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“Stop trying anddemandit. This isyourwolf.Yourbody. You tell her what to do, not the other way around.”
My wolf laughs at her words, evading me again as I reach out to pull her forward. A frustrated growl comes from my lips.
Just say it.
Mila’s voice is suddenly in my ear, making me jump. “You know, one time Aramin was caught sleeping with Gideon in his office.”
In the blink of an eye, my wolf rushes to the surface. The force of the shift steals my breath.
“Don’t let her take full control. Stop the shift.” Her voice is farther away now, and I’m wondering how she’s able to move so swiftly without me noticing or picking up her scent.
Shaking my head, I refocus, trying to stop the shift, but the image of Aramin wrapped in Gideon’s arms on the same cot I laid beside him on burns in my mind.
“Don’t let Aramin have more control over your wolf than you.”
I let out a scream, releasing every piece of tension in my body with the sound, then take a few deep breaths. Gideon’s initial training comes back to me, and the memory of his hands on my skin soothes the roiling emotions surging through me. I consciously relax each muscle in my body, shoving my wolf down further with each breath. Afterwards, calmness envelops me, and I open my eyes.
Mila stares back at me, pride beaming in her expression as she smiles at me. “You did it!”
I glance down to see claws where my nails used to be, elongated and sharp, and let the sense of accomplishment wash over me.
“I don’t know what you did there in the end, but it was perfect.” She walks over and lifts one of my hands, looking at my claws with fascination. “Do that every time, and you should be able to break into control effortlessly!”
I laugh nervously, not wanting to admit that the thought of being in Gideon’s arm is the one thing that helps both me and my wolf calm down.
My wolf’s bitter laugh echoes in my mind.Because he is there for us when we need him, whether you admit it or not, princess.
Chapter two
Gideon
I tug at the collar of my shirt, wishing I didn’t have to be trapped in this godsforsaken room. The council holds all their meetings at the same place—the lodge. It’s what the local humans would think is an exclusive, members-only club, secluded in the middle of the woods at the northern Vermont border. The large, dark oak building has walls of windows that reflect the forest when looking at them from the outside, but when looking out from within, the view is breathtaking. Large oaks, evergreen pines, and maple trees with knotted branches reach high into the sky, their branches interweaving to create an intricate canopy overhead. Mountains in the distance can be seen through the barren branches this time of year, and the occasional wildlife walking through the woods brings a calming sense of seclusion.
Adara would love it here… if it weren’t for these pompous assholes surrounding the table and killing the mood. Then again—a smirk breaks across my face—if she’s as feisty with them as she always is with me, it’d be far worth the entertainment.
“Disantollo?” Rathmann snaps, his voice laced with impatience.
I stare out the window for a few moments more, purposely making him wait to gain my attention.
Rathmann slams his fist down on the conference table—a large and round one with chairs crowded around, one for each councilman plus an extra for me. “We demand an answer for your insolent crimes. The disrespect of allowing thiswitch—” he spits out, as I cut him off.
“I’m sorry, you were saying something?” I lazily bring my gaze from his fist sitting in a small hole within the table to his face, the fury written across his expression making the veins in his neck bulge.
Raymond Grant, the highest ranking councilman, clears his throat. “Rathmann was saying that you’ve not only bitten—and changed—a witch, but you’ve also allowed her to live.”
“Hmm. I do remember something along those lines.” I rest my elbow on the arm of my chair, rubbing a finger over my chin.
“Well?” Grant cocks a brow.
“Was there a question in there I’m supposed to answer? Sounds as though you’ve already done your research.” Leaning back in my seat, I bring my gaze back to the forest, far preferring to enjoy the view of the forest than entertain the pissing contest at the table.
Rathmann starts to say something, but Grant raises a hand, quieting him instantly. “So, this is true?” Grant asks, his lips pressed into a firm line. “And you’ve yet to take care of the issue?”
A bark of laughter escapes me. “Take care of theissue? You mean kill her just to sate your insecurities that a woman might become powerful enough to dethrone you all?” My laughter grows. “If there weren’t so many aspects of your politics I sorely hated, I would’ve dethroned you myself years ago, and you all know it. It’s the only reason you haven’ttaken careof me after all these centuries.Because you can’t.”
Standing, I straighten my button up, hating the formalities of these meetings. The smile falls from my face as I meet the eyes of each councilman before me, all eight of them a personal thorn in my side.
“I’ll be going now, but I want you to remember,” my gaze lands on Rathmann, lingering for a second longer than the rest before moving to Grant, “any threat to my pack, especially my mate, is a direct threat to myself, and I don’t take to those kindly. As you’re well aware. Let this second,generouswarning be the final warning you gentlemen need.”
