Read Online Embracing the Wolf - Book #2 (Anna Avery) by Stephanie Nelson - Free Book Online Page A

were affected by the murder of their loved ones, all because Eve had more than a few screws loose. And Anthony was right there by her side watching—maybe even joining in—while the humans were ripped apart by sharp teeth and claws. I’d felt the sheer pleasure of her kills through our bond. She not only enjoyed it, she craved it. It was unspeakable and made me sick to my stomach.
    “Love makes you do crazy things,” Anthony said, now looking ahead. “I don’t know what it was about her, but whenever I was around her, I lost myself.” He looked over at me, his hazel eyes apologetic. “I came here to make amends, Anna. I don’t want to be that person anymore.”
    I watched him warily. “A normal person—with a sane mind—couldn’t just stand by and allow those things to happen, Anthony. You may have loved her, but don’t for one second think I believe you didn’t enjoy killing as much as she did.”
    Anthony was quiet for a long time. So much so that the muscles in my body were beginning to grow sore from readying myself in case he attacked. When he looked over at me again, his face had changed from pained to a stoic calm. He tilted his head to the side just an inch and studied me before he spoke.
    “It wasn’t Adam who saved you.”
    My mouth hung agape as I struggled for a response. “Yes, it was.” I remembered him rescuing me like it was yesterday. I’d been so depressed and hopeless that, when he bust down the door to my prison, I thought he was an angel. I still remembered burying my head against his chest while he carried me away from that hell and the chaos that was breaking out around us. He walked right out, never losing his grip on me.
    “Not from Eve’s lair,” Anthony said. “From Eve finishing you off.  It wasn’t Adam on the mountain that day; it was I. Eve would have killed you had I not stopped her.”
    The day I was attacked and turned into a werewolf was something I would never forget. The pieces slowly came back to me a couple weeks ago. That’s how I learned Eve was the one responsible for my hairy transformation every full moon. It was also the reason why I was able to see her kills through dreams. Whatever my gift, it was the strongest with her because she changed me. Her feelings washed through me and caused my wolf to hate humans just as much. So much so that the Leaders suspected I was the murderer.
    “You may not have let her finish me off, but you didn’t save me. You left me for dead on the mountain. If Adam wouldn’t have found me, I would have bled out and died.” That he was trying to claim a gold star for something Adam did pissed me off.  I remember thinking Anthony was beautiful while I lay dying at his feet. Now that I knew what kind of person he was, there was nothing beautiful about him.
    Anthony let out a humorless laugh. “Everyone thinks Adam’s the golden boy.” He opened the truck door and got out, slamming it behind him. He stood beside the truck for a moment, looking off in the distance. “Ask him,” he said, bringing his gaze back to me. “Ask him how he happened to miraculously be at the right place and time to save your life.” He gave me one last look before he turned and headed back toward the house. I turned in my seat to watch him and gasped when I saw Adam’s truck kicking up dust.
    I hopped out of the truck when Adam stopped in the middle of the street. He raced toward Anthony so fast; they went down in a ball of muscles and blond hair. Adam pinned Anthony to the ground, his fist striking his brother’s face so hard, a sickening crack sounded.
    “Adam, stop!” I rushed forward, pulling on his shoulders. Anthony had a cut above his right eye. A small trickle of blood ran down his face. Adam jumped up off him.
    “Stay the fuck away from her,” Adam yelled, pointing a finger toward his brother. “If you want to take me down, do it face to face, you coward.”
    I took a step back, speechless and a little afraid. I’d seen Adam