“That’s insane.” Killian turned the truck toward the entrance of Shadow Ridge University. “So whoever this person is wants you so he can father silver wolves. This is so much worse than I expected.”
And that was when it hit me. Now that he knew my entire story, he might not want me around. I couldn’t blame him, with the danger hanging over me. “I get it if you want me to leave.”
“Of course I don’t.” He reached over and patted my arm. “You’re only the second person I’ve truly connected with since my own family died. And honestly, the reason I live in the Ridge is because my pack became the protectors once the silver wolves left. Maybe with you by my side, I could become the type of alpha my pack needs and the two of us can work together.”
“Really?” I’d never thought Shadow City would replace us. “And you do miss being close with your pack.”
“Yeah, so I think it’s cool that history has kind of come full circle.” He rolled down his window and scanned his card. “And I do, but it’s so hard to look at my pack members, knowing I failed not only them but my family. In a way, this has to be destiny.”
My heart fractured. “My parents and pack being slaughtered was destiny?”
“Dammit. I didn’t mean it like that.” He cleared his throat as he rolled his window back up. “Let’s talk about this more later.”
“Okay, but there’s something else you need to know.” I stared at the building in front of us. “When
I kind of lost it earlier, I ran into the nearest woods and shifted.”
“While I was getting your ID?” he asked, his words careful, not conveying any sort of emotion.
“Yes, and someone saw me.” If he got upset with me, he’d have the right. Since he was providing shelter for me, when I did anything stupid, it could fall back on him.
His jaw clenched. “Griffin?”
“What?” Out of all of the people he might guess, I hadn’t expected that one. “No, not him.”
“Thank God.” His shoulders relaxed. “Then who?”
“Rosemary.” The next words left my mouth faster than ever before. “But she didn’t see me in human form, so maybe she won’t know it was me.”
“I take it back.” He tensed. “I would rather it have been Griffin after all. If Rosemary figures it out, that’s going to be an even bigger problem.”
“Why?” If she was a bigger threat, then there was no telling what we could be walking into on campus.
CHAPTER TWELVE
T
he car clock showed two minutes ’til nine. I hated to cut this conversation short, however, I needed the job. I hoped that Rosemary wouldn’t ruin it for me, but I couldn’t hide like a coward. She seemed like she might not want others to know about me, so I’d hold on to that until she proved otherwise. “We’ve got to hurry or I’m going to be late.”
“Are you sure it’s smart going in there?” Killian cracked his knuckles. “Rosemary isn’t known for being patient. And if she figures it out, she’ll alert her mom, Yelahiah, who happens to be a council member of Shadow City.”
Which meant every leader in the city would find out about me. Dammit. “If I don’t show up, then it might confirm what she suspects. And if you’re right and she doesn’t keep her mouth shut, then I’m going to look guilty for not coming to work.” If she did start talking, I needed to know as fast as possible. The longer she ran her mouth and I didn’t know, the more at risk I’d be from whomever was hunting me.
My stomach churned.
Being a rogue wolf was already taking its toll, even with Killian by my side. I couldn’t imagine what it’d be like all on my own with not even a friend. Relationships were so damn important to wolves.
“Fine, but one funny look, and we’re out of there.” He looked at me sternly. “You have to at least promise me that.”
I was damn lucky to have found him. “Got it.” “Promise?” he pushed.
He already knew my stubborn ass too well. “Yes, promise.”
He must have seen what he was looking for because he opened his door and climbed out. Normally he’d run over and open mine, but I had one minute to get inside. I got out and joined him behind the truck. Not missing a beat, the two of us rushed into the building and made our way to the coffee shop.
When we approached the shop, the line was already out the door and into the hallway. I shouldn’t have been surprised-most of the people in line looked like they could fall asleep standing right there.
I sprinted to the counter where Carter stood grumpily in front of the cash register as one lanky crow shifter made drinks.
Carter sniffed as I got closer, and he let out a huge sigh, “It’s about time you got here.”
“Oh, come on.” Killian chuckled as he caught up to me. “She’s one minute late. I’m pretty sure that line didn’t miraculously appear during the last minute.”
“No, but Deissy called out sick again.” Carter frowned. “I told her don’t bother coming in ever again.”
“You pulled the plug on her?” Killian sounded mildly impressed. “What made you finally do it?”
“Because you found someone to replace her.” Carter held up a finger to the customer standing in front. “Please hold on one second.” He turned to me. “But I need that ID now. I got screamed at by HR for letting you work yesterday.”
The fact that he planned to keep me on helped with some of my turmoil. At least, I had something I could kind of call my own.
“Oh, here.” Thank God Killian had come through for me. I handed Carter my ID and slipped on an apron. “Anything else?” At least, he was acting normal, not that he would’ve heard the latest gossip with the shop insanely busy.
“Yes.” Carter hissed at the cash register like it was the demon he’d said lived in it. “Work that damn thing.”
I grinned as I reached the register. Carter already seemed to rely on me, which thrilled me.
“When does she get off?” Killian asked.
“Come get her after the noon rush, but I’ll want her here earlier tomorrow morning,” Carter answered.
Killian blew me a kiss as he walked out the door, and then I focused on my task at hand.