Page 62 of Howling
Bellamy.
I repeat his name in my head, the rough texture of his voice sending a shiver down my spine. I cross my arms, struggling to untangle my fascination with dragons from the man before me. The slight rasp when he says his name makes me suspect he doesn’t talk much.
The council doesn’t encourage discussion, only obedience.
I caught his scant hesitation before he spoke, and I wonder how long it’s been since he offered it to anyone. My soul aches at the isolation he’s been forced to endure. The way his life mirrors mine is almost eerie. I didn’t dare make any friends or allow anyone close for fear they would discover my secrets and turn me over to the council.
It was a heart-wrenchingly solitary existence, but at least I had Gramps.
Who did Bellamy have to keep him sane?
Tearing my eyes away from the dragon, I survey the ragtag group of men in front of me. They are all rough around the edgesand more than a little bit feral. It’s not the most intimidating army, but they have potential…if I can keep them from killing each other.
“This is your last chance to leave.” I drop my hands to my hips, scowling at the obstinate assholes, both hoping to scare them away and fearing they might go. “Once we head into town, it will be too late. Be sure this is what you want.”
Tyler spins the keys around his finger before catching them in his hand. “It’s already too late. When you came to my rescue in town, my life was forever altered.”
He flashes me his most winsome smile, and I do my best not to react outwardly. On the inside, I’m freaking the fuck out at the way my heart flutters and my body practically melts at his declaration. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Gramps taught me to control every inch of my body. It’s frustrating as fuck that I’m unable to snuff out my attraction to them.
As the sun comes up behind him, his red hair looks like it catches fire, and his green eyes blaze with determination. He truly believes what he’s saying. It’s not a game or a gimmick for him.
“The Goldcrest pack isn’t one to forgive or forget,” Garth says, stealing my attention. “You took control of the whole pack, even the alpha. Trent is not going to let that slide.”
Dante snorts, derision twisting his expression, and I’m not sure if it’s directed at me or the Goldcrest pack. “To Trent, you’re a female—an easy target. He won’t stop coming after you, not when you have all that power just sitting there for the taking.”
“Just what I need—more assholes joining my fan club,” I mutter under my breath, cursing myself for being drawn into their drama. While I enjoy helping people who need it, getting involved with them is something else.
I’ve mostly been able to keep to myself, but there is something about the guys that’s impossible to resist. MaybeI’m just drawn to the danger that surrounds them like an intoxicating pheromone, but I fear it’s more than that.
Ilikethem.
Shudder.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I focus on the bigger problem. “We’re going into town virtually blind. All we know is that a small coven of witches has disappeared.”
“Your contact said something was off,” Garth reminds me, his face brooding as he focuses on the job. “Why don’t you let some of us scout the town first?”
I open my mouth to protest, then hesitate.
“That’s not a bad idea,” I admit a bit reluctantly. I’ve only been in their world for a few months, but it’s enough to learn that while most witches don’t like shifters, they won’t outright attack. “Just be careful. I don’t like that we don’t know anything about the situation.”
“We just passed the outer edges of the Goldcrest’s land. We’re officially out of shifter territory.” Dante gazes in the direction of the town. “Normally, most witches are tolerant of shifters, but the Goldcrest pack isn’t known for its congeniality. We’ll need to be careful. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re not greeted with some level of hostility.”
I rub the spot between my eyes, but it does nothing to relieve the building headache. “I won’t ask you guys to walk into danger. You?—”
“You didn’t ask, we offered,” Garth interrupts with a scowl. “One of us can enter quietly, observe, and return before they’re even aware of us.”
I don’t like it, and I bite my tongue to keep from saying so. If it were just me, I would sneak into town on my own, test out the waters, and leave if I sensed anything off.
Something tells me that the men would object if I insisted on checking it out on my own.
Their protectiveness is almost sweet, if a bit annoying.
While Gramps kept me safe, he didn’t coddle me. He wanted to prepare me for the real world. Each day was a lesson in survival. I don’t resent the way I was raised, but relying on others is so out of my realm of experience that it instantly makes me suspicious.
Garth’s blue eyes shimmer as he waits for my verdict, and part of me relaxes slightly that he’s leaving the decision up to me. He’s not trying to take over the op. He’s just offering a suggestion. Since he lives in this unfamiliar world, it would be foolish not to follow his lead.
I give a reluctant nod. “If you’re not back in thirty minutes, we’ll come after you.”
