Sunder by Tara Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

Then I’d asked the hot, popular guy to dance and was of course shot down. Can you say karma? Finally, I ended up dancing with the guy who’s probably friends with all the girls but was cute enough to still make me blush and nervous in an innocent way.
     
    I looked down, enjoying the waltz amongst all the other people. It felt amazing to dance in my beautiful dress and, thankfully, dancing seemed to be equally as awkward to Josh as it was to me. The way he reminded me of my friend back home was eerie almost.
     
    “What grade are you in?” I asked, hoping he was in twelfth so at least I would have one friend when I started on Monday.
     
    He smiled when he spoke, “Twelfth. Same as you, right?”
     
    I smiled back excitedly. “Yay, yeah the same.” It was weird he knew about me, small towns were so crazy.
     
    “Awesome. But you must be kinda bummed about starting at a new school for senior year?”
     
    I nodded. “I’m getting less bummed. I was pissed at first. My dad and Judith actually married last year and bought the house and renovated it, while my dad and I lived in Chicago. He stayed for me so I wouldn’t have to move in the middle of the year. I would have been here by the start of the year, but our school’s senior trip was scheduled for the end of September. We were going to Greece. So I stayed and started the school year there and went with all my friends to Greece. I tried to weasel out as much time as possible there, but Dad laid down the law and I had to come here before Halloween.”
     
    Josh winced. “Yikes.”
     
    “Yikes is right.”
     
    His eyes shone. I liked that about him. “Well, I think you’ll like it here. We have a great senior class. Everyone’s cool.”
     
    “Cool.”
     
    I wasn’t certain yet that I was going to like it, but knowing him made it better. It didn’t take away the urge to go home and curl up with my phone and Facetime my friends. In fact, talking to him made me miss home even more.
     

     
 
     
 
     
 

Chapter Four
     
    Briton
     

     
 
    Briton had been hesitant to just walk over and start the conversation, but he knew it had to be done. He swallowed the last of his drink and stood up with Miles following him. They made their way to the table as boldly as they could, without being offensive. Wolfville wasn’t his territory anymore , he had to be cautious .
     
    As he neared the table, he came upon Liv dancing and talking with a boy. He tried not to focus on it as he walked up to the men and gave a slight nod. From the distance he did it, it wouldn’t have been seen by anyone normal. But up close and with sharp eyes, it was a subtle bow.
     
    “Jamie, Phillip, Samuel, Anthony, Jane, nice to see you all again.” They eyed him up, trying not to make their annoyance at his being there obvious to anyone.
     
    “Please have a seat, Nicolai. Miles, how are you, my dear old friend?” Jamie greeted Miles by standing and shaking his hand and pointing to the chairs. No hand was offered to Briton. Jane gave him a filthy grin though, not that it wasn’t expected. She gave it to everyone, always had. She had been with at least two of his brothers, an image that still disgusted him.
     
    Briton sat and took a deep breath before speaking, “I go by Briton now. There are those who recall Nicolai in the world.”
     
    Jamie shrugged. “Why are you here?”
     
    “I need to ask for what you owe my family.” The words seemed to flow from Briton’s mouth with ease, but the reactions in the men’s eyes didn’t seem to be anything close to ease.
     
    Jamie spoke firmly, “Are you kidding me?” He looked at Miles, as though he were asking him.
     
    “I need your help, just as you once needed mine and my family’s.” His voice never broke, and he never looked away from Jamie’s eyes. That would have given the pack leader the impression he was weak.
     
    Jamie sat back in his chair. “Has something happened?”
     
    Briton nodded. “The hunters are