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)
That desk was for the receptionist that I didn’t have. He beat it out of here when he found out Dagem didn’t leave, she was actually murdered and stuffed in a closet. For some reason, the poor man thought he would be next.
Ash tucked her phone away, nose wrinkling slightly. Together we were a silent duo walking through the halls and out to the gate. I waved her goodbye with a wide, beaming smile on my face that she didn’t return.
Ava melted out of the shadows the second she was gone.
“Did it work?”
I turned that beaming smile on her. “It worked. She didn’t suspect a thing. Or I should say, she didn’t smell a thing.”
There was no reason Ash would. Because when I asked her to put her phone in the desk tray and leave it out there during our meeting, she didn’t see that under the desk was some complicated cell-phone-hacker-device thing that remotely downloaded the program that would let us intercept every text and email she sent on her phone. The one that hacked into her laptop was under my desk.
It was incredibly unwise to put your fingers all over a werewolf’s things, because they’d scent you coming from a mile away. But this way, none of us laid a pinky on her cell or computer, which she confirmed with a subtle sniff when she picked up her phone.
“Are you sure this will work?” Ava asked. “All she has to do is call Sunella and all of this ends up pointless.”
“There’s always that risk, but I believe we’re safe. Wind wolves are careful with the spoken word. More so than the rest of us. They’re not as careful with their texts and emails because they don’t have to be. Only alphas are allowed to be taught the skills that lead to computer hacking, and alphas trust other alphas. They also trust their nose to tell them if someone’s been snooping on their things.” I nodded to myself. “We’re good.”
“What were her demands?”
I rolled my eyes. “Exactly what we thought.”
“She wanted complete authority over the staff?”
“Yep.”
“So that she could recruit them for the coup that’ll kick you out and put her in charge?”
“That was the subtext.”
We shared a look, cracking up.
“She also demanded complete authority over my fates,” I added.
Ava’s brows crumpled. “What? Why? What would that get her or the council? Even with authority over them, she still can’t force you guys to bond before you’re ready. Because there’s a word for that—it’s called rape.”
My head slowly bobbed. “It’s strange to say, but I don’t think that’s their angle. I promised the council already that I would complete the bonds. They didn’t need to send Ash here for that. They must have something else in mind.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know,” I whispered, “but it can’t be good. I speak from experience”—I thought of Castor and how easily Dagem arranged his murder—“the power in this school can do a lot of damage. Deadly damage.”
Chapter Four
Edric and I stood off-stage in the alpha auditorium, watching as the new Vice Headmistress Ash introduced herself to the teachers, staff, and students, and received a roaring, standing ovation from every alpha and beta in the room.
“Order and sanity will return to the halls of Corvin Academy,” Ash called over the cheers, beaming wide for possibly the first time in her life. “This, I promise you.”
I peered around the stage curtain, observing the scene with interest.
I never had reason to be in the alpha auditorium before, but it was a marvel much like every room in the building with the name alpha stamped on it. All the seats were covered in plush, red velvet cushions, there were private balcony seats above, and painted on the walls were scenes from famous werewolf plays throughout time. The Big Bad Werewolf—we get those fucking pigs in our version. Death of A Werewolf, A Streetcar Named Wolfsbane, and A Midsummer Night’s Howl.
“Everyone will be placed in the classes they belong. Fairness and equity will be the order of the day.”
More raucous cheering and carrying on.
“Are you sure about this?” Edric asked in my mind. “Anyone with the stench of Sunella on them can’t be trusted.”
“Believe me,” I thought back, eyeing that self-satisfied smirk. “I don’t trust her worth a damn.” I glanced back at him. “Speaking of Sunella being a treacherous bitch, is your sister safe? Is she home?”
He nodded. “She told Sunella she was quitting yesterday, and when she handed over the damages fee in cash like it was nothing, Sis said her eyes about popped out of her skull and rolled down the hall. I only wish I was there to see it.”
“Good. I’m glad she’s free of her now.” I flicked back to Ash, who had launched into the details of the new classes, meals, and dorm assignments. “Did you tell her about Lucia? About the resources, support, and loans that she offers to survivors? She even has a stash of emergency funds for women that need to relocate in a hurry. Sunella might not be done with your sister after all. Tell her Lucia is waiting for her call, and will give her anything she needs.”