“Is that a no to the elections?”
“That’s a no to the elections.” His voice is tight, and I wonder if I’ve hit a nerve. “What’s the next question?”
I pause, unsure whether to keep pushing or not. My next question is one that needs to be asked face to face without a bookshelf separating us.
I push off from the bookshelf between us and circle around to where Kash waits.
“Couldn’t stay away?” he asks with a smirk.
When I don’t answer, his expression clouds.
“Hey,” he says, raising my chin until our eyes meet. “You can ask me anything.”
I whisper the words that have taunted me for days. “What happened to your father?”
He nods like this is the question he’s been expecting, but his body tenses, and he instantly drops his hand from my face. He looks up at the ceiling and lets out a long breath before answering.
“He was murdered.” His eyes are dark as he spits out the horrid truth. I gasp, my hands flying to cover my mouth before wrapping around his too large body.
“I’m so sorry, Kash,” I murmur into his shirt. “I shouldn’t have asked.”
His body begins to relax into my embrace, and his breath brushes my hair. “It’s okay, Pepper. His death still weighs on me, but it also brought you into my life.”
I stare up at him, confused, and he smiles at me with sad eyes. He grabs my hand, pulling me along to the end of the aisle once more before dropping down to the floor with his back against the wall. I stare down at him, my head tilted.
He pats the ground next to him.
“What do I have to do with your father’s death,” I ask once I’m seated.
His head drops back to the wall before he turns it towards me. “The night I first saw you, I was looking for answers about my father’s killer.”
“Answers,” I repeat slowly, and Kash watches me warily, like he’s waiting to see how I’ll react. “From the other werewolf in the alley.”
He nods.
I think back to the memory of that night, but for the first time, I don’t see Kash as a crazed murderer. His admission paints the night in a new light, and I gasp, eyes wide.
“That other wolf killed your father,” I shout a little too loudly. I grimace and mouth, “Sorry.”
“No. He didn’t,” he says, shaking his head.
I frown at him, confused. “I heard you guys yelling. I heard him say ‘it was me’ and then you said something about retribution,” I insist.
For once, he’s the one left looking shocked, and his brows furrow. “I can’t believe you heard all that.”
“It was a lie.” His expression darkens. “I see that look in your eyes. Like you’ve somehow decided I’m the hero. Don’t be so sure I’m not the villain. I lost my temper. I let my anger get the better of me, and I murdered that man even though I knew he was lying. Deep down, I knew that finding my father’s killer wouldn’t be that easy, but I reacted out of anger and fear. I took vengeance against the wrong wolf.” He growls, curling his fists in anger, and I can see his guilt eating at him. “Hell, I almost did it again at that damned grocery store. Almost lost my shit on that asshole when he wouldn’t talk.”
“But you stopped yourself?” I ask, remembering the blood on his shirt.
“Yes,” he says, looking tortured despite his answer.
I shift onto my knees and turn towards him, grasping his hand and pulling it into my lap. “You are not the villain, Kash. I read a lot of books, and I can always spot the bad guy.” I rush on, desperate to ease some of his guilt. “I may not know everything about you, but I know that I trust you. I have since almost the beginning. I’ve always felt safe with you, and I know that there’s a reason. You could have killed me that night to cover your tracks, but you didn’t. Your instinct is to protect me. You’re not the bad guy, Kash. You can’t be.”
He stares at me for the space of three heartbeats, and then his eyes flash with hunger.
He grips my waist, pulling me onto his lap, and his mouth crashes against mine. His kisses are hard and punishing like he doesn’t have the control to treat me gently, and I love it. I gasp at the feel of his impressive length along my center, and he uses the opportunity to sweep his tongue across my own. My body tingles, and I return his kisses with enthusiasm.
He groans. Pulling away to trail tiny bites and kisses along my neck.
“You taste so good,” he whispers against my skin before making his way back to my mouth.
