Wolf Endangered (Willow's Forbidden Pack #2) - Avery Song Page 0,65

be more than fifteen years, if not more.

"Where is he?"

"He was speaking with Albert as they finalized paperwork. I was summoned as a witness."

"Don't witnesses need magic?" I inquired.

Viktor smirked just slightly. "Warlock, remember?"

"Right," I grumbled and mentally cursed at my sluggish memory.

"Don't worry about it. I know of the burdens Alpha wolves carry with a newly awakened wolf, though I suggest you tell Willow sooner rather than later. She's rather defiant in nature, if you haven't figured that out yet," he suggested. "Roberto's in the care of Albert, and from my brief memories of the past, he's definitely royalty. I'm unsure what exact role he played, but he's an acquaintance. I don't fully trust him, but they most likely have the best tools and equipment to ensure Roberto's stabilization."

I nodded because he had a point. It would be too risky to take Roberto anywhere else with the news of his empire going to Willow. Someone would simply get rid of him because he was worth nothing, while I was sure many of his enemies were waiting in the background for a weak point.

"They have security?"

"More than enough. Once I drop you and Willow off, I'll go and check on Roberto."

"I suggest you take one of the guys with you. The news of Roberto being hospitalized may bother Willow. I don't need her worrying about you, too."

"She wouldn't worry about me," Viktor huffed but watched me walk past him as I held our sleeping princess tightly.

"You may not be a part of the pack officially, but let's not play the game of blinded fool," I whispered and looked slightly over my shoulder to meet his stare. "I don't need to be mated to her to know she'd be willing love you if you weren't so frightened of losing her."

He didn't say anything, and I gave a slight shrug and looked away.

"The only time I loved someone was when their crush on me had already died and was buried in a pit of hate. You know what it resulted in?" I offered with distaste. "Heartache, misery, and an ex who is now doing everything in their power to fuck up the potential chance of another taking their place."

"She's worthy of someone better," Viktor muttered, and it made me laugh because it was far too funny.

"Better? If that were so, we'd never have crossed paths, nor would she have somehow entangle herself with any of us, let alone Onyx," I replied. "I'm not going to lecture you like I know your story, but let me remind you that all of us...every single member of the Forbidden Pack??arry skeletons in our closets. We all have enemies and pasts very few individuals would be able to survive. I don't need to know your background to look right in your eyes and know that your loyalty has come with the price of forsaking those you surely carried an alliance with. Whatever those broken ties were, they may remain in the past, but you always have to be prepared for the chance of them coming back out to play."

Rotating my body enough to look at him, I gave him a stare of seriousness.

"Don't wait until blood is shed for you to express yourself. We already learned what happens when we do," I whispered. "Regret is a heavy bitch to carry."

I had no more words to share as I began to walk in the opposite direction of the hall, knowing we'd use the secret exit we'd installed for emergencies. I knew he'd follow me after he had a moment to process my words, but I should be taking my own advice.

There was no need to deny my emotions. I may not have intense feelings for Willow, but her male counterpart...William was making me question my own sanity, and that was never a good sign.

If she becomes an addiction...it's going to be a habit I'll never be able to break.

9

Open Doors Of Light

~WILLOW~

"You won't win this time around, Willow."

I was sinking deeper and deeper, the chill of the water seeping into my very bones. Pain coursed through me as my body was frozen like ice. I couldn't get air into my desperate lungs, and my consciousness was slipping away.

All I could do was look up to the surface that was getting further away - my strands floating upward as my right arm was stuck outstretched in a desperate plea to be saved.

I don't want to die.

How different it felt to be sinking to a doomed ending I didn't