Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 51151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Jude looks me in the eyes and says, “Don’t you ever put yourself into danger again.” The admonishment nearly has my knees buckling under me. His dominance radiates off him and my body involuntarily shakes. His arm wraps around my waist and pulls me closer to him. He whispers in the hot air between us, “You scared me.” His soft lips press against mine. “I never want you two in danger ever again.”
My shoulders collapse inward and I fall against his chest. With one hand stroking my back and the other holding my son, Jude leans down and kisses each of us again.
Jude
None of the emotion has dimmed inside of me. I can’t believe she’d tempt fate like that. My wolf’s fear of seeing her in danger is still very much present. I’ve never known fear like that. The very idea that she could be harmed … it brings me to my knees. I never want to feel that again. I lean down and give my mate and our son a kiss and do my best to calm myself. My shoulders bristle and inside my wolf continues to howl.
My brothers are the same. Although their mate is far more wounded than my own.
She’s up and conscious but being human is really going to take a toll on her healing. I can’t help but to feel guilty. Had I known how fucked my father had become, I never would’ve stood for bringing our mates. With my shoulders rising and falling heavily, I resist accepting that what’s done is done. None of it feels real and yet, with the bond pulsing in my blood, I know damn well this is what fate has brought us all.
I catch Owen’s eye and speak through our bond, “Is she all right?”
“No, she’s too fucking stubborn.” A moment passes before he lets out a breath and offers a nod. “She’ll be all right.” A small smile plays at my lips. They both dote over her, and she pushes them away, assuring them she’s fine. The cut on her cheek looks pretty bad, but a healer will make sure she doesn’t scar. Owen shakes his head. “She’ll be fine.”
“I wish she’d fucking listen.”
I hear Devin snort and then respond to Luke. “You and me both.” Although his arm is wrapped around Grace’s waist casually, it’s all too apparent she’s shaken. Everyone in the room is, yet there’s a sense of peace in its finality.
Looking between Devin and Luke as the conversation continues, I realize we’ve all bonded over this. It’s not unheard of for several Alphas to bond, but it is extremely rare.
The realization is slow to wash over me, as I take in the room of faces that seem familiar and all of them watching us.
I’m Alpha of this pack now. I challenged and killed my father. A cold sweat breaks out along my skin. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I look around the room and watch as the Betas clean the mess I left of my father. We’ll build him a pyre and bury him as an Alpha should be buried. A sickness churns in my stomach. What have I done? It’s impossible for me to know what I’ve set into motion and what will come next for us.
“Do you want us to stay for a while?” Devin’s question disrupts my thoughts. I struggle to respond. I’m not sure I want this at all. I look around the room again and recognize nearly every face. My heart clenches. I only wanted to save them from a horrible decision my father made, but I wasn’t prepared to lead them myself.
“You know when I first saw you, I wondered how long it would take for you to join my pack.” I stare back at Devin. His hand comes down on my shoulder. “And then I got to know you and I started wondering when you were going to leave.” I place my hand on his shoulder and squeezed. He tells me, “You are meant to be an Alpha.”
Words escape me and I don’t know what to say, so I say nothing. I pull him in for a quick hug, making sure to hit him hard on the back so we don’t look like pussies.
“Alpha.” Leon comes up to us and it takes me a moment to realize he’s talking to me.
A grim look crosses his face and I immediately straighten my back. “What is it?”
“We had a planned visit this afternoon. They’ll be here soon.”
“With who?”
“The vampires.”
I repress my snarl. “Will I have the pleasure of meeting Victor as well?” The old man I owe my life to finally smirks.
“No, not today. Hopefully by ending this pact with them, we’ll never have to see him again.” A look of terror crosses his face before he quickly adds, “If that’s your intention, Alpha.”