Death Wish (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #5)(28)

His wolf looked out at me, and I knew how close he was to losing it. He was still so new, but I wasn’t worried. Wolves were my comfort zone, even those who could barely hold it together. I held his gaze, enforcing my dominance without moving a muscle. I saw it in him when he accepted the unspoken hierarchy. His wolf backed down, and Coby visibly relaxed in his seat.

“Look,” I began, giving the Charger a little more gas than necessary in my haste to peal out of Shya’s long driveway. “I wish there was something I could say. I know an apology isn’t going to cut it.”

“Save it. I don’t want an apology. I just want help. No offense, but I really don’t want to end up like you, attacking people on the street.”

That stung but he spoke the truth. When I’d been newly turned and in his place, I hadn’t wanted to end up like me either.

“Fair enough.”

An awkward silence descended. My fingers were tight on the steering wheel. I was at a loss for words. I imagined a part of him wanted to tear my head off for what I’d done to him, but he seemed mostly resigned to accept it.

“I know how hard this is in the beginning. Everyone smells like prey, and the simple act of the sun setting sets the wolf loose sometimes. It gets easier. Really.”

The silence was making me uncomfortable. If he wasn’t going to talk then I was.

“There’s a pack in a small town outside the city, in Stony Plain. We run together every full moon. Many of us live normal lives, keep normal jobs. But, we have each other’s backs. You’re more than welcome to join us.”

“Normal jobs?” His tone was skeptical. “I thought I was going to kill my co-workers. I couldn’t stand to be around them. That smell. So strong and …”

“Human?” I supplied. “Yeah, that takes some getting used to.”

“I lost my job. Then I lost my apartment. And now, I wait to lose myself every time it happens. Every time I can’t fight it off.” He stared out the window, saying what he’d probably never said to anyone else but longed to. “I’m starting to see things differently. We’re still human, but we’re more than that, too. Just tell me one thing. Tell me we’ll never be as inhuman as they were. Back at the house.”

I had once consoled myself with the assurance that as long as there were vampires and demons, I was minor league on the monster scale. I’d been so wrong.

“I wish I could tell you what you want to hear. I can tell you this though: Embrace the wolf. That part of you is more special than you know now. But, don’t let it control your actions. And if you want to stay sane, stay away from vampires and demons.”

Gravely serious, Coby turned to study me. I got the feeling he was trying to put his finger on what was so different about me. Most werewolves could feel that I wasn’t entirely the same creature.

“This is all so surreal. I feel like I’m living in a horrible dream, and I can’t wake up.”

I could relate to that. I knew Coby wanted some kind of reassurance, but I had offered all I could. He would have to go through the motions day by day and let the puzzle pieces fall into place. That was the only way he’d accept the wolf and what it meant. Some people never did accept it. They didn’t last long.

“I have an extra room in my house. It’s a big house. If you need somewhere to crash for a while… There’s a forest on the edge of town. It’s safe and a comfort to have so close by. You’re welcome to stay.”

I expected Coby to turn down my offer. He looked positively miserable when he muttered, “Thank you. I’d really appreciate that.”

I hoped he couldn’t tell how uneasy the entire situation had me. It wasn’t every day I had a demon throw a werewolf at me and tell me he was mine to take care of. Yet, I was an Alpha wolf. I would step up to the plate to protect and guide him. As surprising as this was, it was my responsibility. I cringed to think of what Shaz and Kylarai would say when they found out about this. If only that was my biggest problem right now.

Chapter Nine

It was well after three in the morning by the time I got Coby comfortable in Raoul’s room. The master bedroom seemed like the best place for him. It was on the top floor of the house, two floors above my room, and it was equipped with an en suite bathroom.

I stood awkwardly in the doorway with an armful of blankets. Since Raoul’s death, I rarely went near his old room. Too many memories.

“Help yourself to anything you want from the kitchen,” I said in what I hoped was a friendly tone. “I’m not sure the selection is the best. I can get groceries. There’s a list on the fridge that you can add to.”

I was rambling a little. I fully expected to be at the top of Coby’s least favorite people list. Nothing I could do about that, so I was going to overdo it on hospitality.

“I appreciate that.” Coby wore a mask of weariness. His shoulders slumped as he sat heavily on the side of the bed. “Don’t trip over yourself trying to make me comfortable. I’m fine. Thank you.”

My smile was so tight it hurt. It must have looked incredibly forced. “I’ll be downstairs.”

We shared another long, uneasy silence. I jumped into action, depositing the blankets on the bed. I uttered a quick, “Goodnight,” and vacated the room like I was being chased by a swarm of bees.