I watch the young recruit drag his feet off the mat, the two of them making for the exit.
Across the room, Roman, a burly warrior who is concentrating on his bench press, lays the bar down in defeat. “Silverfire, Axe. You’re contaminating the gym with that foul stench.”
Vessa whips her head, clearly confused. In my pocket, my phone rings. It’s Solmuk calling from the shop.
“I’m done for the day,” Vessa chirps. She storms off, making for the showers.
Deciding not to follow her goes against my every instinct, but I take the call and curtly give my apprentice instructions for ordering a part we need.
“Everything okay, boss?”
“Everything’s fine,” I grumble, watching those gorgeous hips swivel away. “I’ll be in later this afternoon.”
I snap the phone shut. My chest is still heaving as I glance over at Tesni, whose smirk I am hardly amused by.
“After the induction, I’m sending you on a mission to hunt the oracle down. I want her ass back here before the Council summoning. Whatever means necessary.”
Chapter 33
DOMINIK
Straightening my tie, I watch as dozens of cars climb the hill, forming a queue to pass through the gates of our property. Only an hour remains before sundown, when the feast is set to begin.
I’ve been mulling over the move I’m about to make for over a week. Since I asked Vessa a question I had been dreading.
Do you love him?
I wish I could take it back. Because the answer never would have mattered. I would still feel the same as I do now. Thwarted. Envious out of my godsdamned mind.
Need I remind you she failed to give a reply? my wolf gripes.You didn’t even try to channel the heartline.
After tonight, that won’t be an issue anymore, I answer. Because I will no longer have access to hers. The only way of knowing for certain. Besides, I’d rather spare myself the pain.
Not a single part of me wishes to put on a cordial face and mingle with tipsy guests while my brother dances with Vessa, biding time until he whisks her away and fucks her until dawn. The mere thought has my wolf wanting to tear out his own fur. My solution? Escaping to the Heartlands, where I’ll be spendingthe weekend hunting for a new building to launch the next Sonic Jungle establishment. And my next place of residence.
You’ll be exiled. Branded as a rogue.
Exiled is better than executed,I persist.
You’re being rash. Think of how our family will be wounded.
It’s pointless trying to shove the wolf out of my head, but I give it my all as I pass through the grand, wrought-iron doors of my family’s estate. My heart begins to pound as I reach into my jacket for the box I came to personally deliver. When my fist connects with the door of my mother’s former dressing room, Nell opens it in a flash, wearing a lavender dress with a sash around her long neck.
“Who is it?” Cora calls out.
Nell’s cheeks flush as she gives me a look over. “What are you doing here?”
“I have something for Vessa. May I come in?”
The woman of the hour freezes behind her. Champagne in hand, Vessa chimes her approval.
Arms crossed, Nell rolls her eyes at my gaping mouth. “Try not to drool on the carpet, Dominik.”
I nearly forget my purpose when she turns from the mirror, taking in the most devastating woman I’ve ever seen. Coiled ebony hair, painted lips, and silk-gloved hands fold over her lap. The intricate gown adorning her frame is a masterpiece. If the color had a name, I could almost guarantee it would be “Axe’s demise.”
It’s in this moment that I realize that the only person I loathe more than myself is the damned Luna goddess. For granting this woman to someone else. For making my wolf agonize over her just the same.
As I approach, she opens her mouth, but I cut her off, presenting the box. “I brought you something I thought you should have for the occasion. It belonged to the previous Luna.”
