Page 44 of Queen of Vengeance

“No, sorry, I’ve had a lot on my mind. I have really great news!” He pulled Zane aside so that no one could overhear their conversation. “I figured out a way to get us both out of here… Well, all three of us, including Chika.”

“What about Lea?” Zane looked wounded that Jax didn’t include her.

That was when Jax remembered one very important detail. His best friend was deeply in love with Lea.

Jax frowned.

A pain stabbed through his chest like a dagger.

Jax’s lip went tight as he tried to hide the guilt in his eyes. “Yes, of course, and Lea too. How could I forget her?”

17

LEA

Iwaited until the sun went down before opening my bedroom window and sneaking into the woods. I followed the Lunairlit path deep into the forest, where I was sure no one would find me.

My body was riddled with excitement. I was practically vibrating.

As much as I tried, I couldn’t stop panicking.

My lips still tingled with the feeling of Jax against them.

I still can’t believe he kissed me! This morning still feels like a dream.

I looked up at the bright Lunair sitting like a ball of white light in the sky. It shamed every celestial star in sight.

My body began feeling restless, preparing to shift.

I wanted to wait for Jax, but I ran out of time.

Suddenly, something ran past me so fast that I couldn’t see what it was.

The scent, however, was undeniable.

It was Jax. He had already transformed. He stopped a few hundred feet away from me and turned back so that his silvery green eyes glowed like flashlights in the night. He was egging me on.

I smirked and shook my head. “That’s cheating.”

Then I lunged forward, shifting into my wolf form.

My clothes shredded around me and fell on top of the leaf-ridden ground.

My muscles stretched, and my teeth elongated.

My nails turned into claws and dug into the damp soil.

The sticky summer air disappeared as a gentle breeze rushed through, rustling the leaves before brushing through my thick fur.

After the fear and pain I had felt this last month, I deserved a moment to let loose. I needed a small reminder that life was still worth living. I understood Jax better than I’d like to admit. I also wanted to be someone someday, and it was starting to look like that may happen. All I had to do was follow him.

I breathed deeply through my snout, filling my lungs with this sweet scent of the flora around me before darting into the darkness toward those silvery green eyes. I raced as far as my paws would carry me.

The power behind every step caused a rumble that rippled through the ground.

I was unstoppable. Unbreakable.

You just wait and see, Mama—Papa. I’m going to take care of Mema and save our family home. I won’t let this world get me down. I’ll be someone that you can be proud of!

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