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 didn’t have a chance to react before tiny metal chains latched around my phone, ripped it out of my hand, and sent it flying at the wall too.
“I really wish everyone would stop breaking my stuff,” I said lightly. “It’s just bad manners.”
“All of you, back to your dorms.” Ash was shaking, she was so angry. “And, High Priestess,” she hissed, casting me a searing look as she ushered Corinne, Melisent, Davis, and Tracy out, but not before I gave Tracy a slip of paper with Mara’s number. “You and I will have words—trust me on that.”
I waved her off, shaking my head as she slammed the door.
Only Paxton and I were left in the office. We gave each other wry grins.
“She’s a hard one to figure out,” Paxton said, running his hands through his thick, vanilla-scented locks. “She destroys your computer and phone, but only after Tracy finished her story and got help from Mara. Like Ash wanted to stop this at all costs, but not at the cost of harming a survivor.” He tipped his head. “Why does that make me hate and love her at the same time?”
“See!?” I threw up my hands. “That’s exactly what I said to Nia. I’m both thankful for her help, and want to kick her over the gates at the same time. It’s very confusing for me.”
“Hmm.” He shook his head, then crossed to the bits of metal and glass that used to be my phone. “The good news is the secret store has plenty of phones and desktops. These will be easy to replace.”
“What is this secret store you keep going on about?”
Paxton winked. “Not telling.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. What did you think about tonight?”
“What did you think?”
“Honestly?” I hopped up on my desk. “I loved it. The students had really good ideas, and I could tell the leaders were listening. Even Magnus couldn’t come up with a logical explanation why corrupt police forces or separate clans are such a good thing, so he blustered and insulted his way through it—making himself look dumb as shit.”
Paxton barked a laugh.
“And...” I sobered. “I saw what you saw, Paxton. A couple weeks ago, Tracy was on the edge of doing something very desperate and dangerous that would’ve ruined her life, all because of what Melisent said. Omegas feel so without hope or help, they take justice into their own hands.
“But instead of that, she confronted her monster, ripped him to fucking shreds, and made Mara hear her. We did that.” I smiled at him. “You and me. And that feels pretty good, even if Ash shuts down the forums for good.”
He sighed. “I want to say she can’t, but damn sure Callum isn’t coming back, and the sun clan needs an overhaul most of all. It’s the worst, most oppressive clan for omegas, and it’s no mystery why with him as the leader.”
“Oh, well, don’t worry about that,” I said, kicking my feet against the desk. “He’ll be dead soon.”
Paxton looked at me, brows high. “So fucking hot.”
I was once again thankful he couldn’t see my blush.
“Alright, gorgeous, come with me,” he said, making for the door. “There’s something else I can help you with, but we’ve got to hurry.”
“Help me?” I hopped off and jogged to catch up with him. “Oooh, are you taking me to the secret store?”
“No.” Paxton bumped my shoulder, and that weird thump rocked my brain again. “I’m not taking the headmistress to our stash of contraband.”
“Who is our!”
Pressing his fingertips together, Paxton mimed locking his lips and throwing away the key.
I left the water boy to his secrets, and trailed him through the hall. I didn’t know where we were going, until the bumping bass hit my ears.
“You’re taking me to detention?” I asked as he stopped in front of the door. “Have I been naughty?”
“Absolutely.” Paxton leaned on the doorjamb, his teasing smirk quickening my pulse.
What the hell is wrong with me? We settled this a week ago, I’m not into Paxton like that. We’re just friends and barely that, so if you’re trying to rev me up and point me at him, stop it.
My wolf didn’t even stir. She was fast asleep like the Nia tranquilizer shot her in the ass. She was asleep a lot these days, which made it very hard to blame this on her.
I eyed him. Well, it’s not like it’s a big deal that I find him attractive. Paxton is a handsome man— Okay, he makes handsome men want to put a sack over their heads and call it quits. Paxton is Adonis personified, and if I hadn’t seen him turn into a wolf myself, I would’ve thought he was secretly a demigod son of Adonis.
It’s just a little crush, another voice said. A little crush never hurt any—