"It is your choice," he said, stepping so close to me that our lips were almost touching. "Either do what I say - or get another job." My heart stood still as I gazed up into his deep, dark, dangerous eyes... In a world where women's only role in life is to sit at home and look pretty, Lilly is determined to fight for her freedom. There's only one problem: a powerful man blocking her way.

In the kingdom of Vanderdash, there is no more feared warriors than that of the Scarlet Guard. Protectors of the royal family, skilled assassins trained since childhood, They follow the crown, they enforce the crown. To many, the group cloaked in red is a greater symbol of the royal family's power than the kings crown itself. Citizens respect and fear the scarlet guard, the power they hold. But within the guard there is only one who installed that very same feeling into the rest. Head of the prince's royal guard, ruthless and cunning, rarely seen by the citizens themselves. They call her Red. An expert in poisons and deception, the small girl has brought armies to their knees without once lifting a blade. A vermillion haired monster hidden behind the face of a doll. ~~ I smiled up at the men, "Would you like a cookie?" They peered into the basket I held out, spotting the heart shaped treats. "They're cinnamon with apple Jam. I do promise they are to die for." The taller mans eyes narrowed, "did you give the poor fool dead on the road a cookie?" My lips parted, "a dead man? Oh my..do you think it is safe?" "..depends on who you are miss, why did you say you were in the woods again?" I smiled gently, "I didn't." He rose a brow. "I'm delivering these," I shook the basket a bit, "to my dearest grandmama." He hesitated for only a slight second, "oh. well. be careful then. These woods can be dangerous." I nodded once still holding out the basket, "so would you?" "Would we what?" I giggle a bit, "like a cookie silly." "Ah.." he scratched the back of his head, "sorry, I'm not too fond of apples." Damn it. I sighed softly, "strawberry next time then." "Right..." As I turned to go I looked up at the two tall men, "you be careful now too gentleman. There are wolves in these woods." They nodded rigidly as I spun and began to skip off, giggling to myself. He asked the wrong question. I didn't give the dead fool a cookie. I gave him two.

Evangeline has not had a life like other she wolves. When she was 14 her brother, the next alpha of the Hawthorn pack, died leaving the pack without a male heir. The accords require any pack without a future alpha to merge with another unless their daughter is mated to a suitable future leader. So. They did not tell anyone. It was the packs largest secret. And when the time came if Evangelines mate was found and suitable he would take over when her father stepped down. If he was already an alpha....then the pack would have no choice but to merge. They could only hope he was suitable. It was not a fate Evangeline wanted. Any of it. If it were up to her she would never find her mate. She did not want a mate. She did not need a mate. She could get everything she wanted on her own. ~~ I let out a breathless laugh, rolling off the werewolf beneath me. "Well that didn't totally suck." He chuckled, abs flexing, looking me over as I rose from the bed, "didn't totally suck?" I hummed searching for my dress, "yeah it was fun while it lasted." Pretty doesn't always equal the best stamina. "Thanks Alex." "...its Aaron." I cocked a brow at him, wiggling into my tight little black dress, "not for the past hour it wasn't but okay. Cool." I raked a hand through my hair, smoothing out the inky waves. "Anyways I have to get back to my pack before sunrise and I cant find my panties. If you do, their yours." Sauntering over to him I kissed him deeply, "thanks again Andy." He chuckled, "its Aaron, and how about if I find them I give you a call?" Shit. How drunk was I? "Did I give you my number?" "No." "good." I started for his door, "have a nice life Adam." "Its Aaron!" He called after me. I rolled my eyes, "whatever." He was not good enough in bed for me to remember his name. Besides I had better things to do. Like get home before dad found out I was gone. My first Lunar Ball was coming, my first time participating to find a mate. Unfortunately.