Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
My brows blew. “She-Wolf? Your parents are the founders of She-Wolf? But I saw their clothes and ads everywhere when I was living with the mundanes, and I mean everywhere.
“I wanted to buy an outfit too, but I couldn’t even afford the buttons on their cashmere Rebel Wolf coats.” I sat back, mind blown. “How did I not know actual she-wolves were the creators of She-Wolf?”
“Did you ever know much about Wolf Nation?” he asked as he pulled his legs in and draped his arms across his knees. “I mean, other than what temple visitors told you?”
I made to reply, and then stopped. No one had ever put it in those terms before but—
“You’re right,” I said softly. “I didn’t know a thing about my home other than the little glimpses I got from visitors pouring their hearts out. I was supposed to be a grand symbol of our society, but I wasn’t allowed anywhere near it.”
I shook my head, pulling myself out of morose thoughts. “But here’s something else that’s interesting, you were raised by two women but you still think it’s cool to run around calling women bitches.”
Paxton flinched, losing his grin fast. “I don’t think it’s cool, and my moms would’ve kicked my ass if they heard me call you that. I really am sorry, Daze. It just came out, but that’s no excuse.” He dropped his head, massaging the bridge of his nose. “Look, I’m not always going to get it right every time but...”
I jumped when strong, calloused fingers brushed over mine, stroking soft circles that erupted goose bumps all over my arm.
“But I never make the same mistake twice,” he whispered, lifting our bonded hands.
I made the most unfortunate squeak when he pressed his lips to my palm.
“I promise you, baby.” Paxton’s warm breath skittered over my veins, marking the path his gentle peppered kisses left down my arm. “I will never take the smile from your lips again, and that’s a promise that will last the rest of our lives.”
I melted, leaning in to take those lips for myself—
Wake the fuck up, woman!
Snapping up, I broke free of my wolf’s hold, and his. I tore my hand away, shooting up to my feet. What the hell! I shouted at my wolf. Even with the bond broken, my wolf remembered what it was like to want Paxton more than air, and what it was like to not be dying, and she was gunning for him.
“You can take your promise and shove it back up your bullshitter, thank you very much, and—and—and why am I still here?” I snatched up the food, tossed it back in the basket, and hitched the basket up my shoulder. It was coming with me. “Goodbye, Clarke. Let’s never do this again soon.”
He laughed at my retreating back. “Bye, baby. Same time, same place tomorrow.”
“I won’t be here! And stop calling me baby!”
I’m pretty sure my rejections didn’t sink in. He was laughing too hard to hear them.
THE NEXT MORNING, MRS. Ash and I sipped our coffees while our steady gazes latched on to each other—locked in an epic staredown.
I broke first, offering her a bland smile. “Thank you so much for coming back, Mrs. Ash. I’m sure you’re a busy woman, and I have an hour before class starts, so why don’t we get right to it,” I said, setting down my mug. “You said you have ideas on how to improve relations between the students, and further Luame’s glorious vision for the future. I’m eager to hear them.”
Setting down her cup, Ash offered me the same polite smile in return. “Thank you for inviting me back, High Priestess, and offering me this opportunity in aiding you in furthering that glorious goal. I too believe we should get right to it, so I’ll begin with my first proposed change.
“The trials.”
I cocked a brow. “The trials?” My tone couldn’t have been blander.
“That’s right. It’s come to the council’s attention that you’ve been allowing students to hold full court trials against everyone to whom they have a grievance. This must stop.”
“Must it?”
“Very much so.” Bending down, she reached into her holdall, pulled out a folder, and slid it over to me.
Ash looked just as severe and polished as she did the day before. Her gray suit was pressed, burning away any pesky wrinkles that dared mar her outfit. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun. Her makeup was so understated as to not be noticeable at all, and her tiny kitten heels were spotless and scuff-free.
I felt like a slob next to her, even though I was wearing a perfectly acceptable blue sheath dress and blue Mary Janes.
“Not only is holding full trials incredibly disruptive to the students,” she went on, “leaving them little time to focus on their studies, but there’s also the issue of resentments building among the student body. We want harmony and cooperation to be our mantra, not tit-for-tat retribution. That is why I’m proposing we start the first Corvin Academy Student Honor Board.”