He kisses me more gently this time, his tongue dancing with mine in perfect rhythm. I need more. I moan, and my hands dig into his messy waves as he nips then soothes the skin along my jaw and neck. I pant, pulling at his hair until his mouth lands on mine again.
He growls low in his chest, the vibration making my nipples peak in response, and I grind my ass against him, urgency building. My fingernails rake across his scalp, earning a hiss from him between frenzied kisses. His mouth is everywhere at once, the empty spaces filled with his wandering hands. My senses are overloaded with the taste, smell, and feel of Kash all around me.
His hands slide under my dress and cup my ass, pulling me along the hard length of him.
“Fuck,” he mutters the curse against my skin. “You’re gonna kill me, woman.”
I shoot him a smirk to rival his own then gasp as a vibration in his pocket hits all the right spots.
“Is that a phone in your pocket or are you just really liking where this is going?”
His eyes glitter, and he presses a quick kiss to my lips before lifting me enough to retrieve his phone.
He strokes down my back as he pulls up the new message distractedly.
“Shit,” he curses.
“What is it?” I ask even though I already think I know.
He stands quickly, lifting me easily to my feet then lowering me to the ground. He shoves his phone back into his pocket before leaning down to place a soft kiss below my ear.
“Play time’s over,” he says regretfully. “Duty calls.”
Chapter 10
Nothing can erase the smile from my face. Not even the sight of the tiny red bite marks on my neck that I spot after getting out of the shower. I smile as I remember the way Kash’s teeth and tongue worked in perfect synchronization. The memory alone sends my pulse into overdrive. No book I’ve ever read has even come close to one makeout session with Kash.
Reminding myself I have shit to do and places to be, I throw on my skivvies and set out in search of my phone. I find it on our catch-all just inside the door along with a note from Talia scribbled in eyeliner on the mirror above the table.
Hey, Whore,
We went to the frat house early so Anna
can play Susie Homemaker with Brody.
Save me.
Love,
T
P.S. Anna says to text when you’re headed this way.
I chuckle and head back to my room. Inside, I sync my phone to my speaker so I can stream my favorite 90’s rap station while I finish getting ready and sing along as I rummage through my closet.
The idea of hiding out here at home is tempting. Especially after my “fan” interaction at the club last night. But I promised Talia I wouldn’t leave her hanging as Anna and Brody’s third wheel. Ugh.
Dabbing on the last bit of concealer, I turn my neck in all directions to ensure I haven’t missed any of Kash’s love bites. I’m not exactly trying to hide them from Talia and Anna, but . . . I’m totally trying to hide them from Talia and Anna. They’ll see them eventually. There are no secrets between roommates, but I’d just prefer for them to see them at home. Not at a frat party where their grilling will draw the attention of others. Specifically others who will use the marks as a reason to hassle me.
I sigh, thinking about the mess that is #thegirlwhocriedwerewolf then grab my phone from the charger and settle on my bed to check Insta. Notifications pop up on the bottom of my screen, and I tilt my head, studying my follower count with growing confusion.
What the hell?
There’s no way I can have that many new followers. I click on my home page. Sure enough, my numbers have boosted considerably since the last time I looked.
I check the comments next. The new followers aren’t as horrible as they could be. Some genuinely love my pictures. Some are convinced the whole thing is a joke. And unfortunately, some are there to just be hateful.
I sigh, tossing my phone on the bed. There’s nothing I can do about the haters. Hell, maybe I can even use them, spinning this whole thing into an “any press is good press” scenario. Failing Professor Higgins’ class is not an option. I grab my phone again and scroll through my album until I find the picture I’m looking for then quickly type out a post.
Here’s one for the #haters
Xoxo
#thegirlwhocriedwerewolf
I add my description to the picture of me wearing an All bite. No bark. t-shirt that Talia got me as a joke and hit publish. Suck it, haters. Suddenly, I know exactly what I’m going to wear tonight.
