by Sara Snow
I stepped forward but the chain dug into my leg, making me wince. I saw the way his face twitched as his eyes looked down to my leg and I felt a flicker of hope. No matter how much he pretended to hate me, he was still affected by our bond.
Maybe I could play on the bond’s strength, get through to him by begging. “Please, Axel, don’t do this. Let me out of here, please.”
His head tilted to the side as he regarded me curiously. I felt like an animal at a zoo. His eyes roamed up and down my body and I grew self-conscious.
“You really think that will work on me, don’t you?”
I frowned.
“Do you think batting your lashes and flipping your hair will get you out of this?” He held onto the bars once more. “This is real life, Ruby. Charm won't get you out of this. Xavier's weak. It's not surprising he fell for you, but I won't. You're a human, a weakling. You’re not fit to be my mate.”
His words stung me more than I expected and I bit my tongue again to stop the tears burning behind my eyes from breaking free. “Then what will get me out of this? Tell me! Tell me what I need to do or just reject me. Reject me and be free of me then, instead of telling me over and over again how much I disgust you. You can’t stand the sight of me and that is clear. I’m not your biggest fan either. But don’t keep me down here. This won’t change the fact that I’m your mate. You don’t want me, but Xavier does. Let me go back to him.”
His jaws visibly clenched at the mention of Xavier’s name and his low growl had me stepping back. I wasn’t blind, I could see the killer within his eyes. I had seen it from the first time we met.
He and Xavier are like night and day. Xavier brought the sun to my world, but Axel was darkness personified.
“No.” He replied his voice low and almost inaudible. He turned his back to me and I stared at him. I didn’t need him to like me or love me, I just needed him to let me go. I hadn’t asked to be his or Xavier’s mate. Why punish me like this? There had to be more to this story.
“Why are you punishing me like this? Did a human do something to you?”
He spun around. “Are you serious? What are you doing? Do you think I’m going to open up to you?" He laughed, but it held no humor. "I'll reject you soon enough, so sit tight. Do you want to know why you're here? I’ve been trying for years to be rid of the Blackmoon Pack. They’re weak, they aren’t real wolves, and they’re the ones sitting on prime land while my pack has to settle for scraps. Now you’ve presented the perfect chance for me to strike.”
I stepped back until the back of my leg hit the bed. “W-what do you mean?”
“Aww, you thought this was about you and this mate bullshit? Sure, I can’t stand the thought of you being my mate, but you, little Ruby, you just single-handedly brought down an entire pack.” A sick feeling began to settle in my chest as he backed away until he was cloaked in darkness again. “You see, humans always bring destruction, and this will all be blamed on you. Let’s see if Xavier loves you after that.”
The door opened and he vanished through it.
I collapsed onto my bed as I hugged myself, my tears finally breaking free. My breathing started coming out in sharp gasps as I slid off the bed and onto the cold floor. No, no, what did he mean by saying I brought down the Blackmoon Pack?
I looked toward the door through the iron bars and started sobbing. Whatever he’s planning, Xavier won’t fall for it. He won’t. I pulled my knees up and rested my forehead on them, and for the first time since being in this cell I cried until I lost all the strength in my body and fell unconscious.
Other Books By Sara Snow
Destine Academy Series (Available on Amazon)
Destine Academy (Book 1)
Destine Academy: The Return (Book 2)
Destine Academy: Secrets (Book 3)
Destine Academy: Prophecy (Book 4)
Destine Academy: Changes (Book 5)
Destine Academy Boxed Set (Books 1-5)
Destine Academy: Bound (Book 6)
Destine Academy: Charm (Book 7)
Destine Academy: Shatter (Book 8)
Destine Academy: Pain (Book 9)
Destine Academy: (Book 10) Coming soon
Luna Series (Available on Amazon)
Luna Rising (Book 1)
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About the Author
Sara Snow was born and raised in Texas, then transplanted to Washington, D.C., after high school. This is Sara’s first series for young adults. When not eagerly working on her next book, she loves to geek out at Marvel movies, play games with her family and friends, and travel around the world. No matter where she is or what she is doing, she can rarely be found without a book in her hand.
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