Book 5 in Elder series: Completed Red is both on the run and looking to settle down. After escaping her previous pack and brainwashed, now rejected mate, her task is both to keep her pack of rogues alive long enough to clear their names and establish as an official pack, and to hunt down her brother's killer. Keeping her identity a secret since she and her inner circle are wanted, she and her pack of rogues make their way towards the Elder base where they can appeal to become an official pack with their own land. On the way to that goal is where she locates her brother's killer. Intending to get revenge quietly doesn't go so well when she raids the same group of rogues another pack is after, and learns the Luna of the pack is one of the Elders who has a say in whether or not her pack becomes official. Beta Ben's fated mate was brutally murdered in front of him years ago. The heartache and guilt is still fresh in his mind and as a result, he keeps to himself and stays far away from any kind of romantic attachment. It's never been difficult for him until his pack, Blood Moon, raids a group of rogues and finds they aren't the only ones raiding. The leader of the raid is Red, a woman that manages to awaken a part of him he believed died with his mate. Blood Moon pack takes in the group of rogues with the intent to help clear Red's name and have them presentable to The Elders as a viable pack with strong leaders. As Red's pack and Ben's pack mingle, the two of them encounter each other daily. Red sets her sights on Ben while Ben deals with the complicated emotions she brings out, making him want something with her he previously thought he'd never even consider after losing his mate.

"Shh... Just a little bit more," I told her, unable to separate my lips from hers. A smile appeared on her lips as she straightened taller on her tip toes. It had been days since I last had her in my arms. I wasn't letting go just like that. I had this girl; a woman that had me enchanted for all I knew.. Dark brown hair, and green eyes that seemed to be grabbing my soul whenever they looked back in mine. With this girl, the electricity I needed to jump start my heart never stopped. Because, this woman... She was always a mystery to me. No matter how much time I spent with her, she was something new. Something different. Pure, raw, untouched. Each of her words were precious, her laughter -- a remedy, and the feel of her body was what healed me. I saw wildness in her eyes, yet felt gentle passion under her fingers. A heart of flame, a soul that played like mine. I felt those sparks under her every touch, and held her closer each time, knowing that I may not feel it in days, knowing that every minute with this girl was legendary. Knowing that it might be taken away from me.. And just that one kiss was more addictive than any drug known to man. Dear Lord, I couldn't fight against the thoughts that were going through me. Her smell was flooding my senses now... Blurring my head, and tearing me apart with the simple fact that I was letting her go again. Not again.. Lana.. My sin. The girl that had me under her spell, and the one I was ready to die for. The daughter of the Morphers, and on the side of my darkest enemies. The love I vowed to keep safe and risk my life for.. Once again, walking away. And I... I was a fool in love. For them, just another creature of the night. I was the opposition. One of the leaders, yet unable to keep away from our very enemy. The gracious Lana. The fearless princess. The one I was supposed to kill, not cherish and adore. But it was the hunger that brought us together, and the feast that brings us back.

[ORIGINAL DRAFT SAMPLE] Given a new chance at life, Sara Gaspard returns to Verweald and must decide how the Sin of Pride fits in with her daily routine. Before they have a chance to settle, a strange box arrives at Sara's doorstep and tears them from the Terrestrian realm. The box throws both mortal and Sin into a world - and conflict - neither has ever seen before. Dragon blood is spilled. A king rises from exile and ignites a war. Magic enthralls, fire lights the night, and kingdoms balance upon the edge of destruction. Sara and Darius' search for a way home becomes far more perilous than expected. The Sundered Vale awaits. __________________________ Sequel to Bereft: Foretold