Star Cursed (Zodiac Wolves #2)(76)

"Yes. I am Celeste, the high priestess of the Moon Witches.”

I didn't give a shit who she was at that moment. I was just...numb. Tears slid down my cheeks, a relentless stream, but there was nothing I could do to stop them. “Why would you take me?” I asked. “Kaden is more of a Moon Witch than I am. Why not save him?"

She lifted a hand and sent the other witches away. They faded away, leaving just the two of us in the sand on this strange beach. "Once you're calm, I promise to answer all your questions."

Calm? Fuck calm. I shook my head, wanting to scream again. Everything was happening too fast, and I couldn’t breathe. Grief over Kaden’s death was still roaring through me, sharp enough to be a wound, but one that I couldn’t locate the source of. It hurt all over. Guilt wormed its way into my heart too over the way I’d just left Kaden’s body there. It hadn’t been my choice, but I couldn’t help but feel it. And what about everyone else back at the cabin? My brother, Mira, everyone that had just allied themselves with the Ophiuchus and Cancer packs, all left for dead. Who knew what would happen to them now?

“I need to go back,” I said, but it came out as more of a whimper. “Take me back and let me fight."

"I cannot," Celeste said.

I launched myself at her, suddenly furious at this woman for taking me away from my mate and my people. She raised a hand and an invisible barrier of moonlight stopped me, knocking me back onto the sand.

"Come with me and we'll talk," she said, extending her hand.

I snarled up at her, ready to shift into my wolf form to take her down. "I don't want to talk. I need to return to my mate and my pack. Take me back. Now."

Her voice softened as she looked down at me with far too much kindness. "Ayla, I can help you save them. I might even be able to help you save him."

Save him. Her words finally got through to me and I slumped down in the sand, losing all my fight in an instant. "How?"

"Come with me and I'll show you everything." She gave me a sad smile, and then turned away and walked along the beach toward a house in the distance. All the lights in it were on, as if inviting me inside.

The thought entered my mind to run, but I quickly tossed it aside. I didn’t even know where I was. What if I was on another continent entirely? I had no idea where to go, or what to do next.

I wrapped my arms around my knees and sobbed into them. I’d never felt so alone in my entire life as I did in that moment. Not when I’d been the outcast in the Cancer pack, or when I'd become packless, or when I’d first been taken by the Ophiuchus pack. Not even when I’d been trapped in Jordan’s cell with no way of escape. Now, with my mate dead, my friends fighting for their lives and possibly dead themselves, and me stuck who-knew-where, I was completely, utterly alone.

As if in accordance with my thoughts, fat raindrops began pattering down onto the beach. Each one that hit me stung, chilling me to the bone. I glared up at the moon, wondering why Selene hated me so much. Was my pain not enough that she had to send rain too?

My hand found my Ophiuchus mark. I was one with them, even if they were far away. Even if Kaden was dead. When all hope had been lost in the past, I’d promised myself I’d always try to make my way back to my pack. I just had to get up and take that first step.

You can do this, little wolf.

Kaden's voice in my head gave me the strength I needed to drag myself up off the sand and square my shoulders. He would want me to keep going, to keep fighting, to not give up on him, no matter what.

I stumbled toward the house at the end of the beach, each step becoming stronger until I was striding forward as if I hadn’t just suffered the worst loss of my life yet. That Moon Witch had said something about saving Kaden and the rest of my pack. She had the answers I needed. I wasn't sure why she'd brought me here, but now that I'd found the Moon Witches, I would make them help me defeat the Leos and the Sun Witches.

And maybe, just maybe, I'd find a way to save Kaden too.





THANK YOU for reading Star Cursed! Will Ayla find a way to save Kaden? Find out in Sun Crossed!

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Excerpt from Demon King





I made a deal with the devil. Now he claims I’m his fated mate.





Chapter One: Hannah





Only a desperate woman made a deal with the devil—and I was on my way to ask him for a favor.

I couldn’t help but wring my hands while we went up, up, up in the elevator. Generic club music played softly in the background as I stared at the sleek mirrored walls and dark silver buttons, trying to avoid looking at the two imposing men either side of me. There was no escaping them. They filled the entirety of the space with their broad shoulders, thick necks, and well-pressed black suits, barely leaving me room to suck in a breath. They were hot as hell, just like everyone I’d seen in The Celestial Resort & Casino, but scary enough to make me wonder if coming here was a huge mistake.

Who was I kidding? Of course it was a mistake. But it might be the only way to find my best friend.