Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 51151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Jude. Tears flow easily as all I can do is watch.
The two wolves, one white and one gray, spar with the desire to kill, snarling and biting into each other’s bodies. Luke whimpers as his father clamps his jaws around Luke’s back leg.
Jude’s wolf, a dark brown, monster of a wolf, attacks. He grips his father’s exposed throat easily in his jaws and clamps hard, digging his fangs into the flesh. But he doesn’t strike to kill. It’s a warning. His father doesn’t budge and instead a loud snap sounds through the room. Luke’s wolf howls in pain as his leg breaks. Owen’s wolf snarls and lunges for the leg of his father on a path of justified vengeance. A low growl resonates through the room from the dark brown wolf, halting Owen’s attack. The growl is one meaning death will come if he’s not obeyed. Their father slowly loosens his hold on Luke and the wounded wolf limps in pain. Owen runs to be at his brother’s side. He pushes his side against the white wolf, leading him closer to us, closer to safety.
Jude growls again and the sound is meant to be obeyed. My blood rushes with adrenaline as the room goes silent. Waiting for his father to submit or die. My vision is obstructed by the large table, and I find myself slowly walking close and leaning against the table to look at Jude’s father. The wolf’s eyes are crazed and his lip is curled back, revealing his fangs covered in blood.
He arches his neck feigning submission, and I can practically see the decision to trick Jude forming in his sick mind. Everything plays in slow motion before me and I haven’t the time to warn Jude. As his neck goes limp, Jude loosens his grip on his father and takes a cautious step back. The wolf continues to lay, surprising me. His eyes spark of fury. The room is so quiet that the sound of Jude’s paw settling in a small pool of blood is easily heard. And then the snarl from his father tears through the silence. But instead of attacking Jude, the wolf leaps off the ground and lunges for me.
My blood rushes hot as I scream and push my weight backward. Devin’s strong arm wraps around my waist, pulling me back as Jude leaps in the air, jaws open, and clamps around his father’s neck. They both land heavy on the table. I continue screaming and holding my crying baby closer to me as Jude rips his father’s throat out in front of me, in front of everyone. His wolf continues to claw against the dead wolf as a dark pool of blood spills down his fur and soaks into the table.
The only other sounds I’m vaguely aware of as I rock my body and try to calm myself and my son are the sounds of murmuring and then silence. It only lasts a small moment before I peek up at the sound of clothes ruffling as everyone in the room kneels and then bows. With all of the adrenaline still racing through me and my head clouded by the visions of what’s just happened, it’s hard to believe it’s over. That it ended just as quickly as it began.
Jude’s wolf calms and paces on the table, staring at the Betas who have kneeled and lowered their heads. He shifts with his back to me. His muscles ripple and glisten with sweat as he wipes his face with the back of his hand. I stare at the blood on his hand as he turns, taking in all the people bowing before him. My baby finally calms, still making small sounds of irritation, as I continue to rock and pat his back. I feel distant; the shock makes my body tremble.
As his eyes land on me, I realize I haven’t bowed to him. I’m the only one not on my knees and my mouth falls open in horror. My hand leaves my son’s back and cradles his head to me, and I quickly attempt to kneel. I swallow thickly, feeling his eyes bore into me as he jumps off the table, landing on both feet directly in front of me. I try to lower my head in submission, but his hand cups my chin and brings my eyes to his.
“You will never bow to me.” My lips part in shock as his handsome face leans down as he kisses the crook of my neck. I close my eyes and breathe in his masculine scent, knowing exactly why he’s kissing me there. As I look into Jude’s eyes, our son wiggles in my arms. It’s hard to miss that all eyes are on us. Jude’s hand curves around the baby’s head and he leans down to give him a small kiss.