Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
‘She claims to look down on you but, really, she’s jealous. You have what she wants – the freedom to practice whatever forms of craft you choose. So yes, she’d definitely be interested in being part of the faction. But I can’t see them reaching out to her and inviting her to join. She’s too mouthy and dramatic.’ Paisley tilted her head. ‘Did I tell you that she’s been advising my mother to officially disown me?’
Emberlyn felt her brows snap together. ‘The fuck?’
‘Our cousin gave us a heads-up about it,’ said Kage, his jaw tight.
That fucking heifer. ‘Why would Sera care either way?’
‘Because if I’m upset you’ll be mad, maybe?’ suggested Paisley. ‘She can’t go at you, but she can irritate you via other people.’
Emberlyn pressed her lips tight together. ‘Someone needs to shoot her in the ass.’
‘There’ll be people who’ve thought about it. It’s not just you she annoys.’ A sudden shiver racked Paisley’s body, and she let out a shaky breath.
Concerned, Emberlyn studied her closely. ‘You all right?’
‘I keep getting shivers. Crew said it’s normal for a newbie werewolf on the day of their first full moon.’
Ah. ‘If at any point today you feel like you need to get out of here because the upcoming full moon is playing havoc with your system, just go.’
Paisley saluted her. ‘Will do. Thanks.’
‘You have any regrets about taking the Change?’
‘Not one. I mean, it’s still weird having no connection to my magick. But I don’t feel like it’s left a hole behind. Being a werewolf is its own form of magick, really. I find it way more fulfilling than I did living as a witch. And it feels really good to not be seen as the weak link, you know?’
‘I can imagine.’ Emberlyn had worried her friend might later lament her decision, and it was a relief that she didn’t. ‘I’m glad you’re happy.’
‘Aw, you’re the bestest.’ Paisley held out her arms. ‘Can I have a hug?’
‘No.’
Paisley pouted, her eyes dancing. ‘I know you’re not a hugger, but I’m a werewolf. We need touch.’
Emberlyn poked her in the forehead. ‘There you go.’
‘I said touch, not pain.’ Paisley rubbed at her forehead. ‘I really never got why werewolves were so tactile. But it’s a kind of language. A way we communicate. It feels more natural than using words. We do it to comfort, to check in, to reassure, to express affection, to . . . anything.’ She sniffed at Emberlyn. ‘I’ll bet you let Ripper cuddle you, yet here you are denying me one. It ain’t fair.’
‘I’ll hug you, sis.’ Kage wrapped his arms around her. ‘Love you.’
Paisley smiled, hugging him back. ‘I love you, too.’
Emberlyn felt her mouth curve. ‘Aw, that’s sweet.’
‘Not really,’ said Kage. ‘I’m only holding her here so she has to smell my fart.’
Paisley’s brow furrowed. ‘What? You can’t be – oh my God, what the fuck have you been eating? That reeks!’ She gagged. ‘I’m going to be sick. Really, I’m gonna hurl. Make him let me go! Now, now, now!’
Ripper was shoving clothes into his duffel when his phone rang. He crossed to the nightstand, his muscles tight, his body feeling charged and restless due to the upcoming full moon. He lifted the phone receiver and put it to his ear. ‘Yeah?’
‘It’s Kerr, you want a ride to the clearing?’
Ordinarily, Ripper would have accepted the offer. He needed to shift; to run off the energy invading his system. The pull of the moon tugged at his skin, sang in his blood and hummed in his bones.
But another pull was so much stronger.
‘I’m not going to the clearing tonight,’ replied Ripper. ‘There’s somewhere else I want to be.’ Someone he wanted to be with.
‘Figured as much,’ said Kerr, a smile in his voice. ‘Say hi to your witch for me.’ The line went dead.
Ripper lowered the receiver back to its cradle. Your witch. He’d grown to like the sound of that far too much.
Once upon a time, the draw he felt toward her had been powered by sexual chemistry. It was no longer a simple case of that. Emberlyn was his own personal magnet.
Ripper returned to the bed and zipped up his duffel. He’d packed himself some gear because he planned to run to the manor in his wolf form. He’d need clothes for when they ate dinner – which would come after he fucked her.
He stripped off his clothes, snatched his duffel and stepped out onto his porch. There, he let the shift take him. Parts of his body shrank, others elongated, bones moved and popped.
Done, he shook his body, settling into his fur. With his teeth, he grabbed his duffel and then took off.
He galloped through the woods, winding his way through weathered trees sporting territorial marks. He kicked up dead leaves, dodged animal droppings, leaped over fallen trees and stomped over clumps of spongy moss.