Carnage Island (Reject Island)(24)

However, as he prowls into the room this morning, I can’t help but feel it was a very bad choice.

He goes straight to the shower without looking at me.

I stand up and tiptoe from the room, trying to avoid his mood.

Caius meets me in the hallway, his expression giving nothing away. “How’d you sleep, gorgeous?”

I can’t actually answer him, so I just rub against his leg in response because he seems to like that style of greeting. It’s a sign of affection between wolves, something I really have no right to give, but these males welcomed me into their home. I have no idea why they’re being so nice to me. However, I’m thankful for it.

They’ve turned my nightmare into something akin to a dream.

My anger hasn’t abated.

My sadness is still there, too.

But they’ve somehow introduced a lightness to my heart that I long to embrace. It may all be a trick or some cruel way to lull me into a state of comfort. However, my wolf seems to trust them, which makes me want to trust them, too.

Caius runs his fingers through my fur, telling me how soft and pretty I am. It’s the same thing he said yesterday.

And just like yesterday, he squats before me and asks if I’m hungry.

I pant in response—my equivalent of a “yes” that he seems to translate with ease.

He winks one silver eye at me and stands again. “Follow me.”

I don’t really have a choice since his direction is the only way to go. But I would probably follow him regardless. He possesses an air of happiness about him that I find alluring.

Caius is definitely the playful one of the trio. Volt is the protector, his lethal aura one that makes my wolf want to roll over on her back in immediate submission. And Tieran is the leader.

Which is why I can’t shake this sensation of unease against my fur. Tieran’s displeasure can’t be good. The fact he didn’t even acknowledge me says I’m the cause of that displeasure, or something about me has him on edge.

Maybe I’ll take the guest room tonight.

Assuming they let me continue staying here.

It’s not escaped my notice that this experience is a gift, not a natural occurrence.

Volt meets us in the kitchen, a bowl in his hand. “Morning, sweetling,” he coos, setting the bowl on the ground. “Better eat. Tieran has plans for you today.”

My stomach flips over at his words. Plans? What kind of plans?

I’m not sure I want to spend time with him in his current mood. I can still feel his dominance wrapping around my neck like a noose.

He’s either been holding it back, to help make me feel at ease, or it’s particularly strong today.

Given the last two days of treatment, I suspect it’s the former. And for whatever reason, he’s done hiding his Alpha persona from me today.

Is he going to make me leave? It’s something I should want—freedom. But these Alphas haven’t given me cause to want to run. If anything, they’ve given me very good reasons to stay.

I’ve never been one to rely on others for my survival. My mother trained me well for a reason. However, this island is nothing like the home I grew up in. I’ve not been given a proper tour of the lands, but I can sense the dangers lurking here.

The dangerous wolves.

Their Alpha spirits.

The violent undertones of their need to survive.

I shiver and Caius strokes his fingers through my mane again. “You’re safe, Clove,” he whispers. “We won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Words I long to believe, but how can I trust three men I’ve just met? Because they’ve literally proven through actions that they won’t hurt you, some part of me says. Maybe the words are driven by my wolf. Or perhaps it’s my intelligent side trying to slap some sense into me.

I focus on the bowl and the fresh fruit mingled with oats. It’s not something I would have anticipated eating on Carnage Island, but so far nothing about this place is what I could have ever anticipated.

In addition to me actually being here.

As a Carnage Wolf.

I lap up the meal while Caius and Volt sit on the floor with me. They’ve not eaten at the table for any of our meals, and I find the gesture heartwarming.

Another direct conflict to everything I thought I knew about Carnage Wolves.

Tieran joins us several minutes later, his hair still damp from his shower, and a pair of jeans slung low on his hips.

He doesn’t look at me, instead focusing on breakfast and taking a chair at the table instead of sitting on the ground.

I consider trying to slip from the kitchen unnoticed, but the way he’s seated puts me in the center of his vision.

“Do you want to try shifting again, Clove?” Volt asks as he takes my empty bowl and places it in the sink.

I almost grumble.

I’ve been trying to shift since being carted off to Wolfe Island. It’s not like I want to be in this form. I would love to be able to walk on two legs and use my voice.

But even with me being able to control my movements now, I can’t seem to shift at all. I’ve tried searching for the pain I felt when Canton made me change during the ceremony. I’ve tried telling my wolf to heel. I’ve tried fantasizing about being human again. I’ve tried calling on my mortal half. I’ve done everything Tieran and Volt suggested and nothing.

“She can’t,” Tieran replies, that hint of anger touching his tone. “That fucking Alpha has a hold on her spirit. I’m going to have to break it.”