Page 17 of The Reign of Blood

That’s way too serious. I could hear it in his voice. If he said it in the carefree fun way he usually says everything else, I would have likely brushed it off and jumped on his dick, but that was far from the Brody I’m used to. My usual interactions with Brody are funny, but that was bordering on commitment, and I’m not here for that.

Shit, he had me talking about myself, which is far enough outside of my comfort zone as it is.

My muscles relax a little as I follow the path and turn so I’m no longer visible from the forest, his gaze disappearing along with it. My ovaries are disappointed, but my head isn’t.

Stupid fucking men with magic fucking dicks.

I keep my head high and my gaze locked ahead as I stomp down the path back toward the fae building. I pass a few people, but I pay them no mind as I have my sights set on mydestination. I’ve got my hands full with last night’s drama, the annoyingly hot guys that continue to appear in my way, and life itself. Not to mention the looming crown I refuse to allow anyone else to win.

I don’t need to add any issues with anyone else along the way. Not when I’ve still got Vallie and the majority of the female wolves to contend with too.

Stepping through the front door, I spy Arlo still passed out on the sofa, but nobody else seems to be around. Heading straight upstairs, I exhale with relief when I reach my floor, but my steps falter as I near my door.

A rose.

Just as crimson as the other.

Balanced on my door handle.

What the fuck is going on?

Glancing around, I see nothing, hear nothing, and sense just as much.

“Who the fuck is this?” I call out, getting nothing in response as I grab the thorn-free stem and peer down at it. “Stop being a weirdo and show your damn face,” I push, my irritation growing, but I still get no reply.

Assholes.

It’s annoying that the flower is so pretty, though. It calls to the earth magic inside of me, and the desire to nurture it takes over.

Stepping inside my room, I kick the door shut and place the flower beside the one I found this morning. It’s a pity there’s nothing to put them in.

I could probably steal a glass from the dining hall, or if I can get my hands on some sand, I could make something myself with my fire magic.

That’s a thought for later, though. A distraction of a good kind when I may need it.

As much as I want to nurture the flowers, I need to take a minute and nurture myself, even if it’s simply in a mental capacity. Life is sucking big giant monkey balls right now, and I really need to get my head on straight. It’s one hurdle after another, and my body is feeling the ache.

I almost consider rushing back to Brody to let him fuck it out of me, but the reminder of his words has me standing firmly in place. I need a release, not another layer of madness to add to the pile.

The familiar sound of my cell phone vibrating on my nightstand makes me jolt and I whirl around to face it like it’s sent from the devil himself. Apparently, I’m a little jittery this morning, which only serves to irritate me even more.

With a sigh, I cut the distance and retrieve the device, watching as my sister’s name flashes across the screen.

I should have known. It wouldn’t be anyone else, but how can I talk to her like this? After last night? Today? There’s so much going on, and I’m not ready to tell her any of it.

But if I don’t answer at all…

Shit.

Taking a deep breath, I muster the best smile I can, knowing full well she will be able to tell the difference if I don’t.

“Hey.” The word breezes past my lips effortlessly, and a rush of relief runs through me.

“Hey, how’s your weekend going?”

“Boring,” I lie, flopping down on the bed, and she scoffs.

“That’s because you have no academy stuff to do. You need something to do outside of that, Addi. You need to live a little.”

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