Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
“That’s an amazing photograph. She looks twenty.”
Aurora watched her grandmother turn the pages. The styles of clothing and condition of the pictures combined to clue her in that the years were passing. Isabella’s features remained young and vibrant as if the aging process that affected everyone was suspended for her. The final picture was of Isabella in her casket.
“This is me at Isabella’s funeral.” Her grandmother pointed to a slender teenage girl standing near the casket.
“There’s no way your however many greats aunt lived that long,” Aurora said in a shaky voice.
“She did. And she was happy. You will be happy,” her grandmother assured her quietly.
“Why have I never heard of this?” Aurora demanded.
“You have. Will you come take a walk with me?”
“Of course.” She was eager to leave this discussion for a while and get some fresh air.
Her grandmother linked her arm with Aurora, giving her support as they strolled down the old streets to the center of town. It wasn’t far. When they reached the steps leading up to the statue of a dragon looking down on the square below, her grandmother pointed to the names engraved in rows on the stair’s risers. On the fourth step, Aurora spotted Isabella’s name.
Rocked to the core, she closed her eyes for a second to gather herself before letting go of her grandmother’s hand. Alone, she walked up the steps past all those engraved names to the statue overlooking the square. She pressed her hand to the dragon’s head as she had done a million times before as a playful child. This time, the normally cold stone felt warm.
Chapter 3
“He will come for you,” her grandmother had said after collecting her.
That statement echoed in her mind as she woke up in the pink bedroom she loved. Aurora didn’t remember descending the steps or the walk back to her grandparents’ house that day. She vaguely remembered suggesting she needed a nap, but nothing after that.
Sleeping had become her escape over the next two days. Only then did she not feel the hunger building inside her. Appallingly, her vibrator did nothing to relieve her desire. Forcing herself to focus and learn as much as possible, she’d asked a million questions and tried to make sense of what was happening. Today, as she woke, her mind felt clearer than it had since meeting Drake.
Just thinking of his name sent ripples of need through her. Aurora blinked at the beautiful pink décor around her and tried to make sense of the last few days. She’d met a man. He’d marked her. Her insides were a jumbled mess of hunger and desire. Her mind was not in any better shape.
Aurora pushed back the soft throw covering her and swung her feet around to sit on the edge of the bed. Standing, she headed for the attached bathroom. After brushing her hair and teeth, she repaired her makeup from her nap and put on fresh lip gloss.
At least I can look like I’m okay.
Leaving her room, she followed the delicious aroma of her grandmother’s cooking toward the kitchen. “Wow! It smells amazing in here,” she said. As Aurora turned the corner to enter the room, she froze.
“Hi, Aurora. I came to speak to you,” the devastating-looking man told her.
Turning to her grandmother who hovered nearby, he politely requested, “May we borrow your parlor?”
“Of course.”
Drake did not ask her. He simply placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her out of the warm room. She could feel his heat radiating toward her as they walked. That desperate ache deep inside her grew to a fevered pitch. Aurora bit her lip as she tried to stay in control.
He did not ask for directions in the house but guided her directly to a small room near the entrance that was used only for guests. There, he addressed her. “Mate, I will try to answer your questions then I will give you a few minutes to gather your things.”
An ache gathered between her eyes as she stared daggers at him. Did he think he could just sweep in here and she’d fall over herself to follow his dictates?
“Mate? A few minutes to gather my things?” She spat the words out, trying to control her growing fury.
He seemed to grow in stature before her eyes. She stared at him, understanding he really hadn’t changed size but feeling the waves of dominance radiating toward her. His expression never changed as he stepped closer.
“You seem to question the bond between us, Little one.”
“My grandmother shared all she could with me. No one has been chosen for a very long time. Surely, it’s time for this barbaric farce to end.”
“Barbaric farce?” His lips twitched upward before settling back into a relaxed line.
“What would you call it?” she asked, rubbing her forehead to try to ease the growing pain.