Author: Aileen Erin
Category: Paranormal
Go to read content：https://readnovelfree.com/p/28751_80
We got out of the car, and Dastien quickly moved to my side. He was tense, but not totally losing it yet. I just hoped he could keep his cool. A confrontation with Luciana on my first day wouldn’t be the best way to start off.
Luciana stood front and center of the gathered crowd, with her son, Daniel, slightly behind her. I scanned the faces and found my cousins. They stood on their porch, away from the crowd. I wasn’t sure if I was glad to see them or pissed.
Right then I was leaning toward pissed. I had trusted them when I told them what was going on in my life, and they ran home to tell on me?
I knew I needed allies if I was going to make it at the compound, but I wasn’t sure that I could count on them anymore. It was more than a little disappointing.
Luciana stepped forward and Dastien’s anger at her rippled through the bond. I gripped his hand to keep him from doing anything stupid. He’d been doing so well this morning, which was exactly what I’d needed, but he couldn’t backslide now.
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Luciana wore one of the long, flowing skirts she favored that I found impractical. Especially here with the dirt road. How did she manage to keep the hems clean?
“I’m so glad you’ve decided to join us,” she said.
“You didn’t give me much choice. I’m not here of my own volition.” I fought to keep my voice calm and even.
“I’m sure once you get settled in, you’ll forget all about the pack.”
Dastien growled and I squeezed his hand harder. Please, don’t freak out. I have to stay here and I need you to be calm.
I’m trying.
“You really have no concept of reality, do you?” I said to Luciana. “I’ll be going home for the next full moon, and if I ever set foot on this land again, it’ll be to raze it.”
A few shocked gasps escaped the crowd and I wondered who here knew what Luciana was up to. The whole coven couldn’t be bad, and by the reactions, not everyone agreed with her methods.
“Starting off with a threat isn’t a good way to win over the coven.”
Good thing I wasn’t trying to win anyone over. “Threatening me and the pack with war unless I show up here isn’t a good way to win me over.”
More murmurs went through the crowd.
Daniel stepped forward. “Mother, I think it’s best if she gets settled. It’s been a trying few days for her.”
“Good idea.” Luciana didn’t spare him a glance. “I was hoping you could stay with me and Daniel.”
Yeah. There was no way in hell that was going to happen.
I looked toward my cousins. “I think I’ll stay with my family. I’m sure you understand.” When I moved to the back of the car, Dastien followed.
First impression? I asked. As long as our bond was in place, I’d use it as much as I could until Dastien had to leave.
Not everyone is backing her, but there are a lot who are. Even through the bond, his voice had a hint of wolf. He was under control, but just barely. You’re going to have to watch your back at all times, and I’m not going to be here to do it.
I never had any intention of letting my guard down. I grabbed my backpack and let Dastien handle the rest. Do you think it’s a mistake to stay with Claudia and Raphael?
Anything is better than sleeping in the same house as her. But keep one eye open.
Always.
By the time we rounded the other side of the car, the crowd had dissipated. I made my way toward my cousins’ place. Their door hung open. “Hello,” I called as we stepped inside.
“Come on in,” Raphael said. “Claudia is changing the sheets in the guest room. They were clean, but she wants them fresh, too.” He shrugged.
“Thanks. Where to?”
“Up the stairs. First door on the right.”
The stairs creaked with age as I walked up, Dastien close on my heels. The steps were covered with a patterned carpet that was a little threadbare in places. Claudia was in what I took to be the guest bedroom, rushing around the tiny twin bed. It had a white-painted iron frame.