Page 2 of Roaring Flames

From Mr. Montgomery.

From the secrets that seem to be pressing down on me, burying me alive.

I draw in a shaky breath as I finally stumble to a stop, placing one hand against a tree to steady myself.

Now…where the hell am I?

Sunlight slants through the tree branches and illuminates the path I’ve been running on. Probably designed for cross-countryor track. I take a smidgen of comfort in the fact that I’m not lost in the woods after everything that has been going on—namely, the two murders.

Was it stupid of me to head out on my own? Quite possibly.

But I couldn’t stay in that stuffy school a second longer.

Using the tree for support, I lower myself to the ground and spread my legs out in front of me. I will my rampant heartbeat to return to a normal pace, but no matter how many deep breaths I take, the organ continues to pound relentlessly.

I’ve always suspected that there is more to this world than what meets the eye, but this?

Absently, I run my fingers over the strange markings and swear I feel a surge of heat in my stomach.

Wolves.

Mates.

Fate.

“You belong to the wolves now.”

That’s what Mr. Montgomery said.

The wolves…

As in him and Ashton?

What about Ethan, Emery, and Reid?

Grayson?

Is that why I haven’t been able to get in contact with my best friend? Is he somehow tied up in this mess?

I place an arm across my forehead as I struggle to get my thoughts in some semblance of an order. They continue to swirl like a roulette table, never stopping, never slowing down.

I have so many questions and no idea where to start.

Wolves.

Mates.

Fate.

Christian will know,I reason, resolve settling in my gut. Instinctively, I ball my hands into fists, my nails digging into my fleshy palms.Christian will have the answers.

And yet…

Thinking about Christian inevitably reminds me of the strange, inappropriate thoughts I had about him just before I ran from his office.

What his lips would feel like against mine.

How his stubble would feel grazing my chin.

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