Read Online Mated in Mist by Carrie Ann Ryan - Free Book Online Page B

grateful for these moments.
    As she would be forever grateful to Ryder, who stood by her side the entire time. He never spoke a word, but held her hand and let her cry when she needed to. He didn’t bring her close or whisper platitudes. No words would help at the moment, and Ryder seemed to understand that.
    When they let the final pieces of earth fall between their fingers over Roland’s grave, Leah shut off a part of herself. She couldn’t function while grieving, and she needed every ounce of her strength to survive. She was living among the wolves for the time being, but that could turn on a dime. She didn’t know who was after her in truth, but now she needed to figure it out because the world knew witches were real. Not only that, but she also had a feeling the Coven wasn’t too happy with her.
    Of course, they had never been happy with her.
    Hence why she’d lived the way she had for so long.
    “Are you ready to go?” Ryder asked, his voice low.
    The Brentwoods had each come to her to give their condolences, but the other Pack members had kept their distance. It made sense, as they didn’t know her but had still come to pay their respects. Either that or they had come to see the witch who had broken the news to the world.
    She looked over her shoulder at the burial plot that would one day be covered in flowers and nodded. “Yes. I’m ready.”
    “Leah?”
    She turned at the soft voice behind her.
    A strikingly beautiful woman with raven-black hair and light brown skin stood next to a tall, very muscular, and very sexy black man. He stood straight but almost hovered over her without actually hovering. It was as if he had to be near her but couldn’t be close at the same time.
    She had no idea how she truly knew that, other than the fact that she was a water witch, and sometimes her empathy clung to those around her that her magic needed to touch. She’d never had the chance to practice, as she hadn’t stayed in one place long enough to form the connections needed. The magic had never worked with her mother or twin—probably because they were her blood and had similar gifts. The fact that she could feel it so quickly with some of the Talons—and now some of the Redwoods from the look of it—surprised her.
    “Charlotte, Bram.” Ryder’s voice startled her, but she did her best not to show it. “Leah, these are my friends from the Redwood Pack. Charlotte is Maddox and Ellie’s daughter, who you met earlier. Bram is a soldier.”
    If she remembered correctly, soldiers were wolves in the center of the dominant hierarchy that could move up to enforcers or lieutenants depending on the Pack. Their strength of wolf and dominance was ever-changing. Leah was pretty sure all wolves were able to move up and down the totem pole other than those who were in the royal line. Those titles were given to them by the goddess and only changed when the next generation grew into power.
    It was funny, really. Wolves were the ones portrayed as barbaric while witches were either seen as crones or naked women dancing peacefully under the moonlight. And yet, it was her people who killed and tortured for their place in the Coven. Wolves let their goddess decide and used their claws and teeth to define their true place, but never to take over a Pack.
    She nodded and shook their hands, trying not to let her magic pour out of her and wrap around the couple who seemed to not quite be a true couple. Sometimes she hated her powers and her lack of control.
    “Hello,” she finally said, aware that her thoughts kept pulling her out of the present.
    “I’m so sorry about your brother,” Charlotte said softly. “I know you don’t know me, but if you need to talk, I’m a good listener.”
    Leah studied the other woman and felt a connection she couldn’t understand. It was as if her inner powers knew Charlotte had been through her own form of torture and pain. Indeed, it seemed this woman would understand her.
    “Thank