The air is chilly when I step out of our apartment building, but my newfound acceptance of my trending hashtag means I’m warm enough in my favorite ripped jeans, thigh high leather boots, and a fitted tee that reads ‘werewolves are my spirit animal’. The black leather jacket I threw on at the last minute not only makes me look badass, but it keeps the frigid air mostly at bay. Tugging it closed, I head for the bike path that will take me to the frat house so I can be free to drink without worrying about my car.
The paved path that winds through the trees is eerily deserted. I know it’s only because the vast majority of people are already at one of the parties on Greek Row. But something about the stillness puts me on edge, and I walk faster.
A light fog has descended, casting the trees around me into vague, shadowy shapes. My neck tingles with a sense of being watched, but even squinting, I can’t make out jack shit through the cloudy haze.
I step off of the wooded path, breathing a sigh of relief as the perfectly trimmed lawns of Greek Row come into view. Once I’m close enough to hear the music spilling from all of the houses ahead, I relax. The chaotic mix of songs means Greek Row is in full party mode. Hell, I haven’t even reached the houses yet, but the thumping beat has me quickening my pace, eager to join in and get the hell away from this creepy forest.
A girl’s scream splits the night air, and I skid to a stop.
My heart races, and I whip my head around, trying to spot the screamer, but I don’t see anyone this far away from the party houses.
Male laughter sounds faintly in the distance, and I suck in a sharp breath, shaking my head at my overactive imagination.
Probably just some drunk coeds playing a prank. Get it the hell together, Romy.
I turn and continue in the direction of the Delta house, making it another ten steps before I’m stopped once again. This time by the unforgettable sound of a low, menacing growl.
Holy shit balls. That’s no prank. Not considering everything I’ve learned recently.
Fear slices through me, but I act without thought, chasing after the sound instead of sprinting away from it.
I run past two houses on the edge of Greek Row, my head whipping side to side as I try to decide which direction to go next. I push my long hair from my eyes and try to quiet my breathing, hoping to hear the growling again. After a couple of seconds, I hear something. A quiet whimper coming from between the two houses on my left. I run, desperate to find whoever’s in trouble.
I clip a metal trash can, knocking it over with a clang and injuring my hip as I skid around the corner. A flash of grey fur has me running around the back of the house.
“No, please! Someone help me!”
The sounds of the girl’s pleas drift from the direction of the path I’ve just left behind. I pat my pockets, cursing as I realize I left my mace at home again. I spin, looking around the yard for something I can use to defend myself with. My eyes land on a barbeque grill and the metal chef’s fork dangling from the side. I rush over, ripping it from the grill as the girl screams once more. The sound is grating. Definitely not a scream of fear like before.
This time, it’s a scream of pain.
I dash for the tree line, following the sound. The lights from the street don’t penetrate this far into the woods, so I slow. Moving carefully, I hold my weapon like a bat as I stalk further into the trees as quietly as I can.
I haven’t gone far when I find what I’m looking for, and I freeze.
Up ahead, a girl with beautiful honey hair splayed across her face is lying on the ground, a massive grey wolf standing over her. Her skin looks pale. Too pale. And she convulses as the wolf runs its massive tongue over a wound on her shoulder, licking and purring in appreciation.
The wolf makes no move to harm her further, but it doesn’t matter. The damage is done.
Red clouds my vision. The wolf–so intent on its victim–doesn’t even hear me as I rush forward, throwing all my weight behind the action, and stab it in its flank with my barbeque fork.
The wolf yelps, knocking me off my feet as it jumps and twists in an attempt to shake the metal free. My ass hits the ground hard, and I feel a throb in my tailbone as I scramble away. My back hits the trunk of a tree with a thud, halting me. As the wolf advances on me, I glance past it at the girl lying on the ground. She’s unmoving, and my heart breaks.
I wasn’t fast enough to save her.
Tears well in my eyes, and I push to my feet. The wolf pulls back its lips, growling at me, teeth bared. I slip sideways then turn, running back toward the safety of the houses. The wolf follows but its steps are slow and erratic thanks to the metal fork still protruding from its ass.
