Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
But of course, that was for alphas and alphas only. No one would be handing me any council seats after I killed the alpha council, which is why I was preparing for war.
“Our biggest advantage right now is that the alpha council doesn’t know that we know. They have no clue that we’re preparing for war,” I said. “The vision Luame sent me only showed me what happens if we lose this war. She’s never sent me a vision of us winning. We need every edge we have to win this fight, including the element of surprise, but that said, I asked you to be my partner for a reason.
“You’re an omega. I’m not. You know what they need to hear. You can reach them better than I can, so you tell me, do we take the risk and tell them the whole truth—knowing that even one leak can spell disaster for us?”
Nia slowed to a stop, considering me with a hard expression. “They have a right to know,” Nia said firmly, “but... you’re right too. Having the element of surprise helped you take over the school. It’ll help us take over Wolf Nation. And even though I don’t for a second believe an omega would betray us and give up the secret, I also know that doesn’t mean a damn thing when any alpha anywhere can command them to do it against their will.
“Once you find a way to protect us from alpha and beta powers, then I’ll tell them everything.”
“Agreed,” I replied easily.
“Good.” Her gaze flicked over my shoulder. “We should stop. Someone’s coming.”
Turning around, I saw she was right. There was someone approaching us. Someone I’d never seen before.
Thick mahogany waves fell around thin, bony shoulders. She smiled when I turned to her, which tugged on her face and drew the swirling symbol tattooed across her cheekbone.
I identified her as a metal wolf immediately. Only their clan required face tattoos of every of-age wolf, but as for the wide-set brown eyes, thin lips, hooked nose, and wrinkles around her temple, those didn’t summon a lick of recognition from me.
“Who are you?” I demanded. “How did you get in here?”
“I let myself in, I hope you don’t mind. The gate was wide open, so there was no reason to wait.”
“Excuse me?” I craned to look around her as if I could see the front gates through the massive castle between them and me. “No they’re not.”
“I assure you, they are,” she replied. “A fact which has moved a new priority to the top of my list—security.”
“Your new priority?” My eyes narrowed. “Once again, who are you?”
“Oh, do forgive me, I am being terribly rude.” She extended her hand. “My name is Rianna Ash, you may call me Mrs. Ash. It is a pleasure to meet you, High Priestess, as it is a pleasure to be your new vice headmistress.” Her smile took on a sinister edge. “I’m so looking forward to working with you, and assisting in carrying out the blessed vision handed down by our wolf mother, Luame.”
I didn’t take her hand, so she surged forward and grabbed mine, squeezing hard enough to make her point. “I’m certain with my guidance we will achieve her true purpose.”
Chapter Three
“No.”
“Excuse me?”
“No,” I repeated, yanking my hand free. “You are not my new vice headmistress. Sunella and I had a deal. She was to send five candidates and then I would choose my vice.”
Ash clicked her tongue, cocking her head. “My dear, Sunella did hold up her end of the deal. She sent all the willing and available candidates. They stand before you now.”
I glanced at Nia, flicking my head for her to take off. I didn’t need the council knowing who my allies were. “I don’t understand,” I said to Ash. “You were the only one willing to take the job?”
“Of course I was, dear.” The condescension in her tone set my teeth on edge. “How many grown and educated professionals did you believe were willing to take orders from a girl who hasn’t even gotten her back teeth? Let alone graduated from the very school she’s daring to run.”
I growled. Our wolves had more teeth than our human halves did, and those forty-two fangs came in at different stages. Our wolves wouldn’t get the last few in the back until we were around twenty-six, which led some people to believe anyone under twenty-six was still an under-developed child.
Pretty much what Ash just called me.
My growl was cut off by a sharp hiss. I winced as a sudden spike of pain went through my skull. I knew this pain—all too well. “Apparently there’s one grown and educated professional willing to take orders from a little girl,” I said, pushing through the agony. “Why is that, Mrs. Ash? Is it all for the pleasure of strangling my hand and insulting me to my face?”