The Wicked Kiss (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #2)(10)

It didn’t take long to reach the main highway that would take me to Stony Plain, the small town outside of Edmonton that I was proud to call home. Deep breaths and good tunes on the radio helped me relax, but there was an unease that would not leave me.

Kale was someone I pictured to be in control, a keep-it-together kind of guy. What he’d done tonight had completely destroyed that illusion, exposing the true struggle beneath that cool persona.

When the classic hair-metal station switched to the next song, a sense of panic gripped my heart. The Cinderella song that came through the speakers now held more meaning than it ever should have. In the last three months, I’d been turning the station when the rock band came on. For some reason, I found myself wanting to leave it on now.

It made me think of Raoul, my former Alpha and lover. I don’t like things that make me think about him. It still hurt like a bitch that he had wronged me in so many ways and I hadn’t gotten the chance to even the score. And, the fact that Raoul was dead didn’t make us even because I hadn’t been the one to kill him.

Though I hated him to the depths of my soul, I knew that it was rooted in the love I’d carried for him during my teen years. My inability to get over his rejection was what continued to burn me deep inside.

Everything he had left me in his will continued to sit untouched. I didn’t know what to do with it. His house, car and more than two million dollars in savings were legally mine after the police called an end to the manhunt for Raoul. I’d been maintaining the house but ignoring the money that I did not want any part of. I knew I had choices to make regarding both.

I punched the button on the radio, switching it to Sonic, the local rock station. I growled, frustrated.

After a few good modern rock songs, I’d reached the edge of town, and the weight of my dark mood had lifted. Even though I dreaded having to tell Ky about Kale's freak out, I was psyched to see Shaz, my white wolf, my mate. A few days had passed since the last time we ran together, and I longed for it.

The sight of his little blue Cobalt in my driveway gave me a tingle in the pit of my stomach. I couldn’t wait to get inside and lay one on him. His presence would also make talking to Kylarai go smoother.

I’d barely gotten the door open in the entryway when the light turned on. Both Shaz and Ky stood there with expectant expressions. Her grey eyes were incredibly anxious while Shaz looked concerned and ready to be angry at a moment’s notice. In baggy skater-style jeans and a plain white t-shirt, he still rocked my world.

“Start talking,” Kylarai held a hand out for my shoulder bag as I bent to untie my boots. The white bandage on my wrist caught her attention then, and she let out a little gasp. “What happened to you?”

Kicking my boots off, I sighed and gave them a weak smile. “Let’s go in the kitchen, and I’ll tell you. I need a drink.”

They exchanged a look but followed me down the hall to the kitchen. I went the long way rather than cut through the living room. A couple of deep breaths and a glass of red wine was what I needed.

After one long, savory mouthful of my favorite wine, I pressed a warm kiss to Shaz’

inviting lips. I had to resist the urge to linger. I could feel Ky’s eyes on me like a weight.

I held up my wrist and said, “Kale did this.” As Kylarai’s eyes grew wide, I rushed on, “But, let me start at the beginning before either of you react.”

In between sips of wine, I told them about my trip to The Wicked Kiss. I made sure not to leave anything out, including the creepy vibe and scary shrieks from the room next door. They listened attentively throughout as I recounted my evening.

“And, then he just lost it in the car. I could feel him slipping, but it happened so fast.

I could barely fight him off and keep the car on the road.” I looked back and forth between the two of them. Ky chewed a fingernail, and though Shaz appeared calm, I could see the storm brewing behind his jade green eyes. “But, Kale’s ok. And, I’m ok, so

… everything is cool. Really it is.”

They looked at each other as if deciding who would respond first. Kylarai looked totally ill when she spoke, her voice light and breathy. “Are you really ok? I knew I should have gone with you. Maybe I should go to him.”

“You definitely should but wait. If not until tomorrow, then at least until the sun rises. Kale’s running on junkie mode. He could be really dangerous, Ky.” I met her gaze evenly, hoping she’d see the severity of the situation.

She shook her head, her dark brown bob bouncing. Tears welled up in her round eyes. “I’m not sure I can deal with this, Alexa. The last man in my life to suffer from addiction turned me into a punching bag until I tore his throat out. I can’t face that world again.”

Shaz stirred but said nothing. He patiently waited for his turn to voice an opinion.

“Sweetie, don’t think like that. This is Kale you’re talking about.” I reached out to grasp her forearm in an affectionate squeeze. “He is not that guy. You know that.”

She nodded and sniffed. “I know.” The doubt in her voice was so heavy. I worried that she wouldn’t be strong enough to stand by Kale through this.

I glanced at Shaz who smiled encouragement at me. It warmed my heart, and I gave him a quick wink. “If you don’t want to go to him, Kylarai, then don’t. You should never feel obligated to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”