Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
“I do.” They didn’t agree with what he was doing. They believed he was making a rash decision based on one interpretation of a prophecy.
“What did you do?” Leah asked. “Your life. Your childhood?”
“I lived within my pack. We had a school, so I went there. We don’t turn until we reach eighteen, so our lives are standard. I did usual kid things—climbing trees, going on adventures in the woods, that kind of thing. When my dad needed me to concentrate on my alpha training, I did that. I was always under some kind of test.”
“That sounds nice. I was always having to focus, to control. My emotions, when heightened, seem to affect the weather.”
“Yeah, I wanted to ask you about that. Why didn’t it affect the weather when I … brought you to orgasm?”
Leah chuckled. “It only ever happens during anger or sadness for me. My joy doesn’t bring the sunshine or anything. I mean, it might, but maybe I control it. I don’t know. My coven believe my powers are connected to the elements, which is why it’s easier for me to call upon Mother Nature.”
“Have you ever been tempted to call on bad magic?” he asked.
“No. I’m aware it is easier, but even as a kid, I don’t think I liked to do things easily. No, I liked stuff that challenged me, that made me work.” She giggled.
“So, besides sirens and mermaids, what else have you met?” he asked.
“I’ve met many wolves, other witches, warlocks, necromancers, vampires, bears, most things.”
“Any that have scared you?”
“Some of them. Has anything scared you?” she asked.
“Not a lot scares me, but my biggest fear is fucking up my pack beyond recognition. My father did everything he could to keep everyone safe, to provide a safe place, and I don’t want to mess that up.”
“And that’s why you’ve come on this quest?”
“Yes,” he spoke softly. She didn’t know what he planned to do.
“My coven and parents told me it was important. I suggested Lucinda go with you, but they insisted I was the one that needed to come on this mission. I’m starting to see why.”
“You are?”
“Yes. All my life I’ve had the coven watching my back. They’ve been like a security blanket. I know my life is under constant threat, but I feel they’re showing a great deal of trust.”
She smiled and he hated himself right now. The coven were not doing any such thing. He had no doubt they were still there, lurking in the shadows, ready to spring out and help her if needed. The coven adored her.
Leah yawned. Ever since the river with the sirens, he’d noticed she’d been tired. He didn’t have enough food to feed her. Tomorrow, that would change.
“I’m so tired.”
“Go to sleep,” he said. He pressed a kiss to her forehead.
She smiled. “That’s nice, Killian. I think you would have made an amazing mate.”
Leah fell asleep and he watched her, unable to take his gaze away from her.
“At any time, you can stop this,” Lucinda said, appearing behind Leah’s shoulder.
“For fuck’s sake, Lucinda. Are you, like, watching?”
“No, I have other things to do, but we all feel Leah’s energy. She’s growing weaker … why?”
“Did you not see the siren’s attack?” he asked.
Lucinda’s eyes went wide.
“No. Tell me.”
He told her everything. All the details he had, which wasn’t a lot, but he hoped it was enough.
She started to shake her head. “Two days ago?”
“Yeah, I figured tomorrow I’ll find someplace and feed her. She’ll get her energy back.”
“No,” Lucinda said. “That kind of stuff works for wolves. Leah doesn’t survive on food, Killian. She doesn’t work that way. Something is wrong.”
“She’s perfectly fine.”
Lucinda approached and she looked down at Leah. “She is too pale.”
Before he could stop her, Lucinda had already drawn back the covers.
“Damn it, Lucinda. She feels the cold.”
“I know she does, but that’s not what is making her weak.” Lucinda pressed out her palm, and he watched a bolt of light hit Leah’s face.
“What the fuck are you doing?” he asked, angry now.
“I don’t want Leah to wake up or to know that I’m here.”
“Ah, you want her to believe the coven has faith in her ability to take care of herself?”
“This is none of your business, wolf!”
“Wolf. I’m wolf now.”
“Do you want me to tell her what mission you seek?” she asked. “The cost it is going to take?”
“Yeah, let’s get into that. I must mate with her. You didn’t tell me that was going to be the greater cost.”
Lucinda glared at him. “I warned you that at the end of it, there was going to come a great sacrifice. Your loneliness. I told you the journey you seek would not come without a greater cost. I warned you as best I could, and I did my part. Every quest like this comes with more cost. You know this, Killian. You’re not stupid, even if your actions are stupid.” She put her hands on Leah’s face, then down her body. “Nothing. Nothing.”