Alexis is wrong. I don't want to forget Letty. I can never do that. She's mine forever because I never break the promises I make. It's only the past few days that need forgetting. Maybe with Alexis, there's a way to save Marelyn from me. "I don't think I wish to know where she stands." "Your heart doesn't lie." I stare at her, lost for words because my head's telling me that this is all I need to move on. Forgetting Marelyn. But then there is a part of my heart that doesn't want to. Even if I forget, I still will never let her go. "Aren't you a know-it-all?" I scoff, taking another glass. "Not to brag, but I am." She eyes the second bottle that's almost done with. "Slow down. At the rate you are going, even your wolf can't save you from the hangover that is bound to hit." "Does it look like I give a damn?" She rolls her eyes and searches my face. Her question comes with a warning. "Are you willing to accept my help? It's the only shot you have at knowing the truth about the
I walk past the dungeons. There's an area still beneath Taz's lair. It's called the arena. A part of Moon Grove meant for occasions like this. In a few minutes, the victor of this duel will become my beta. Aiden Sinclair was my selection, but Kass Rodin's blood lineage puts him in line for the position of beta. Yet the final decision rests on this moment. The duel. A while ago, Drusila revealed Jai-Blynn's presence around Moon Grove. A wolf had seen him lurking around the premises yesterday. I must be on guard and keep my eyes open because the enemy will show himself soon. Crowds of wolves fill the arena, above and below. The ring of death sits at the centre of the space. I climb the medium-length stairs joined to the stone wall on one edge. It doesn't have a railing, and it follows a z-shaped pattern. At the top lies my throne in the arena. I settle in, waiting for the clock to strike ten. I didn't bother Aiden with questions about his finding when I returned. He has to fight to t
MAREI don't know what came over me, but sometimes, this side of me shows itself. It usually happens when someone I want to protect is in danger. Like defending Frida in the dungeons or when I heard the explosion on the next street. This time is no different. I want to help Aiden. He's useful to Zeke and has grown on all of us. Sentencing him to an inconclusive death inside a ring is not the way to repay his good deeds.Well, Kass Rodin is someone I've never met, but I suspect he's a fine wolf. Zeke will need all the help he can get, because trouble is around the corner. Chase and my father are up to no good. The Diamond witches are still out there, even Jai-Blynn. I'm doing him a favour by demanding he change the terms.Zeke just called the duel off. I'm staring at him as he stands there, facing the crowd of wolves. He says nothing after the pause. I see he's working his jaw and putting his thoughts together. On the outside, Zeke still looks as tough as a rock, like a legacy who comma
He's still laughing with her. I'm glaring at them from my table a few distances away. It's irritating to watch and I can't be more subtle. I wonder what she's telling him that's so funny. She looks like a maggot when she laughs and the sound is annoyingly loud. Seriously, what does he see in her? "Tonight is about Aiden. You should focus on making it about his win and not other trivial things." Drusila walks up to me. She's giving me a knowing look I hate, and I roll my eyes. This will be fun. "I have congratulated the new beta on his win and yes, tonight is about Aiden. No arguments about that." She settles on the table snacks for a moment before speaking again. "He looks so happy. I've not seen him this carefree in years." I'm confused, but then I look over my shoulder and realise she's talking about Zeke. He's still standing there with the woman in black and it's still pissing me off that he's not said a word to me since. "Whatever." I sulk, while staring off at the table.
I still don't give in. The thunder sounds in the sky grow louder. A storm is coming. The gathering will meet an abrupt end in a short while. I wonder if whatever Alexis and Zeke have going on will end as soon as it does. Zeke growls. "I said, look at me, Marelyn." I don't. He grabs me from behind and forces me to look at him. His hands grip my elbows tightly and I feel him bruising my skin. The look in his green eyes tells me he didn't expect me to look like I do now. Scared and crying my eyes out. He doesn't know he's hurting me, but the look on my face has him thrown off balance. Zeke lets go, pacing and raking a hand through his brown hair twice. His behaviour is never as erratic as it is now. I can't tell what's wrong with him. "Marelyn, do I scare you?" He asks, turning spot on to glimpse the bruises he left in his wake as they fade away. "No." I whisper. "I'm sorry." He sighs, raking a hand through his hair again. "I didn't mean to hurt you." "I can manage, remember?
I've thought about this moment many times than one. How it will be when I finally see him again. It's too soon, but I guess that doesn't matter to anyone. I can't even catch my breath. Jai-Blynn's enjoying watching me getting flustered because of his presence. Zeke stands before me, blocking me away from the enemy. He shifts, still human. Clawed hands grace his sides as he readies himself to defend me. Jai-Blynn will never come to a place as fortified as Moon Grove without backup. I have a hunch this fight won't be easy. "Long time no see, Zeke." "Actually, Jai. It's too short a time. You should have disappeared for ten—twenty years tops." "Sorry to disappoint." He glances at me and I can see what he's telling me. He wants me to remember our time together. A time when I trusted him with my being, but the past is the past. "What do you want? My patience is as thin as a thread now," Zeke says. Jai-Blynn walks from one end of the patio to the other end. There's a duffel bag slun
ZEKEKyra and Aiden join us on the patio. Drusila just dropped a bombshell and Marelyn's still trembling behind me. I've assured her I'll do everything in my power to protect her, which means no one can harm her. My son will be safe from Chase and Marelyn, from the witches and Jai-Blynn.Kyra walks over to Marelyn's side and places a hand over her shoulder. She acts like a hard nut to crack all the time, but beneath the facade, Kyra has a heart, and she cares for Mare in her own way."Take her to her room, Kyra. Stay put until I say so."She nods and pulls Marelyn by the elbow. They climb the stairs and disappear into the next turn. I'm left standing with my beta and pack Marshall.Aiden states the obvious. "Someone on the inside helped him. It's the only way he could have gone in unannounced. Someone who knows the nooks and crannies of Moon Grove is his accomplice."I'm in thought as I cross my arms. "Lock the gates, Aiden. No one goes in or out."Aiden leaves me standing with Drusila
Two years ago...She called. Her voice sounded scared. It's the only thing I can hear as I rush back from the movie set. I place a call to Drusila, but the old woman has deemed today fit for ignoring my calls. I try to calm myself, but I swear on my mother's grave if there's even a scratch on her skin, hell will break loose. Whoever needs to pay will pay.I leave the engine idle and dart into the building, looking for Scarlett. There are no signs of a break in or a fight. Since the pack moved to New York, things have been peaceful. The cleaning girl put up a slippery floor sign ahead of her, but I don't pay it any heed. I'm about to race up the stairs with my wolf's speed when Drusila flashes in front of me. She's crossing her arms and glaring at the wet floor behind me."I don't have time for this." I step around her, continuing the climb."How many times do I have to tell you and Jai-Blynn not to wear your shoes in the house after a run in the woods? It rained a few hours ago!" She s