Series: Werewolves of Wall Street Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78974 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78974 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
I pick up the toaster from the kitchen counter and hurl it against the cabin wall so hard it crumples from the impact.
Sudden movement from the living room snags my gaze, and I see Oriana, who must’ve jumped in shock. Her mouth is open as if she screamed.
Choosing Moonborn over me was not a sacrifice. It was a choice. Own up to it, I sign and stalk outside, slamming the door behind me.
Aster
Noah’s gone.
I betrayed him.
I did it to save his life, but the look on his face tore me to shreds. There’s no more Aster. I died when I told Noah I didn’t want him as my mate. When I crushed his heart and all hope.
All around me sound the whistles and howls of enforcer wolves. They surround me. Their boots trample the daffodils, the crocuses, destroying the grove where I broke Noah’s heart. And my own. A full phalanx of them drag two weeping acolytes back to Adalwulf land. Soon Aiden will be here with the Warden, and I will learn my fate.
It doesn’t matter what happens to me. All that matters is that Noah will survive. Along with his mother and sister.
Go. Live. Be happy. Be free.
The largest enforcers crowd around me, their auras grey streaked with black. These are Aiden’s chosen Alpha Force. There’s a red sheen to their eyes, but they’re not fully soulless, not yet. One of them grabs my arm, holding me still. Another barks something at him, and he lets go as if burned.
The Alpha Force wolves glare down at me, crowding close but not daring to touch me.
I still have power and authority here. I need to use it.
I don’t care what happens to me, but I need to do something about the captured acolytes. They don’t deserve to die. And I need to do all I can to protect Noah and his family. I can only hope they run fast and far, escaping this place forever.
“I am the Seeress. I have returned to you. All will be well.” I have to fucking sell this, but my voice sounds hollow, imperious. Soulless.
I sound like Oma.
My wolf whines, wanting to go to Noah. Not understanding what we’ve done. Fierce, I tell her. Strong. Protect mate. Her power flows into me, stiffening my spine. In the recesses of my mind, I hear the Grandmothers whispering. I’m angry with them, though, so when I feel the visions ready to burst on me, I don’t allow them through. I use my newfound strength to keep them at bay. Maybe I’ll let them in when I’m alone. Safe.
Except, I won’t be safe. Without Noah, I’ll never be safe again. The thought makes my knees buckle, but somehow, I stay upright. It helps that Noah’s scent still clings to me. The mark on my neck throbs, reminding me why I’m doing this.
I smell the Warden’s mold-like scent before his order rings out, “Stay back from her. She’s dangerous.”
The Alpha Force doesn’t move. They answer only to Aiden–Aiden made sure of that.
The Warden grinds his teeth, but there’s nothing he can do. He glares at me, and I keep my face serene.
I’m no longer Aster. There’s nothing left of my old self. I died when I rejected my mate.
I am the Seeress. My pack can kill me, imprison me, torture, and try to use me–it doesn’t matter. They can’t hurt me. Aster is dead.
The Seeress is all that remains.
So when Aiden appears, striding through the ranks of his red-eyed wolves, I feel nothing. Triumph glitters in his eyes.
“Take her to the dungeon,” he says.
Noah
I prowl through the woods around the cabin in my bare feet for an hour, patrolling it like a sentry guard. Trying to cool off, so I can make a plan.
I can’t think about Aster or Liora.
What’s done is done. They both made choices I disagree with.
But I’d known I was asking a lot of Aster to mate me. Asking her to give up her magic. Her visions. The powerful position she holds with the Adalwulfs. She’s basically their alpha female since Aiden is unmated.
And she explained to me the lure of the Moonborn. Their magical connection to nature and all that.
I guess what we had wasn’t enough to sway her to leave it all.
I force the shattering pain back into the cage, stuffing it as far as it will go.
I need to forget about her and think.
We can’t stay here–it’s not safe.
As much as I hate to ask anyone for help, I need to contact Sully, at least to get my phone and rented car back.
I catch the scent of Oriana outside the cabin and stalk back to make sure she’s not exposing herself.
She lifts her hand to her forehead in the sign for hi.
I stop. The cage around my chest rocks with fresh emotion. The enormity of the fact that I have a sister who I am just meeting for the first time hits me.