Wolf Endangered (Willow's Forbidden Pack #2) - Avery Song Page 0,123

placed the car on auto-pilot, pressing another button to lean his chair back enough so he could stretch while leaning into the heated leather seats.

"Isn't it a fine winter evening?" he inquired. "We haven't had sunsets like this in a good while. Maybe a sign from the Universe?"

His eyes moved to meet mine in the mirror once more before the colorful orbs slowly looked over to Willow. I held her a little tighter, the action making her mutter something incoherent as she snuggled into my hold.

"She grew up to be outstandingly beautiful," he voiced as his eyes remained on her. "It's also obvious that her magic is awakening."

"Why are you here, Zyair?" I questioned. "You're obviously the culprit of this traffic."

He chuckled as he placed his hands behind the back of his head.

"I wouldn't want you to get to your destination before we've finished what needs to be discussed, now would I?"

"Fifteen minutes," I warned. "That's all the time I'm giving you."

"Always on tight deadlines," he tossed back. "Yet you'll drop everything if it means being by that woman's side."

I didn't respond, and he let out a long sigh.

"You know Master L isn't well," he began, and the mere mention made my stomach flip anxiously while a lump formed in my throat.

"I know you're rather busy aiding your princess with adjusting to her new business endeavor, keeping her safe, and recovering from her suicide attempt," he reasoned. "The fact that Roberto is in a coma doesn't help much."

"That's not a natural coma," I grumbled and noticed the merriment in his eyes.

"Nothing is natural when you piss off the royal pack," he replied back. "The queen wasn't too pleased with the information RubyLu delivered in regard to Willow's harsh upbringing. I'm more surprised you allowed it to occur."

"You and I both know I had no choice," I snapped.

"Yes, yes. You swore loyalty to Roberto so the Coven wouldn't be up your ass about returning to your rightful duties," he brushed off like it was nothing. "You realize your time playing babysitter is running out, right?"

"I was promised plenty of time," I grumbled. "Master L is securing my position."

"Master L's magic is fading." The deadpan response made me look back at him, and from the way his eyes darkened, I knew that what he was about to share was going to fuck shit up. "Lex was murdered last night."

My eyes widened while my jaw went slack. "That's impossible," I spoke after a minute of silence, the car moving just slightly.

"Betrayal in the heart of the Coven," he whispered. "We've yet to determine who did it, but you know just how much Master L loved her."

I knew that without a doubt, my left hand moving to hover over my chest until the very symbol of my loyalty emerged around my neck. Tugging on it lightly loosed the knot of the purple silk rope. My eyes immediately took in the swirling symbol in my grasp.

My fingers grasped it firmly, remembering Lex's words.

* * *

"This is the pendent I handcrafted for your magic, Vincenzo. My husband has blessed it and with our blessing, we're allowing you to venture down into the world to live your life. Your decision to aid the royals will require you to deal with various training, some of which will involve sacrifice. Your own will betray you when you least expect it, and sadly, you won't remember these words until you've unlocked your warlock magic. This symbol not only gives you immunity on both ends of the spectrum between wolf shifters and magic users, but it will secure your birthright to claim the chair of your father."

Her eyes of silver sparkled with immense joy as she looked down at me with the black fur coat resting upon her shoulders.

"I don't know what Mother Moon has in store for you, my son, but your father and I will remain in our positions of power for as long as possible, so you may seek out the world you're so curious about. The world of humans, shifters, and magic is a lot harder than the lifestyle we live, keeping order amongst the races. But know that there is good in the world. Just as there is evil."

"Mother...when will I see you again?"

Her sad smile only answered my question as she leaned down from the rock she stood upon to press her forehead against mine.

"My role ends when I take my last breath, my son. Just as your father's will end when you unlock the