wasn’t the way she’d envisioned things. It
was so much better.
~A Letter From Rebecca Royce~
Dear Readers,
Thank you so much for buying this book. I was so excited to be able to write a Roar
story for Decadent Publishing. It was fun to get to spend time thinking like a college
student again. I hope you like Kieran and Alex.
Best to all of you,
Rebecca
[email protected] Sign up for the Decadent Publishing Newsletter here http://eepurl.com/SQ75f and never miss stories like:
Coming Soon!
Book 3 in the ROAR Series
Phoenix Rising by Cara Carnes
Chapter One
Riletta
“Don’t make a scene, Riletta. Get out, and do not speak.”
Unease pricked my skin. I fumbled with the door latch for a moment before it gave
way, and I tumbled out of the black BMW. A crisp breeze ripped through the rustling
trees around us. I would’ve grabbed my jacket had I known we were going somewhere.
I stretched the soreness from my body as Jacob Cervantez slammed the trunk and set
a suitcase on the ground before me. My gaze darted around, my brain disoriented from
the shock and the utter silence that had been my only companion the past several hours.
“This is the only university willing to accept you due to your limitations. I doubt
you’re worth the favors I had to call in, but the pack will benefit from this sacrifice.
At least we’ll be relieved of the burden your presence created.” The gruff tone made
me step backward until I pressed against the car door I’d shut at some point. “Registration
ends in an hour. I suggest you get in before they change their mind.”
Registration? My mouth opened and then shut as I processed what to ask first if given
the chance. I’d learned years ago to choose my words wisely because I rarely got the
answers I expected.
“I didn’t know—”
“Riletta. Did I say you could speak?”
I cast my gaze downward and shrank into myself.
“You’re lucky I don’t have time to teach you etiquette. You aren’t my problem anymore.”
What did that mean? He shoved his hand into his pocket with an exasperated sigh and
grabbed a few hundreds off the massive wad of cash he always carried. The Alpha of
the Cervantez pack would never be caught without funds. “Elise is too soft-hearted.
She insisted you be given something until you get settled.”
Settled. He was dumping me here. My heart sped; my breath quickened. Equal parts of
fear and hope fought for my attention.
“Don’t think I’ll allow her to give you more, so make it last. It’ll probably take
a few months for them to handle your paperwork. They’ll have problems securing you
since no one knows what the hell you are .”
Amusement glimmered in his gaze when I cringed at the insult. I took the wad of cash
and shoved it into my jean pocket. “Thanks.”
“You’d better listen up, Riletta.” Pain erupted along my bruised arm when he grabbed
me and shook hard until my teeth rattled and my head pounded. “They’ll ask for your
designation when you enter. Under no circumstances are you to reference my pack. I
allowed your existence, but that doesn’t mean I accept responsibility. Nod if you
understand, Riletta.”
I nodded and shrank away from his menacing presence when he leaned forward. Garlic
and alcohol burned my nostrils. The stench was nauseating, but made me recall the
hunger I’d been trying to ignore. Swallowing, I pressed on my stomach, willing the
rumble to subside. How long had it been since I’d eaten? One, two days?
“That’s what you get for being too uppity to eat pizza.”
You know I love pizza, you miserable prick. That’s why you piled it with meat I was
allergic to . Every meal he oversaw in the pack focused on meat. The anger vibrated within me
until my body trembled with a need to react. Just this once.
“Go. I’ve wasted enough time dealing with you.” He