I launched myself at her, suddenly furious at this woman for taking me away from my mate and my people. She raised a hand and an invisible barrier of moonlight stopped me, knocking me back onto the sand.
"Come with me and we'll talk," she said, extending her hand.
I snarled up at her, ready to shift into my wolf form to take her down. "I don't want to talk. I need to return to my mate and my pack. Take me back. Now."
Her voice softened as she looked down at me with far too much kindness. "Ayla, I can help you save them. I might even be able to help you save him."
Save him. Her words finally got through to me and I slumped down in the sand, losing all my fight in an instant. "How?"
"Come with me and I'll show you everything." She gave me a sad smile, and then turned away and walked along the beach toward a house in the distance. All the lights in it were on, as if inviting me inside.
The thought entered my mind to run, but I quickly tossed it aside. I didn’t even know where I was. What if I was on another continent entirely? I had no idea where to go, or what to do next.
I wrapped my arms around my knees and sobbed into them. I’d never felt so alone in my entire life as I did in that moment. Not when I’d been the outcast in the Cancer pack, or when I'd become packless, or when I’d first been taken by the Ophiuchus pack. Not even when I’d been trapped in Jordan’s cell with no way of escape. Now, with my mate dead, my friends fighting for their lives and possibly dead themselves, and me stuck who-knew-where, I was completely, utterly alone.
As if in accordance with my thoughts, fat raindrops began pattering down onto the beach. Each one that hit me stung, chilling me to the bone. I glared up at the moon, wondering why Selene hated me so much. Was my pain not enough that she had to send rain too?
My hand found my Ophiuchus mark. I was one with them, even if they were far away. Even if Kaden was dead. When all hope had been lost in the past, I’d promised myself I’d always try to make my way back to my pack. I just had to get up and take that first step.
You can do this, little wolf.
Kaden's voice in my head gave me the strength I needed to drag myself up off the sand and square my shoulders. He would want me to keep going, to keep fighting, to not give up on him, no matter what.
I stumbled toward the house at the end of the beach, each step becoming stronger until I was striding forward as if I hadn’t just suffered the worst loss of my life yet. That Moon Witch had said something about saving Kaden and the rest of my pack. She had the answers I needed. I wasn't sure why she'd brought me here, but now that I'd found the Moon Witches, I would make them help me defeat the Leos and the Sun Witches.
And maybe, just maybe, I'd find a way to save Kaden too.
THANK YOU for reading Star Cursed! Will Ayla find a way to save Kaden? Find out in Sun Crossed!
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Excerpt from Demon King
I made a deal with the devil. Now he claims I’m his fated mate.
Chapter One: Hannah
Only a desperate woman made a deal with the devil—and I was on my way to ask him for a favor.
I couldn’t help but wring my hands while we went up, up, up in the elevator. Generic club music played softly in the background as I stared at the sleek mirrored walls and dark silver buttons, trying to avoid looking at the two imposing men either side of me. There was no escaping them. They filled the entirety of the space with their broad shoulders, thick necks, and well-pressed black suits, barely leaving me room to suck in a breath. They were hot as hell, just like everyone I’d seen in The Celestial Resort & Casino, but scary enough to make me wonder if coming here was a huge mistake.
Who was I kidding? Of course it was a mistake. But it might be the only way to find my best friend.
The elevator dinged, signaling we’d reached the penthouse, and when the door opened, I let out the breath I’d been holding. More models-turned-security guards stood outside a big, black, shiny door. As I stepped out of the elevator, that black door was thrown open and a man in a disheveled gray suit rushed out. His wide eyes were full of something like panic or fear, and he jostled hard against my shoulder as he tried to escape.
“If you’re smart, you’ll turn around and run,” the guy yelled before one of the muscular guards grabbed him by the arm and dragged him toward the elevator. He didn’t even struggle, and soon the elevator door shut him in, barely droning out his last word. “Run!”
I swallowed hard but steeled myself as I headed for the open door. Each footfall felt like one step closer to my doom. I glanced between the guards perched on either side of the door, but they barely acknowledged me as I walked through. I’d already gotten approval to speak with Mr. Ifer from a man in a suit downstairs, so I supposed they were expecting me.
Just inside the door was a small foyer with a huge painting of stylized black wings spread wide on a pure white canvas. I knew little about art, but found myself staring up at it, drawn to the way the brush strokes looked like angry slashes.
I shook myself and continued down the hall, along black marble floors with a touch of silver veining in them, and entered a large living room. The sight of expensive, black leather couches and a grand piano made me freeze. I’d expected to meet Lucas Ifer, CEO of Abaddon Inc and the rumored mob boss of Las Vegas, in his office, not his own home. Momentarily stunned by the sight of it all, I took in the backlit mirrored bar along one wall, the large, sleek fireplace across from it, and the floor-to-ceiling windows on the end with an impressive view of the Las Vegas Strip, not to mention the infinity pool on the balcony.
The man I’d come to see leaned with his hand on one of those large windows, staring out at his domain like a brooding king. Or a kingpin, maybe. I could only see his profile, but it was striking enough to make my heart miss a beat. I cataloged him while I waited for his attention to land on me, as I didn't dare disturb such dark, dangerous perfection. An impeccable black suit framed broad shoulders and tapered down to narrow hips, before hugging a perfectly rounded ass. Sunlight kissed short, thick hair that looked almost black except for highlights of rich, chocolate brown. Below that, perfectly trimmed dark stubble accentuated a chiseled jaw, leading up to the cheekbones of a god.
Whatever I’d expected from the man they called “the devil” in hushed whispers, it had not been this.