The Paladin (Saga of the Chosen Book 4) by Petra Landon

Author:Petra Landon [Landon, Petra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-06-27T22:00:00+00:00

A fleet of SUVs bumped over the uneven track, meandering through thickets of coniferous growth. Twilight, colorful and vibrant, bathed the woods in an otherworldly glow. The deeper they drove, the more abundant and verdant the forest. Everywhere, life was lush and green, from the thick groundcover to the velvety moss clinging to the trunks and branches. Even the willows, some hanging low enough to nearly touch the forest floor, seemed to drip with precipitation. Copses of mature douglas firs, so massive that the topiaries nearly blocked out the sun, darted past. But Roman, lost in memories, remained oblivious to the flora and the orange-hued radiance. The last time traversing this particular track had been a desperate dash to the edge of the forest, where local Pack reinforcements waited to back them up. He had been injured and debilitated from his time with Lady B’s Blutsauger thugs, when the cavalry had rushed in, to liberate him from the shadowy basement of the ex-Guardian’s hideaway in these woods. That rescue had only been possible because Nandini, at great personal risk, had alerted his friends. For the umpteenth time, Roman wished that he knew of a way to redeem himself with her. Their initial encounter, where he had misled her, lingered between them like an invisible but insurmountable hurdle he could not conquer, in spite of his many attempts. And yet, despite his deception, when Nandini had come upon him, beaten black and blue and half delirious with pain, in the basement of her mother’s house, she’d stepped up to the plate without a second’s hesitation. At his request, she had made contact with the Alpha. And the rest was history.

Reminded thus, Roman’s eyes went to the Shifter, seated by the driver in the front. Something was up with Merceau. Since Venice, the Alpha had been distant and withdrawn. Though reserved by nature, the Wyr was less restrained in private, especially in convivial company, where the man under the persona tended to peek through. Roman wondered at it, aware that he was not the only one to notice the change in the Shifter. The Were-Alphas, in their own way, were subtly closing ranks around their Alpha Protector.

The car bumped to a stop at the end of the broken track. A two-storey dwelling loomed before them. Enclosed by clusters of sugar pine and western redcedar, the secluded cottage offered a breathtaking picture, with the dramatic backdrop of the twilight-doused forest. However, the picturesque beauty of the setting was marred by the skulking, ominous-looking shadows that hugged the cottage.

“Seems we merit a welcoming party” Jason murmured, his eyes gleaming. “Must be your sparkling personality, Merceau.”

The Alpha’s lips curved in response. An observant Roman was pleased to note the crack in the grim and inaccessible demeanor.

Humor glinted in the impassive gold eyes. “Alright, LaRue. Out with it. What do you want?”

At the question, all hint of teasing vanished from the Guardian’s visage. “The chance to look into her eyes” he stated plainly.

Jason’s parents, both Guardians, had perished in the Chicago Registry explosion set off by Lady Bethesda.

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