Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 78879 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78879 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
They were actually taking me from Luca before I could even say anything to him, before I could figure this out on my own.
It was wrong, so, so wrong.
I found myself out of the car before I even understood how it happened. Was it my own doing? Did one of my brothers help me out? Everything was confusing and moving too fast.
I was going to be sick. I started shaking my head, but no one was listening to me or looking in my direction. My father was talking with the pilot, and my brothers were grabbing our bags out of the trunk and taking them to the jet.
I took a step back, and another one, and it was only when I was several feet back, unsure what I was doing or where I was going, that my family finally looked in my direction.
I glanced over my shoulder at the open gate, something so strong urging me to go through it and run back to Luca. Away from my family. Away from the source that kept me from my mate.
Although a female Otherworld being wouldn’t feel nearly the intense, life-altering pull toward a mate as the males did, there was no denying my soul yearned for Luca.
“Lass, come here.” There was this worry in my father’s voice.
But I felt the need to move forward. And so I did, and again, the blood rushed through my veins and spurred me on. And then I felt a light touch on my arm, scented Caelan, and forced myself to look over my shoulder at him.
“Come on, darlin’,” he said in a gentle tone, as if he were trying to coax a wild animal closer.
I’m that wild animal.
“This isn’t right,” I whispered, those three words echoing in my head. I saw Caelan’s jaw clench as he looked over my shoulder at the open gate.
“He’s no’ right in the head, Ainslee. He’s too feral. Too Lycan.” Caelan stared right in my eyes. “He wants ye too badly to think rationally. No’ protecting ye right now would be like offering up a lamb tae the ravenous wolf.” He slowly shook his head. “Let us handle this right now. We can talk when we get home. We can work it all out there.”
He held his hand out, and I could see he thought that if he wasn’t gentle, I’d be spooked.
“Come on, Leelee.”
Caelan used the nickname the triplets used to call me when I was younger, and I swallowed, hating this situation but knowing they only did what they did to protect me.
I slipped my hand in his and saw the evident relief wash across his face. I let him take me to the jet, my mother already boarding, but Lennox, Tavish, and my father were all focused on the surrounding area, as if they expected Luca to burst through the trees and make a go at me.
Once in the jet, my family secured in their seats, and the door closing, I stared out the small window at that still open gate. I knew this wasn’t the end. I knew I’d see Luca, because not only would he not give up, but I’d make my family see reason. I’d make the clan understand what they were doing if they tried to keep me from him.
The engine came to life, and the jet started pulling onto the runway, but my heart jumped in my throat when I saw a flash of something weaving between the trees. I knew my father and brothers were aware of the change in me, knew something—or someone—was out there, because they came to my side of the jet within seconds.
I was breathing so hard the window started to fog up, adrenaline rushing through me, because I knew what I saw.
I knew who I saw.
And then Luca burst through the tree line, his enraged roar louder than the sound of the jet engine. He charged toward us, but the plane was picking up speed with each passing second. I found myself bracing my palms on the window, my eyes wide as I watched the emotions play across his face.
Gods, he’s so... animalistic.
His speed was supernatural, and I swore his look was trained right on me, even from this monumental distance. And never once did he slow. I was pretty sure he started moving faster, so quick a part of me could picture him actually reaching the jet and swiping his claws along one of the wings, rendering it useless.
And then we were airborne, and I was still staring out the window, watching as Luca refused to let me go. My heart was in my throat, everything in me screaming for him, needing him desperately despite the fact I’d just “met” him moments before.
I felt tears prick my eyes, didn’t fully understand this wave of emotion that hit me. I didn’t even care that my family watched, didn’t care that they saw and felt and sensed the confusion pouring out of me, the longing and despair strangling me.