Page 117 of Red

“Stark is right. We will take account of all sightings, then act.” Lunin announces the decision from his seat, and no one argues.

The meeting goes on for another two hours as they review fighting tactics and standards for emergency care. Plus, they decide to keep an ongoing eye on the camp to make sure nothing starts up again or anywhere else right against our borders.

When the meeting is over, my shoulders drop. I slide past the wooden benched seat and lean against the one behind it.

“What’d you think?” Stark comes and takes a seat next to me.

I blow out a deep breath. “It’s a lot. More than I expected.”

“And?” His hand rests on my thigh.

Can’t he not ask a question for a minute?

“And what?” My voice is tight. I rub my hand over his, letting the tingles distract me from the humans’ screams bouncing around in my head.

He squeezes my leg, and I slide closer to him. “The red wolf. Interesting that so many mentioned seeing it.”

“Oh yeah, for sure.” Closing my eyes, I lean back against the bench behind me. This should pass. Everyone will forget and move on.

“You live for those old legend books.”

“Legends, Stark. They’re all myths.”

He flicks the rim of my hat up leaning to look at my face, and I tug it back down. “You hiding from the world with that hat of yours?”

I give up and head up the steps.

“Where are you going?”

“I do need to hide from the world for a bit. There are so many people here. I got used to home,” I say, my eyes down.

His face falls and he says no more. I pull my baseball cap further down on my face and weave around the others to escape the crowded room.

Someone slams into me with their shoulder, and I stumble back before looking up. Nikki stands blocking the hallway entrance, arms crossed tight.

“You’re a real bitch,” she snarls.

My jaw tightens, “Excuse me?”

“Stark and I had something. He’ll get tired of you. You’re just new and interesting, the failed, weak werewolf girl.” She smirks, tilting her chin like she’s already won.

I fold my arms. “Sorry? Did he ever actually like you or do you just enjoy lying to everyone?”

Her nostrils flare. “Like I said, you’re a bitch and useless. You should go back to your tiny hole in the world and leave Stark to me. You know he deserves a true werewolf as a mate.”

I step closer, lowering my voice. “I think you should go.”

She laughs, sharp and bitter. “Like I have to listen to you”

“I’m going to let you before this gets embarrassing. Otherwise, I’m sure he’ll come escort you out.”

Her smirk drops. She shoulders past me hard enough to knock me sideways, then storms past me. I don’t bother to chase her. I have bigger things to stress about than her broken heart.

Chapter 34

My lungs tighten within my chest, refusing to take a full breath. It’s too much. I didn’t think about it at the time. I only wanted to save my mate and get back at them for Pratt. I should’ve stopped with Tripp. The taste of phantom blood comes to my mouth, and I run for the office door next to me. I reach the small garbage can tucked underneath the desk and hurl. Gross. Killing was never part of the plan. I love to heal, to make things better.

My hip finds the floor beside the chair. I reach out and grip the desk to keep from tipping all the way over, and a bottom drawer slides out on the left side I adjust again, waiting for the nausea in my stomach to stop.