25

I
shoved Griffin away and jerked back as Killian stepped onto the back porch. He paused and rubbed his chin as he took us in.
“Are you two trying to wake up the neighborhood?” he asked.
“No.” I’d been aware we were getting loud, but I hadn’t realized the extent.
Griffin yanked at his shirt and glared at me. “Why the hell did you shove me?”
“Because you were all up in my face.” And I’d loved every second of it. I didn’t even want to consider what would’ve happened if Killian hadn’t come outside. Griffin’s lips had been only a breath away from mine, and I hadn’t had the fight in me to pull away.
I couldn’t be alone with him. Hell, I shouldn’t be around him at all, but definitely not alone.
“You weren’t complaining a few seconds ago.” Griffin smirked.
“What the hell does that mean?” Killian tensed and ran down the stairs, joining us in the backyard.
My body felt like it was on fire, and not the kind I’d felt moments ago. This was the kind that made me want to cover my face in shame. I’d almost broken a promise to the one person I could rely on. I had to figure out a way to salvage this. “He and I scuffled.” That wasn’t a lie.
“Scuffled?” Killian parroted, and his forehead etched with confusion.
“He didn’t think I could kick his ass.” I avoided Griffin’s gaze, not wanting to see his expression.
“So, I had to prove to him that I can handle myself.”
“Dude, I could’ve told you that.” Killian pointed at his face. “She broke my nose yesterday.”
“Whatever,” Griffin grumbled. “But it’s her fault we’re fighting. I was out here making sure the bear shifter wasn’t around, and she came out all by herself. You’d think you wouldn’t let your girlfriend come out at night alone.”
“He’s not my father, so I don’t need his permission.” God, I wanted to smack Griffin. I glared at him. “So why don’t you go to Hell?”
Well, I escalated that quickly, but I couldn’t control my emotions around him. This was going to be a problem.
“Oh, it’s clear that he’s not your father.” Griffin laughed crazily. “You don’t have to tell me that, but if he cares so damn much about you, then he needs to not let you go outside in the middle of the night by yourself. You could get captured or worse.”
“Do we need to go over this again?” My body shook with so much anger. “I can take care of myself.”
Killian touched my shoulder, and Griffin growled.
“Dude.” Killian lifted his hand off me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Griffin straightened his shoulders and puffed out his chest. “More than fine. Great.” The awful smell of a lie hit our noses.
“Yeah, right. If that’s the case, then why are the two of you out here, yelling at each other?” Killian glanced at me before fixating on his friend again. “I mean, you say she shouldn’t be outside, but if anyone was in the vicinity, they’d come check out the noise, and both of you could be in trouble.”
Dammit, he was right. “Part of his concern is that the bear shifter escaped before they could get him to the jail.”
“What?” Killian’s mouth dropped. “How is that possible?”
Griffin’s shoulders deflated, and he looked like the confused person I’d felt like earlier. He rubbed a hand down his face. “Apparently, Harold didn’t follow standard police protocol, and the guy attacked him and got away.” Griffin started the story from scratch, filling Killian in on everything he’d already told me.
“Why didn’t you tell us this earlier?” Killian frowned. “He could try again.”
“That’s why I’m out here.” Griffin glanced over his shoulder at the woods. “I wanted to make sure that no one was lurking around.”
“We don’t even know if he was targeting me.” If the bear was one of the men who’d killed my pack, he would’ve known I was skilled and strong. He would’ve had backup, especially since it wasn’t a new moon. I figured this had to be someone different, which made things even more complicated. “I could’ve been the closest wolf.”
“She’s right.” Killian wrapped an arm around my waist as he watched Griffin. “The group that’s unhappy are attacking wolves in general. Any of us could be next.”
“I don’t understand what’s going on.” I’d gleaned a lot earlier, but there were still crucial pieces of the puzzle missing. “I get that wolves are being attacked because you all opened the city back up, but I still don’t understand-why only wolves?”
“Right before Dad died, he headed the initiative to open the borders, much to the chagrin of one of the angel council members and all three witch representatives. The vote was cast, and Dad got the majority by only one vote. Even though he died, there was no stopping the decision.” Griffin winced with pain. “The alpha power transferred to me upon his death. At times, feeling everyone gets to be too much. That’s why things have fallen apart since then.”
“Any transition has road bumps.” Killian tried to reassure him. “We’ve talked about this.”
“And I told you that I’m not ready to be alpha. I could never be the kind of leader Dad was.” Griffin rubbed his hands together. “The only reason I haven’t handed the reins over to Dick permanently is all the turmoil going on. Once things are settled, I’ll figure out my next steps.”
Everyone fell silent, and after a prolonged moment, I forced a yawn. I’d come out here to find comfort and refuge, but all I’d gotten was drama and angst. “I’m exhausted. I’m going to bed.” “Shouldn’t you go home?” Griffin rasped.
“Dude,” Killian said, “she’s staying with me for a while.”
He raised both hands. “I was thinking if the bear attacked her because she was with us, staying away would be the best idea.”
“I’m done having the same conversation with you over and over.” I glared at him. “I’ve already kicked your ass, so drop it.” I marched up the steps to the back porch and entered the house, leaving the two idiots outside.
When the door closed, I leaned against the wall, trying to find some sort of calm.
“Why are you being such an asshole to her?” Killian growled, and I startled, realizing I was in the perfect place to eavesdrop. I held my breath, trying to make sure I heard everything. Killian continued, “Is it because I got her first?”