Hunted (War of the Covens 1)

Sebastian’s funeral had been her final goodbye to a friend who had risked everything to save her. It was a risk he took, and lost, because the pack hadn’t rescued Jaeden Rodriguez; they had rescued Jaeden, broken and hollow who could suddenly move things with her mind whenever she wanted to.

Two days ago when she returned from her first run in weeks as a lykan, her emotions had been so on the surface that before she knew what was happening, items in her room were flying all over the place. She touched her split lip absently, courtesy of a book that had flown off her shelf.

Now she was not only broken and hollow Jaeden who didn’t know how to be around the pack anymore, she was weird, tortured Jaeden who had come home less of a lykan because she had some terrible psychic abilities.

So this was better.

Some clothes, stolen money, and a book were tucked into her backpack.

Leaving the pack was the right thing to do. One more agonizing, disappointed look from her father when she didn’t react to one of his jokes—like his pre-torture Jaeden would have—was going to send her over the edge.

Jaeden was jolted awake when the bus stopped. She yawned, looking out the window at the city. She must’ve been asleep a few hours. More passengers climbed aboard, and she kept her gaze locked in the opposite direction, praying someone wouldn’t ask—

“Can I sit here?”

She tried not to groan and looked up at the tall, pale young man who smiled at her. His eyes were beautiful, almost black, his smile full of wickedness. He was well built and carried himself with a confidence beyond his years. She noted he let her see his elongated incisors. He must smell what she was.

“Sure,” she said softly, and the vampyre slid gracefully in beside her.

“I’m Reuben.” He held out his right hand, and Jaeden noted the silver thumb ring. She looked up at him as they shook, his cool skin pressed against her warmth. “What’s your name, lone wolf?”

Jae cracked her first real smile in a long time. “You can call me Jae.”

He nodded and looked her over like she was meal. He bit his lip sexily. “Where are you going, Jae?”

She shrugged. “Somewhere with action.”

He perked up. “Yeah? What kind of action?”

She smiled. “I don’t know. Maybe you know of something.” Was she flirting with the vampyre?

Reuben chuckled appreciatively. “Well, you look like someone who could use a good punching bag. I know a whole bunch of those where I’m going.”

“Punching bags?”

His face suddenly became serious. “Predators who need to be stopped.”

Jaeden’s heart began to pound. This was it. This was exactly what she needed.

“You action?” His dark eyes drank her in.

She didn’t need to be asked twice. “I’m action.”