“Of course.” He kissed my cheek. “You’re one of my best friends now. I’d do anything for you.” He walked around the building, heading to his truck.
How I wished we felt a romantic connection to each other. He was the type of guy my dad would’ve been so proud that I found. He was kind, considerate, and loyal. Although, if my dad was still alive, Killian and I probably wouldn’t have become friends even if the silver wolves had returned to Shadow City. We’d bonded over the loss of our families and created a connection through that.
Forcing myself to go back into the building, I rushed to the bathroom to wash my hands. As I looked in the mirror, I almost didn’t recognize the girl staring back at me. My silver hair was pulled back into a bun, and my silver-purple eyes had darkened to almost steel gray. Hell, with the paleness of my skin, I could almost pass for a vampire.
My clothes were a little baggy on me, due to all the stress. Every time I tried to eat, I’d lose my appetite after a few bites. Lately, I’d been living on coffee, which amped me up even more on top of everything else. At some point, I would have to risk shifting and taking a run.
Turning away from the mirror, I cranked the paper towel dispenser and wiped down my hands and face. I tossed the paper towel into the garbage and pinched my cheeks, trying to add a little color to my skin, then left the bathroom.
The two girls in the kitchen were gone, and when I walked out front, only Carter remained.
He leaned over, trying to see behind me, and sniffed. “How’d you lose Killian? I need you to teach me that little trick.”
Carter and Killian loved giving each other hell, but I could tell there was mutual respect on both sides.
“He was whining about the smell and said he needed to run to the store, so he took off.” I placed a hand on my hip and forced a smile, trying to act somewhat normal. However, my mind kept seeing the artwork I’d left behind. “I’m assuming the smell is why you sent him out there in the first place.”
“Maybe.” He shrugged. “He did leave me drunk off my ass at a party a couple of weeks ago with this girl I can’t stand wrapped all around me.” He shuddered at the memory. “All the things she did to me that night I can’t take back. But I was hoping he’d puke.”
“You do realize he’s a shifter.” Granted, that smell was awful out there, but our stomachs were sturdy.
“But the pain is real.” He nodded toward the door. “Let’s get out of here.”
As we left the building, a certain dark angel caught my eye. Rosemary was outside all alone, lying on top of a picnic table like she was sunbathing. She had a bag propped under her neck and shoulders as she read some sort of textbook.
Anger spread through me like wildfire. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said to Carter as I headed toward her.
“Uh, yeah. See ya.” He sounded confused, but I didn’t have time to focus on that.
Of course, she would be perched outside the coffee shop to watch my reaction. I shouldn’t confront her-that was what she wanted after all-but I was done playing this cat and mouse game with her.
It ended now.
I marched directly toward her, welcoming the righteous anger. The emotion was a soothing relief to the stress, anxiety, and pain that I felt most of the time.
When I reached her, I stood so that my shadow blocked her sun.
She dropped her book and sighed. “Can I help you?” Even though she sounded put out, interest seemed to spark in her eyes.
“You had to do it, didn’t you?” My wolf brushed against my mind. She’d been struggling and cooped up, which was a dangerous combination to my already fracturing self.
“Do what?” She placed her book down beside her and sat fully upright. She examined my face and tilted her head.
“Don’t play innocent.” I lifted my hands. “You’re getting what you wanted. A reaction.” “Dove, what happened?” she asked, sounding perplexed.
“You want me to spell it out for you, don’t you?” My emotions swirled inside me so much that I couldn’t get a read on her. I was losing control, and I wasn’t sure how to rein it in.
She chewed on her bottom lip. “Are you okay?”
“You drew a silver wolf by the dumpster, knowing I’d take out the garbage and see it,” I hissed as my hands shook. “And you’re asking me if I’m okay?”
“What?” She jumped to her feet and looked all around us. “I did no such thing.”
“Oh?” I wasn’t buying it. “You expect me to believe that after you’ve interrogated me at every opportunity the past week?”
“You’re a wolf.” She tapped my shoulder. “You’d know if I was lying.”
Dammit. She was right. “But if it wasn’t you-” My mind circled and landed me right back on the last new moon in my pack.
They’d found me. But how…? I’d been so careful. Hell, Killian didn’t even know my real name because I was afraid he might slip.
I had to get out of here, and now. This would’ve been an excellent time to have a car… or wings. “Do you have any idea who could have done it, have you noticed anyone lurking around? You’ve been here every day.”
“Not at all.” Her wings sprang from her back, spreading out. “I’ll go see if I can find anything out. In the meantime, lie low.”
“Wait!” The last thing I needed was for even more people to know about me. “How many people are you going to tell?”
“Zero.” Her forehead creased.