Page 81 of Bound By Roses

“That man—the Guardian you’re all tying so hard to keep secret. Have you tried to change him yet?”

I wouldn’t say we’re trying to keep him a secret. Enough people saw what happened on the beach that word would spread, but the reason we ushered him away is that most of these people have reason to want him dead. So yes, he’s tucked away somewhere relatively safe, but he’s not a secret.

Either way, I don’t like where this is going.

I shake my head.

Teagan nods a fraction, and then Petra speaks for her again. “If it works, I’d like you to change me.”

What the fuck?

I don’t even want to bitehim, and now she wants me to biteher? No. Absolutely the fuck not.

I almost killed her. I ripped out her throat with a single swipe of my claws. I took away her ability to speak; to sing. I stole her siren song. I caused the fever that nearly stole her life. Triggered the change that grips her now and keeps her bound to the sea. Prevented her from dancing at her own wedding because she can’t leave the water for more than a few minutes at a time.

I shake my head again, more vehemently this time, and feel the panic rising in my chest. The panic I’ve been trying so fucking hard to keep locked away until this was done. Until I’dnever have to take this form again. Until the monster was truly dead.

“There’s no telling how many years I will be tied to the sea. Some of your people are sirens and none of them have needed to change—and none have changed since being here—despite stepping into the waters. I believe that what you call a curse will be my salvation.”

No, no, no. This is all wrong.

My head is spinning and I can’t even blame the alcohol because I haven’t had a drop tonight. I haven’t had a drop since that damned witch told me I had to spend my nights as a wolf. I won’t risk losing control. I can’t become the monster again.

I open my mouth to say no—to say anything—but all that comes out is a mournful howl that drowns out the music and the joyous laughter.

And then I’m running.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

ABBY

Asound pierces through the evening air, but it’s not the scream of a wraith. It’s a howl.

Quinn’showl.

The last time I’d heard that, it was the sound of his heart breaking as I left Rosewood in Jade’s arms. Only a short time later, I would drive my dagger into that very heart.

I turn on my heel just in time to see a flash of silver dart past the edge of the crowd and disappear into the night. I push my way through the now frozen couples and off the dance floor, which is easier said than done with this ridiculous dress. Petra races in my direction, but it takes only a moment to realize that it’s not me she’s running for.

“What happened?” I demand, because now I’m certain she has something to do with this.

“I knew this was a bad idea,” she mutters, more to herself than me. “I told her not to do it.”

“Told who not to do what?”

Her eyes meet mine, and there’s genuine remorse there. “Teagan asked Quinn to change her. She thinks the wolf will override the siren.”

“What?” We’ll have to talk about that later, but right now, I need to find Quinn. I know why he’s running. I saw it in his eyes the moment Jade suggested he bite Ty. I saw the anger, thepanic. I see a flash of it every night he’s forced to take this form, and now someone else wants him to embrace the beast he just wants to leave behind.

I can’t hear what Petra’s saying because I’m too focused on the bond.‘Quinn?’

His answer comes fast.‘Not a monster. Not a monster. Not a monster.’The words aren’t for me, but rather, he’s letting me see him spiral. Letting me feel it because, even in this state, he knows I’m the only one who can pull him out of it.

‘Listen to me. You need to stop running. Let me help you.’

‘Not a monster. Not a monster.’

Fuck, can he not even talk to me? ‘You’re not a monster. You never were.’

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