Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Drew nods. “Well, she’s the stepmom/aunt. I’m actually surprised she didn’t show up sooner, given the death of Sebastian’s grandfather.”
I shrug. “I don’t care. I don’t like her. And I don’t like how Sebastian treated Elyse, the maid. She was bleeding.”
Drew doesn’t seem surprised. In fact, he’s as calm as a cucumber. “It’s going to be okay. Bad situations bring out the worst in all of us, and with the added stress, I’m sure whatever happened was an accident. I’ve known Sebastian almost my entire life. He’s as hardheaded as you and even crazier, but he’s strong and smart. He’ll be okay, and if he isn’t, then we will be there to help him.”
“I know, but what if he’s not okay… what if it's so much worse than we think it is? What if he doesn’t ask for help?”
“Shhh,” Drew soothes, feathering his lips along my throat. “Remember, you can’t save everyone. Let him figure out his problems the same way he let you figure yours out. When he’s ready, and if he needs it, then we'll be there to help him. He’s never alone, Flower. Not with us, Lee, and Aries at his side.”
The combination of words and his touch melts away the fear and worry inside me. All I can do is be there for him, be the pillar of strength he needs, and when he’s ready he’ll share with me whatever he wants to.
“I love you,” Drew growls, nipping at my ear and dragging me from my thoughts. I look up into his sparkling green eyes, and I know there isn’t a single thing he won’t do for me. He’s gone through so much to keep me at his side, and I’ve never been prouder to call him mine.
“I love you too,” I whisper and let him drag me into his darkness.
THE END
Read on for a bonus epilogue, as well as the regular epilogue and don’t forget to pre order Sebastian’s book The Prey which releases in July 2024.
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EPILOGUE
SIX MONTHS LATER
-Drew
The forest is loud as the crunch of old sticks, leaves, and bark breaks under the procession's feet. The four of us—Lee, Sebastian, Aries, and I—guide the line behind, robed in black, blending into the night, even with the full moon overhead bleeding through the gaps in the canopy.
Bel trips next to me, and I clutch her hand tighter, keeping her upright. Her friend Elyse trails just behind her, and I can feel her weary gaze scanning over each of us as she follows.
There’s a grumbled complaint somewhere behind us. "Shut the fuck up and keep walking," I snap.
The person goes quiet, nothing but the sound of the forest greeting us again.
Ahead is the small clearing ringed with four-wheelers, and I stop, guiding Bel off to the side, gently pressing her against the tree trunk before kissing her softly. "Stay here while I get them ready."
She grins, eyes wide behind her glasses.
There’s a rush of excitement in the air, of darkness, and I clutch it tightly in my hands, letting it ripple across my skin. I can feel her eyes on me as I march back to this year's freshman recruits. They stand in a semicircle with black bags over their head, ropes loosely looped around their wrists to connect them, leading up to Lee, who strips off the rope and drops it to the ground.
Aries, Lee, Sebastian, and I grasp two of the recruits each by the arms, lead them to the four-wheelers nearby, and shove them roughly to the sloped cart on the back of each. It lays at an angle like a surfer's pickup sled after a wipeout. They realize what's happening and resettle, propping their feet up on the edge so they don't hang down.
Once the eight new mill members for the year are all secured, we each hop on a wheeler. I gesture to Bel, who comes running over, climbing on, and taking the spot beside me. Elyse slides gingerly beside Aries, who studies her closely in the soft moonlight. He looks curious and surprised while she keeps her gaze straight ahead. Her body is as stiff as a board. I remind myself that she’s not my problem. It’s not my job to babysit her. Bel wanted to bring her, and I’m fine with that, but she’s responsible for herself. I spare a quick glance at Seb and Lee to ensure they are ready