Chapter 12
Chapter 12
When Avery entered the hall I was surprised at how comfortable she appeared chatting with Camila.
She had gained color in her cheeks, and the gaunt weariness that had struck me when we’d met at Silvermoon had disappeared. She was dressed in a long soft dress that flowed around her hips and legs gracefully as she strode in.
She froze when she saw me, though. Watching that haunted wariness creep back into her expression irritated me.
Both of them paused their small talk as I approached. Avery seemed to have a plate with a baked good of some sort in her arms, complete with a pair of forks.
“What are you holding?” The question came out like an interrogation.
I saw Camila’s eyes narrow and knew I would hear about it from her later.
Avery practically squeaked, eyes wide, and held the plate out to me, forks rattling on the fine china.
Am I really that scary?
From what I could tell, Silvermoon had treated her far worse.
“Calm yourself.” I said, irritated.
I took the plate from her. It seemed to be some sort of cake.
I tossed it on the table to the side.
Killing had taken away my appetite, and I wasn’t in the mood for food, especially sweets.
Avery’s eyes when I turned back had gone wide as saucers, and there were tears in the corners.
My wolf howled in my mind.
No need to be so harsh! My wolf scolded.
That was unusual, my wolf had always been on my side.
Struck, I queried, That’s unlike you.
An unexpected rush of affection for Avery flowed from my wolf.
You should treat her better, he growled.
Fine. I rolled my eyes and reached for the cake again, stabbed it with a fork and lifted a bite to my mouth.
The rich taste of chocolate flooded through my mouth. It was the perfect mixture of buttery, bitter, flavorful, and delicate.
The taste transported me back through time, to the last time I had this particular dessert years ago.
The girl who had used to make it was gone now. She had known this was my favorite and had baked it for me often. Some of my favorite memories involved this dessert, I hadn’t thought I would ever taste it again.
I raised my head to ask Avery if she had made this herself, but she was already hurrying away, head down as she disappeared into the crowd.
I felt a moment of regret for how I had acted. She had probably made this to try and please me.
Had she spent the time to try and specifically learn what I like?
I detested the thought of being intentionally manipulated.
The cake is damned good though.
1/2
When Gideon tossed my cake to the side, my heart sank, I wanted to ten im HAL J ME
brought good memories, but…
My fiance reeked of blood and death.
What was I doing thinking I could earn his favor through baked goods?
In retrospect, it seemed painfully naive.
I shut my mouth and stepped back, slipping away to disappear into the crowd until Camila came to get me.
She had helped me prepare for my role in the ceremony and told me where to stand and what to say. It was moderately complicated and I was nervous about forgetting my lines.
The pack bell rang, indicating the ceremony was beginning.
I found my spot in line behind Gideon and followed him onto the stage.
He didn’t acknowledge my presence.
From up here, I could see the hall was packed with people.
The crowd surged closer to the stage in anticipation.
One woman kept coming and jumped onto the stage from the front.
I thought it was a part of the ceremony until I saw the long, wicked knife in her hand.
With a bloodcurdling scream she lunged at me and brought the blade down in a killing blow.
2/2
Olivia Harris
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.