Page 46 of Quintus

“Where do you think you’re goin’, Princess Pineapple?” Thorn shook his head at the sight of the wolf and shrugged. “Well I suppose it’s time for me to fuck off as well.”

“Who shifts during an event? No control whatsoever. Pfft…and to think I suspected she was a witch. Look at her.” Absinthe took off toward the bar and gazed in the mirror, smoothing the fine hairs around her temples.

Gabriella growled at Mao. Despite the female’s frail disposition, her instincts warned her of the danger. Evil. Deception.

“Quintus…” The female trembled as she roused. “Who is she?”

Gabriella stalked toward Mao, a low growl rumbling in her throat. Sensing Quintus’ disapproval, she sealed off communication with him. She crouched low to the ground and prepared to attack.

“Gabriella, no.” Quintus nodded to Viktor, who knelt next to him, taking Mao into his arms. He lifted his palms, slowly backed away and stood. “I’m not touching her. No one’s going to hurt you.”

Lies. Gabriella snarled.

“Damn, I didn’t think wolves cared about vampires. You learn something new every day.” Thorn opened the door, and paused.

“I don’t know how the hell this can be,” Hunter commented. “Vampire, she’s really yours?”

“Of course she’s mine,” Quintus answered.

“Even the wolf didn’t know you’re mates.” Thorn smiled as he turned, giving a wave with his hand as he walked into the dark hallway.

“Jesus Christ, Quintus,” Hunter mumbled under his breath.

With her hackles raised, Gabriella poised herself to pounce. She snapped her jaws, a loud growl reverberating throughout the room.

“Gabriella, I’m ordering you to back off now,” Quintus told her.

It wasn’t as if she didn’t hear her vampire command her, but incomplete, the bond he had wasn’t strong enough to bend her will. The wolf drove her decision. Mao threatened a mate she’d hadn’t yet claimed. Nothing else mattered.

“Gabby, as Alpha, I’m commanding you to retreat,” Hunter said, his voice stern.

Electricity shot through Gabriella as the Alpha spoke. She’d never been commanded by another wolf, submission wasn’t in her nature. The unrelenting order constricted her, but she fought him. Not my Alpha. Not my pack. Lone wolf. She crouched to the ground, whimpering as pain tore through her body.

“Jesus, Hunter…leave her be,” Quintus said, stepping forward to help her, but she went wild, gnashing her teeth together.

“She’s out of control. How the fuck can you have two mates anyway?” Hunter kept his eyes trained on the black wolf.

Gabriella glared at Quintus, refusing to allow him into her mind. He never cared about me, she thought. If he already had a mate, there was no way he belonged to her. No matter what he’d said about bonding, he’d been wrong. She never developed a mating mark. Stupid Gabby. He was never yours. Without giving warning to the others, she made the decision to run.

Charging through the door, she tore through the darkened hallways. The scent of sandalwood incense filtered through the air, and she suspected the witches were spiking the air with a spell. Instinct drove her escape, recalling her way out of the building. She dodged bodies in the darkness. Shadows and magical energy blended together in a kaleidoscope of colors. The blood-scented fragrance coated her nostrils.

Sensing no wolves in the din of the crowd, she suspected they’d already left to run. Distraught, she’d find solace in the moon’s healing light. Her magick renewed, she’d have the strength to fight to keep hidden from the coven.

Feral with grief, she burst through the open doors, her claws gripping the gravel as she tore into the darkness. She’d never run in a city but it hardly mattered. A clear night, the bright streaks of moonlight bathed the streets. Jealousy burned hot in her soul, her wolf mourning the loss of her mate.

She pressed on hard with no regard to the few humans who stood warming their hands around a steel can fire. Like a flash of lightning, she disappeared into the shadows.

Running, running, running. Her spirit soared, the flare of anger still fresh in her mind. The wolf ducked into a park, and she imagined the forest, the leaves rustling, but the blare of a train’s horn reminded her she was in the city. Cool air carried a hint of moisture, drawing her toward the river. When she finally reached its pebbled beach, she loped to a slow pace. Panting for breath, her head tilted toward the stars. Releasing a tortured howl, her wolf lamented until her throat grew raw.

Her magick renewed by the moon, Gabriella shifted to human form and collapsed onto the sand. Hot tears streamed down her face as she curled onto her side. Why did I trust him? He lied. Just like the coven. Just like everyone I’ve ever met. No one cares. I’m alone. With an unexpected fervor, she heaved for breath, crying, her stomach cramped in knots.

“He has a mate. He has a mate. I can’t do this. I can’t do this,” she repeated.

She’d tried to deny it, but her connection to Quintus had been strong. Confusion swept through her as doubt seeded in her mind. How could he not have known she was alive? How could he lie to me?

A cold breeze iced over her skin, but she barely noticed. She coughed, lying naked, trembling and curled into a ball. Simple spells she’d used to conjure clothing eluded her as her thoughts raced. Why is this happening? Tragedy followed her wherever she went, and she couldn’t seem to shake it. Her mother’s horrifying murder. Running from city to city. Imminent death had come and gone so many times she’d lost count. Discovering she had a mate who wasn’t wolf. Losing him before they’d completed the bond.

Gabriella reached inside, determined not to give up, grasping the only strength she’d ever known. Moonlight bathed her bared body, infusing her with renewed courage to face another day. Her wolf rested, calmed by the soothing lunar energy that radiated around her.