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)
“Nothing casual about it. You never should’ve let her get away with that blackmail shit in the first place.”
No. No, no, no. I sank low in my seat—lower than my sinking heart. Everything I did. Everything I sacrificed, and it’s over on the first day. How is this happening? This can’t be happening.
“If people found out she got away with murder by threatening to expose the werewolves, every fucking psychopath, murderer, thief, and omega is going to do the same.”
“Hey,” Nia barked. “Nice group of people you’re lumping me in.”
Badr arched a brow at her like he forgot who she was or why she was there. “No offense meant,” he tossed at her as he hauled me out of my seat. “Orion, finish writing your statement while I’ll take care of her. No point tying her up, but if she tries to run, I’ll blind her.”
I stumbled over the carpet, heart lodged in my throat and choking out anything I could’ve said in my defense. What could I do? How would I get out of this? Yes, it was extraordinarily difficult to keep a moon wolf captive, but that didn’t mean it was impossible. Blinding me would do the trick just fine.
“I told you I’d make you pay for what you did to my brother,” Badr hissed in my ear. “Oooh, look at that. You’ve finally lost that stupid fucking grin.”
“Wait,” I gasped. “Don’t—”
“Stop.” Someone grabbed and tugged me free of Badr. “Volana didn’t kill Hall. We were together in the detention hall the entire time—”
“What the fuck are you doing?” Badr bellowed.
“—and I’ll swear that to everyone and anyone who asks,” Orion plowed on. His hands were firm and warm pushing me behind him—protecting me. “If Hall really was killed, she’s the one person in this school who couldn’t have done it, so stop wasting time going after her and find the real killer.”
A heavy, smothering silence filled the room... then shattered like a Ming vase.
“What the hell!”
“What’s wrong with you!”
“We were almost rid of her!”
“You stupid fucking fool!”
My wolf whined inside of me, deeply pained by our fates’ vicious words and rejections. All except one.
I tipped back, staring up at the hard line of Orion’s jaw. He weathered their anger without flinch or apology. A mere hour ago the man was on his knees before me, whimpering for want of me.
But that didn’t make him anyone’s bitch.
“Are you certain this is the statement you wish to give?” Dagem asked tightly.
“I was never uncertain about my statement. Volana didn’t kill him, so go find the person who did.”
“Demerit, Mr. Wheeler.”
“Are you serious? For what!”
“Smoking on school grounds,” Dagem snapped back, slamming the phone down. “All of you, out. Nia, escort her back to her dorm and make sure she stays there.”
I was already out the door before she finished her sentence. I had enough of this clown show and wanted away from it as soon as possible. Nia hurried after me.
We were only halfway down the hall when a slammed door and raised voices smacked our ears.
“What is wrong with you?” Badr gritted. “All you had to do was say you were with us!”
“Back off.” That deep growl could only be Orion. “You assholes never should’ve put me in that position. Framing an innocent person so that a killer can go free? That’s insane!”
“She’s not innocent!”
“She is of this!”
Nia cut me a sideways look. She heard their conversation just as clearly as I did, but I didn’t give her the pleasure of expressing my reaction.
“Use your head, Orion,” Edric said. “Just because we got that killer out of our school, doesn’t mean we were going to let Hall’s murderer go free. Did it penetrate your fucking skull that we could’ve done both!”
“Did it ever penetrate your skull about how it would look if a guy like me goes around giving false alibis and lying to help murderers!”
I winced. No, I’m going to bet it didn’t penetrate their skulls that they were putting Orion in a terrible position. I didn’t know the story of his father or the serial killer among the fire wolves, but I did know the toll it takes when you wake up one day and discover someone you love is a monster.
A sharp, derisive laugh hit my ears, and there was no trace of sympathy in it. “Real nice, Wheeler,” Badr mocked. “Of course this is all about your daddy issues.”
“You would fucking know, bastard.”
Flesh crunched cartilage, making me cringe. A roar, then one of them hit back. Curses and flying fists beat against my sensitive senses as the fight got worse, and my other fates waded in to stop it.
“Guys, let up!”
“Badr, get off of him!”
I just shook my head as we rounded the corner. That many alphas in one place and fights were inevitable. Honestly, I was surprised that after a year stuck together, they weren’t all a mess of crooked noses, missing teeth, and broken limbs.