Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Brandon did feel stronger. The strength inside him had grown from the moment he’d claimed Elle.
“Why are you telling me this?” Brandon asked.
“Elle’s your mate. The threat on her life is still present. I sense a danger and it’s up to you to figure out.”
****
“It’s okay. I promise everything is going to be okay. Brandon is doing this to protect you,” Lewis said.
Elle listened to his words, but the heartache wouldn’t go away. Brandon had picked Lori over her. How could she live with that? The people in the town would know he desired the wolf more than he desired her.
Why are you surprised?
Of course he’d pick Lori. You’re only human. Humans are weak.
“Thank you for giving me your coat,” she said. He’d wrapped the coat he’d been wearing around her shoulders.
“I can sense your pain, Elle. I swear he’s doing this for your safety.”
“Those were vampires?” she asked.
“Yes. They’re dangerous. He doesn’t want you in danger.”
“As his mate my place is by his side. He’d rather lie about his mate than introduce me. He’s ashamed of me.”
She noticed Lewis was heading in the direction of her home. Elle shook her head. “No, I don’t want to go home. Take me to Layla. I need my friend.”
Lewis hesitated then nodded. “Okay, I’ll take you there.”
Neither spoke on the way to Layla’s house. They waited for someone to answer.
Layla answered several minutes later. It looked like she’d just gotten out of bed. “Elle, what’s the matter?” she asked. Her gaze went between Lewis and Elle.
“Can we come in?” Elle asked.
The moment they were inside the house, Layla grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around her. “What’s going on?”
“I’m going to be sticking around. Alpha’s orders,” Lewis said.
“The kitchen is through there. I’m taking Elle up to my room.” Layla helped her upstairs.
“Can I take a shower?” Elle asked.
“Of course.” The concern on Layla’s face scared her, but her friend left her to get washed. She closed and locked the bathroom door. Without looking at her reflection she climbed into the water and turned the dial to cold. She needed the cold water to make her feel alive. The only way she’d get through the next few hours was by being numb.
After several minutes under the numbing water, she washed away all evidence of Brandon’s claiming.
When she was done, she wrapped her body in a robe and went back to Layla’s room.
“There are fresh night clothes,” she said.
Elle thanked her. “Where are you parents?”
“They went out to the city. They need some alone time. I’ve got the house to myself.” Layla sat on the bed. “Are you going to tell me what went on tonight, or do I have to ask a dozen questions?”
“I had sex with Brandon. He claimed me as his mate.”
Layla was silent as Elle got dressed.
“You’re not a virgin anymore?”
“No. I’m claimed. At least I was claimed.”
“What happened? You look like you want to kill yourself. Losing your virginity shouldn’t leave you like that.”
“Are you sure?” Elle asked, feeling like shit.
“Come on. Tell me.” Her friend patted the space beside her. Taking a seat, Elle told her everything. She told her about the lake and the swim leading up to the sex. Brushing over the details of the sex, she talked about what happened when the vampires turned up.
“He turned to Lori and told the vampires I wasn’t his mate.” Tears poured out of her eyes at the remembered pain. “It hurts.” She touched her chest trying to put into words her feelings. “I feel everything, and it hurts so much. I don’t know how I can face him. I know he’s going to be around town, but how can I look at him knowing he took me and then went into the arms of another woman?”
Her friend wrapped her arms around Elle. She took the comfort offered. Elle needed to be held.
“I have no words to make it all better, Elle. I wish I did. He sounds like a total bastard. I’m here. I’ll always be here for you. I promise.”
Elle rested her head in her friend’s lap. “This is so hard. Why couldn’t he leave me alone like he has all these years?”
“We’re not wolves. They have to abide by rules.”
Sniffling, Elle rubbed her nose. “Well there should be a rule about breaking your mate’s heart. If this is what I get for being mated to him then I want no part of it. I hate feeling like this, and I don’t want him near me.”
She was thankful Layla listened to her.
“How am I going to face everyone tomorrow?” Elle asked. “The pack is going to know he picked Lori over me, and the humans will be laughing at me.”
“I’m not laughing, Elle. Our kind will be sorry for you, but I don’t think they’ll laugh at you. None of us know what it’s like to be mated. We’re alone in all this.”