As they ascended, I watched the hunter’s retreating figure. The door at the top of the stairs closed behind her with a loud clank, leaving me alone to execute my best friend.
Chapter Six
Joanna
Istormed up the stairs, Maya’s grip firm on my arm as she led me away from the cells, her blank stare fixed straight ahead.
Marcus was going to execute Ethan. Without me.
“Let go,” I demanded, yanking my arm from Maya’s grasp as we reached the top. She released me but said nothing.
I paced the hallway, and my hands clenched into fists at my sides. This was my kill.
I turned to Maya and the young werewolf at her side. “This is bullshit.”
Maya crossed her arms and unpressed her lips, exhaling sharply.“What is? Forgive me. We‘wet dogs’have trouble understanding human emotion.”
I winced, rubbing the back of my neck as I recalled my words from the night before. “Look, I’m sorry about that. First impressions are… well, they’re overrated.”
Maya’s eyes softened, but her stance remained firm. “Whatever.”
I resumed my pacing. “I should be down there.”
Maya’s brow rose.“Is it just the hunters, or are all humans this egotistical? Ethan is our beta, Miss Sullivan. Our alpha’s best friend. And while he’s out helping you, he gets mixed up in shit that destroys him. Do you not understand what Marcus has to do now?”
“Are you saying this is my fault?” I exclaimed. “I don’t know how much Marcus shared through the wolf bond, but to summarize, this uprising didn’t start because of me.”
Maya’s silence was unnerving. What’s worse, the silence of… Lucas, from the moment he said“guilty,”was making my skin crawl.
“I think I should leave.”
Maya gave a single nod. “Lucas will grab your things.” She watched as he headed for the guest room where I’d spent the night.
This woman wasted no time.“If circumstances were different, I might’ve liked you.”
Maya shrugged, her face bearing no emotion. “I’m afraid the feeling isn’t mutual, Miss Sullivan.”
***
What does a woman wear to a secret werewolf club? Not much, apparently.
I stood in front of the mirror, tugging at the hem of the ridiculously short black dress I’d bought for this little expedition. It barely reached mid-thigh. Paired with knee-high boots, I looked like the type of girl who wanted to get into a bit of trouble.
I swept my braids up into a ponytail, leaving a few strands down to frame my face. Dark, smoky eyes stared back at me in the mirror, and I practiced my smile—seductive, mysterious, the kind of smile that said, “Of course, I wouldn’t wipe you from the face of the earth if given a chance.”
I took a deep breath before removing my locket and slipping a gold necklace around my neck. The smoky crystal pendant hummed against my skin, masking my energy with its own.
I traded my knife for a tiny push dagger that I could fit in my boot. It paid to be prepared.
As I headed out, I sent a quick text to Marcus. I hadn’t heard from him since I left the compound days ago, and I wasn’t sure what to make of the silence. Part of me was still pissed about being excluded from Ethan’s execution, but the other part…
Ugh.
Reminding you. Club Luna tonight. You’re welcome to join me.
***
The music pounded through the cement as I waited in the check-in line.
