Series: Werewolves of Wall Street Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78974 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78974 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“What makes you think I would let you out of this cell?” Aiden’s eyes are flashing silver. His wolf is going wild. Right in front of him, Hugh is bristling like he’s ready to pounce. Maybe Aiden’s wolf senses the ghost wolf?
“I will have a vision whether I am in the Cradle or not,” I shrug. “If you are afraid of my power, Alpha, then by all means, keep me under lock and key. The full moon brings me power no matter what. I walk the veil even if my body is chained.”
“You will be chained, then. Your body will suffer silver bonds until I free you from them.”
“Do what you will. If that’s what it takes for you to feel safe, then so be it.” I smile as I taunt him. Silver chains will burn wherever they touch my skin, but whatevs. I’ve survived pain and discomfort many times before. “But never forget, Alpha, that I do not live to serve you. I live to serve this pack, and I seek the wisdom beyond the veil, so I might lead us all according to Fate’s plan. One day, you and I will die. But the pack will still remain.” And I will guide the pack towards good, I vow. I sense the Grandmothers nodding and whispering their approval.
Just let Noah live, I tell them. Keep him safe, watch over him. I will give myself over to you, but if you put him in danger, I will slit my own throat. That is the price of my sacrifice.
The whispers fall silent. The grandmothers know I’m not bluffing. I’m ready to die.
That’ll teach them to manipulate me.
“One more thing, Alpha,” I let my voice boom in the small cell. “No harm shall fall on the three acolytes in your care. They are innocent. They were led astray, but I allowed it. It was a test of Fate to see if they are worthy of bearing an Alpha. They are not, but Fate still requires them for its plan.”
“Insubordination must be punished.”
“Then punish them like wayward pups. They are mere children. They can be rehabilitated. Send them to Moon Hollow to tend the gardens, meditate, and pray. In a few years, they will be tested again. If they are not worthy then, do as you will.” Before then, I will find a way to free them, if I have to die doing it.
I have nothing more to lose.
“I should kill them and make an example of them.”
“If you do, a curse will fall on this pack, a curse so great not even a thousand Alpha rites will lift it,” I decree. There’s a roll of psychic thunder. Hugh plants his haunches on the blood-stained stone floor, throws back his huge head and howls.
There’s no sound, but Aiden must sense something because he goes still, watching me as if I’m an adder, waiting to strike.
“I will spare the acolytes, if you tell me who killed Vera.”
“It doesn’t matter. Fate was done with her,” I say. I hold out my hand and Hugh trots over to me to sniff my fingers and take a little more power. Light pulses from my fingertips, gilding his fur. Every pulse makes his form less translucent. I wonder if he’ll eventually absorb so much that he’ll be corporeal.
After a moment, Hugh curls his giant body at my feet and relaxes, letting out a sigh. I close my eyes, letting peace flow through me.
I can feel Aiden seething by the door but continue to ignore him. He doesn’t matter. I’ve said what I need to say.
Almost. Before I let myself drift into the void, I give him one last message. “Vera got what was coming to her. Whoever sows death, reaps it. You’d do well to remember that.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Noah
We pile out of Sully’s SUV in front of the Blackthroat mansion. The three she-wolves with me are wearing my shirts as dresses, with no footwear or even pants to cover up. They vibrate with tension. The stench of their fear fills my nostrils.
The war between the Blackthroats and Adalwulfs has been so bad that wolves are afraid to step on the opposing pack’s land, even when brought by invitation of a pack member.
Brick and Madi come outside to meet us. Brick wears a snarl, but before he can say anything, Madi speaks.
“Come in,” she welcomes us, throwing open the door and gesturing.
To me, she signs, Aster, where?
I shake my head, and her eyes round in dismay.
I give her an abbreviated hug while keeping my gaze on Brick, whose air is dangerous.
“Alpha,” I say, attempting to show respect, even though I’ve done nothing but disrespect him and his pack all along.
Guilt weighs against the gratitude I feel that showing up here is even still an option.
“Not your alpha.” He bares his teeth.