Chapter 9 Wrath
Wrath
She avoids us for the next three days; if one of us walks into a room, she walks out.
She gets up early and disappears into the woods and returns at dusk with whatever she’s hunted.
I track her down but keep my distance, following by scent alone.
She knows I’m here; I know it, but we’re stuck playing this game.
Why?
With each passing hour, my temper soars higher. She kissed me. I kissed her. It was hot. It didn’t mean anything. I want to do it again. What does that mean?
Was it so terrible that she feels the need to avoid me? No, I felt her; she was into it. So, why is she running? Why do I care?
I exhale, forcing myself to remember those twelve women, twelve horrible humans who have tortured us and hurt us. The ones I said I’d never allow to affect me, yet here I am, making the same mistakes as all the times before, thinking she could be different, thinking she might be human.
I keep my nose to the ground but pause often, making sure to make enough noise so I don’t startle her. I find her after an hour of searching. She’s sitting on the branch of a tree, staring off into space, with one knee up and her bow hanging loosely. What is she thinking about?
I shift into my human form and sit, watching her long enough for the wind to pick up. It whips her hair free of its ties, the long shades of brown hair flying around her, making her look wild and untouchable.
With a sigh, she slips off the branch, landing gracefully before walking straight towards me. I stand from my crouch and stare at her until she sees me. She’s not surprised, which proves that I was right.
But everything about this woman is strange and different. Could she be the exception to the past we’ve been strangled by?
“I’ve decided that maybe you guys are right, and I should try finding a…mate. A boyfriend. So, I think we should do this together, all right, choose together? Because I’m not going on dates with shifters.”
I cock my head to the side at the venomous hiss in her voice. I can understand why. She’d be at a distinct disadvantage dating a shifter. I should be happy.
I am happy.
Aren’t I?
“No shifters, got it.”
I concede that dating a human would be her best option. Picturing her with a man freezes me with an uncomfortable and new sensation of horror. I am struck dumb by the bolt of rage that follows, surfacing within me so fast it has me swaying on my feet. I curl my lips.
“Don’t be like that. You don’t know what they can be like. I don’t want anything to do with shifters, ever.” She stalks past me.
I scramble to catch up to her and then pass her, shifting back to my wolf form, ranging on the trail and sniffing for any scents of danger and taking the opportunity to be alone and get some damn clarity on what the hell I just felt.
“All right, the profile will need to be edited, of course, you five have such wonderful views on who I am and what I want for my future, but I’m not okay with being the poster girl for the backwaters.”
I chuff at her, annoyed by her fake cheerful tone.
“The man will have to be…” She trails off, and I look over my shoulder at her. She appears lost. “Well, I don’t really know; I haven’t dated before.”
I snarl my opinion, but quietly enough that she doesn’t hear or pretends not to. We break through the trees, but she stops, staring. I turn to look, too. The log walls make it look smaller than it actually is. It looks cozy and warm, like the cabin I grew up in.
It must be nice to have a home, I think wistfully. If I could have one, it would be like this. Just big enough, full of wilds around us. A warm fireplace, good food I’ve hunted, and a mate…
What?
She goes inside, passing me in a swirl of menthol, unaware of my stunned and conflicted thoughts. I let the transformation take me and enter the house as a man, brushing up against her back just to hear her snarl.
“All right, house meeting,” Casey calls.
I circle around her and bite my lower lip as she steps back into the wall, trying to escape me.
“Stop it!”
“Stop what?” I say innocently.
“You know what!” She just stops short of stomping a foot.
I swipe up her hair, bringing it to my nose and inhaling deeply. There is something there, some quality I can’t place, but the idea of someone else touching her has me ready to set fire to this cabin.
My dad…I remember the way he sounded when he laughed. I remember the pain in his eyes when he found out Mum was sick. It was just the three of us. He sat me down and said he needed me; I needed to step up and be the alpha he knew I could be. I was so determined.
My mum is probably dead. It’s been four years.
I need to get home.
Casey needs a mate so I can go home and take care of my dad, so I can mourn my mother.
That’s why I’m doing this. It’s why I have to do this.
I force myself to back away from her so I don’t tempt myself into something stupid.
Hazard throws himself on the couch, Riot a half a beat behind him.
They both lift their eyes and watch her.
Intent, focused like she’s the only thing that matters here.
