“How do you expect me to be of any help if you insist on keeping me in the dark?”
“Who said I need your help?” The look he gave me was so full of scorn that I had to do a double take.
“You’re kidding, right?” Staring at his childhood photos, I wondered briefly what had happened. Surely, he didn’t start out in life as such a prick. “Well, forgive me for running over here when you called. Fool me twice, I guess. Shame on me.”
He made a frustrated sound and rolled his eyes at me. “Don’t get all female and defensive on me, Alexa. I should be able to take care of myself.”
A laugh bubbled up and poured out of me before I could rein it in. So, this was about Raoul’s fragile ego. Well, I sure as hell was not about to help him stroke it.
“Alright then. When this killer finally makes its way to you, then I’ll assume you’ll handle it yourself. After all, Lord knows how well you handle everything else.”
My jibe didn’t go unnoticed. Raoul grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him. I almost dropped the small wolf statue that I’d been examining. “And, just what the hell is that supposed to mean?”
We both knew exactly what I meant: he’d ruined our relationship. When Raoul had first taken me into the pack, I’d been grateful for the support and guidance. But, when I’d spent more time in his bed as a playmate than anything else, my innocence died. I distrusted him on every level. True, he had stopped me from being assaulted and abused, but that debt was paid, as far as I was concerned. I had no reason to forgive him for making me a toy. Over the years, Raoul proved himself a misogynistic chauvinist.
I glared pointedly at the large hand that squeezed my arm. “Get your filthy paws off me.”
“I never let him hurt you.” The energy behind his words shot through me like a scorching flame, and I jerked my arm away. I contemplated asking him who he was really mad at here.
“No, you just scored from me willingly what he was going to simply take.” So much for asking questions. I’m a self-confessed sucker for an argument when I know, without a doubt, that I am right.
“What did you want me to do? Kill him?”
I blinked at him, dumbfounded. This was the man that dared to call himself an Alpha anything?
“Yes, Raoul. I was a teenager, for God’s sake. Yes, I wanted to see the bastard dead! I wanted you to make him beg for death. But, you proved that you’re full of empty threats and capable of nothing.”
“And what did you prove, Alexa? That you’re no more than a ruthless murderer, always ready to extinguish somebody’s flame?” He smiled as if he believed he had me there.
“I proved that I get things done, and that I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty when it means taking care of business.” I tsked and shook my head sadly at him. “Maybe you’re not cut out for this werewolf gig after all.”
“Oh, f**k off, Alexa.”
I rolled my eyes at his blatant immaturity. I honestly wasn’t sure why I bothered with him at all.
“And on that note, I’m going to keep this visit short and sweet before I overstay my welcome.”
If I didn’t leave now, I was going to explode. The fire inside me was nowhere near burning out, and his button pushing wasn’t helping. If he touched me again, I was going to pop. Something about his energy set me off, in a way that nobody else’s could. He left the bitter sting of betrayal in places that could never be wiped clean.
“You’re leaving?” For the first time since I arrived, he showed an actual interest in my presence.
“Well, I sure don’t want to get in the way when your soon-to-be murderer arrives to dispatch your egotistical ass to the dark side. But, if you cut me into your will, then I might come back to dispose of you properly when it’s over.” I resisted the smiled that tugged at my lips.
“So that’s it then. Alright. I know you think I deserve as much.” Raoul actually paced the length of the room once, then twice. I ignored him, turning to the doorway for my shoes.
The atmosphere grew smothered from his sudden anxiety, and I fought to resist it. Freely exuded, loose energy can become an intoxicant, and lately, it didn’t take much to over stimulate my senses.
“It doesn’t matter what I think, Raoul. It’s a waste of our time to even have this conversation. Keep your secrets, but leave me out of it when they catch up to you.”
I pulled my car keys from my pocket, and nearly lost a twenty dollar bill in the process, the one he’d given me. I had been planning on spending it on lottery tickets, hoping to win the big one so I could rub it in his face.
I continued, “Look, it’s my pack duty to back you up, but if you don’t want my help, then my hands are tied.”
He seemed to weigh my words, scan them for sarcasm. Satisfied, he gave me a lecherous smile that I recognized with a sick feeling. This wasn’t about to get any better.