Laurie Drayker has always been a vicious professor, playing by the rules, in class and out of it, but she purposely turned her wrath on the wrongperson back there, and now that the moment has passed, I can see it clearly.
Fuck.
The realization sends another bout of frustration and rage through me, leaving my mind cluttered and messy. Instead of dwelling in it, I allow my wolf to take over, letting my brain fall numb as I pounce through The Vale, sticking to the shadows at the perimeter. With every step I take, the emotion clawing at my chest melts away, but there’s still a tightness there. It’s the adrenaline zapping through my veins that refuses to ease, not even when I push myself harder, faster.
I don't know how much time passes, but when I approach Institute Thirteen for the seventh time, I know there's no outrunning my demons, not in this form anyway.
Slowing my pace in front of the jagged, gothic edges that I call home, my gaze latches onto the door at the back of the building. It’s so discreet, camouflaged, I'd almost forgotten what sat beneath the frames of the institute, what I put there.
A spark flickers through my bones, igniting the adrenaline I can’t shake, and I quickly head for the main entrance, shifting back into my human form as I reach the front porch, unfazed by the cool air that touches every inch of my bare skin.
I don't waste any time, racing up the stairs and darting into my room for a fresh set of clothes.
Some wolves are clever and leave bags of clothes around campus so they don’t get caught out in moments like this, but there’s something about it that doesn't feel as freeing. To know that you're prepared takes a particular element out of connecting with my wolf that I cling to. I like it raw. I appreciate the fact that I have to rush back here unprepared, giving me a moment to adjust to the shift.
I tug my t-shirt over my head and buckle my jeans before I slip on a pair of combat boots and head to the door. I make it halfway before I spot my cell phone on my nightstand and stuff it into my pocket, along with the key in the top drawer. There are small wins in forgetting it this morning, at least. Excited, I rush back downstairs. The entire building is quiet, leading me to assume that classes are still in session, but I don’t care; my focus is now set on the basement as I round the exterior of the building.
The door creaks open, sending an exhilarating shiver down my spine. It burns brighter with every step I take as I rub the little key between my finger and thumb, engraining the jagged edge in my memory as I reach the bottom and turn the lock.
Despite the dark and dingy air, with my wolf's heightened vision, I spy the man in the center of the room immediately. He's passed out. There’s a dark stain dried into his pants, confirming the fucker has pissed himself, but my grin forms at the bloody wife beater that still clings to his chest. Thorne may have healed him, but there’s still a reminder of what I’ve put this asshole through already.
Eager to eliminate the distance between us, I draw closer, my head tilting to the side as I wonder how I can rouse this motherfucker, but instead, my body takes over and I punch him square in the face, startling him awake.
He's alert and panicked as blood splatters from his nose and across his cheeks while his bleary eyes lock onto mine.
“Fuck off,” he snarls, his voice croaky.
I probably should hydrate him, but it would mean taking care of him, and right now, I definitely don't want that.
I smirk at him, which seems to irritate him more.
“Fuck off,” he repeats, spitting a glob of blood at my feet, and I laugh.
“You've got balls, man, I'll give you that,” I state, running a hand over my jaw before rearingmy arm back and slamming my fist into his face again.
Not that he seems to care. Despite the grunt of pain, a bloody smile transforms his face as he licks his teeth. “All this for a girl?” he says with a bubble of laughter, and I huff.
“Your daughter,” I clarify, and his eyes darken as he shakes his head, the movement weak despite the anger in his tone.
“She ain't my daughter,” he bites back, and I freeze.
“Is that why you punished her?” I ask, my voice raspy as my pulse thunders beneath my skin.
“I don't know what you're talking about,” he insists, and I grin, leaning forward so I'm eye level with him.
“Maybe I should punish you,” I murmur, excited by the way his eyes darken.
“Aren't you already?” he claps back, and I snicker, humorless and dark.
“Nah, not yet. I'm going to bide my time, drag it out until you're pleading for death. But even then, I won't give you the satisfaction,” I promise, watching the confidence on his face slip as my cell phone vibrates in my pocket, drawing my attention away from my captive.
I frown as a message flashes across the screen, and my chest tightens with a hint of panic.
Kael: Has anyone seen Elodie? She took off after lunch. I think she’s gone looking for a manic wolf.
Thorne: Maybe she's heading toward the institute.
Thorne: Rion, have you calmed down?
