Page 7 of Rituals & Runes

I couldn’t stop the feverish heat building in my blood, the fierce need that sought out relief from one of them.

Kaden stopped before the pale, iridescent table but he kept a tight grip on me, narrowing his eyes at any male who dared to sneak a look in my direction. “I’ve brought you the one we were searching for.”

Ten pairs of eyes set on me, and each face showed mouths twisted in disdain, eyebrows raised, or scowling. One woman snorted then raised her face at a haughty angle as if she couldn’t stand the sight of me.

Clearly, I was not welcome. I squared my shoulders and straightened my short legs. Damn if I cared.

I still had no clue why Kaden had brought me here and why anyone could have been looking for a half-human outcast. I hadn’t pulled myself out of the mire my dad tossed me in to be put to death by some other deadly shifters.

Unless my dad had hired them to kill me.

Behind me, someone burned holes in the back of my head. I peeked over my shoulder to find something unwanted.

Likely because of my heat and maybe because even with my blood cooled, the scent of my arousal clung to me.

A male in the front row glued his gaze to me, tracing it from my face and then the curves of my body until he reached the floor. I averted my sight to the ceiling to avoid any alpha stares and pumped my fists.

Kaden’s eyes narrowed at the man. A menacing growl rumbled from his throat. “No one looks at her that way. I will kill you, Drake, got it?”

Drake stood on his heels. “What are you going to do about it? Her heat is coming. Any available male can fulfill her needs. And that’s one hot piece of ass I’d like to get my paws on.”

A tense silence fell over the room. Kaden’s hold moved to the back of my neck gripping me tightly and pulling me behind him. His eyes darkened and flashed with the silver orbs of his wolf. His claws extended out in a partial shift and he snarled like a predator about to rip out his throat’s prey.

He spun on his heels, lunged forward, and grabbed the man around the neck with his hands, lifting him off the ground and squeezing until he turned purple in the face. Commanding alpha vibes peeled off Kaden in waves. “You touch her and you die. Don’t you dare fucking insult her. Are you ready to heel?”

Frothing at the mouth and trembling, Drake could only blink his eyes in agreement.

Kaden lowered him to the ground and then tossed him into the seat. It almost toppled over as he gasped and sputtered, coughing and trying to get hold of himself. Kaden straightened himself while looking over the crowd. Most people averted their eyes or turned their heads to the side to expose their necks to him.

“None of you know Aila’s purpose for coming to Stone Mountain. While she’s here, eyes and hands off. If you have a problem with that, you’ll be dealing with me.”

As someone who had been abandoned my entire life, I couldn’t help the warm sense of appreciation that came over me. I’d never had anyone stand up and protect me with such a fierce sense of possession. Not even my own family or pack, let alone a total stranger. I was nothing to Kaden, yet he had almost killed someone for me. Given his bad reputation, a shudder hit me. Of course, I didn’t want anyone to die unless they truly tried to hurt me, yet I had to rein in a grin that wanted to spread over my face.

I still rejected the man, my body’s hunger for him, and my wolf’s crazy idea she needed Kaden. And as soon as I could, I would get out of here.

Several women glanced at me, at their Alpha, then back at me. One among them drew my attention. A tall, petit blonde, who had curves in all the right places, watched me for a moment then like the rest, focused ahead at the council.

A more mature-looking version of Kaden spoke up. “Alpha Kaden, are you going to take your seat?”

At that moment, I noticed an eleventh chair sitting empty in the center of the moonstone table between the men and women.

Kaden placed me before him, his body a hair’s distance away, and his face next to mine. He shook his head then answered with a firm finality, “Proceed with your questions, Dan.”

Dan raised his eyebrows then landed a pointed gaze at me, along with the rest of the council. Another hush fell over the room, even as tiny squeaking of chairs or other fidgeting halted. “What’s your name, young lady?”

I stood tall and lifted my chin. “Aila Bancroft.”

Kaden whispered my name in a husky voice only I could hear. Soft as it rolled off his tongue like the butterscotch on his breath as it fanned over my skin.

“Where’s your pack?” Dan continued.

I peered at the crowd in the corner of my eye. I kept catching Drake stealing glances at me. He either had to be one major idiot to go against Kaden, or he really wanted me.

Dan cleared his throat.

“I don't have one.”

Dan cocked his head. “That’s impossible. Everyone has a pack.”

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