Aphrodite's Hunt Read Online Free PDF Page A

than one line.
     
    “Wait for me.”
     
    Pain lanced through her head as she yanked another lock as far as it would go, eyeing the extended hair like it was the bared neck of her former mate. You bastard. How could you betray me like this? The scissors closed with a resounding snickt on the vulnerable lock. You were supposed to be loyal. I’ve given you everything. You would never have been lycaeon if it weren’t for me.
     
    She fell to the floor with the last lock of her hair, burying her face in her hands. Fifteen years together and I don’t even get to ask him why. The cool metal of the shears touched her cheek and she sobbed as she threw them back toward her suitcase. The sharp sound of breaking glass pierced her misery and she raised tear blurred eyes to see where the sound had come from.
     
    A picture frame peeked out of the suitcase. Sniffling, she crawled toward it until she was close enough to reach in and pull it out. The sight of the familiar picture almost sent tears trailing down her face, but she dug her nails into her palm, fiercely refusing to give in. Getting a death grip on her emotions, she sat on the floor with the frame in her lap.
     
    It was her favorite picture. She and Claudiu stood pressed together, his arm around her waist and her head on his shoulder. They were both smiling under a brilliant sun, the bright yellow school buses behind them a nostalgic reminder of how long ago the picture had been taken. The last day of high school seemed so far away—twenty-six years to be exact. She’d loved him then, even before he loved her.
     
    She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. The day he’d shown up at her door fifteen years ago still remained as fresh in her mind as if it had happened only yesterday. A blast from the past, smiling that wicked smile and spouting the flowery words she’d loved so much as a girl. Seeing his face had reminded her of a time when home life had become unbearable and the only sympathetic ear to be found was Claudiu with his seductive smile.
     
    Ghosts from her past whispered their memories in her mind and she clenched her teeth against their infuriating voices.
     
    “You will not speak to him like that, Gia! He is your lycaeon and you will show him respect.”
     
    “Child, remember your place. He is lycaeon, he does what is best for all of us.”
     
    “Even if you cannot respect the man, you will respect the position. Hold your tongue.”
     
    Everyone had silenced her, everyone had brushed aside her teenage despair and misery. Only Claudiu had had the irreverence to listen, to validate her outrage. He had stood by her when no one else had. A tear escaped her control. He should have been the perfect mate.
     
    So what if he didn’t possess strong hunting skills, or physical strength? So what if he didn’t have the raw power that usually vibrated within those wolves who came to call themselves alpha? What he’d lacked in physical strength and power, he’d more than made up for in support. After all, she’d fought her way up to lupa so she’d never again find herself forced to smother her voice out of respect for a position. She didn’t want a mate that would challenge her—she wanted a mate that would support her. The fact that her pack didn’t see it that way was secondary.
     
    Guilt gnawed at her heart. Their courtship had moved so fast, her pack hadn’t had time to interfere, even if they’d wanted to. Soon she made their relationship official, making him lycaeon of their pack and then her brethren had been in the same position she’d occupied as a teenager.
     
    Frustration bolted through her with anger hot on its tail. She’d been a good lupa for over a decade before Claudiu arrived. She’d protected her pack, soothed them, counseled them. She’d maintained amicable ties to other packs, maintaining both distance and respect so that territories never overlapped. She’d never asked for a single thing in return—never taken anything or