“I fear I may share the same predicament,” Quinn exhales. “He might feel disillusioned with me. I cannot recall Olivia’s characteristics, and I spent the entire night contemplating if my transformed self would enough. Good thing he still has you. It is reassuring to learn he was not entirely solitary during my absence.
I almost drop the mug in my hand while reading their chat, the noise of my clumsiness frightening Quinn.
Jimmy laments that you would unequivocally be the most inept ninja.
I disregard him as Quinn approaches to retrieve the plate and cup from me, and we assemble around the patio table, with Bray positioning himself next to Quinn and inundating her with several enquiries.
“What is your name?” What is your place of residence? What is your preferred colour? What is your preferred animal? Are you aware of the origin of clouds? Do all flowers possess a pleasant fragrance? What is the reason behind your grey hair? Do you possess a wolf? Does it also possess grey hair? May I occupy your lap?”
Quinn responds to each inquiry with a smile; yet, at the conclusion of breakfast, I remain largely uninformed about her and her new existence. Perceiving my escalating sorrow, Ricky interlaces her fingers with mine.
“The hospital staff inform me of a flea market located on the city’s periphery,” she declares. “Perhaps we could embark on a brief shopping excursion and enjoy some fresh air?” Perhaps some raspados (shaved ice)?She remarks, raising her eyebrows at Bray, who leaps up with enthusiasm.
“I would greatly appreciate that,” Quinn responds. I will retrieve my handbag and possibly change into attire more suitable for the weather. “It is rather warm today,” she remarks with a grin.
She withdraws as we tidy the dishes and prepare ourselves. Ricky applies sunscreen on Bray, styles his hair similarly to his own, and outfits him in shorts and a tank top suitable for the heat. Upon Quinn’s return, she appears rather distressed, her brows knitted in contemplation. I wish to enquire about her distress, yet she merely compels a grin and gestures slightly to suggest that it is inconsequential for me to concern myself. I recognise that it probably pertains to John, so I conclude that it is prudent not to press her for answers.
The four of us enter the car that Josie has loaned us for our stay, with Ricky assuming the driver’s seat as we depart from River Moon land. We increase the volume of the radio, while Bray astonishes everyone by singing along to Cardi B’s WAP.
“No more tablet for you,” Ricky remarks as she begins to switch the radio.
Fear envelops her expression as she glances at the road once more, prompting her to push me aside towards the passenger window.
“Caution!” She screams, the sound of a gunshot accompanied by the shattering of the windscreen reverberating in my ears as the car careens erratically down the centre of the road.
A warm substance splatters onto my shoulder as I grasp the steering wheel and engage the e-brake to prevent veering off the road. The vehicle ultimately halts, and upon raising my gaze, I observe my companion applying pressure to a substantial laceration on the right side of her neck, adjacent to her collarbone, with blood oozing between her fingers.
“Ricky?”
Jaxton
“His Majesty has instructed me to return to Crescent Mane for reinforcements,” Gamma Rocco murmurs. “He intends to demonstrate to the young Queen the capabilities of a true King,” he remarks, pinching the bridge of his nose. “This will not conclude favourably for us,” he asserts, shaking his head. “In the interim, you two will proceed to River Moon to deliver this,” he states, seizing a sheet of paper and inscribing something on it before passing it to Korbin. “Ensure that Jadi receives that.”
Korbin gazes at the sheet of paper and vocalises the note. “Kindly reconsider your decision.” Your father requires your support now more than ever. Rocco has signed.
A profound rage surges within me. Father required no one else but me. I am his heir, not Jadi. He has been an ineffectual individual for 26 years and will continue to be so for the remainder of his life.
“What accounts for the sudden fascination with that inconsequential omega?” I snarl, seizing the sheet from Korbin’s grasp and concealing it in my pocket. “We are uncertain of his talent or whether he possesses one.”
“Do not challenge your King,” Rocco retorts. “It is his decree, and we shall comply with his instructions.” Moreover, that inconsequential omega, as you refer to him, is your brother and the legitimate heir to Scarlett Haven; thus, I advise you to cease your derogatory remarks before I intervene on your behalf.” He then turns to his son with a huff. “Convey the message promptly while Jadi still has an opportunity to regain his composure.” I will return in three days. Kindly refrain from causing me to regret permitting your solitude together.
“Do not be concerned, Father.” “We have everything under control,” Korbin states with a smile.
Gamma Rocco regards me with suspicion, yet I respond with a dismissive gesture and feign indifference, all the while devising a strategy in my mind. A scheme resulting in my brother’s downfall. Rocco hesitantly summons an Uber to the airport, admonishing Korbin and me to conduct ourselves appropriately during his absence.
Once Rocco is at a secure distance, Korbin exits to start the car, leaving me alone in the hotel room to retrieve what I require. I extract a handgun from my luggage and load it with silver bullets that my mother insisted I carry to do my purpose.
“Target the head or the heart,” she instructed. “He will not recover as swiftly from silver bullets.”
She neglected to consider that silver wolves are not as susceptible to silver as ordinary wolves; but, if I shoot accurately, I will encounter no difficulties.
I conceal the pistol in the rear of my trousers and approach the vehicle, instructing Korbin to vacate the driver’s seat.
