ll take the wolf he wants as the next pack master. Problem is, the only one I wanted was Victor.” She yanked viciously at the chain around my neck until I choked. “But he turned out to me a lying, cheating sack of shit.” “I never cheated on you,” I said hoarsely. “Because we were never together. Because my dad taught me not to dip my dick in crazy.” “Shut up,” she snarled. “You would have been lucky to have me—any wolf would!” “That kind of luck I can live without,” I growled. “Thanks but no fucking thanks.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“Half man and half beast Cursed to draw breath The other wolves fear him For his name is death.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“When she of the night Drinks from he of the day The curse of the moon May the sun’s curse allay. When she succumbs To the were’s Scarlet Heat And is bred by the wolf Then meat may she eat And nevermore fear The sun’s golden light When she drinks from the one Who howls in the night.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“What did you do?” I demanded, the minute we got inside her house. “Tell me right now—when you saw Taylor last night, what did you do?” “I broke the blood-bond holding her to you—all right?” Her voice was tense and low. “You what?” Corbin glared at her. “That bond was sanctified by the Goddess and the Laws of Ownership were not satisfied—not for another two months.” “Taylor couldn’t wait another two months—she begged me to do it right away.” Gwendolyn put her arms over her chest. “I only did what she wanted—she said she wanted to set Victor free.” She nodded at me and I nearly groaned. “Because she thought something happened that didn’t really happen,” I said. “At least not the way she thinks it happened.” I frowned at her. “Hey—what time did you break the bond, anyway? Would it have anything to do with the burning sensation I had all over my fucking body or the partial heart attack I had right after?” The witch looked stricken. “You felt it?” “Yes, I fucking felt it! I ran my truck into a tree and spent the day unconscious,” I roared. She took a step back. “Taylor swore you didn’t love her anymore—you shouldn’t have been able to feel any of it.” “Of course I still love her,” I growled, trying to get hold of myself. “I never stopped.” I sank down on her flowery couch and put my head in my hands. “She divorced me,” I said numbly, hardly able to believe it. “She fucking divorced me without even telling me. God, what a fucking mess.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“Hello? Baby?” I said anxiously. “Um, I don’t think I’m who you think I am,” said a voice on the other end. “This is Gwendolyn LeRoux—you know, the witch you hired? You wanted me to find the identity of the person who bought the cursed trap that was planted on your land.” “Oh, Gwendolyn, right.” I could feel myself deflating. “Look, now really isn’t the best time, so—” “Now, I know Taylor said you’ve already pretty much figured it out,” she went on. “But there’s something beneath the obvious—something big I think you should know about.” “Wait a minute—back up,” I said. “When did Taylor say that? When did you talk to her?” “Last night.” She suddenly sounded guarded. “Look, I’m sorry it didn’t work out between the two of you. I hope you know the role I played was strictly professional—I have no interest in taking sides.” “What role did you play?” I growled, tightening my grip on the phone case until it creaked in my hand. “What did you do to her, Gwendolyn? What did you fucking do?” “I only did what she asked me to do,” she said levelly. “Like I said, it’s not personal and it’s not what I’m calling you about. I need to tell you something about the person who put the trap on your land.” “I’ll be right there,” I snapped.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“The ache in my head, though, was nothing to the cold, empty feeling around my heart. Some tie—some connection to Taylor I’d had there had been severed. I could feel it like a sucking chest wound—a sense of loss so great it made me feel sick to my stomach. God, what had she done? Or worse, what had been done to her?”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“The fact is, I just don’t like you, Ma’am. Working with you this past month has been pretty Goddamn unpleasant and I’m ready to see the end of your pretty little backside.” Celeste’s eyes grew wide with disbelief. “How dare you? Do you have any idea of who I really am and what I could do to you if I chose?” He shrugged. “Yeah, I know you think you’re hot shit—a three-star vamp and hotter than a firecracker to look at—but I’ve seen how you treat your people. Pretty is as pretty does, my nana used to say and let me tell you, Celeste, you’re one of the ugliest fucking people I’ve ever met.” “I… why… you…” I had never seen my old mistress so flustered before. “You will stay with me,” she said at last, glaring at him. “You will see this to the end or… or…” “Go ahead,” he said coolly. “Tell me how you’re going to kill me. Then just come on and try it. I may be too much of a gentleman to hit a lady but somehow I don’t think you fall into that category.” Celeste’s eyes narrowed. “You will finish the job I hired you to do or I will ruin your reputation, Mr. Shadowlock. No one will ever hire you in Florida again.” “What a big loss that would be,” he said dryly.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“I followed her through the house into a surprisingly large kitchen with yellow and white checkered curtains hanging in the windows. A green ceramic frog with a dish scrubber in his mouth sat on the side of the sink and a cheery red tea kettle was on the spotless white stove. All together it looked like a completely normal kitchen—there was nothing witchy about it at all except for a huge black pot hanging from the rack over the oven. Gwendolyn saw me eyeing it and grinned. “That’s Grams’ gumbo pot. She always says you can’t make good authentic roux in anything but cast iron.” “Oh,” I said. “I thought—” “That we were hunched over the cauldron cackling and brewing spells?” She arched an eyebrow at me. “Sorry,” I said. “I guess there’s a lot about witches I don’t know.” “That’s okay—apparently there’s a lot about vamps I don’t know,” she said, opening a spotless white refrigerator. She brought out a mason jar and held it up.