Chosen Fool (Forever Evermore #5)(16)

He placed his hands in his pockets. “So…we can stop avoiding each other now.”

“Thank God,” I gushed, grinning from ear to ear. “It was a little awkward.”

“We should have talked sooner.” And his gaze was that of a Prodigy’s.

I nodded swiftly. “No more of this shit.”

“Agreed.” His lips curved up on one side. His mouth opened, but he slammed it shut.

Our attention snapped to the front of the tent.

We instantly took a step back from each other.

Elder Merrick had slipped through the hanging scarves. Silent.

His eyes narrowed on Brann.

The Elder jerked a thumb over his shoulder, toward the exit.

Brann groaned, “We were just—”

“Now, Mr Johnson,” Elder Merrick growled, a bit of wolf in his tone.

It was an alpha’s command.

Brann ground his teeth together but nodded respectfully. He peered directly at me, stating coolly, “Maybe we can have a beer sometime. Just hang out.” As friends.

I nodded. “I like that idea.”

He actually shoved Elder Merrick’s shoulder as he passed by him, not appreciating the direct order to leave.

The Elder didn’t notice the angry blow. The more experienced Shifter didn’t even glance back at him. His navy, complex eyes stared directly into mine. He said not a word, but his silent regard was enough. Intimidating and gorgeous, he managed to get his point across without opening his lush mouth.

His stare stated: Stay the f*ck away from the Prodigy Shifter.

I nibbled on my bottom lip and feigned dry humor that I wasn’t feeling. “Our conversations are so stimulating, don’t you think?”

Without one syllable spoken, he turned and slipped outside the tent.

I waved my purse where he used to stand, pretending he was still there. “It’s always a pleasure, Elder Merrick.” I whacked the air once for good measure.





Chapter Eight

Not at all in the mood—and that would be an understatement—I glared at King Collins where we sat at the dinner table. I had skipped lunch with everyone, but I had managed to make it for this fun-filled meal. Although now I had to deal with King Collins, who held one of my earbuds in his left hand after rudely yanking it from my ear.

I lowered my fork, ignoring the fact everyone at the table had gone mute, and glowered into the brown, scowling eyes of my King. “Do you mind? I was listening to that.”

“Take these out,” he demanded quietly, tugging a bit. I quickly slapped a hand over the other earbud still in my ear, keeping it steady. “Others have been trying to speak with you, and you can’t hear them.”

I raised my brows, stating dryly, “That’s the point.” There was only so much I could take after Sin’s departure. I jerked on the cord to my stolen earbud. “Give it back.”

An incredulous expression passed over his features—I had never blatantly refused him or been flat out rude to him in public. He quickly schooled his features, ordering me even more quietly, “Caro, take them out now.”

My lips began to curve. I was more than pissed with my f*cking life. “Or what?”

I was pretty sure no one at the table blinked.

King Collins took a very slow breath in through his nose, his eyes never leaving my face as they scanned each of my features, and just as steadily his eyes began to narrow. “What you want right now, Caro, what you’re pushing for…” He bent, placing his sharp gaze directly in front of my glaring eyes. “It won’t solve your problems. Cut the shit out and do as you’re told.”

I gritted my teeth, my jaw muscles clenching and unclenching as I breathed in shallow pants. I eyed his unwavering, unforgiving eyes, feeling downright irrational and violent, but a flash of sanity returned and I knew without a doubt…he was right.

I lifted my left hand and took the other earbud out, glancing down to turn the music off. Keeping my trap shut, I pulled the other one from his now slack fingers and tucked both earbuds into my top. Raising my fork, I waved my other hand at everyone else as I stared at my plate, muttering, “The drama’s done. You can quit staring.”

The conversation was sluggish to resume around the table.

One of the people I seriously wanted nothing to do with right now, asked, “Caro, you disappeared during the shopping trip. Did you find a store to hoard as your own?”

I snorted at my plate, taking another bite of my mashed potatoes. I calmly chewed, then I wiped my mouth before I peered up to Mrs Damon. She sat directly across from me, her husband to her left and Leric on her right. I stated, “No shops held my attention. Instead, I had the most enlightening conversation by myself, and I decided a bit of solitary reflection was in order afterward.” A smart-ass, I was.

Leave me alone, Satan-mom.

Her head cocked and she still pushed. “I’ve often found inspiration comes where you least expect it.” She sipped at her glass of white wine. “Did your alone time of reflection produce any results?”

I teetered my head, actually thinking that question through for a moment, then I nodded. Without blinking, I stated bluntly, “Yes, I came to the conclusion my romantic life is an enormous f*cked-up mess, and the only thing I’m halfway decent at is being the cold-hearted, criminal bitch my upbringing taught me to be to survive.” My mouth just wouldn’t shut up with this woman—she crawled under my skin that badly. Silence had overcome the table again as I spooned my mashed potatoes. “Well, you know, that was my conclusion, after as much answer-searching self-reflection that a childish twenty-three-year-old can have.”