Khaos comes in from the kitchen, drying his hands on a tea towel.
Angel slides up against a wall, trying to play least in sight. As usual.
I snarl silently.
“I have decided to proceed with this madness.” Casey says it like a declaration of war, hands on her hips, head tossed back, eyes fierce.
She was born to be a wolf. She’s got all the strength and wildness of our species. There’s something about her not having a wolf that has mine snapping and snarling.
Her eyes land on the others one by one, but I shift closer to her, and she sidesteps away, angling her body away from me, her eyes blazing blue fire at me.
I bite my lip to hide my smile. I really like irritating her.
“But there are some rules.” Now we all get glared at, one at a time, as if to make sure we understand she’s serious.
“What rules?” Khaos asks, but he’s already focused on something outside.
“I don’t want you guys there forcing things in your favour, so you can stay as wolves, but not like this,” she waves a hand up and down Khaos’ body. “I also would prefer if you would stay out of sight. And, lastly and most importantly, no shifters.”
Khaos inclines his head. His sudden tension has me standing up straight, watching him intently. I turn away, searching Angel’s face, trying to see if he will give up the information.
“Good. Your first date will be here in an hour.”
I jerk my head around, unable to stop the vicious growl that tears from my throat. Khaos levels me with one of his glares; he doesn’t need to say a word. Just stares at me.
“AN HOUR!” The scream makes my ears ring.
I whirl around, but she’s already on the move, smashing both palms into Khaos’ chest. He falls backwards, his knees catching the edge of the couch. He blinks up at her, his eyes wide, a look of rage warring with shock.
“How dare you!”
Khaos snorts. “You’re quick to go back on your decisions, aren’t you?”
She growls, a sound that draws all our eyes. My eyebrows raise. That’s impressive.
“What’s his name? What does he do? What’s he like? Do I get a say in who you choose I date?”
Khaos shrugs his shoulders. “His name is Louis Tony. He’s just moved to town from the city five years ago. He seems dull as dishwater. And you can get a choice later.”
She narrows her eyes. “I want all five of you to stay close. If I have to suffer, you can as well.”
Khaos nods his head as if he expected that. “Agreed. We won’t let him hurt you.”
“As wolves. I don’t need it getting out that I have men living here. Promise me!”
Riot and I protest immediately, but Khaos nods, locking us into this stupidity. I bare my teeth at him, but he levels me with the alpha stare, and I look away.
She glares at him for another pregnant moment and then spins on her heel and goes to her bedroom.
I hear the shower start a minute later.
“Khaos, what the hell, we said we’d do it together,” I lunge towards him, shoving him into the wall. He catches himself and growls. It’s low, vicious, and a deadly warning.
I match it.
“She was taking too long,” Khaos grumbles. “It's done. Let’s see what happens.”
I growl at him.
“You’re an ass.” I transform, going to the far couch and curling up with my nose in my tail, where I can watch the door. Her scent is soothing and very strong here. I close my eyes, breathing her into my lungs.
Casey comes out just before he arrives, and I sit up, staring at her.
She’s put on a soft grey skirt that shimmers with pale streaks and a white shirt that is tight over her breasts.
She has just the tiniest bit of eyeliner, but somehow that amount is perfect on her.
Her hair is brushed out and loose and shines in the light.
I can’t look away from her. What is this? Why does my chest feel tight? She’s beautiful. The curves that I’ve had my hands all over, the way she fit perfectly to my body. I want to take her back to her bedroom, strip her of her clothes, and teach her how to howl.
I hear a car pull up and snarl at the door; he’s dead. I’m going to kill him.
Casey passes a hand over my head, cupping my ear gently. The stroke sends electric pleasure through me, and I lose hold of the homicidal thoughts.
“Chill, Wrath. This is what we all need, remember?”
I’m glad she’s at peace. I personally want to rip the guy apart, and I haven’t even seen him yet. She moves away, her hand slowly leaving my ear. Is she reluctant? Does she feel it, too?
Khaos gives me a level look, warning me not to do anything, and pushes Riot and Angel into the kitchen. Both of them are dragging their feet, looking as predatory as I feel. Hazard takes a spot on the floor, while I bury my face back in my tail and stare, no, glare, at the door.
She opens it before he even finishes knocking. I mentally shake my head. She seems too eager, even though I can tell she just wants him gone. It’s in every line of her body.