AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I almost snap the denial right back in Ryker’s face. I’d know. If Aleks was lying, I’d know. But, in the back of my mind, I think of how easy he avoids committing to anything that isn’t the truth.
He told me what the fang stood for. That doesn’t mean that he mentioned every last detail.
And… I should’ve figured that out long before now.
That doesn’t keep me from arguing back anyway. “You don’t know Aleks. He’s a good guy. He’s been here for me this last year when you haven’t.”
Ryker grits his teeth, the same vein from Saturday bulging.
How ya doin’, Duke? Good to see you again.
Oh, wait. No, it isn’t.
“Yeah? Do me a favor, sweetheart. Why don’t you ask him about that? Your precious fucking bloodsucker. Ask him why he took care of you and I couldn’t.”
“Ryker. You’re being ridiculous.”
“I’m not. And this isn’t over, either. Push all you want, but I’m not going anywhere. So, when you’re willing to talk to me… willing to listen, take that chain off. Throw it away. See what happens. I’ll be waiting for you.”
What is that supposed to mean? I’ve taken the fang necklace off more times than I can count. Usually because I snap the chain and it falls off, but still.
Then again, if I’m not wearing the necklace, I’m drinking the tea. And, as much as I tried to ignore it, it’s only when I forgot to drink the chamomile tea on Thursday, then the necklace broke on Friday, that Ryker was finally able to track me down.
But… no. It can’t be.
Aleks has spent the last year keeping me safe from the vamps in his Fang City. He hasn’t been purposely hiding me from Ryker, has he?
Has he?
Oh, Luna.
No.
* * *
Though the stubbornside of me wants to pretend that none of what Ryker said has gotten to me, I can’t. It’s impossible. Too much of what he said makes sense for me to act like it doesn’t, and now that he’s riled up my wolf, there’s only one thing for me to do.
So, abandoning him on the bench, I take off for the apartment. I have to work hard to fight my urge to shift, though I do break out into a jog that quickly becomes a sprint before I’m bolting toward the back side of our apartment building.
I’m in no mood to take the elevator, and I head for the fire escape. If Aleks is still home, he’ll sense me heading back, his fucking fang a beacon that I took for granted for way too long.
But not any longer.
I don’t even try to offer an explanation for the way I come flying in here. I just shove open the balcony door, gaze zeroing in on Aleks. Just like the other night, he’s sitting in the living room, reading his paperback. I absently notice that he’s nearing the end of it, before I put the damn book out of my head.
A moment later, he does the same. After finishing his page, Aleks puts his book to the side before glancing up at me. “Gem? Is everything okay?”
No, Aleksander. It is not.
His nostrils flare just enough to be noticeable. Of course. His sense of smell is as strong as mine, but he’ll never admit that he relies on it the same way that us shifters do.
Oh, no. He’s too civilized for that.
“You were with the wolf,” he remarks.
I don’t deny it. “Yeah. He wanted to talk to me. And, now, I want to talk to you.”
“Of course.” He waits a moment. “Is this about last night. Because I thought—”
