“It can’t possibly be her,” Mrs. Linskey says, though her voice is devoid of the typical aging grit. Each note sounds… off. The melody of it is all wrong. “This pack would much rather be rid of her. There’s nolovelost.”
I blink. Did I… Did I hear that correctly? The words are a dagger to the heart, plunging deeply and twisting as one of my only allies condemns me.
I feel like I’m still dreaming, trapped in a nightmare. That would at least let me explain all the weird shit that’s gone on today.
Hot flames burst out. A flicker of raging fire ignites over Mrs. Linskey, burning up her thin shawl and the flesh beneath. I choke on my scream as her skin ashes away and transforms into a tall man where she was just standing.
That… that’s not possible!
The same guy who’s been stalking me all day appears in her place as if it was the most natural occurrence in the world. A jagged breath trembles over my lips. I’m already retreating slowly, shaking my head like I’ve lost my damn mind.
No one will ever believe this.
They’ll medicate me. They’ll shut me away like I’m more of an embarrassment to the pack than I already am.
Though I have a million questions sitting on my tongue, my flight-or-fight response is firmly switched to run, and I nearly trip over my feet as I scramble backward over the light blanket of snow.
“Rhys,” the one with the starlit blue eyes growls out, but I can’t get away from the two men glaring at me fast enough. It’s not lost on me that he knows my fucking name.
Wet grass slides beneath my shoes as I whip around quickly, only to run smack into yet another hard chest. What the fuck is with everyone getting in my way tonight? I’m rarely around people, and tonight I can barely walk without slamming into someone or being bumped into.
It’s called personal space, people.
And I really fucking need it in the middle of a mental crises.
I rub my chest, cringing at the pain that blooms in my tit from the person I practically eradicated in my haste to get the fuck out of here.
My face barely rises before my gaze locks on Kyvain’s ugly sneer. Because, of course, the universe really wants to ass fuck me today.
And I have zero time to react before he backhands me. The sting is worse against the chill in my cheeks.
Yeah.
I never should have gotten out of bed this morning.
Chapter Four
Imaginary Friends
Rhys
Copper floods my mouth as my head whips sideways with enough force to snap a human’s neck. Good thing I’m a wolf, or Mary would be planning my funeral and collecting one or two sympathy cards by now.
I wonder if it matters to her if I leave her life with a moving truck or in a body bag. I tell myself she’d be sad, but the truth needles. She’d take a day or two to mourn my death before turning my bedroom into an office.
My wolf grumbles.
Yeah. Two days is probably too generous.
Calvin snickers at Kyvain’s side and I palm my aching cheek. Part of me is shocked he hit me in public, and the other part is pissed.
“I thought my warning this morning was rather clear. You’re not welcome here.” Kyvain takes a menacing step forward, clearly hoping to intimidate me with his broad build, icy glare, and harsh rebuke.
Joke’s on him.
He’s not even the scariest monster I’ve encountered today, and I have zero fucks left to give.
My wolf hums happily, clearly pleased I’m finally putting her asshole personality to good use.
