Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“That’s why so many have joined the packs around here,” I say out loud, needing confirmation because this is just so fucking much to take in.
“Exactly,” Theo says. “And while a handful of wolves aren’t a threat, a whole fucking pack of them can be a pain in the ass to deal with. Keeping the Order at bay meant they were indebted to us and they knew it. They were rightly beneath us and never challenged our authority. But publicly calling out Marcus Henry and then not handling the hunters who set up in Wolf Territory—after you were made aware…” Theo trails off. “What the hell did you think was going to happen?”
“How long have they been there?” I ask. “It’s only been like a day since everything went down. Two days?” I close my eyes, realizing that everything is blending together. It’s been a shit show since Devon got shot, really. Man, I’m not going to know what to do if things settle down. Spare time? Relaxing? Hah—what’s that like?
“Almost immediately after Marcus Henry was named on live TV,” Theo says.
“Antonio would know more than me,” I start. “The Order doesn’t usually make rash decisions. Like they’re impulsive and bad, of course, but getting a bunch of hunters to move doesn’t seem like it just happened overnight.”
Xavier tips his head, considering my words. “If they were angry enough about their leader being murdered.”
“Hunters do love revenge. Still…it seems oddly fast,” I say. “Like they had it planned before.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Theo presses. “By making the Order Public Enemy Number one, you informally called off the deal. And if the deal is off, you need to inform the alliance and not let your bullshit, sloppy actions speak for themselves because by the way it looks, the Order has bested us and that is a fucking problem.”
“The real problem, brother,” he says, mocking the way Theo says the word. “You are impulsive. Violent. Emotional. There was no need to rip the fangs out of those wolves after you killed them.”
“They attacked us,” Theo spits through his gritted teeth. “And tried to sink those dirty fangs into vampire flesh. That is punishable by death as it has been written for centuries.”
“True as that may be, a room full of vampires could have easily subdued werewolves any other way. Unlike witches, they aren’t immune to our ability to hold them spellbound.”
“Don’t try to shift the blame to me. You’re the one who fucked up by being too busy caring about her.”
Xavier’s eyes flash. “I told you to watch your mouth. She’s part of this family and she is my wife.”
“Let’s go with that,” Theo continues. “Somehow, she finds the sigil, gets this demon-deal called off and everything is peachy. Then what? You leave her to help you rule a broken kingdom? You’re not thinking things through. She’s clouding your judgment and it will affect us all.”
If I could slink back and disappear into the shadows, I would. But there are no shadows or anywhere to hide. So instead, I stand there feeling awkward even though it’s not out of the ordinary to listen to Theo rant about Xavier’s love for me clouding his judgement.
“Hunters are not supposed to take up residence anywhere east of Charlotte,” Xavier begins and unbuttons his suit jacket. He takes it off and drapes it over the chair like this conversation is boring to him. “Maybe it’s time we make an exception.”
“You can’t be fucking serious,” Theo spits. “You’re inviting them in?”
“I’m presenting an opportunity,” he replies, a razor-sharp grin on his face. Light glints off of fangs, which I hadn’t even seen come down. “I’m giving them rope and letting them hang themselves.”
Theo’s eyes narrow but then his shoulders relax. “Then we won’t have to justify what comes next.”
“Exactly,” Xavier says, and his calmness sends a chill through me. He’s giving the Order the opportunity to fuck around so they can find out. And finding out the Malus family way means bloodshed.
“You guys want to go for a run?” I ask my brothers, coming back into the kitchen. They’ve moved to the table, snacking on slices of cheese and veggies.
“Now?” Leo asks. “I’d rather take a nap and then…I don’t know. Figure out where to go because I don’t want to stay another night in this vampire-Barbie dream house.”
“Everything okay?” Antonio asks, grabbing two slices of cheese. “I mean, besides the obvious.”
“I don’t know,” I sigh, and guilt rises up inside of me. I still haven’t told anyone about Marie and the witches and I shouldn’t feel bad. I’m not doing anything wrong…right? I’m more than allowed to make friends and right now, she seems pretty harmless and possibly even helpful. There’s not enough to tell anyway, so it makes sense to keep it to myself and yes, I know I’m rationalizing this whole situation. “I’ve been slacking on my training. Let’s run.”