Instantly, my eyes lock on the scene unfolding just a few feet away. A teenage boy, tall and broad-shouldered, looms over Rose. Her posture is submissive, head down, eyes glued to the floor as she scrambles to collect the menus that have been scattered across the tiled floor. Her short brown bob that falls like a curtain over her face hides her expression from view. She’s trying so hard to disappear, to become invisible.
The boy’s stance is anything but casual—his shoulders are squared, chest puffed out, as if he’s trying to intimidate her by sheer force of presence. Behind him, three other teens are crammed into a booth, exchanging amused glances and snickers, their laughter barely stifled as they watch the interaction unfold. One of them playfully shoves another, as if this is all just some great joke, a source of entertainment to pass the time.
It’s clear that this is a strategic move to assert dominance. You can read it a mile off that he has it bad for Rose, but she isn’t part of the “in crowd” and this is the only way the numbnut can be seen speaking with her. Rose’s fingers tremble slightly as she reaches for the last menu that’s slid under a chair, and then she stands.
“Now, get us our order,” he snaps, and clicks his fingers at her.
The air crackles with tension at the callousness in his tone, and my anger surges like a raging fire. Before I have even registered my own movements, I find myself positioned firmly between the two. The laughter from the booth behind him abruptly cuts off as I face him.
The sharp scent of apprehension hangs in the air as I step up to him. I extend my fingernail, feeling its lengthened edge, and poke him in the chest.
“Who do you think you’re talking to?” I scowl.
“The waitress,” he says in a tone that suggests I’m stupid, but I don’t miss the slight wince.
My teeth clench together as my anger burns hotter. I lean in closer to him and drop my voice. “I’ll boil the flesh from your bones and drink from your skull, if you so much as look in her direction again, you tiny, little—”
Out of nowhere, Kai swiftly lifts me off the ground and effortlessly slings me over his shoulder. I was so consumed by my anger that his presence caught me completely off guard.
“Right . . . someone needs food,” he jokes, his muscular arm wrapped firmly around my thighs as his other hand playfully taps me on the ass. With a low rumble in my chest, I flip my hair back and cast a glare over my shoulder at him. Kai ignores me and turns, heading toward the exit. I raise my head and lock eyes with the obnoxious teenager who believes he’s the epitome of attractiveness, shooting him a fierce look.
“I will cut you,” I whisper, knowing full well he can hear me, as can everyone else in the diner.
Next, I catch sight of Rose’s bewildered expression, and I respond with a mischievous wink. The door to the diner swings open, and Kai steps out into the cold and carefully deposits me in front of him, his touch deliberate and cautious.
He grins, raising an eyebrow and letting a twinkle of amusement flicker in his clear-blue eyes. “Do you feel better?”
“Marginally,” I reply, crossing my arms.
Kai shakes his head, clearly unsure of what to say.
“He was being—”
Kai raises his palm up to stop me. “I know, Ash, but you can’t go around threatening teenage boys for being dicks.”
“Rose doesn’t deserve to be treated that way!” I snap.
“I’m not disagreeing with you, but maybe just take it down a little bit.” Kai’s warm hands cup my shoulders, and he smiles. “Don’t get me wrong, watching you tear him to pieces in there was fucking hot, but it doesn’t bode well for your image if you go around threatening teenagers.”
I can’t stop my lips from twitching, and my frown eases, a sense of calm soaking into my skin.
“You think I’m hot?”
Kai’s head drops, and his hands squeeze my shoulders. My gaze lingers on the top of his head, captivated by the movement of his blonde hair as he chuckles.
“Damn, Ash. Is that all you heard?” he asks, lifting his head.
Biting my lip, I give a shrug. I did hear him, and I know he’s right, but sometimes I let my anger get away from me.
“Do you think he will leave her alone now?” I ask, nervous for Rose.
Kai smirks, sending my insides into a frenzy. “Baby, he won’t ever look her way again.”
The sound of the door opening catches our attention, and we turn to see Rose exiting the diner. Her fingers twist together anxiously as she stands there, unsure.
“Thank you, Ash,” she whispers.
I take a few steps closer and her eyes widen. I sense her fear, and a heavy feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. One day, they will no longer fear me. I never harm those who do not deserve it. True, my magic may be dark and twisted, and it remains misunderstood by them, but my intention is for the pack to see that I would never harm them . . . unless they present me with a legitimate reason to do so.
