“Uh huh,” I said, rubbing my chin in faux thought. “And here I thought you were bringing us a new co-star.”
“A co-star?”
My eyes whipped in her direction. She’d finally found her voice and was looking at me expectantly. I fought the upward tug at the corners of my mouth.
“Like hell.” Revel scoffed, which made me look back at him. His expression was murderous, and I wasn’t sure who he wanted to kill more—me or the chick he’d given a ride to. “She’s not joining the circus, so fucking drop it.”
“How does that even work?” she asked, seemingly ignoring his attitude. She was still keeping her distance from both of us.
I could tell I’d piqued her interest, if only for conversation’s sake, and I couldn’t stop now that I’d worked Revel up. He was five seconds away from a tantrum—I could feel it.
“It’s simple actually, you just?—”
“Daze, shut the fuck up.” Revel’s bark came out so harsh that it made her jump, and I pursed my lips at him. Thankfully, alpha barks had no effect on betas like me.
I would have been in big trouble a long time ago.
“She asked a question, asshole. I’m just giving her an answer.”
“I said she’s not joining, so it doesn’t matter.” His icy eyes glinted with malice. “End of discussion. It’s none of her business.”
“Oh, are you trying to play Hallow’s role now too?” I quipped. “Better watch out. Zero doesn’t like competition.”
“And Zero can suck my dick, same as you.” Revel pulled on his black helmet and fixed the chin strap before swinging his legover the bike again. “We don’t need any more useless fucking betas in the show. Even Hallow will agree with that.”
With that, he revved the motor to life and tore across the parking lot, heading for the highway again. Probably going to blow off more steam.
Dickhead.
The beta comment was a jab at her, but I knew it was really meant for me. Sure, I wasn’t as strong or fast as the alphas. I wasn’t quite as useful when it came to breaking down and setting up. But Hallow wouldn’t have let me in if they didn’t want me here, and theirs was the only opinion that mattered.
After watching Revel disappear down the dark road, I turned to face the girl once again.
“Sorry, he’s a bit of a jackass sometimes.” I jerked my thumb toward the highway. “I’m surprised he helped you, to be honest.”
She forced a smile across her pretty face and lifted her shoulder. “Aren’t they all?”
I laughed. A sense of humor?
Maybe she can be a clown.
I wondered if she could juggle. Or make balloon animals.
I wonder if she can swallow swords…
“What’s your name?” I asked, unable to help myself. I hadn’t come out here to talk to her, but now that we were alone, I couldn’t help it.
“Arina.”
Arena?Like a circus arena?
Oh, this was too perfect.
“Daze,” I said, holding out my hand. She stared at it for a moment before shaking it tentatively. She was such a timid thing. “So tell me, Arina, have you ever thought about running away with the circus?”
CHAPTER FIVE
ARINA
