“I see. And why didn’t you tell me who Griffin was?” That kind of burned, but I didn’t have a right to be upset. We’d known each other for only a day, and I had a ton of secrets that I hadn’t shared with him. I slid into my seat.
“Because Griffin would rather pretend no one knows, though that’s truly impossible.” He pulled at his ear. I realized it was a sign that he was uncomfortable. “That kind of role isn’t one you can hide from.”
“What’s going on with the attacks? It sounded like there was more to the bear shifter attacking me today.” Maybe today’s attack on me was coincidental, but that seemed convenient. Something about the whole thing bothered me.
Killian tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “Ever since Shadow City began to open back up and the college was built, there’s been at least one attack a month on wolves. We think it’s because Atticus was the one who headed the charge.” He shrugged. “Either way, your best bet is to stick with me, especially since you’ve been attacked twice in two days.”
“I thought Shadow City was a place of refuge. How did it become so volatile?” That was the missing piece that I couldn’t get a handle on.
“From what Griffin had told me one drunken night, that had been the intent, but they started recruiting powerful beings and approving only the strongest to move there before the border shut down.” He shrugged. “I didn’t push for more information, but essentially, only the strongest of the races were allowed into the city.”
So much hidden history. But it wasn’t my problem. I had something more pressing on my mind. “I need clothes.” I lifted the skirt material. “This isn’t cutting it. I need jeans so I can carry my knife around. I hate to ask, but can you cover me until I get my first paycheck?”
“Normally, I would argue with you, but after today, I won’t.” He pouted. “So I guess that means I’m taking you shopping.”
THE REST of the day flew by, despite me looking over my shoulder at all times, expecting to be jumped again. I’d gotten two pairs of jeans, a few shirts, a pair of tennis shoes, and boots at a local thrift store, so tomorrow I’d feel more like myself.
Once my new-to-me stuff was washed, I put it away and then paced around the small bedroom. It was almost eleven at night, and I was restless. My wolf was edgy, not having a pack, and that damn tug was working at me again. I’d been waiting for Killian to settle in for the night so I could head out to the backyard and stand in the moonlight for a few minutes. The moon always seemed to soothe my soul and spoke to my wolf in a way that was almost inexplicable. It wasn’t nearly as effective as running in animal form, but it would help ease the turmoil brimming within.
As quietly as possible, I opened my door and creeped out to the back porch. Low mumblings from the television from Killian’s room informed me he was already in bed. My heart slowed as a sense of calm settled over me. I needed to be alone. He and I had been together all day, and even though I enjoyed his company, I needed space to function properly.
I slipped down the brick steps and around the concrete pool area until my feet touched the grass on the side of the yard. I lifted my face to the moon, feeling a little bit of its power wash over me.
Even though it was a trickle compared to a full moon, it was enough to make my blood buzz. That was when I heard the snap of a branch. I tensed.
I wasn’t alone.
CHAPTER NINE
I
spun on my heels and faced the direction of the white house next door. The scent of leather and myrrh filled my nose, and the tug from earlier reappeared.
Griffin was near.
Dammit. I came out here for peace, and the douchebag showed up here. Maybe he came for a swim. Either way, I had to stay away from him. For some reason, he grated on my nerves by being in close proximity. The fact that I was drawn to his playboy ways pissed me off even more.
No self-respecting girl would want someone like him. And I refused to become another notch in his belt, even if I would love to know how his lips tasted.
That was another reason I didn’t need to be around him. I would never taste his lips. Ever.
Hoping he hadn’t seen me, I turned to go back inside.
“What are you doing out here alone?” he asked as he stepped from the tree line.
I scowled at him. “Minding my own business, unlike you.” I wished there was a privacy fence around the pool so I could’ve hidden, but shifters instinctively knew how to swim, so drowning wasn’t a hazard.
“Noted.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and stopped about five feet away from me. He still had on the same clothes from this afternoon, but he looked a little worse for wear. “You kicked that bear shifter’s ass. But I wouldn’t get too cocky. You probably couldn’t do it again.” “Why, because I’m a girl?” Malice dripped from each word.
Griffin chuckled. “The guy wasn’t expecting you to fight back, so you had the element of surprise.”
What an arrogant bastard. Granted, I already knew that about him from earlier, but his smugness seemed to get worse each time I saw him, and that had been only twice so far. What would happen next time? Maybe he’d try to prove his point by tossing me in front of a car. “We could fight now.” I’d kick his ass, and that would be the end of it.
Hopefully.
“You think you could take me?” He touched his chest with a huge-ass smirk. His eyes flicked to my mouth, and I licked my lips in response.
Agh, I had to stop. I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin. “I know I can.” Especially with the moon shining on me, I could kick his ass with my eyes closed.
“You want to shift into our wolves?” He grabbed the hem of his shirt, ready to remove it.
That was a big fat no. If I shifted, he’d probably know what I was. “Nope, I don’t need my animal to make you scream like a girl.”
“Well, all right then.” He charged at me without warning, fighting dirty.
I wasn’t surprised. He moved to wrap his arm around my waist, and I spun to the right out of his reach. He ran past me and almost fell since he had planned on my body to stop his momentum.
He huffed and faced me as his hazel eyes glowed. “You were lucky.”