Page 37 of Howling
It’s clear she was his target all along.
The thought of her being captured and dragged away in chains is like a kick to the balls. My beast falls silent, a deadly rage threatening to send him bursting from my skin. I shouldn’t give a fuck. Pretty women like her are trouble, just like I predicted when I first caught sight of her standing in my kitchen.
Oblivious to my chaotic thoughts, Frankie strolls past Garth and me, like she doesn’t have a care in the world. She doesn’t take more than two steps before casually calling over her shoulder, “We need to leave before the others arrive.”
It doesn’t matter that I said the very same thing moments ago, minus the thought of leaving her behind. Yet this time, Garth doesn’t even pause before following her command, and my jaw clenches so tight that my teeth grind together.
I’m left standing in the field of bodies, my hands on my hips, watching her sashay away. A series of wolves bay into the cool night air, the pack so close, I can practically feel their paws pounding against the earth.
With a huff, I stomp after the others.
I’m the enforcer of the group.
It’s my job to protect everyone.
I’m unsure whether I’m more annoyed at her giving orders or the fact that she can take care of herself. I should be thrilled she doesn’t cry over a broken nail or a smear of blood on her shoe.
But if she can protect herself, then she doesn’t need me, and my beast doesn’t like that thought one bit.
When we round the house, I spy Tyler packing the car with our shit. The familiar sight of the fox with his holsters and guns strapped to him is reassuring. I spot five, which means he’s probably wearing twice that. Besides a few bruises, he’s relatively unharmed, and the tension eases out of my spine.
I don’t give a shit about much these days, but the two men in my pack are the exception.
Not only have they earned my respect, but they also keep me sane…well, relatively sane.
I accepted a long time ago that reality is overrated.
When my eyes land on the girl, drawn to her once a-fucking-gain, I cock my head and narrow my eyes.
Something isn’t right.
Why take a prisoner?
Why not kill him?
It’s more efficient.
It’s not like she’s shy about killing. She didn’t even blink as she efficiently dispatched the others.
Bringing him with us is a liability, unless…
“You were going to leave without us.” I snarl the accusation, my beast bristling with the thought of her disappearing from our lives.
“Yes,” she answers, not even bothering to deny it.
Tyler jerks at the admission, like he’s been shot, every emotion draining from his expression. He picks up the last bag, shoving it into the trunk, not bothering to look up from the task.
Though he hides it, her admission hurt him. He rarely allows anyone close, but she slipped under his radar. I’m not sure I can forgive her for that. If I weren’t so pissed, I could almost admire the balls on the girl for not even bothering to lie. “You disappeared in the middle of the fight. You were just going to walk away and let us die.”
If anything happens to my pack because of whatever game she’s playing, I will hunt her down and take my own pound of flesh from her.
My accusation gets a reaction.
Her head whips in my direction, and an adorable snarl curls her lips that I would dare question her honor. “I was fighting this one.” She rattles the chains in her grip. “By the time I had him subdued, the fighting was over.”
My beast paces in my chest, restless as the wolves press closer. The need to get her to safety is almost enough for me to ignore my suspicions.
Almost.
