Page 43 of Chasing Luna

“Does that mean,” he moves closer, and I inhale deeply, losing myself in his scent, “I can also kiss you whenever I want to?” I feel my eyes go wide in surprise at that.

“Uh, what?” He smirks at my response and opens the bedroom door swiftly. I stumble backward, almost losing my footing in the process. I almost yell in protest, but he’s quicker.

“Stay inside and don’t come out until tomorrow.” And with that, he closes the door and leaves me alone.

What the hell is his problem?I scoff. I lie on my bed and stare at the ceiling. “Man, tonight’s going to be hell. I can feel it,” I say out loud, letting my thoughts run free.If my grandmother’s joining the ambush, then that means the study will be unoccupied. I shoot straight up. “I wonder if I can learn new spells tonight?” I wait a couple more minutes before heading out, making sure that the pack members in charge of the operation tonight have left.

“Okay, it’s my time to shine.” I giggle out of excitement, giddy at the thought of learning new things about my powers. I slip out of my room, and quietly make my way down the winding corridor. I reach the study and sneak inside, taking the time to let my eyes adjust to the dark.

Should be around here somewhere,I think to myself.

I start rummaging the shelves, feeling for the familiar leathery hardcover. But as I circle around the room a fourth time, I realize the book is missing. “Well, it was a stretch anyway.” I sigh and start putting things back where I found them. “She did catch me with the book. Of course, she’s going to hide it better this time,” I keep talking to myself as I finish cleaning up.

I quietly step back into the corridor, only to hear footsteps coming from downstairs.That’s odd. I stay still, hidden in the dark, listening for the origin of the sound.Pack members should either be at the main hall, except for me and Katarina. “Ah, so it must be her.” I shrug and spin on my heels, ready to go back to my room when I hear three people murmuring in the distance.

“It’s time,” a female voice instructs, followed by scratching noises and fumbling.

“The chosen one, where’s her room?” a male’s voice asks. I feel the hair on the back of my head stand up and I realize what’s happening. I set off running in the direction of my sister’s room.

“Katarina!” I whisper-yell. I jiggle the doorknob, hoping that she’s still awake. “Kat —mph!” I get pulled to the side by a strong arm. I frantically whip my head to see who it is, and Katarina’s hair blocks half of her face.

“Shh! Don’t let them hear you.” She drags me further down the corridor.

“Katarina.” She shakes her head.

“I know.” She hands me a couple of knives. “It’s an assassination.”

Chapter Forty-Two

“Why do you say it like you’re excited?” I inspect the knives she gives me.Lithe, but not sharp enough for me.“Also, did you get these from the kitchen?” We trudge slowly until we come to a stop in front of the staircase. I try to snatch my hand away from her clutches.

“Stop squirming!” she half-yells.

“I have my own daggers. Why do I need kitchen knives?” I balance one on the tip of my finger.

“Isabela, we’re about to die. Is this really what you want to focus on?” I shake my head.

“Is it bad that at this point I’m not even surprised that this is happening?” I sigh, twirling the blade between my fingers.

“Have you gone insane?” She crouches down and pulls back a piece of the floorboard.

“I hope not. I am tired, though. Also, what are you doing?” I crouch down beside her.

“I’ve got a few… accessories here.” I look down and see steel ring knives, brass knuckles, and a pistol.

“Okay. I’m taking all of them. But I’m going back for my… special daggers,” I say, taking care not to tell her about the silver properties in my weapons. I carefully pick up a ring and a pair of brass knuckles and fit them onto my hand. “Where’d you even get the pistol? Why do you have these hidden by the staircase?” I ask quickly.

“For events like these. I have other hiding places all over the estate.” I nod and stand back up.

“The rest of the pack are either in the main hall or on patrol. We need to alert them.”

She shakes her head. “We don’t have time, Isabela. We need to split up. Go to the main hall, tell them what’s happening, and turn on all the alarms. I’ll make contact with grandmother… somehow. Let’s meet in grandmother’s study when you’re done.” I agree and take off running.

I reach my bedroom door and pull it open only to be greeted by a large figure in the dark. I attack blindly only to hear the large figure grunt in response. “Isabela! It’s me. Relax.”

“Gregory?” I back off and turn on the light.

“What the hell are you doing in my room?” I ask and sidestep away from him and quickly drag my dresser away from the wall.

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