Page 15 of The Wolf's Bullied Pregnant Mate
“Don’t—”
“Oh, I will.” I dragged a fingertip right across her throat. “And I’ll take so much pleasure in it, Adalyn.”
“Is a Lindell witch so powerful you need to end her life just to find peace?” She snapped.
That cracked something in me. I wrapped my hand around her throat again, letting her feel enough pressure for that panic to come back into her eyes. “No,” I answered flatly. “Call it revenge.”
“For what—”
I squeezed tighter as Adalyn’s chokes filled the air. “Zeph—”
A snarl sounded through the forest, and I didn’t have a chance to brace for an attack before a blur of black filled my vision. A massive force barreled into me, knocking me off Adalyn. Snapping jaws were in my face, and I lifted my fists to block the blows, but they weren’t attacking—they were a warning.
Brown eyes glared down at me; a wolf darker than me stood over me.
Alex.
He let out a rippling snarl, but I wouldn’t give up my kill so easily. Not until he fought me—not until the warning became an attack. I lunged for Adalyn again, who had skittered back a few paces. I pursued her, only to be thrown back by Alex again.
“Back off,” I shouted, whirling on him. I braced for a shift, but another warning growl reverberated from his throat. “You’re not part of this, Alex.”
He would understand. He had to understand. He would know why I needed Adalyn dead. He knew the hunt for revenge in his own life—why would he deny me my right to take vengeance in my life?
I lunged for Adalyn again, trying to outsmart Alex, using my human form, but it was useless. He had me floored, face-first. I heard the frantic gasps and footsteps rushing past, and I knew Adalyn had escaped.
Enraged, I yelled as I surged upwards, but Adalyn had already run.
As I whirled around, Alex shifted and knocked me aside.
“What the fuck are you doing, Zeph?” he spat.
“I told you, this has nothing to do with you.”
“It does when she’s my mate’s best friend.” He shook his head. The cold night air was seeping into my bones, making me regret my shift back into my human form. “I’m not going to be the one breaking that death to Harper if you kill Adalyn, or breaking the news to my children that their aunt won’t be coming back.Youwill, and then I will be forced to choose.” His eyes burned with anger. “And I will always choose my mate.”
“Alex—”
“I’m serious, Zeph. Whatever issues you have with the witch need to be sorted, and not be death.” He pointed at me. “You’re honor-bound to spare her life, do you understand?”
I remained silent, glaring at him. He grabbed my face, making sure I met his gaze. Alex’s lip curled. “Isaid, do you understand, Zephyr?”
“Yes,” I spat.
“Good,” he said, releasing me. “We’re going to shift, and then you’re going back to the villa. I don’t care if I have to have Frazer watch you.” He pointed at me in warning. “Do not step out of line with this. You’re my second for a reason. Don’t make me regret it. I never have, so don’t make me start now.”
“Got it,” I muttered. I exhaled. Now that the need to kill had died down, I realized how foolish I had been. Yes, Adalyn was my sworn enemy, a witch, a woman who got on my every last nerve, but to kill her would have been bringing a war to Azure Cove.
I realized that now.
I could have told him—Alex knew about my brother’s murder. I could have told him that she was part of the covenresponsible for his death. It wouldn’t have granted me a free pass to kill, but it would have excused my actions tonight.
I shifted and ran from Alex before he could call rank against me again.
Chapter 7 - Adalyn
Between avoiding Zephyr, working at the Emporium, and working on the shields, I almost completely forgot about the engagement party for Harper and Alex.
Harper had been talking about it all week, and I had run errands for her, but it wasn’t until my phone pinged on Saturday—the only day I had off from the Emporium—that I realized it wasthat day.
