I jerk out of my thoughts. “No?”
“Okay, let’s head on in and go to sleep. We don’t know how early she rises, and I don’t want to be asleep around her.”
I nod my head, ducking past Khaos. He hates me. I don’t blame him; I hate me, too.
I inhale deeply, catching a hint of lilac in the air. I stop, trying to find it again, but it’s gone.
“Go to sleep, Hazard. I’ll sit up and make sure nothing happens.”
“I think we’re safe here, Khaos.”
He nods. “But there’s a chance that we’re not, and that slight chance is why I’m going to sit up, just in case. Go to sleep.’’
I head into the spare room. It’s got wooden panelling and a massive queen-size bed. There isn’t much more room, but it looks comfortable. I get on the bed and turn in a circle three times before collapsing in a ball with my nose in my tail.
I’m almost asleep when I hear her whimpers.
I lift my head, my ears flicking as I try to pick up anymore sounds from her direction.
I hear movement and realise Riot is climbing back up on the couch, helping her to sleep. And that hurts. He should be with us; he shouldn’t be with our enemy.
I lay down, staring at the wall.
Is she our enemy?
I shudder, yes. As long as she’s wearing that bracelet on her arm, she’s not our friend; she’s absolutely the enemy.
Casey
I wake up againwith my heart pounding for a second time, but, this time, there’s daylight pouring in around me. I’m lying on my back, and there’s a giant red wolf standing over me with his mouth open less than a hand span from my face. The teeth are so very long. I recoil back onto the couch, wondering what to do. I’m working up to shouting at him when he licks from my chin to my temple.
“For fuck’s sake, Hazard, what the fuck?” I shout and try to push him off me. His huge pink tongue comes in again, and, this time, he gets me in my mouth. I turn my head away, but he puts his paws on my chest, pinning me in place.
“Hazard, we are not dogs!” someone shouts, but they don’t care enough to actually stop him.
The massive red wolf licks my face again and draws back, but, all at once, he pauses, his amusement fades, and he looks like what he is, a hunter. He comes back, sniffing suspiciously at my neck.
I growl.
He startles and jumps back. His eyes lock on my face, drop to my neck, and return. I can see all the questions, but I’m not answering any of them. I owe him nothing.
Shit, why did I do that? I roll off the couch and walk towards the bathroom, ignoring the other men wandering aimlessly around my house. There’s no damn space in here with all of them.
When I come out, I pull out my cereal and sit down with a bowl.
“All right. Let’s talk,” I say around the food.
The pack has followed me in and is watching me with various shades of suspicion and hostility. Not good for the digestion.
“Let’s do an easy one? What do you want to do today?”
“Do?” Wrath asks with a frown. He brushes his silver hair behind his ear and snags a protein bar, watching me almost like he expects me to protest. “What do you mean, do?”
“Well.” I frown, picking my words carefully. “You are wolves. This is your temporary home. I thought you’d like to go sus out the territory, isn’t that what wolves do?” I ask him in a mocking tone.
“We’re allowed to do that?” Hazard asks and sits at my tiny table. He takes my spoon and tries some of my cereal. He seems to like it, so I refill the bowl and offer it to him.
There’s a hesitation, a brittle moment before he reaches out and slowly drags it towards him. Food is sacred to wolves. I know what I just did, but I’m not a wolf. And they don’t know where I came from.
