Chapter 0321

Nicholas

A late night knock rattled my door, rousing me from my sleep. I groaned, threw my arm over

my eyes, and turned over, ready to ignore it.

But then it came again, louder.

Sighing, I lowered my arm and checked my clock. Midnight.

Who could be trying to reach me now?

My heart immediately jumped into my throat. Piper.

Who else would visit me this late? Unannounced?

Perhaps she had changed her mind about pushing the distance between us. Maybe she wanted me to hold her again. Go d, I couldn’t wait to feel her in my arms once more.

In a rush, I threw back my blankets and hopped from my bed. At the door, I wasted no time in drawing it open.

When I saw Piper there, a sense of relief surged through me so fully, I nearly toppled over. My knees went weak. My heart thundered out of control.

“Piper,” I said.

At once, she pounced toward me, jumping straight into my willing arms. She wrapped her own arms around my neck, and h ooked her legs around my waist. Her mouth found mine, latching on for a passionate kiss.

She was being more aggressive than usual, demanding where usually she allowed me the lead. But who was I to deny her? Or to deny myself, when she was all that I ever wanted?

I could be malleable, if this was how she wanted me every now and then. Whatever kept her mouth on mine and her body pressed against me.

Go d, I had missed her so much, I had felt her seeped down into my very bones. Her name was carved along my ribs, I was certain. Her voice, her mouth, her body, everything about her was seared into my heart.

I couldn’t exist without my want of her, my love.

Which was why I felt so confused when my soul, which usually burned brightly in her

presence, felt more unsure than happy.

In the back of my mind, my wolf began to growl – not with its usual possessive intent, but with something darker… something warning…

+15 BONUS

Piper’s hands slipped into the space between us. She was undressing herself.

“Whoa,” I said, breaking the kiss. “Slow down, Piper. It’s okay. I’m here, we’ve got all night.” Piper shook her head. “Want you,” she said, voice rough.

No, this felt like too big a difference from the last time I had seen her. Was that why my wolf was unhappy? We needed to make sure this was what she truly wanted, and she wasn’t just acting because she thought I wanted this.

“No. We need to talk first.” I tried to lower her down, but her legs wouldn’t release from around me. “Piper?”

I looked up at her, desperate to know her expression. What I saw there sent a violent shiver through me.

You stu pid as shole, I thought at myself, hating myself in that moment.

Piper – no, Jane – wrapped a collar around

my neck.

Knowing this wasn’t Piper, I dropped her and stumbled backwards. Jane landed on her feet like I had barely inconvenienced her. A sharp smirk quirked one corner of her mouth.

I tugged at the collar but it wouldn’t budge. “What is this?”

“Be a good little dog, and sit,” Jane said. Shame went through me. How could I ever think this vile woman with her sharp, vindictive voice could ever be my beautiful and kind Piper?

Jane’s command sent a zip of pain shooting through my body. I grit my teeth, not wanting to show weakness.

“Is this how you mean to play?” she asked. “You think you can fight one of the strongest anti -werewolf measures in the underground?”

A magical collar? Designed to debilitate a werewolf?

had chained him back, but we both fought against those binds. The collar was powerful magic, but we would not go

bidding up until a

her scent. I’d use all the mouthwash in the kingdom to get the taste of

now, so I had to settle

the collar, I tensed all my muscles and shot forward. She was quick and darted out

+15 BONUS

wouldn’t hurt me, would you?” she teased. “Not when I look so much

like

lifted her chin. “We wear the same face, you oaf. That had been

you

me.” She tapped her finger against the side of her mouth as her smile grew. “Do you think Piper will

an ever-burning flame. I would never let her

into the meat

Cursing, she rushed to an innocuous part of the wall. There

touched part of the sailboat, and an entire door opened right there in that spot on the wall. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it. There hadn’t been any creases in the wall, no giveaways

had been perfectly hidden, even here, in my private rooms. How long had it been

in black came pouring out.

gave the orders. “Rough him up if you have to, to make him complacent, but don’t kill him. Hawk wants the

rd? I was

men started forward, coming closer. They lacked caution. I taught them with sharp tooth and claw that they should

the members asked. “Isn’t the collar

Jane said, shoving one of the men forward. “Don’t be such a godd

but a

four at once, fifth added a challenge. One landed a solid blow to my jaw that unsteadied me. A sixth shoved me down to

of me, containing my arms and legs. A snapped

+15 BONUS

state of shifting. My jaw was extended, my teeth sharp. But I couldn’t

stepped closer. She seemed positively gleeful as she gazed down

Jane huffed a harsh laugh. “Why else? My sister loves you. And I want to see her

+15 BONUS

Chapter 0322

s’s room.

answer.

asleep,”

it’s locked,” Julian

The door opened at once, pushing inward. Together, Julian and I stumbled

had been shoved over. The carpet was torn to shreds, like wolf claws had sliced

center of the room. He paused,

“Feel what?”

head and looked around.

I knew what to focus on, yes. I could feel it too, like a tingle

I asked, wandering around the room. The claw marks seemed to lead toward

What have they done to

muf fled through stone and wood,

it pull inside of me much like my

didn’t belong

“He’s here. Somewhere. There has to be a

turned back to the wall, where a

nothing there,

a passageway, especially if it had been

it seemed to whisper. This will lead you

“Piper, stop wasting time!”

+15 BONUS

the wall. It felt sturdy, but under that was the now-familiar

I was

closed my eyes, and let the pull of my heart lead the way. It compelled me to lift a hand. My

I pressed down.

There was a click.

just like that, a door swung open, revealing an opening right in front of

side. Disbelief widened

know,” I

let’s go.” He nudged me aside so he could enter the passageway first. I followed him

cages had been burst through, iron bars bent. He snapped wildly at some men in dark clothing

seemed tired, weakened somehow, in a way I had never seen

to him,” Julian barked at me. “Remove that

are you going to

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255