Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
He hisses and thrashes at my back with his clawed hands, slicing me open some more. I grunt and curse as I swing around, wrapping my legs around his back as I choke him from behind.
I don’t even know if these things need to breathe, but it seems to be working. He drops to his knee.
And that’s when my boys come.
They come sprinting out of the darkness, darting around trees in their wolf forms. Two, then three, then four leap on the Hollowborn and tear him to shreds. He dies with a pitiful wail.
The new recruit is the first one to arrive. He sinks his teeth into the monster’s neck as I let go and land hard on the ground.
I’m a mess. My body is cut to shit and bleeding everywhere. All I feel is searing pain, but the thought of Vaela waiting for me at the castle makes me feel better. I can handle anything if I know she’s waiting for me.
The kid phases into his human form and looks devastated when he sees my shredded body. “My Alpha,” he whispers, turning white as he drops to his knees.
“I’ve been through worse,” I say, grinning at him as I force myself to my feet.
“You’re a Blood Guardian now,” I say, placing a bloody hand on his shoulder. “Your first kill of many. I hope your wolf has a taste for Hollowborn blood now.”
“He does, my Alpha,” the kid says, lowering his head. “I’ll make you proud.”
“You already have,” I say, wincing as I begin to walk the long way back to the castle.
“Can I carry you, my Alpha?” he asks. “Would you like to ride my wolf?”
“It’s going to take more than a few scratches before I fail to walk back into my own castle,” I say as I keep going, every step like pure agony.
At least, I have Vaela waiting for me.
All this pain feels like pure bliss, knowing that.
It’s so late when I finally return, limping into the castle. The venom is still coursing through my veins, although it’s beginning to wane.
I’m still in pain and I can’t phase, but the gashes have closed up and I’m no longer leaving a trail of royal blood through the forest.
I picture Vaela sleeping in her bed as I limp up the stairs and it brings a smile to my face. I’d like to open the door and look in on her, to make sure she’s okay, but we’re not there yet. I’ll be able to do that one day, but not on her first night. As eager as I am to be in that place with my mate, I know she’s a human and needs some time to adjust.
So, I head into my quarters and have the servants draw a hot bath. The lines across my chest, back, and stomach are pink and tender, but they should be fully healed by tomorrow night.
I strip everything down and sink into the hot tub with a moan, feeling the last of the Hollowborn venom working its way through my body.
There’s nothing but a torch on the stone wall, barely lighting the room. I wonder if Cassius spoke with her or had any luck.
It’s strange not to have any jealousy when it comes to them. The three of us are one. I wouldn’t be upset to hear that they kissed or did more. I’d be relieved. It would mean that our mate is starting to accept her place beside us.
I rest the back of my head on the tub and close my eyes. I lie there for a long time, soaking my tired body until the door slowly creeps open.
I smell her before I see her. Vaela steps into the bathroom and closes the door.
Neither of us say a thing. We just lock eyes as she stands there and then slowly approaches, looking ravishing in a yellow dress.
She’s so virtuous and angelic. I can’t get enough of her.
“I heard you got injured,” she says as she sits on the edge of the tub. “I was sick with worry. I had to come check on you.”
I smile as I look up at her gorgeous face all twisted up in concern. She looks over my body with those stunning hazel eyes. The water is murky from the soap, so she can’t see how hard I’m getting. It’s hidden under the water.
“I’m fine, Princess,” I say. “I was distracted tonight.”
She swallows hard. “Because of me?”
“I’ve been waiting for you my whole life.”
She dips her hand into the water and then gently runs her fingertips over my chest. The pink claw marks are still there, healing slower than I’d like. The last thing I want is for my body to be all mangled the first time she lays her pretty eyes on it.
But she doesn’t seem to mind.