The deathly glare that Zoey shot me was worth a thousand nasty words. “What do you know about growing up with a deadbeat father who’s responsible for the death of your mother? He left me to suffer, surrounded by people that he knew I could never relate to.”
She ran a hand through her stringy locks, and I was reminded of Raoul’s penchant to do the same. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to live each day trapped in this body while your every instinct cries to get out?”
After a moment of silent contemplation, I shook my head no. I didn’t. But, Arys did now, and the sympathy shining in the depths of his stunning eyes was too much for me. If we started to identify with her, her death would be that much harder.
“I can’t relate to that.” I shifted into a stance that appeared less threatening but didn’t release the energy I held ready. “But, I can relate to being scared and inhuman. And being in need of a strong leader but finding none.”
“Alexa.” Raoul’s tone rose in warning at the end of my name. Arys jerked his arm enough to make him gasp.
“Shut up.” Zoey and I spoke simultaneously.
“Your father is a self-centered egomaniac, Zoey,” I said, finding strength in the incredulous expression splayed upon Raoul’s finely sculpted features. “As long as I’ve known him, he’s been selfish, conceited and intent on his own personal interests. You were better off not being here during your youth. I can guarantee you that.”
“Thanks a lot, you bitch.” The hate in Raoul’s deep voice struck me to the core. “After everything I’ve done for you, after I save you from being raped and used like a piece of meat, this is how you repay me?”
My face flamed with the sudden heat of embarrassment. My wolf wanted to throw off this skin and make the short work of him that he so richly deserved. So, he wanted to air our dirty laundry, did he?
“You saved me Raoul? My ass you did. What kind of knight in shining armor do you mistake yourself for? You turned around and took me to your bed. I was seventeen, damn you. You took my innocence, all I had left!”
Overcome with long repressed emotions, I took a step toward Arys and Raoul. I launched my ready energy so that it blasted a hole the size of my fist in the floor between Raoul’s trembling knees.
“And don’t you dare start with that shit about how I was willing. I was a new werewolf, and you took advantage of that. You’re seventeen years my senior, yet you claim no responsibility.”
I stood before him shaking as I stared down into his dark eyes. Aware of my bloody desires, Arys released his hold, but Raoul didn’t attempt to get up. The power in my eyes had him wary.
My mind was a mass of confusion as my senses were overwhelmed by the lovely sources of energy to consume. I wanted to taste all three.
“What the hell are you?” Raoul murmured. An entranced expression smoothed his face into a look of wonder.
My eyes focused on the pulse in his throat. It leapt so very fast beneath his skin. I moved to brush his hair away and bent to breathe in his familiar scent, the perfect mix of cologne, man and wolf. Desire reared its head inside me, and I almost gagged on it. The urge to taste his hot blood dripping on my tongue was so powerful, accompanied by the need to have him writhing naked beneath me. My mind was swimming as I fought Arys’s hunger.
I sensed a sudden motion behind me; in the same moment, Arys sprang into action. I gave Raoul a shove that sent him reeling. The heavy thud of bodies colliding sent a sick chill through me as I whirled around. Arys pinned Zoey successfully to the floor, but a new rage surged through me when I saw the glint of the silver knife handle lodged in his side.
“Arys?” Adrenaline hit me hard, and I dropped to my knees beside him. “Are you ok?”
Zoey was squirming like a junkie on Cops, but he held firm with one forearm tight across her airway. “Yeah, just get it out.”
As my fingers touched the handle, the jolt of pain in my side was instant, and I nearly lost my grip. The phantom of his pain felt so very real. With one solid pull, I drew the blade from his body. Bright vampire blood shone wet on the knife. The energy within his blood was as delectable as the scent of fresh roses. A crimson stain grew on Arys’s t-shirt.
Across the room, Raoul was on his feet, but stiffness limited his movements. I worried that he would shift in order to compensate.
“Get the f**k off of me.” Zoey growled. Four sharp canines distorted her words. Arys gave her a backhand that even made me flinch, yet she didn’t cease her struggle.
Before Raoul could even consider intervening, I threw an energy wall between him and us. The clear sheet of immoveable power wouldn’t last long if I didn’t feed it continuously, but it would keep him occupied for a moment or two.
Voices reached me from beyond the broken front door. “Wait,” I heard Jez say in her no nonsense, ringleader tone. “Something’s not right.”
I’d say. The half-breed wolf from hell was a real pain in the ass. With our backup in place, I took a moment to lift Arys’s shirt. The wound was already healing.