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)
I gaped at him. “You know what, you should be really fucking careful, because ever since my wolf dumped your ass, she’s very comfortable with me strangling you!”
Paxton cracked up, not slowing his step a beat.
“Hey! Don’t walk away from me. Come back here!”
I chased after the asshole, flinging a string of profanities and insults off his muscled, cashmere-covered back. It wasn’t until my bare feet were tickled by blades of grass that it dawned on me I just got played by an expert.
I swore up, down, and sideways that I wasn’t going on any date with the beast who stole my mother’s letters, but there I was, walking—stomping—side by side with him to a moonlit picnic.
“What?” Paxton winked over his shoulder. “Don’t stop now. We’re halfway there. Might as well come with me to get the medicine at least.”
I considered telling him to shove it, but the stabbing ache in my head cut that thought off at the knees. As much as I hated Paxton, I knew forty percent of the irritability was fueled by the pain. I couldn’t stand to deal with this agonizing distraction when I had more serious things to worry about.
“Fine,” I gritted, following him onto the path leading into the woods. “But I’m just getting the medicine, then I’m leaving. And I’m telling Nyx that if he ever wants to see me naked, he’ll give my medicine to me.”
“Nyx has also already seen you naked,” he drawled.
“You know what I mean!”
Paxton chuckled. He drew up next to me as the trees crowded together, brushing against my shoulder.
I shoved away and walked further ahead.
“Why do I make you so nervous?”
I tripped. “What? Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” Paxton came over to help me up.
I ignored his hand and rose up on my own.
He dropped his arm, but not the pensive eyes staring into mine. “You’ve been this way with me since we met. Like you don’t know what to say or do with me,” he said softly. “Like I unsettle you. Why?”
Fist balling, I swallowed hard. “Just show me where the medicine is.”
Paxton pointed. “Half a mile that way. The steak will hit your nose soon enough.”
I set off, my human feet stomping twigs and smearing dirt as gracelessly as my wolf would never be. Paxton’s voice found me in the dark.
“It’s because I’m an omega, isn’t it. You’ve been trying hard not to give away how disappointed you are to have an omega for a fate. You can’t tout your fair and equal society while looking down on one of your wolf husbands.”
I scoffed. “Are you serious? Is that why you dragged me out here? So that you could call me a hypocritical bigot straight to my face?” I spun on him, true anger shining through. “I don’t care that you’re an omega, Clarke. I’ve never cared about stupid things like that. What I cared about is my mom and holding on to the only things I have left of her, and you lied straight to my face all so that you could take that away from me!”
He blinked, brows blown back by the sudden scream.
“You make me uncomfortable because you’re a fake! There’s nothing real about you!” The words shot like bullets from my lips. “I could smell your plastic skin from day one, Ken doll, but I didn’t trust my instincts because I thought you only wore a mask to survive in this world.” I shook my head, turning away. “I should’ve realized that empty is all you are.”
I stormed on, finally scenting the steak on the air and picking up my pace to get to it, and then get the hell away from him.
Paxton didn’t say anything as I tore away from him. He was so silent, I would’ve thought he left if it wasn’t for his scent following me through the woods.
The unsettling silence continued until I broke through the trees, and then the one to speak was me.
“Wow...” My whisper floated through the air, carried away to the waterfall.
It was beautiful.
Rain hadn’t blessed us much in the last few weeks, so only a gentle stream played among the rocks as it fell into the basin—filling a placid pond with fresh, clear water. Resting beside the water was the picnic Paxton promised me.
Werewolves weren’t dainty eaters, so Paxton didn’t mess around with the menu. I smelled seasoned grilled steaks, baked potatoes with bourbon butter, and roasted bok choy. My wolf was salivating—proving I didn’t understand this Luame-given illness. That morning she had no appetite, and now she was about to chew through my stomach to get at that steak. But as distracting as my wolf was being, nothing could draw my eye away from the water.
“Oh my gods,” I breathed, slowly moving closer. “What are they?”
“They’re me,” Paxton replied, making me jump. I almost forgot he was there. “My magic.”