Page 25 of Alice and Her Shifters (Dirty Paranormal Fairytale Haremlan 2)

Calvin stepped forward. “As much as I hate to say this, and I just know this is somehow going to bite me in the ass in the future, Milo does have a point. The only thing we should worry about for right now is making sure you know how to properly defend yourself. The last thing any of us wants is for you to lose your head… or worse.”

I stared at him in shock. I opened my mouth. He held up his hand to ward off any argument I had ready on the tip of my tongue. I groaned.

“What the hell is worse than losing my head?” she asked, her voice growing shrill.

“Trust me on this one,” Calvin said. “You don’t want to know.”

“Um…” she started. “Actually, I do. Else I wouldn’t have asked in the first place.”

“Let’s try some training first,” Calvin said and looked between Alice and me before continuing, “do the basics. Do well, and I’m sure Milo would be willing to give you some answers in return.”

I rolled my eyes. Now he was making deals for me. I hated the idea he beat me to it more than the fact he had done it.

“No,” she snapped. “I’m not moving from this spot until I get answers.”

Her persistence was as admirable as it was annoying. I hated how she was so stubborn, but I couldn’t help but adore it at the same time. I pinched the bridge of my nose. Since when did I get so wrapped up around a woman? I swore them off since Camelia. Never mind the curse of being an unlovable monster. What was it about this girl that had me wanting her so damn badly? I wasn’t sure. And I didn’t like the feeling at all.

The sooner we got rid of Camelia, the better. At least I would be free of the woman. Both of them.

“You have to learn how to use and control your power appropriately if we have any hope of you surviving Camelia’s wrath,” Calvin added.

“Not only that but,” I added, cutting back into the conversation, “only Camelia can fully answer what she wants with your power. We only want you to stop her from getting it.”

“So, she’s the one who wants this?” Alison said, gripping her amulet. “Not you?”

“We do,” I said. “And we have already discussed that.”

Calvin nodded toward Alice, and she blinked as she processed through what was told to her. “Fine. But I want answers.”

“Then let’s be off,” I said and approached Alice. I slipped my hand around her arm and dragged her with me farther from the cottage.

“Where are you dragging me to?” she asked.

“A safe distance away from the cottage in case of any rogue blasts you let loose threaten to remove our only shelter for the time being,” I said.

“I said not until I get answers,” she snapped and pounded my hand with her fists.

I clenched my teeth against the force of her hits. She had a lot more power to her than I initially gave her credit for. “And you’ll get them. After you train.”

Something had to be said for her tenacity. She was a feisty one. I had to give her that. But it was going to take a lot more than a strong will to keep her head on her shoulders. And I would be damned if I stood back and let that happen.

11

ALLISON

Milo and his annoying persistence in avoiding my questions and insisting that I train were making me increasingly angry. Dragging me half a mile down the road wasn’t doing him any favors, much less improving my impression of him. Nor was I taking too kindly to his tone or the way he spoke to me. I wasn’t going to even get started on him insulting my intelligence. That was the icing on the shit cake my night had turned into.

“Let me go,” I demanded. “You don’t have my permission to touch me.”

“Not until we are far enough away,” Milo said.

I jerked my arm in an attempt to pull myself free from his grip. It didn’t work. His hold increased. I growled.

“Let me go right this instant!” I yelled.

He peeked at me with a dangerous glint in his eyes, “Or you’ll what?”

Magic burned through my body, matching my anger. “I’m not a child, asshole. Not to mention, last I checked, you aren’t my father.”

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