Alice pursed her lips.
“Don’t look at me like that. He may be bigger and stronger, but I plan to fight dirty.” Sam winked, but Alice remained upset. “Baby girl, it’s fine.”
“Your father broke into your home, the same father that abused you for years, who…” Alice turned her head to the side, fingers sparking in anger. “You’ve been protecting and helping me since we were kids. Let me do that for you. Please, Sam.”
“Come here.” Sam held out his arms, wrapping them around her until he could settle his chin on the top of her head. His leopard immediately calmed, his purr low as Poe curled his body around their legs. “Without you, I would be nothing right now, a lost boy without a home or family. You saved me, gave me a reason not to be so angry with the world.”
“You can’t stay here, it’s not safe.” Alice pulled back. “There’s a reason he wants you, Sam.”
“It doesn’t matter though, does it? Because he can’t have me.” Sam shook his head, making sure his voice was soft, but strong. “You’remy pack. I don’t need him, or anyone else for that matter.”
“We need to tell Riley, maybe the guys can keep a watch out or –”
“What’s he going to do? Nothing, so I’m not going to bother Riley or any of the other guys with something that’s just an inconvenience.”
“But maybe –”
“And you won’t say anything either,” he said, pointedly looking at her. “I’m not going to run from him, Alice. Not now, not ever. He can’t make me join his pack.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Ah, baby girl.” Sam crushed Alice back to his chest. “He’s nothing, a sperm donor who I refuse to acknowledge. He can’t hurt me anymore.”
Chapter12
Axel
Axel ascended the steps, deciding to head straight to his room. He wasn’t in the mood to speak to anyone, especially as the whispers were starting to return, which meant soon the pain would too. The constant noise was frustrating, distracting as he ignored the intrusive thoughts, but the pain was worse. A pill or two would help, keep the ache at bay until he figured out what to do about Crimson Mist. He couldn’t take it like that again, but he could play with it a little. See if a smaller dose worked just as well when spliced with different herbs.
Then there was the beast situation, something he needed to discuss with Riley. His beast should never have been able to take over as the man, and even now, hours later, he still couldn’t process those memories. It was as if he had been in a deep sleep, or more like a nightmare.
But then he had woken up to Sam…
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Axel shouted, finding Hunter searching under his bed.
Hunter jumped to his feet, putting his hands in his pockets. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?” Hunter went to slip out beside him, but Axel caught his arm.
“Hey, get off me!”
Axel pulled his hands out, checking the front pocket of his dark hoodie before forcing his palms open. “What have you…” Inside his left hand was a single pill.
A kick to his shin, so unexpected he released his grip and Hunter staggered into the hallway, scrambling to remain on his feet.
“You need to get help,” he said, knuckles white as he gripped the hem of his hoodie. “You can’t keep telling yourself you’re –”
“Hunter?” a voice boomed down the hallway. “Go to your room.”
Hunter turned around with a snarl, the sound caught in his throat when he noticed Kace’s expression. Without a word he stormed away, his feet smacking against the wood.
Axel froze in the threshold of his room, spine straightening at the rage in Kace’s tone.
“Stay the fuck away from him,” he said. “In fact, don’t bother helping out at The Vault anymore.”
“Excuse me?” Axel stepped closer, his hand clenching on the little white pill. “What the fuck have I done?” He helped Kace train at The Vault every few weeks, enjoying teaching the kids there how to defend themselves. Each of the Guardians took turns, and Axel found it weirdly calming.
“I can’t have you influencing Hunter, not while he’s still recovering,” Kace said, voice ending in a growl. “So stay the fuck away. He’s just a kid.”
