EG_BlackMoonRising

[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

She glanced up at Marek, his words not penetrating her brain. The loss of Cole
had turned surreal in the face of everything they d been through in the last few
days. Her mating with Marek, Nolan s increasing difficulty keeping his part of the
triad a secret, followed by Cole s appearance and devastating revelation.
The overload of it all kicked in, along with a sudden overwhelming surge of
adrenaline. She whipped her head around and faced the pack that had come to
challenge her. The knowledge that her father had somehow been involved in this
burned betrayal deep into her soul. They hadn t even given her a chance as their
alpha before they d assumed she couldn t handle the role.
Challenge my ass.
98 Eliza Gayle
Then there was Gabriel. He d recovered from the earlier tangle and now stood
propped against the far wall, a look of bored disinterest on his face.
This is your fault. Her accusation rang loudly through the room as several of
the pack looked at each other, unsure. All of you.
Sierra, you need to calm down. Getting hysterical isn t going to help the
situation.
A growl ripped from her throat, aimed in her father s direction, simmering
anger spilling into the room. She d had enough of them all, but especially him.
I m done with you, old man, she spat before turning away from him.
And as for you. She pointed to Gabriel still lounging in the corner. You made
a challenge, so let s get this over with.
Sierra, wait. Marek grabbed her arm, but she jerked it from his grasp.
No! He thinks he s ready to be alpha, then fine. I m answering his challenge.
Considering the circumstances, I think the challenge can wait. Gabriel s
quiet words did nothing to assuage the burning rage inside her.
Nope, sorry, doesn t work like that. She stalked closer to him, the other pack
members moving out of her way as she did. You came here and issued it, so either
put up or shut up.
The mask of nonchalance slipped from his features at her words. Sierra had
deliberately baited him in front of his followers, because she intended for this to end
here and now, whether they liked it or not. Cole s blood might be on her hands, but
she d share it with them to teach them a lesson.
Before Gabriel had a chance to react, her arm shot out, and she wrapped her
hand around his throat, cutting off his air supply. If he wanted to breathe, he d have
to fight for it.
They wanted a ruthless alpha, then fine. That was exactly what she d give
them. Her gaze didn t waver from Gabriel s as he struggled for composure.
Get off me, he wheezed.
Black Moon Rising 99
Fuck you.
He grabbed her arm and tried to break her hold, but as usual, he d
underestimated her strength. Sierra would never have taken on the role of alpha
from her father if she didn t possess the certainty that she could defend herself.
His gaze darted from left to right, surveying those around him. No one moved.
Your challenge. Your choice, Gabriel. Fight or submit. Sierra couldn t see her
own appearance, but she could well imagine the image she presented. Other
members of the pack looked at her with naked, abject fear on their faces and had
backed away from her in horror.
Her muscles twitched with the need to fight. Adrenaline pushed through her,
and she tightened her grip further on Gabriel s neck. Bloodlust fueled her now, and
instinct demanded a kill. Her canines lengthened, and her bones began to shift. A
vicious howl tore from her throat and roared through the room, the wolf demanding
control.
I withdraw the challenge, Gabriel whispered, but the wolf couldn t hear. She
moved closer to him, the length of her snout practically touching his face. She bared
her teeth and pushed a deep rumble from her throat. Words were meaningless now.
Her bloody fingers loosened marginally, and Gabriel struggled to breathe.
When she didn t back off, however, the panic on Gabriel s face renewed. One thing
and one thing only could stop the wolf, and he knew it.
She opened her mouth and flashed the row of razor-sharp teeth that had
settled in her jaw. Just the thought of spilling his blood made the wolf whimper to
be free. Sierra couldn t hold her back much longer.
Slowly, more slowly than was respectful, Gabriel tipped his head and bared his
neck. He d acquiesced and offered his submission, yet it somehow felt hollow and far
too late. Tradition and rule demanded she accept it, but nothing said she couldn t
have a little fun first.
Sierra leaned in until certain her warm breath heated his skin, and the pulse
in his neck beat at her mouth. It would take but an instant to rip his throat out and
100 Eliza Gayle
be rid of him once and for all. To avenge Cole s death and assure her place in the
pack forever. Her mouth watered for his blood for revenge.
Sierra, it isn t polite to play with your food. Nolan s level voice sounded at
her ear as the warmth of his body surrounded her back. The soothing tones pulled
the violence back, smoothing the rough edges within her.
Still, she scraped a single tooth against her challenger s perspiration-covered
flesh, just deep enough to draw a few droplets of blood. Her tongue lapped it up, and
Sierra savored the blood of submission. That was more like it.
Satisfied, the wolf drew back, and Sierra took a few steps away into Nolan and
Marek s arms.
The changeling is gone, but don t think for a second things are going back to
the way they ve been. She glanced around the room, making eye contact with each
and every pack member who d dared to bring this on. Marek and I have chosen to
form a triad bond with my hunter. I have accepted both of them as mates, and as
your alpha I declare it law. No one, and I mean no one, can challenge it.
A few of the people who remained in the room wore looks of shock, but the
majority nodded, including her father, who smiled tightly in her direction.
Now get out. I have a burial to prepare for.
One by one, everyone filed out. When the door closed, Sierra collapsed onto the
floor. All the angry energy she d expended left her weak and used up.
I don t know whether to hug you or kick your ass. Nolan pulled her into his
arms and pressed his lips to her cheek. You are one hell of an alpha.
Will you help me take care of Cole? The guilt of their secret still weighed
heavily on her.
It would be my honor.
Black Moon Rising 101
Epilogue
Three and a half weeks later&
Are you ready? Nolan looked at her in question.
Yes. She inhaled deeply, allowing the warm, clear air of the night to fill her
lungs. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind of pack activity all laced with a
measure of grief and guilt. But they d all decided tonight would be a new beginning.
If they pulled down the magic from the dark moon, they d cleanse some of their
troubles away and start fresh.
The ritual won t be as powerful as on the night of a black moon. Sierra drew
her robe apart and let it fall to the ground, the light from their small fire
illuminating her nude form.
The magic isn t what s important. It s the meaning behind it. Nolan followed
suit and shoved the loose pants from his legs before kicking them to the side.
Marek laughed at them both. You two seem a little excited, and I can t say as
I blame you. He d already removed his clothing and gotten into position around the
fire bowl.
Did you each bring your chosen crystal? Sierra opened her hand and revealed
hers. A small, flat disc of rainbow obsidian. She d specifically chosen this one for its
natural ability to release the user from the pain of its bearer s past. Her symbol for
letting go of any former emotional bondage and keeping her open to her chosen
mates.
Sierra dropped the stone into the fire bowl and watched the smoke billow and [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Podstrony