For me to fight for her.
For me to beg her to come back.
For me to apologize and say she’s the one for me.
I don’t.
Sydney chokes on a sob and, without another word, opens the car door and slides inside. The headlights of her car briefly blind me before she pulls away, disappearing down a side street.
For a long moment, I simply stand there, my hand unconsciously traveling to the pendant on my chest. I grip it tightly and take comfort in Izzy’s heartbeat, wishing she were here with me.
Would she even still love me if she knew the extent of what I’ve done?
If she knew the darkness that tainted my soul?
Thump-thump-thump.
Ethan prowls out of the forest, his head lowered and his teeth bared. His amber eyes gleam menacingly in the darkness.
“You heard all of that, huh?” I rasp out, my voice breaking.
In answer, Ethan stops beside me, lifts his leg, and pees on my leg.
I…totally deserve that.
But when the asshole wolf begins to squat and grunt, about to take a shit, I step away, crinkling my nose.
“Come on, dick brains. Let’s go find our girl.”
And a shower. I’ll need to quickly head back inside and clean myself up before we can leave.
I may be able to wash away Ethan’s piss, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to rid myself of the guilt I feel over my actions. I suppose it’s just something I’ll have to learn to live with.
All I can do is pray that Izzy will forgive me for the monster I’ve become while trying to protect her.
Eighteen
DESIREE
Iam going to castrate Izzy’s mates.
They had one job—one fucking job—and they couldn’t even do that. Now, Izzy’s gone, kidnapped by deranged witches, and we’re stuck here, twiddling our thumbs while we try to come up with a plan.
Never trust a boyfriend to do a best friend’s job.
I sit in the dining hall of the spacious house we’ve decided to set up camp in for the time being. The owner is a friend of my father’s and agreed to allow the Council to meet here. I can’t help but flick my gaze towards the opened window, where silvery stripes of moonlight illuminate a vision plucked straight from my nightmares.
Bodies.
Bodies everywhere.
Shifters.
Witches.
Warlocks.
A shiver races through me, and I force myself to look away, to focus on the other occupants in the room.
