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)
The blush rose unbidden to my cheeks. “I had to result to drastic measures, but yes. My alibi was secure and, surprisingly, held up. No one will ever suspect it was me.”
“Except for absolutely everyone who suspects it was you.”
I shrugged, searching for a pen. “Correction: no one will ever prove it was me.” I found one in the top drawer. “Look, all that matters is that except for the alpha council, there’s one down”—I crossed out Hall’s name—“and only six more to go.”
Chapter Four
“Was Hall really murdered?”
“Yeah. There were signs of a struggle on the roof. Plus, the killer left a creep-ass note behind saying they were just getting started.”
“That’s awful. It had to be Volana, right? She’s the only psycho killer running around.”
“Nah. She was in the detention hall getting fucked.”
I glared at Nia through slitted eyes. She had the decency to look sheepish.
“She wasn’t anywhere near the guy when it happened,” the rumor mill continued.
“Does that mean there are two killers in this school?! What the hell is going on!”
Everyone was asking that, and everyone was talking about the night before.
Nia and I sat at our breakfast table in the back, scarfing down eggs Benedict with mint fruit salad and bellinis. The drinking age in Wolf Nation was eighteen, and I was appreciating that big-time right then. I needed a drink more than anyone.
I had to go after the next person on the list with the school on high alert, and everyone looking harder at me because I couldn’t resist leaving that note. I made an impossible task even harder, but I had my reasons.
I wanted those bastards to know their time was up.
Nia turned around to look at her friends for the fiftieth time.
“Just go already,” I snapped, making her jump. “Hang with your friends. You don’t have to stalk me all day.”
She blew out a breath. “Actually, I do. Dagem ordered me not to leave your side from now on. I wouldn’t be surprised if she announces we’re going to be roommates.”
“But you can’t be by my side all the time. We’re not in separate classes. We’re in completely separate buildings.”
“Actually...”
“What? What is it?”
“You’re looking at the second omega in history to be accepted into the alpha track.”
I blew back in my seat, brows high. Wow. Dagem is really determined that the next time the only witness by my side is one Dagem can order to say what she wants.
There was no doubt in my mind that was the reason Dagem was assigning me my own personal stalker, because Nia’s omega power mollified my wolf, but it wouldn’t stop me from hurting someone else if I really wanted to. It’d only stop me from hurting Nia. Therefore, Nia was also a witness I couldn’t kill.
“Gotta give it to her. She’s cleverer than she looks,” I muttered. “So, what did you get out of the deal?”
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t tell me you let her rip you away from your friends and your life to be a lovable psychopath’s shadow, and didn’t ask for a single thing in return?” I caught the look on her face. “Unless...” I grinned. “You did. Nicely done, omega. You’re not taking anyone’s shit.”
“It’s not like that! It’s not like I blackmailed her like a certain person,” she snapped back over my laugh. “All I did was say I wouldn’t do it unless set design was put back on the approved list.” Nia sniffed, turning her nose to the air. “It shouldn’t have been taken off in the first place, so I did nothing wrong.”
“No arguments here, but you and I will need to make a deal too.”
“What deal?”
The friendliness melted off my face, making her scoot her chair back. “Anything private you overhear about me and my fates, stays private.”
Nia stiffened. “It’s not my job to keep your secrets. When we agreed to be friends, I was clear that I wouldn’t do that.”
My eyes narrowed. “Is that a no?”
She locked eyes with me, defiance rising up in her hot and fast. It was gone in a blink. “No, it’s not,” she said, surprising me. “If it’s private like that kind of private, I’ll keep it to myself. It’s no one’s business no matter who you are, and... and if I’d known they were going to slut-shame you like this, I wouldn’t have said anything. If we’re going to be stuck together, we’ve got to have boundaries like you said, so...” Nia tipped her head. “Won’t happen again.”
“Thank you,” I replied, and meant it. “Same goes for you. That kind of private stays private. I know how to mind my own business.”
She just nodded. “But that’s all. If you break the rules, or so much as break someone’s nail, I won’t protect you. Actually, I’ll be riding everyone’s shoulders while they laugh and cheer your cuffed ass out of here.”