Kale advanced on me but made no further move. I stared into his eyes, rife with madness, and I felt despair. I didn’t want this to become a violent confrontation, not if I could help it.
“I thought you said you didn’t want to hurt me.” Appealing to his softer side was my first choice, but I was ready to hurt him if he refused to back down. I knew I could do it.
“I believe I said I didn’t want to kill you.” Kale regarded me thoughtfully, an amused smile dancing about his lips. “I definitely want to hurt you.”
The unspoken promises in his words brought forth my wolf with a snarl. I was all fangs and claws, ready to make him regret whatever he was thinking. Kale reacted with a laugh that shook me to the core. It was pure evil.
“This isn’t you, Kale. Let’s be reasonable here. You hurt Jez. She’s your friend. I’m your friend.”
He scoffed, pushing a lock of wet hair back from his forehead. “This is me, Alexa. This is the side you’ve always hoped you’d never see again, but just looking at you brings it out of me. We both knew this would happen. You can’t save me from myself. You know this. You can’t even save yourself. Once it’s in you, it is you.”
“No.” I shook my head vehemently. “That’s bullshit. It doesn’t have to be this way. You know it doesn’t.”
“Who are you trying to convince? I get it. You’re young and still so new to this. You want to believe there is another way. Try telling that to this poor sap.” Kale nudged the body next to us with a booted foot. The man had finally expired. “There is only blood and death. Either that or insanity.”
“I guess you’d know, huh?” I was scrambling to put the right words together. Anything to get through to him. “Blood and death doesn’t mean hurting the people that care about you. We love you, Kale. We can help you.”
I gasped when he stepped in close and laid a finger over my lips to silence me. I battled against the urge to jerk away.
“Be careful what you say, my love. Words can so easily be taken out of context.” He smiled down at me, revealing fangs.
My stomach tightened as he pulled at my energy. I pushed back against him, a warning. “So can actions. Don’t do something we’ll both regret, Kale.”
His laughter stoked the fire that always burned between us. “Not to worry. I don’t plan to regret anything.”
So being rational wasn’t going to work. Good to know. What did I have left? Brute force? He’d like that; he wanted it.
“I’m not going to face off with you. Not like this.” I steeled myself against the call of his power to mine. He was encouraging it, and though I resisted, my will was weak. It was Kale; I’d always wanted him.
“Then why did you come?” He challenged, his smile vanishing. “You want it as bad as I do. The rush of the power, the struggle of your prey as you give in to the thrill of the bloodlust that you try so hard to deny. Did you come to stop me, pretty wolf? Or, was it to join me?”
“Back off, Kale!” The force that accompanied my shout shoved him back a few feet. I didn’t want this to be a clash of metaphysical ability but instinct was guiding my action.
“Too close to the truth for comfort. I understand.” His head came up suddenly, and he listened keenly to the night. I listened, too, straining to pick out sounds beyond the rain and thunder.
The faint sound of high heels clicking quickly on the concrete was distant. It grew increasingly louder as the woman drew closer. We were just fifty feet or so from the club’s rear entry. I crossed my fingers, hoping that whoever she was, she would go in through the front. Kale braced himself in anticipation, and I held my breath.
She rounded the corner of the building, heading right for us. Clutching a thin jacket and a purse, she hurried to escape the rain. With her head down and her attention on her destination, she didn’t even look our way.
“Kale, don’t.”
We both sprang into motion, but he was faster. She let out a surprised scream when he grabbed her. With a hand over her mouth, Kale leaned in close and breathed deeply of her scent. Her eyes were wide, and she struggled in his grasp. He smiled.
“This is what you came for, Alexa.” He met my gaze with delight dancing in his eyes.
I shivered as the rain soaked through my jeans and thin t-shirt. At least I told myself it was from the chill of the rain and not the spark of excitement in my belly. I watched Kale bare her neck and run his tongue over her flesh. She fought to get away, but he easily overpowered her.
“Don’t do this,” I pleaded. “Let her go. This is between you and me.”
“She smells good. Like apples.” Kale bit deep into her without warning. I gave a small cry and begged him to stop. There was nothing I could do.