Once Bitten (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #1)(10)

I sucked in my breath and let it out slowly. Raoul and I were many things, but friends wasn’t one of them. We rarely saw eye to eye, but due to status and power, we were the top two werewolves in town. Aside from that, we couldn’t be more different.

“I don’t know what to do, Ky. That son of a bitch had no reason to call me down there. What the hell is that about?” I took in her comfortable appearance where she sat diagonal to me on the full length matching leather couch. Clad in silky soft pajama pants and her favorite fuzzy robe, she looked the epitome of what I wanted to feel right then.

“I know there’s no love lost between the two of you,” she replied with a toss of her trendy brunette, Posh Spice-style bob. “But, did you ever think he does this stuff to reach out to you?”

I stared at her as if she’d grown two heads, and she shrugged. “If this isn’t some kind of misunderstanding, if he’s killing people, then he’d have to be stopped.”

Her expression grew wary. “What are you saying, Alexa?”

“I don’t know. He’s driving me crazy. He is crazy. And, if he goes on a killing spree, then he’ll have to be stopped before he endangers the rest of us.”

Though I never breathed a word of it to Kylarai, I suspected Raoul would rat us all out if he was discovered to be a Were and put in a lab. He’d try to take us down with him simply so he wasn’t suffering alone.

For a minute, there was only the sound of the wall clock ticking and quiet laughter from the television in the far corner. Kylarai’s eyes took on a haunted look, and I could see that she’d thought the same when she nodded in agreement. I couldn’t very well let Raoul bring murder and mayhem to our quiet little town. He would ruin us all.

“You know I agree with you,” she said at last. As quiet as she was, she certainly wasn’t known for being weak. She’d take out anyone in her way if push came to shove. “But, don’t be so quick to jump to conclusions. You have to be sure he’s doing this. There has to be more evidence than that to land him a death sentence.”

“Well, the cops let him go, what does that tell you?” I forced my limbs to move and sauntered down the hall, around the corner, to my room.

After changing into fuzzy sweatpants and a clean t-shirt, I gave my long hair a halfhearted shove away from my face. Kylarai’s muffled response sounded like, “He didn’t do it.” I made a face of disgust at my closet that nobody could see.

I re-entered the living room just as Shaz rang the doorbell. He was earlier than I’d expected. After savoring one of his perfect hugs, I retold to him what I had said to Kylarai.

“Why would someone want to kill Julie?” he asked. I found it odd, that was the first thought he had.

“Did you know her?”

“I met her once or twice when I dropped by Raoul’s. But, that had to be almost a year ago, now.” His eyes took on a haunted glow.

Being three years younger than me, Shaz is still finding out how much danger and death plays a part in our world. His remaining innocence along with his realistic acceptance is what I love about him.

“You don’t think it was Raoul?” Was I the only one who thought that he probably did do it?

“Let’s not go there,” Kylarai interjected. “Not until we’re at that point.”

Shaz nodded, his lips pressed together tight. “If Raoul was to brutally kill someone, he’d have a damn good reason. And much as I hate to say it, he doesn’t place that much value on past lovers.”

“Which is exactly why he could do it so easily and feel no remorse.” The bitterness was thick in my tone, and I ignored the look they exchanged.

“You look cold.” Shaz ran a warm hand down my arm. My wolf responded by leaping against my inner core as if trying to break free. Closing my eyes, I could feel the pull of the wild in my veins and smell the pine and spice of fur.

“Actually, I think I need to go for a run.” I didn’t want to sit there trying to convince them what depths of scum Raoul really was.

We all knew him differently. This conversation had happened many times before. They assumed my opinion of him was strictly personal. Maybe it was, but my reasons were good.

I rose from my chair and stretched languorously. “Want to come with?”

“Always.” Shaz was on his feet in a heartbeat.

“Count me out,” Kylarai said and stifled a yawn as we moved to the sliding glass door off the attached kitchen. “I’ve been up for almost twenty-four hours. I’m going to bed.”

The early morning air held a slight chill that caressed my naked flesh as I slipped out of my clothes. The sky was the color of absolute black, the darkest piece of night just before dawn breaks the barrier on the horizon. A thin cloud cover blocked out every star.

I stood at the end of the yard and looked out, onto the stretch of field behind the house. The tree line, which was about half a mile away, taunted my wolf. I longed to run and stretch my muscles to capacity. I needed to feel the burn as I pushed myself to the max.

Unlatching the gate, I turned back to see Shaz drop his t-shirt on the patio railing. His build was average but firm, and I allowed myself to sneak an extra glance at his well-formed body. As a werewolf, one certainly got used to being nude. Nudity came with the territory.

The grass crumpled softly beneath his feet as he approached, only to spring up again when he’d moved on. I knew he was going to touch me before he actually did. His energy was warm and seemed to reach for me. A hand gently traced the curve of my waist.