Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 114617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
“You bitch!”
Sighing, I flicked to my audience. “I’m sure one of you is keeping score, so put that down as psycho one, and Her Hineyness zero.”
Nia snorted at Her Hineyness. Her jaw was quivering trying to keep her laughter in.
“Let’s go.” I set off, parting the crowd effortlessly.
Nia hurried to keep up, leaving the shouting, irate random in the dirt where she belonged.
“That was amazing,” she burst out when the doors shut. “The most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. Today will go down as the best day of my life.”
I cut her a sideways look while we headed down the wide, opulent hall—making for the noises coming from around the corner. “I’m guessing you don’t like her.”
“You guess right. Her name is Ava. All of you alphas, betas, and epsilons treat us omegas like shit.” Nia had no problem lumping me in with them. “But Ava is worst of all. She acts like she’s already been named high priestess, so us omegas shouldn’t have a problem beginning the bootlicking now,” she spat. “She treats us all like her personal servant—making us run, fetch, and sit at her command.”
I frowned. “But she’s an epsilon, isn’t she? She doesn’t have an alpha’s command power.”
Nia gave me a hard look. “Since when did a bully ever need one?”
Inclining my head, I accepted that for the truth it was. I more than anyone should know an epsilon didn’t need power to fuck shit up. “But what was all that bullshit she was spouting about becoming high priestess? Last I checked, I was the one who woke up from the nine-month womb party missing my belly button.”
My new forced friend cringed. “Well... uh... It’s not official yet, but ever since you...” She flapped a hand at me. “You know. Ever since you left, we haven’t had a high priestess. There’s been talk about appointing people for the role from now on. There will still be a high priestess who is chosen by Luame,” she added quickly. “But now they’ll share the position with the pack-appointed high priestess. And the one the pack chooses will have the real power. The Luame-chosen will only have ceremonial power.”
“As in none at all,” I clarified. “Well, I can give you good news, Nia. Ava will never have that much power over you, because there will never be a pack-appointed high priestess. Not while I have claws.”
“Oh, uh, great.” Nia edged away from me.
“Don’t try to run, friend,” I barked, making her jump. “You’re my accomplice now.”
The look on her face made me burst out laughing. “Relax.” I shook her shoulder, tugging her in for a hug. She squeaked in my hold. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. We won’t get caught.”
“Please stop making those jokes.” Rounding the corner, she clutched her stomach like she was ill. “They’re not as funny as you think.”
She was saved from my reply. I dropped all interest in banter at the first look of the mess hall.
Every hall, room, nook, and cranny I’d seen was gorgeous, expensive, and decorated—and the mess hall was no different.
Chandeliers covered the mahogany floors in dancing rainbows. Instead of the long, sticky, cheap tables I was used to, the mess hall boasted small, round tables with proper upholstered, high-backed chairs. Three carved stone walls surrounded me, but the opposite wall was nothing but windows—letting in the natural light and beauty of the forest.
I looked around for a buffet table and didn’t see anything.
“Where’s the food?”
“The staff brings it out to you.” Nia went over to a table. She picked up a small placard I hadn’t noticed before. “These are the breakfast options. Choose the one you want, and they cook it hot on the spot.”
I whistled. “No wonder Daddy always said Corvin Academy was the best years of his life. They pampered the old wolf good and proper.”
“Where is your dad?” Nia asked. “Did you know he disappeared right after you did? Leaving the Volana Clan without its alpha or its high priestess. Everyone thought he knew what you were going to do, and you went on the run together. Was that true?”
“You’re not very subtle, Ni-Ni.” I sidestepped her, helping myself to a perusal of the menu. “I figured Dagem told you to get my guard down and then prod me for info, but just because you put my wolf to sleep, it doesn’t mean you loosen her lips. You should learn the difference.” I trapped her gaze, and she lurched back.
I always won the battle for dominance.
“Back off.”
“Okay,” she rushed, not even denying it. “I’m sorry, I—I won’t ask any more questions.”
My smile returned quick. “This is good. Friendships last much longer and stronger when there are healthy boundaries in place. Don’t you agree?” I took a seat at the table.
Nia followed at a slower pace. “If you mean that, and really want to be friends, you’ll respect my boundaries too.”