A throat clears from somewhere behind us.
“As touching as this is,” Hollywood says, sounding thoroughly amused, “maybe we could move this somewhere more private?”
Vex pulls back, helping me to my feet, and I realize we have an audience.Half the club is standing around, watching us with varying expressions of amusement, respect, and in Rooster’s case, barely concealed hostility.
But I don’t care.
Because for the first time since this nightmare started, I feel like I have some control.Like I’m not a victim waiting to be saved.
“Same time tomorrow?”Scout asks, grinning.
“Definitely,” I say.
Hollywood claps me on the shoulder.“You did good, Monroe.Real good.The boys are starting to see it too.”
“See what?”
“That you’re one of us now.”He winks.“Whether you like it or not.”
As he walks away, I turn to Vex, who’s watching me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle.
“What?”I ask.
“Your scent changed,” he says quietly.
“My...what?”
“When you were fighting.When you decided to stop being prey.”His eyes search mine.“You stopped smelling like fear.You started smelling like fury.Like fire.”
“Is that good?”
“It’s perfect.”He steps closer, lowering his voice so only I can hear.“Because the thing in the dark?It feeds on fear.And you just stopped giving it what it wants.”
A chill runs down my spine, but it’s not from fear.
It’s from anticipation.
Because he’s right.
I’m done being afraid.
And when the Khorvath comes for me again, it’s going to find out exactly what happens when you mark the wrong woman.