The wolf falls behind, but I can still hear it growling as it tries to catch me. I stumble through the trees then crash into something tall and firm and human.
A scream rips from my throat, but a hand covers my mouth, muffling the sound before it can draw help. I thrash wildly, striking out with feet, and elbows, and even my head. I use everything at my disposal just like they taught us in that self-defense class freshman year, and I do my best to make Talia proud. A grunt sounds from my captor as my head clips his jaw, and it gives me the boost to double my efforts.
“Shit, Pepper. It’s me. Calm down.”
I freeze, and his arms loosen as soon as I stop struggling.
“Kash,” I whisper, stepping back to peer up at him through the darkness.
My mind reels. How is he here?
But I don’t ask. Instead, I grab his hand, trying to pull him with me. “We have to go! Something—”
My words are cut off as the grey wolf bursts through the trees and bounds toward us. The world blurs, and the air leaves my lungs as I’m shoved to the ground.
The sounds of fighting echo behind me as I try to catch my breath.
My palms, now scraped from breaking my fall, sting as I push up on them and look around. Whatever I expected, it’s not Kash already striding toward me, shifting as he moves. One minute, he’s a wolf, and the next, he’s very human and very naked.
I flush at the sight of him, but he doesn’t register my reaction or his nudity. Instead, his expression blazes with some strange mixture of tightly-reined fury and genuine concern. I tear my gaze from his perfect body and glance around him to see the gray wolf laying in a heap on the ground. Its chest rises and falls in shallow breaths, but its eyes are closed.
Before I can get up, Kash is kneeling over me. Worry reflects in his deep blue eyes.
“Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”
I groan as I try to sit up, and he slips an arm around my back, helping me to my feet. “What the hell did you do to me? I thought that wolf got me.”
His body tenses at the mention of the other wolf. “I would never allow another wolf to hurt you.”
“Right, you’re the only one allowed to manhandle me,” I snap, brushing the leaves from my clothes and hair.
He looks genuinely upset as h
e steps closer to me. “I didn’t have time to think. I just pushed you out of his way so you wouldn’t get bit. I should’ve been more careful.”
I reach up, brushing my fingers across the furrow in his brow. “It’s okay, Kash. Thank you for saving me. If you weren’t here, I don’t know what would’ve happened,” I tell him truthfully. I nod at the other wolf. “Is he dead?”
“No.” Kash’s expression tightens, and I can see the wolf’s survival was a strategic choice.
“He came after you,” he says as if that’s the only explanation needed for justifying murder.
Unlike that night in the alley when we met, he gets zero judgment from me now. In fact, all I can feel for the entire thing is gratitude that Kash showed up when he did.
“He was pretty pissed,” I say, which is a complete downplay of the murderous glint in that asshole’s eyes as he’d attempted to chase me down.
“That wouldn’t have anything to do with you stabbing him with a barbeque fork, would it, Pepper?” he asks wryly.
My spine straightens. “I was trying to save her!” My shoulders hunch. “But I was too late.”
Kash’s fingers tilt my chin up. “She’s not dead, Pepper.”
My heart bursts to life in my chest. “She’s not?”
Kash shakes his head. “Come on,” he says, pulling his phone from his shredded clothing and sending a quick text.
He grabs my hand and leads me back the way I came, right up to the girl still lying in the leaves, bloody and unresponsive. Very carefully, I step up and press my fingers to her throat in search of a pulse. Another lesson Talia would be proud I remembered.
It’s there. Faint but there. The girl’s hair covers her face, and the dim light of the moon makes it impossible to tell if I’ve seen her before. Still, I feel a sense of kinship with her. Thick blood runs from her bite wound. I need to help her.
I look up at Kash who stands just behind me, watching my efforts with a tight frown. The fact that I can concentrate on anything but his naked form is a testament to the dire situation we’ve found ourselves in.
“We need to call an ambulance,” I say, straightening and patting around for my phone.
The Girl Who Cried Werewolf Page 10
