Blonde & Blue (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #4)(47)

Chapter Thirteen

Leaving the dark confines of the alley meant returning to everything I thought I knew. I refused to think about what had just happened. I couldn’t for fear I might break. Turning the corner into the parking lot, I gasped as the part of me that was all Arys was awakened. He was here.

Dread washed over me, and I felt faint. I headed for Kale’s car, easily manipulating the door lock with slight focus. I held my breath, hoping the alarm wouldn’t go off. I pulled the door open. Silence. I tossed Kale’s jacket into the backseat, relocked the door and slowly made my way to the front door of the club. I didn’t want to go in there.

The sudden warmth of the club was stifling. I felt torn from the natural beauty of the rain, thrust into this artificial world. My wolf hated it. Ignoring the questioning look from Shawn, I made my way inside, leaving a wet trail behind me. I likely looked like something spawned in a B-rate horror movie.

Arys was leaning on the bar, engrossed in conversation with Josh. He looked up at my arrival, and I swallowed hard. Would the rain have washed away Kale’s scent? Did the truth shine in my eyes like a beacon?

“What in the hell happened to you? You look like something the cat dragged in.” Arys scanned me from head to toe, his gaze narrowing. “You’ve been crying.”

I kept my distance, afraid to touch him. “No. Why? Is there blood on my face? There was an incident at the office. Jez has been hurt. I can’t stay. I need to check on her.”

“Where’s Kale?”

Arys’ tone was sharp, and I cringed inwardly. I fumbled to form a response. I was tongue-tied, knowing the truth was clear in my eyes.

“I don’t know. He attacked Jez.” I could offer nothing more. I wouldn’t directly lie to Arys.

He reached out to shove the mess of wet hair off my neck, exposing Kale’s bite. “Let me rephrase that. Where in the f**k is Kale?”

“Arys, don’t. Please. It’s not what you think. He didn’t hurt me.”

Rage rolled off him with a scorching heat. “It’s exactly what I think. I knew this would happen. I knew you’d never be able to resist him.”

The lack of surprise in Arys’ eyes bothered me. He’d been expecting this? I wasn’t sure if I should feel ashamed or insulted.

“I guess you’re always two steps ahead of me, huh?” I snarled, spinning on my heel to go. I had no right to be angry, but I wasn’t going to have this conversation inside The Wicked Kiss while Jez was injured and Kale was God knew where.

Arys stopped me with a hand on my wrist. His grip was tight enough to hurt. “You and I need to have a little talk. Go and see to your friend, but after sunrise, I’ll be expecting you.”

“If you hurt Kale-,”

“Then what, Alexa? You’ll do something about it?”

I stared into his cold blue eyes and watched as they bled to wolf. I shook my head, knowing there was nothing I could say or do now.

“It will hurt me, too.”

Arys released his hold on me and stepped back. “Get out of here, Alexa. I’ll see you at sunrise.”

I left without a backwards glance. My cheeks burned with humiliation. I was tired and confused from being pulled in so many directions. I didn’t know how to be so many things, to have so much expected of me. I finally found peace, short-lived as it were, in the loss of control. The rest of the time, I was a caged animal, longing for freedom, but that surrender always came at a price.

Lilah had left a message on my phone. Jez was at home. She would be fine. The news brought tears of relief to my eyes. Lilah concluded the message by asking me to return to the office before dawn if I was able. She wanted to see me.

That was something I didn’t anticipate. I was curious but wary. What could she possibly want to see me about? I had a few hours yet before the sun would break over the horizon. If the rain continued, it would be an overcast morning with little to no real sunlight.

Being a shifter had some perks, for instance, the clean sweat pants and hoodie sweater in the trunk of my car. I kept extra clothing on hand for those unexpected shifts to wolf. I changed in the backseat, grateful to shed the last of my rain-soaked clothing. I tried to squeeze the excess water from my hair. It hung in disheveled chunks that dripped down my back. I would have loved a hot shower right then.

I couldn’t help but worry as I drove mechanically back to the office. I doubted Kale would step foot inside The Wicked Kiss tonight, and I sincerely hoped I was right about that. Whatever Arys was feeling, it was justified, but hurting Kale wouldn’t change anything for the better.

I wanted to see Jez but decided it was best to let her get some rest. Knowing she was safe and alive made everything else seem a little less important. Maybe everything was going to blow up in my face at last. I’d crossed a line, and it was going to hurt everyone involved. Yet, Lena’s death, the close call with Jez and the lingering presence of Maxwell and Claire made my personal drama pale in comparison.

Only Lilah was present when I reached the office. The scent of pure Were blood still hung on the air though she had cleaned up the mess. She came out of Veryl’s office, sensing my arrival. Dressed simply in jeans, a tank top and sweet army boots, she wore no makeup. Not that she needed any, Lilah was a simple beauty. Strong cheekbones and sharp features made her flame-colored eyes seem to glow. Her wavy locks were just a few shades darker, a deep burnt orange.