I wheeze, stumbling to my knees.We have no right.
He jerks my head up, aiming for the doorknob.I beg to differ. She is not yet claimed.
I curse. Not a moment later, I yank open the nearest window and leap out. My trench coat peels off along with my other clothes. With a raw gasp, I throw my head back and let the grey beast come forth.
Lifting my head, I tune in to the familiar winter song of the forest. The approaching breeding season has many creatures fluttering around, desperate for companionship. With the full moon only days away, some are more on edge than others. Miles ahead, birds flutter from canopy to canopy, rabbits scavenge for fresh greens, well-endowed elk sharpen their antlers against tree bark. So many things to chase. And yet, the sound of sniffling from inside the house almost has me turning back. Almost.
Vessa
An afternoon rain shower settles over the mountains, turning snow into slush. Given the unfavorable weather, I am content with remaining in my room with a few books to keep me occupied. So far, my request to be left alone has been heeded.
For the first hour of solitude, my mind raced endlessly, unsure of how to navigate this new impasse with Shay. Has she spread her distaste for me to the others? Her scorned words replay over and over, rattling my skull.“Do yourself a favor and leave. Those wolves will eat you alive.”
The first knock sounds sooner than I expected. I wrap my cardigan around my torso and quickly pad over to let Nell inside.
“I heard you had quite the introduction this morning,” she says, placing a tray with a notecard and refreshments on my desk.
I cross my arms in front of my chest, though it’s hardly intimidating given that she’s eight inches taller. “Is Shay a friend of yours, too?”
“Shay’s not exactly what you would call a girl’s girl. I’m honestly surprised that she stuck around here in the months after Axe broke things off.”
“It appears the wound is still fresh.”
“She knew what she was getting into. Axe has spent the last seven years rebuilding this community. Not to forget playing diplomat to the thirty other packs who would like nothing better than to kill each other and seize territory. He didn’t have the time for anything remotely serious.”
My mouth goes dry. I knew that Alphas faced a great deal of responsibility, butthirty-one packs?
Back when I first came to live with Maurleen and Wyatt, I was taught that the lycan domain is divided among five continental leaders who preside over the entire population within their province. Alpha Commander and Luna Superior are their titles. Unlike Wyatt’s pack leader, Alpha Commander has jurisdiction over all pack hierarchies. He or she could replace a regional Alpha with the snap of their fingers, and no one would challenge them. At least no one with common sense.
Nell watches as I take a sip of chamomile tea and swallow hard. I’m fighting for my life to keep my pulse from skyrocketing. “Axe is Commander of the province, isn’t he?”
She smiles. “Indeed, he is. For the last ninety-eight years, Bleeding Sun has held the rank of Agathoran headquarters.”
Making him the most powerful male not just in Agathora, but the entire continent of Immaren. And I, his equal, should he choose to honor mating tradition.
I am so,soscrewed. If Axe decides that my curse constitutes me as a threat . . . forget sheltering me from the vampires. Forget marking me as his mate. At best, I’ll become a prisoner. At worst, he’ll kill me the moment the secret slips out. How do I know it will ever be safe for me to tell him?
I need to find a way to get in touch with Maurleen.
My teeth clamp down on my inner cheek, hard enough to draw blood. Silence stretches between us as I swallow the coppery taste, along with the shock of what I’ve just learned. Rather than point out my sudden withdrawnness, Nell tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear, something my mother used to do to console me. It’s disarming in a way that makes my chest throb. She gestures to the unopened note addressed to me, but I make no attempt to reach for it.
“You can’t imagine the workload he deals with on a daily basis. Now with his own members questioning his judgment . . .” Unable to finish her thought, Nell bids me a good evening and twists the doorknob to exit. Footsteps fade down the hall and once again, I’m left alone to collect my thoughts. But first, I snatch the note.
Vespera,
I know that this morning was a disaster, to say the least, and I’m sorry things got out of hand. If you do not wish to see me for the time being, I understand. However, if you’re willing to give me a chance to try and make it up to you, I’d like to take you to lunch in town tomorrow.
- Axe
Stomach rumbling at the proposition, I locate my journal and tear out a page to jot down my reply. But the pen won’t move. Not after a full hour. Not after two.
The shower is a cathartic finish to what has been the longest day of my existence. I lose myself in the luxurious lather of apricot shampoo, humming the melody of one of my favorite melancholy ballads. After briefly towel drying my hair, I step out of the steamy bathroom donning flannel pants and a cropped cotton t-shirt. Shaking out my wet tresses, I cross over to the desk and scribble down my answer.
I can’t risk using the phone down the hall to call Maurleen. But perhaps if I go into town and find a moment to excuse myself . . . Yes. That will have to work.
When the door swings open, I nearly jump out of my skin. “Ves—oh,” a deep voice stammers.
Axe is holding a tray with a mouthwatering roast and steamed vegetables. My eyes widen at the sight of what he’s wearing: dark brown pants and a fitted shirt that hugs his torso. Fiery tattoos are mapped along his arm and collarbone, subtly peeking out of the neckline. My mouth falls open at the smaller design inked on his right forearm. A familiar black bird with wings spread and talons gaping.
