Page 18 of Shattered and Saved

It took me a moment to realize he was talking to me before I turned around to find the same man who shot insinuations at Avril while she was showing me around. The memory alone made Col start growling inside my head, his hackles raised in a sign of aggression. Likewise, the hairs on the back of my neck bristled.

Before anger could get the best of me, I managed to rein in my emotions. I had no idea who Waylon - if I remembered his name correctly - was or what kind of relationship he had with Avril. Although my gut told me I shouldn’t like him, I knew it would be smarter to just ignore him, as it was obvious he was just looking for trouble. Yet just as I turned back around to continue on my way, he used his superior speed to stand in front of me, making it clear he wouldn’t leave me alone.

I didn’t back down as he glared at me in a futile attempt to intimidate me. He might be an Ashen Wolf, but I was an alpha, and cowering before another male wasn’t in my genes. Holding my head high, I stared defiantly into his eyes.

“What’s wrong, stray? Don’t tell me you were planning on tucking your tail and running away?” His wicked grin intensified my rage.

Mimicking his expression, I replied, “Sorry, I don’t have time to waste with idiots.”

Waylon bared his fangs at me, balling his fists. Without warning, he advanced, but I was already expecting hostility from him. Before he could touch me, I used my werewolf speed to dodge him. As Elijah had explained, Ashen Wolves could only use their abilities in wolf form, which meant, in human form, we were almost equal. I took an offensive stance after gaining a safe distance, waiting for his next move and trying to read him in case he decided to shift.

Instead, he remained unmoving, squinting as if to study me. “What makes you so special?” he wondered. “You regular wolves are pathetic. Weaker. Slower. Frailer.” I stood my ground as he slowly stepped closer. “I can’t see why Avril has taken such an interest in you.”

“He thinks we’re weak?!”Col roared, enraged.“I’ll prove him wrong! He might know some neat tricks, but I’ll show him we can still outpower him without them!”

In a moment of anger, I was about to listen to my wolf and let him out on Waylon, when a third person suddenly joined the conversation.

“If you think Koen is all of that, why are you picking on him?”

As I looked to my right, I noticed Avril’s delta was now standing beside me, unamused as she stared at the other man. “From where I’m standing, it looks like you see him as a threat.”

Flames danced in Waylon’s eyes as he replied, “I see him for what he is - inferior in every way.”

“Interesting, considering you appearwildly intimidatedby him,” Rhea insisted, boldly approaching Waylon.

“Did Avril put you on babysitting duty while she’s away?” he huffed, already backing away.

“No, but she ordered usallto ensure he is treated well,” she retorted. “It would be smart of you not to test her patience.”

With a final scoff, Waylon left. As the tension dissipated, I began to lower my guard. Glancing at Rhea, I could suddenly understand why Avril was never afraid to stay away with her beta and gamma for long periods. As long as her delta was in charge, her pack was far from unprotected. While Waylon reeked of empty threats, Rhea was far scarier - she seemed to be all bite and no bark.

“She must have been the one watching us all day,”Col concluded, and I found myself agreeing. She must have used her abilities to stay undetected as she followed us around.“That would explain how she appeared so fast.”

In the end, she finally decided to break the silence, looking at me. “You good?”

“Yeah.” I made a brief pause, but I couldn’t hold my curiosity for long. “Who is that guy?” Although the members of Azure Smoke didn’t try to hide their resentment toward me, none ofthem tried to approach me directly. It seemed Waylon’s problem with me was personal.

“That would be Avril’s fuckboy,” Rhea answered casually, unaware of how her revelation made Columbus go berserk inside my head. I couldn’t deny that jealousy flared within me, too, multiplying my desire to shatter that idiot’s face by a thousand. My discontentment must have shown, as the delta soon added, “Don’t worry, she’s been giving him the cold shoulder since she returned from your pack.”

A wave of relief washed over me, as well as a pinch of satisfaction. Yet, it didn’t make me dislike Waylon any less.

“Waylon must have been able to smell her scent on you,” Rhea continued. “He’s gotta be suspicious that something might be going on between the two of you.”

I eyed her for a moment, wondering if she knew about Avril and I. Both the beta and gamma were aware of our relationship, but she never mentioned talking to her delta about it. I couldn’t decipher whether she knew or simply had assumptions, like Waylon.

In the end, I decided to ask, “Did Avril tell you about me?”

“No, and I don’t care,” she told me point-blank. “All that matters is that she deemed you worthy. You’re the first one to learn about us, which means you’re important to her.” She flashed me a side glance before concluding, “That’s enough for me to respect and protect you.”

With her response, it dawned on me why Avril seemed adamant that I would be safe in her pack despite their obvious weariness of me. While she was a guest at my pack, I was constantly concerned she might be targeted - and she was. But I was stupid to think for a second that Azure Smoke and Whispering Hills were the same. I couldn’t fully trust my followers, for I knew their loyalty was split.

Avril’s pack, on the other hand, held her in such high regard that they unwaveringly followed her orders, even when they disagreed.

12

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A V R I L

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