Page 6 of Destined Mate

Sleep proved elusive as worry gnawed at him. After tossing and turning for what felt like hours, Jerome finally drifted off.

AROUND NOON Jerome woke. His sleep had been restless, dreams flickering at the edge of his consciousness, filled with shadows and smoke.

He rubbed his face tiredly as he sat up, the weight of grief and his gift pressing down on him. The room was quiet, the only sound being the birds outside his window. It was a reminder that life continued on, regardless of the turmoil in the pack.

Standing, he stretched, his muscles stiff from tension and too little movement. Before he could lose his nerve, he walked over to the window and pulled back the curtain, peering out into the woods that bordered their land.

The beauty of nature surrounded them, but all he saw was death out there.

A soft knock at the door drew him away from his thoughts. “Come in,” he called, steeling himself for whatever news awaited him.

It was Henry, looking equally weary but determined. “I called the council and informed them of what happened. They’re gathering names and will send me a list as soon as each perspective alpha expresses an interest.”

“Good.”

“Apparently, we’re not the only wolf pack hit last night, but we’re the only one who lost our leader. They also struck Axel’s pack. The hunters targeted all the leaders of San DeLain. The daemons, the dragons, the gargoyles, the vampires…allof us.”

“They attacked the daemons, dragons,andthe gargoyles?” Jerome exclaimed.

“Yes. They bombed the Dominion where Kage and his mate live. They used surface-to-air missiles against the dragons and gargoyles.”

“Shit.” The werewolves, mer, and vampires were powerful, but none of them compared to the three groups of paranormals who were practically immortal.

Jerome honestly didn’t know anybody who would willingly take on a shadow daemon. The sheer thought of what thatparanormal could do gave him the willies. He couldn’t imagine being mated to one.

“Everyone has been reminded to gather at dusk to lay Li Li to rest.”

“Good. Good.” Jerome nodded solemnly. “Thank you, Henry. How are the pack members holding up?”

“There’s tension,” Henry admitted. “Fear about what might happen next, anger over Li Li’s death. They want answers, Jerome.”

“Answers to what, exactly? We knowwhodid this,” Jerome said, trying not to give in to the frustration rolling through him.

“Yes, but—”

“We know preciselywhatthey are. They’ve been abducting our people for who knows how long. As to why, well, they’re hunters. Do I really need to say more?”

“No—”

“Even with their leaders out of the picture, they’restillhunters. Their hatred for paranormals runs deep, and their ultimate goal is our annihilation. There are your answers.”

All right, so he was more than just a little pissed. Though he might not have been eager to be mated to Li Li, she had never mistreated him or undermined his status.

Yet, that unsettling feeling that a rogue would take over had shaken him to his very core, sending chills down his spine. It stirred a primal fear deep within him, making his inner wolf want to curl up and retreat into the shadows, seeking refuge from the haunting imagery that lingered in his mind.

Henry hesitated in the doorway, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. “Jerome? About your vision—do you think it’s imminent? That challenge and the dead bodies?”

“It’s hard to say,” Jerome replied truthfully. His gift didn’t come with timestamps or logical explanations. They were morelike puzzles missing half their pieces. “But we need to be prepared for anything.”

He had a feeling time was running out.

“Jerome? I know we’ve never been close, but as Li Li’s second, I want you to know I welcome any advice or thoughts you have to help me until we have a new alpha. I mean that,” Henry said.

Jerome managed a wry smile in response. “Even from an omega?”

“I know what the omega stereotypes are, and it’s just pure bullshit. You’re one of the strongest wolves I know.”

“Thank you.” Mentally speaking, yes, he was strong. Physically though? Well, hewasan omega, and as such, he was smaller than most wolves and not as powerful.

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