After the Moon Sets 3 (Werewolf Paranormal Romance) by Reba Taylor Page B

through the door to Council all turned to look at me and seemed to take a long step backwards. I was surrounded by guards with their weapons drawn. However, they weren’t aiming the weapons at me; they were pointed directly at Aiden. Aiden tried to stand, but Julian stabbed him roughly into his side with a silver dagger weakening him.
    “Whatever it is that you want, I’d like to suggest that you stop pissing me off.” I warned, knowing that it wouldn’t take much longer before my temper got the best of me. I always lose when my temper wins over. Julian had always told me I needed to control my anger, now he was using it against me. Julian pulled the dagger out of Aiden’s side and immediately gestured for the guards to put down their weapons.
    “You’ve tricked me into giving you Aiden. Obviously, you want something from me. I’m not certain what it is, but let’s get to the point shall we?”
    The Council seemed nervous and uneasy, but not Julian. He smiled and placed the dagger on the table, and my eyes followed Julian’s every move.
    “Don’t worry,” Julian said to the Council, “Hanah isn’t going to do anything stupid. She’s in love with this Alpha Wolf. She won’t do anything that will jeopardize his life.” Julian assured them.
    “How can we trust her?” One of the Council members asked, they were not so easily swayed.
    “What do you want?” I asked again. I wanted desperately to go to Aiden’s side to comfort him, but I knew if I took another step, the guards would load him with silver bullets. I remained perfectly still, but I was also ready for anything they threw at me.
    “We have a plan that could possibly stop Lumar for good. However, we are going to need you in order to do it.” Julian announced.
    “Don’t listen to them Hanah.” Aiden choked in warning. Frustrated, Julian kicked the chair from under Aiden, and he fell to the ground, holding his wound in agony.
    Still, I did not move.
    Surprised, Julian looked at me. “I see you’ve been exercising patience; very well done.” He said. I turned my head and walked away.
    “You want to use me as bait.” I acknowledged. “I’ve been in Lumar’s company more than once. He cannot be defeated.” I reminded. Julian held up his finger to silence me.
    “Oh Lumar has a weakness, I should have known it from the start. But i’ve been.. blind.” Julian’s voice trailed off into deep thought.
     
    “—it’s you Hanah. He will do anything to possess you. He’ll even to go back to eternal rest if it means having you by his side.” Julian explained.
    “You want me to give myself to Lumar.”
    Julian nodded. “It’s the only way to stop him. We strike a deal with him tonight. We will deliver you just before sunrise, and this shall be all over.”
    “So you’ve been keeping me all this time as leverage. Tell me something Julian; was there ever a time when you truly loved me?” I wondered. Julian did not answer. I smiled and held my hands in surrender.
    “Very well, let’s get this over shall we?” I offered. “Since I’m going willingly, you can release Aiden now. I believe you’ve made your point.”
    Instead of chaining me, Julian grabbed my arm roughly and pulled me to the elevator doors, ignoring my request.
    “Aiden will remain here for now as insurance.”
    “Insurance for what?” I complained.
    “When this is all over, he’ll be released to his pack.” I groaned.
    “So, you’re not going to kill him, but you are going to send him to his impending death instead. His pack has turned on him. They’ll kill him the moment he steps over the treaty line.”
    Julian shrugged. “A Werewolf's politics are not my problem. Whatever goes on between them is their business. Who am I to get in the way of the Wolf law?” I looked away from him. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me in any kind of pain.
    Julian’s betrayal proved to be more than enough to assure me that our relationship was beyond