Bound by Prophecy (Bound Series Book 3) by Stormy Smith Read Free Book Online

be in charge of logging who you are and which abilities you have so we can best form groups and determine how to move forward. We all know this war has been coming for a long time. It is only now that we have hope on our side.”
    I took a slow breath and steeled myself before finishing with, “So, I ask you, are you with me? Are you willing to be patient, to help each other and those who will be joining us, and give me the time I need to find the right path? Our people have fought and lost for years. If we want to win a war against the Queen and her Hunters, I need each and every one of you!”
    I got louder as I went, punctuating the last sentence with multiple slaps to the deck railing. I was relieved to hear cheers and clapping when I finished, and couldn’t help but smile.
    “I am going to lead a pack of AniMages out to run, because I need one myself. Everyone else, please see Derreck and Micah so we can begin to build our plan. Thank you.” I quickly hopped down the steps and stopped in front of Bethany while I gestured my restless pack to the trees. She was still pale, standing in the same position, but now biting her lip. I slowly reached out to her and put my hand on her shoulder, which made her jump.
    “Hey, B. How you doing?” I asked, realizing instantly it was a dumb question. A moment of strained silence followed.
    “Cheese and freaking rice,” she finally breathed out in a rush. “I don’t even know what I’m still doing here, Aidan. I’m human. I’m useless. My best friend is comatose and I can’t help her. Some woman who turns into who-knows-what just told me the guy who broke my heart — whom I’ve made it my mission to hate — still cares about me and I spend all my time trying to convince a bunch of women I’m worth their time. This is worse than high school. At least back then I was the cool one, not the one begging to be included. What am I doing? Why am I here?” She looked at me helplessly, her eyes filled with tears and her posture slumped. Nothing about this girl was the Bethany I knew.
    I pulled her into a hug, and said, “I know. Trust me, I know the feeling. But, I need you. I need you to help keep me sane, and I’m going to need you when Amelia wakes up, because she’s going to need you, too. And I can’t do any of this without Cole. You are the link with the Bradburys, B, whether you want it or not. That Micah stuff, I don’t know where that came from, and we can pretend it never happened if that’s what you need. But don’t abandon me out here with all these crazies. I might shift into a damn Pegasus and disappear.” A muffled laugh came from the face buried in my chest before she pulled back, wiping under her eyes and sighing.
    “Fine, Montgomery. I’ll stay. For you and Ame. But hear me now, I don’t care how he feels or what some psychic woo-woo AniMage says, I want nothing to do with him. Give me any assignment you want, but keep me on the other side of the yard.” She stood with her fist on her jutted-out hip, her feistiness returning. This was the Bethany I needed.
    “All right, Blondie, done. Can you help Rynna make the rounds and check on the women? And make sure you guys get Cora to spend time with Elias. I know he’s worried about Nell and it would be great if she could figure out what to do for her.”
    Bethany was already walking away, her hand waving back at me. “On it, boss,” she threw out.
    I shook my head and then dove toward the trees, unable to hold back my wolf any longer. We needed to run, and I needed to think and prepare for what was coming. I had no idea what to expect, but I wouldn’t accept anything less than Amelia back in my arms, where she belonged.

9
    H e left me in this damn chair and sent them to me. Aidan took off and the next thing I saw was him hugging Bethany. My Bethany. The Bethany who hated me, wouldn’t look at me, and would likely use the tip of her favorite rhinestone-encrusted stiletto to punch a hole in my chest