Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 65167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“Are you, though? Why do you think I tested you that first night? Sent Delacourt after you?”
“That was three against one, Rogan, and I held my own.”
“And how do you think it will be with the demons if you fight on your father’s side? Three against one? It may be ten against one, Hannah. Or more. And I’ll protect you. I can’t not protect you.”
“And that’s a bad thing? Why is your side more important than mine, Rogan? You say there’s no choice for me. I feel that. I do. But why must I be the one to give up the loyalty to her side for you? Why can’t you do the same?”
“Because,” he says, “I can’t protect you then.”
“Hannah,” my father says, “there’s something you need to know.”
“I already know,” I eke out.
“You think you do.” My father swipes his silver hair off his forehead. “But there’s more.”
12
Victor
The wolf lies, paralyzed.
Must protect mate. Must move. Must—
“Not so strong now, are you, Alpha?” a demon taunts.
The demon’s eyes are red, though he otherwise could pass as a human. The irises redden when evil overpowers a demon’s brain, making logic and emotion impossible.
The wolf knows this.
A growl vibrates inside the wolf’s body. He feels it, but he feels nothing else. He moves his forelegs and hind legs in his mind. He lunges at the demon whose hair is black as night and whose scowl is vile. And the eyes… The malicious red eyes…
“We’ll find her,” the demon snarls. “We’ll find your vampire mate. She can’t hide forever.”
Though the wolf can’t move, his blood boils in his veins, making him hot, angry, as rage surges through him.
Must protect mate. Must protect mate.
The wolf’s senses are still sharp, and he still breathes. Whatever the demon dosed him with seems to affect only his outward movement. His internal systems still function. Air keeps him alive.
Must protect mate.
But where is she? He doesn’t know. Her scent is not near. Only the foul scent of a demon’s lair—garbage laced with sulfur and the sickly-sweet fragrance of decaying human flesh.
Footfalls. Shuffling footfalls as more demons approach. The wolf’s heart races. Where is she?
Where is his mate?
A howl is caught in his throat, unable get out. The animal is helpless, but he must find a way to protect her.
His muscles twitch internally with the need to move.
Twitch. Twitch. Twitch.
No movement.
Nothing.
Then foul breath, like rotten fish, acrid and insipid. Demonic energy, thick and malevolent, surrounds him.
Do they have her?
He doesn’t know. Her scent—her succulent scent of roses, apples, and iron—isn’t here. Isn’t infusing him with its vibrant energy.
The wolf may be paralyzed, but he’s still an alpha.
His duties remain.
Must protect mate.
“So you show your weakness, wolf,” another demon scowls. “Has your vampire girlfriend taken too much of your blood? Shift for us. Show us your human side.”
Indeed, the wolf should be able to shift.
Normally, a wolf is always in his human state when he’s incapacitated. The wolf knows this, knows something has gone very wrong.
Anger races through him, and his heart thumps in a rapid rhythm.
“Getting worked up, I see.” A demon hovers over him. “You’ll fulfill your duty, wolf. You’re going to help us with something we’ve had in the works for years. You…and your half-vamp lover.”
Fury floods the wolf’s body and mind. A growl emerges this time, fierce and incensed.
“Poor little wolf… Only a squeak. What will your lover think of you? Big alpha who can’t keep her safe?”
Another growl, and this one is full and loaded. His forepaw spasms.
Movement!
Then…an aroma wafts toward him. Roses. Roses, chocolate…blood.
But not her blood.
The blood of a fucking demon.
How the wolf knows, he’s not sure. But demonic blood… He inhales.
Demonic royal blood.
“I knew you’d recognize the blood of our devoted king,” a blond demon says. “You were bound by your own blood to help us in our mutiny. Seems you’ve forgotten.”
Must protect mate.
Another muscle tic.
The drug is wearing off, but the wolf can’t let them know.
“He’s not dead,” the demon continues. “Not yet. You will be the one to overthrow him, bring to the throne a new monarch who isn’t tainted by love for a human. You…and your half-breed bitch.”
Another spasm, and then another. Prickles shoot through the wolf’s paws.
It won’t be long now.
Must protect mate.
13
“Hannah,” my father says, “there’s something you need to know.”
“I already know,” I eke out.
“You think you do.” My father swipes his silver hair off his forehead. “But there’s more.”
“Then start talk—”
A sharp pain—like a knife in my gut—splinters through me.
“No!” I shout, choking.
The pain. It’s not my heart, not my—
“The baby! Not the baby!”
“Shit.” My father places his hand on my abdomen. “What’s going on?”
“Pain. God, Daddy, please. Fix this! Don’t let me lose—” I curl into a fetal position, instinctively protecting the life inside me.
I can’t lose Rogan’s baby.
I can’t.
It’s the only part of him I have left. He’s not mine. He never was. But his baby is.