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“My heart was heavy as I scrubbed her warm, sweet feminine smell from my skin and even heavier as I imagined the wounded, frightened look in her eyes when I showed up on her front step again. But all the same, I couldn't stop wanting to see her. Even if I could never have her ever again, I couldn’t help myself. I loved her.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“You fucker,” I snarled at him. “I’ll make you pay for this. First the trap, then the lash—you’re in it deep with some witch somewhere, you fucking coward.” He frowned coldly. “I don’t know what you mean about a trap. The whip was specially commissioned by LeeAnn herself, to right the wrong your female did to her.” “But it’s not supposed to be for you, Victor.” LeeAnn leaned in close to me, drowning me in the scent of her sickeningly sweet perfume—bubble gum and roses. It made me want to gag. “Renounce her,” she pleaded, shaking the whip in front of my face. “Give her up right here and now, and I swear you won’t get a single stroke. Just let me hear you say you pick me, not her.” I glared at her. “I’d rather let you fuckers whip the skin off my bones than renounce the woman I love. I’ll never give Taylor up for you. Fucking never.” “You son of a bitch,” she snarled. “Fine—you want the skin whipped off your bones? I’ll be happy to do it for you. More than happy!”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“You look wonderful, roomie,” Addison said softly, coming up to stand by my side. “Wonderful, nothing—she looks fucking gorgeous,” Victor said roughly, joining us. In the mirror, we made the perfect couple and I couldn’t help remembering the dream I’d had where he was hugging me and our little girl. I wished I could tell him about that dream but it was ridiculous—almost as ridiculous as me thinking I loved him. “Thank you, Victor,” I said softly, caressing the single strand of pearls with my fingertips. “For letting me wear them. Even if—” “They look good on you,” he said abruptly, looking away.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“You won’t be needing that,” a low voice said just as she was about to put it around my neck. “What?” I turned to see Victor standing there, dressed in a pair of dark slacks and a maroon shirt with a black tie. The outfit looked oddly formal on him—probably because I’d never seen him in anything but jeans before. “I said you won’t be needing that.” He stepped into the room and motioned to the necklace that Addison was still holding. “Hello, Victor,” she said, nodding at him but standing her ground by my side. “Is wearing jewelry against were customs or something?” “No. I just have something else I want… I need Taylor to wear.” He held out one large hand and I saw a single strand of elegant pearls lying across his palm. “They’re beautiful,” I breathed, looking up at him. “Where did you get them?” “They were my mother’s,” he said roughly. “She… gave them to me when I was banished from my home pack.” He cleared his throat. “They’re supposed to be for my wife to wear on formal occasions. I understand if you don’t want to—” “Of course I’ll wear them,” I said quietly. I went to stand in front of him. “Would you put them on me?” He fastened them around my neck, and I shivered at the feel of his big, warm hands brushing my nape.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“With Victor,” I continued, forcing myself to go on. “It’s almost like… I’m starting to heal. He’s so kind and patient… so gentle. I never would have believed it when I first saw him but, Addison, he’s one of the gentlest men I’ve ever met. I don’t feel afraid with him. I feel protected… cherished.” I ran a hand through my hair. “That’s how I felt anyway. Now I’ve gone and ruined everything.” “By having one lousy little fight? No way!” Addison declared. “Corbin and I fight and disagree all the time but I wouldn’t want to be with anyone else.” “Yes, but the things I said to Victor…” I swallowed the lump that wanted to form in my throat. “I reminded him that our relationship is only temporary, Addison. I practically said I was out the door the minute the Laws of Ownership were fulfilled.” “Oh, hon… I’m sure he didn’t take you seriously,” she protested. “Yes, he did. You should have seen the look on his face—so hurt and angry. Oh, Addison…” I put a hand over my eyes. “Why did I have to drive him away like that?” “Well, it does sound like he was getting kind of possessive,” she said thoughtfully. “I think that’s a were thing too—Corbin was actually counting on it when he bonded you to Victor in the first place. But maybe it’s time to set some ground rules before you go much further.” “That’s the thing—we’re not going anywhere. Except for this pack thing, tonight.” I looked at my watch. “If he shows up.” “He’ll show,” Addison assured me. “He knows you don’t know the way to the council meeting place by yourself and he won’t let you go alone. You’ll see.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat

“What did I do that was so wrong?” I asked, blotting my eyes on the back of my hand. Victor had been gone for hours but I was still feeling weepy. I knew I had to dry it up before I faced the pack tonight but it was our first real fight and for some reason it really upset me. “I mean, I just promised to go to the council to keep them off his back.” “If what you told me was right, you refused his direct order and agreed to go to the council against his wishes. You’re not supposed to do that,” Addison said, handing me the blue outfit to try. I stripped out of the dark brown dress she’d put me in and started pulling on the blue one. “You mean I’m not supposed to have a mind of my own? That’s pretty freaking sexist.” She shrugged. “Apparently that’s were culture. The male and female wolves can bicker and bitch all they want when they’re alone but out in the pack, the male speaks for both of them and the female never contradicts him. You’re kind of seen as a ball-breaker otherwise.” I gave an incredulous laugh. “Are you serious? Me a ball-breaker?” “I know, right?” Addison laughed too as she zipped me up. “Look, the point is, just don’t undermine him again. You guys can work out your differences before you go but once you get to the pack council, let him do the dealing.” “All right,” I grumbled and then sighed. “If he wants to talk to me at all, that is.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Scarlet Heat