Page 102 of The Wild Moon
Johnathan.
My wolf strained toward him. To run at him, giving ourselves to him.Anythingthat would end the incredible pain in our head. My tears stained the floor as I stayed still, unable to move while I fought against that call.
“We can’t,” I sobbed to my wolf, my body wracked by guilt, grief, and agony. “If we go, we’ll lose ourselves. Our parents. We’ll be alone.”
But we’ll have him, the voice inside me countered.He’ll take care of us. Love us. He’ll be our partner.
“He wants to kill us!”I snarled through the sobs.
Claws clacked against stone as four-legged shapes appeared at Johnathan’s sides.
“You,” Johnathan rumbled ominously, lifting a finger to point at Aaron. “Who are you?”
“None of your damn business, son,” Aaron said coldly. “Now, turn around before you regret it.”
Another much larger wolf stalked into the room. Midnight black, it blended into the oddly lit room with ease, but there was no mistaking whothatwas. His power rolled off him in waves.
Lars.
Chapter Fifty-Two
The Seguin pack Alpha snarled at me, and my wolf tried to flop over and submit instantly.
“No,” I growled, forcing myself to not only not submit, but to get back on my feet. I swayed unsteadily, but I got there.
Take that, asshole,I thought as Lars’ yellow eyes filled with wild rage at my defiance of his call.
“Go,” Aaron said. “We’ll hold them off.”
I stared at him in a mixture of horror and disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”
“It’s in our contract,” he said, rolling his neck. “Besides, it’s been some time since I taught some upstart wolf pups their place.”
I turned to Vir, who was now on his feet. He hadn’t assumed the form of the Champion yet, but he looked ready for battle, nonetheless. His eyes were blue and focused on me. Though he didn’t speak, the calm, single nod he gave me told me all I needed.
“Where do I go?” I asked, unsure what to do as the two sides stood arrayed against one another, waiting for the other side to move first.
Vir tilted his head slightly, and some fire entered his eyes.
“Follow the call,” he whispered.
The call. He didn’t mean my Soulbond, but rather thatotherpart of me. The one drawn elsewhere. To something still unknown but definitely nearby. With the surge of the Soulbond’s power due to Johnathan’s proximity, I’d all but forgotten about it.
I frowned accusingly at myself. It was trying to obscure that call, tomakeme ignore it, so I’d focus on the Soulbond instead. Insidious. I hated the Soulbond. I wanted it gone. If I could rip it from me, I would. But I couldn’t.
“Go,” Vir urged as Lars snarled again.
I staggered, barely able to resist.
“Okay,” I said, looking at the team and Vir, all of whom were prepared to sacrifice themselves if necessary, so I could get away. “I’m sorry.”
“Go!” Vir barked, his voice strong, commanding, without being arrogant.
A true Alpha.
I turned and ran from the ritual chamber as the wolves from my pack behind me went apeshit at Lars’ call. I winced as a wolf yelped in pain, and then a human voice roared in agony as well.
Coward. That’s what I was, I told myself as I went out of the chamber and down the darkened hallway, fighting my wolf’s urge to go back, her desires mixing with my Soulbond to form a potent drag on my efforts to follow theotherpart of me instead. Each step was a battle, but as I picked up speed, it grew easier.
