Page 80 of Wolf Heart

CHAPTER22

JUNIPER

Aspen and Dex don't follow me into the woods, but from the goosebumps dancing up and down my arms, I know they probably can hear me and must be keeping close tabs on me.

I sink to the forest floor. My stomach cramps and I cross my arms over myself, feeling like I'm going to be sick. I had lied to myself that I mattered more than a pound of flesh. More than just an Omega with the potential to satisfy an Alpha's lust.

But Aspen and Dex had used me like everyone else in my life.

Maybe Casey was right and I should be nothing more than a bitch to sate themselves on.

Tears prick my eyes and I scrub a hand over my face. Why does it bother me what these three jerks think of me? I barely know them.

And Raven. A laugh burst from my lips. He left as soon as he could, not even wanting to be around me. No. That wasn't true. He must have gone ahead to let the witches know they had me.

God, I've been so stupid. So gullible.

My father would be so disappointed in me. He'd warned me not to trust anyone. Even told me when I was eleven to be wary of wolves who would use me to gain power.

"They'll lie, Juniper," he said in that baritone voice as he hugged me. "When they find out the truth, they'll do anything they can to cage you. You mustn't let that happen."

"How?" I asked, yawning as he pulled the covers over me and kissed my forehead.

"You're stronger than all of them."

"But I haven't shifted yet." I frowned. "Margie and Sandy did last full moon and they just turned ten."

"You're different." He tweaked my nose. "Special."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "You're just saying that 'cause you're my father."

"No." His face turned serious. "You will turn and it will be glorious. Rare. Like the fated blood moon that only happens when you are twenty-four."

"That's forever from now." I groaned. "I'll be old by then."

He chuckled and kissed my forehead. "Get some sleep, Juniper."

My stomach dips and I gasp, blinking back tears. That was the last night I'd seen my dad alive. Fated blood moon.

I gazed up at the late afternoon sky. Well, I was already twenty-four and nothing had happened except my life went from bad to nightmare in three seconds flat.

"Dammit," I mutter, wiping the moisture from my cheeks.

I had no power whatsoever or shifted. I was just a pawn, a means to an end.

I'd fucked up both and betrayed his memory. His legacy.

It had been so tempting to think I could be stronger than what I was.

I'm still too weak to deal with all this shit. I punch the ground with my fist, growling in frustration. Even if I got out of this, I would never escape the broken trust I'd placed in my wolf to protect me. Of coming out when she met our fated mate.

And that was a mistake I'd never make again.

The lump in my throat aches and I stand, pushing my way deeper into the woods. I hadn't wandered more than twenty yards when a feeling of unease sank in my gut like a stone.

I trekked for hours when I hear a branch snap behind me. I knew this was a bad decision, but I didn't want to think about who might be out here.

"Juniper," a familiar voice taunts. I know that voice. I'd been praying I'd never hear it again.

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