Free Soul Avenged (Sons of Wrath, #1) by Keri Lake Page A

Wrath Brothers often took assignments in
other parts of the globe for both business and pleasure. In Ferno’s
case, Gavin had urged him to leave. He’d been responsible for
killing Zayne’s mate in a freak accident that left Ferno
permanently scarred, both physically and emotionally. Maddox had
accompanied Ferno on his trip for support of his brother.
    Following his
mate’s death, Zayne had left for the House of Bereavement, or
Mortuadium, a sacred underworld tomb of silence and meditation for
demons who’d lost their mates. He’d had to be forced, preferring
his own dark and dreary bedroom over anything else.
    “It amazes me
that Zayne and Zeke are twins,” Ayden said. “Zeke is such an
asshole and Zayne is so … level-headed. I mean, ya know, even in
spite of what happened with Shey.”
    “Zeke just
likes to give you shit. I’m happy to kick his ass for you, if you’d
like,” Gavin said.
    Ayden smiled
at the thought. “As much as I’d love to watch the two of you fight
each other, I’ll pass. I’ve got my own ass-whooping to deal
with.”
    “How is it
going with the halfling? Has he survived you so far?”
    “Yes.” She
slouched back into the chair. “I’m looking forward to the next few
days. You did say the pain gets more excruciating, right?”
    “Yes, of
course.” Gavin set the newspaper on the table. “I understand your
distaste for his wolf brethren, Ayden. And I have my own reasons
for wanting to kill him myself. But why do you? He’s done nothing
wrong yet.”
    “Are you
serious?” His words couldn’t be any more opposite to what she’d
expected to tumble from his mouth. “Why are you asking me
this?”
    “Humans have
always amused me.” Gavin half-smiled. “How little you act on your
own volition.”
    “Why do you want to kill him, Gavin? Is it not for the same
reason as I do?”
    His gaze
shifted away from her. “Some visions are better kept to
myself.”
    “What
visions?” She couldn’t even fathom what would make him question her
motives.
    “Never mind.”
He straightened the newspaper into perfect alignment. “If you’ll
excuse me. Perhaps I’ll make use of my guest one more time
before taking her home.” Gavin knocked on the wood as he pushed up
from the table. “Be good.”
    “What visions,
Gavin?”
    He didn’t
answer as he left the room.
    His remarks
tangled in the mess already swirling in her head—as if she needed
more to sit and ponder over. Did it matter if the lycan hadn’t
killed yet? He’d become one of them. A monster.
    Her blood
burned at the thought. She glanced down at the table. An image on
the front page of the newspaper flashed out at her like an
agreement to her thoughts.
    Another
suburban home attacked.
    Ayden closed
her eyes.
    Another
one.
    For centuries,
the wolves had existed alongside demons and humans, and thanks to
the self-screwing system of killing themselves off, their numbers
were kept in check.
    Seven days was
a long time for a halfling to change.
    Mature lycans
were often loyal to their pack brothers, but during the transition
phase of a halfling’s change, even a seasoned lycan could grow
impatient. Tortured screams and a body writhing in pain would
probably look like a juicy T-bone calling out for a merciful
devouring.
    If not for a
strong alpha, the wolves would often end up consuming the
halfling.
    And yet, it
seemed their numbers remained steady, maybe even growing in spite
of the rising factions that threatened their existence.
    So what kind
of alpha is leading this pack?
     
    ***
     
    Specks of dust
drifted along the miniscule rays of sunlight filtering in through
the sheer curtains.
    Kane
sighed.
    Would’ve been
nice to get in a little daylight before I die.
    Six days,
Ayden had given him. After which, he’d apparently turn into some
raging killing machine.
    His stomach
flipped.
    I don’t want
to be one of the fucking monsters that did this to me.
    He pulled his
knees up and rested his elbows atop them.
    And that