Page 23 of Alice and Her Shifters (Dirty Paranormal Fairytale Haremlan 2)

I sucked in a breath. Of all the things they could have said, reprimanding me for saving their lives wasn’t at the top of the list of things to expect them to say. “I was just trying to help.”

“Well, your help just put a target on your back,” Milo said. His words sliced into my nerves.

This night just kept getting better and better. And Milo was constantly at the center of it all. I wasn’t sure if I was the luckiest girl in the world, or the unluckiest. I was leaning more toward the latter.

“Don’t take it too seriously,” Calvin said. “He gets like this sometimes.”

“Oh sure, let’s downplay the severity of her actions,” Milo said. “Let’s celebrate!”

“Oh!” Adain said, perking up. “Cake and tea?”

“No, you fucking idiot,” Milo snapped. “I was being sarcastic.”

Aidan laughed.

I rubbed my temples as I took a deep breath. “If you have something to say, I want you to say it. Clear the air.”

“Are you sure about that?” Calvin asked, sounding hesitant.

I nodded. “I want to hear what he has to say.”

“Your funeral,” he muttered and took a step back.

I rolled my eyes, doubting Milo would really want to hurt a hair on my head. Not after the demonstration he just pulled. But if he wanted to yell and scream at me, so be it. He was no better.

“You really want to hear what I have to say?” Milo asked.

I nodded.

His eyes glowed and sparked. I sucked in a breath.

10

MILO

“You’re an incredibly stupid, stupid girl,” I snapped and started to pace the ground in front of Aidan’s cottage.

“Excuse me?” Allison said, anger growing in her voice. “How dare you insult me like that. Especially after everything!”

“Milo,” Calvin said interrupting my teachable moment. A moment that involved only Alice and myself. “Take it easy. She just saved our lives.”

“Thank you,” Allison said. “It’s about time someone acknowledged that not so tiny fact.”

I ignored Alice and rounded on Calvin. “Yes, but not without risking her life at the same time. Did you forget about the plan, Calvin? Or did a hit to your head knock a few vital screws loose?”

Calvin frowned at me. His eyes were turning cold, and I knew I was pushing my luck, but I didn’t care. Everything was all wrong. So very wrong. This wasn’t the plan. She wasn’t supposed to fight. She wasn’t even supposed to be here. We were supposed to take the amulet and…

“Funny how you mentioned the plan…” Calvin said.

“GAH!” I screamed and started pacing again. “Not this again.”

“You’re welcome, by the way,” Alice said. “Not that you would ever admit to being grateful.”

I glared at her. What was it about the point of my anger was she not getting? “Are you completely blind and deaf? You’re now at the top of the red witch’s most wanted list. I’m supposed to be grateful for that? For you putting your life on the line?”

“I understand that I acted hastily, and you believe the red witch wants my head and power. I’m not an idiot regardless of how many times you insult my intelligence and call me stupid. I don’t regret what I did. And clearly a little gratitude for jumping in when I did is too much to ask for,” she said.

“I don’t expect you to understand this, but you did us less favors jumping in than if you had kept yourself in Aidan’s bed! Now you have no choice. You will train.”

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