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“Get your mother to call us as soon as she gets in,” the short one said. They went back inside their car.
I waited until they had driven out of sight to shiver. I had been at the fires, and I couldn’t explain how. What was I going to do?
“They really don’t like us.”
I whirled around defensively at the voice coming from my garden.
Victor, leaning against the wall, almost smiled. “That won’t do much to a werewolf.”
I lowered my fists. “What are you doing, sneaking up on me like that?”
“I didn’t want to show myself until the police left.”
“But why are you even in my garden?”
He looked uncomfortable. “I just… Dorian isn’t here. Somebody has to make sure that you’re safe.”
I was so baffled by the statement that my mouth fell open. “Victor. I mean, I can take care of myself.”
He looked away. “Mara said that a lot.”
I was terrified he might cry. I closed the space between us, feeling pity for him. I wasn’t sure if studying together was helping or hurting him. “Does it… Would it help if you watched over me sometimes then? Would it make you feel better?”
He shrugged, still avoiding my gaze. “People thought I hurt her. But I liked her. Why would I hurt her?”
“You can come off a little aggressive at times,” I reminded him. “Everyone was confused and scared when they thought that. They blamed me, too, remember? They needed somebody to point the finger at.”
He looked at me then. “You used to feel scary, cold, too different. But I’m used to it now. And I know you want to help people. You want to help me, right?”
“Yes,” I said enthusiastically. “Definitely. That’s why I think you should talk to—“
He swallowed my words with a surprising rough kiss. It took a moment for my brain to register what was happening. I pushed him away, then held my fingers to my lips in shock. “I… you… Dorian.”
“I know.” He looked like he didn’t know what to do with himself, like he might explode any moment. “I didn’t mean to. I’m not trying to start anything. I… miss her.” He turned to leave, his face red, but I caught hold of his arm to stop him.
“Wait. Don’t leave like that.” I pulled him into a hug. “It’s okay to miss her. You don’t know where to put your feelings is all.”
“She should be alive.” He choked out a sob against my shoulder. “I wish I hadn’t listened to her. I wish I’d known how to talk to her. I should have tried to keep her safe, even if she didn’t want me to. I’m so sorry for everything.”
I held on and let him cry on my shoulder. It was hard to believe he was the same person I’d thought of as a complete bully for so long. I was starting to understand why Byron Evans kept so many werewolves around him. They were emotionally stunted, too immature to deal with the realities of life. Yet, at the same time, they were too mature, had seen and experienced too much, were so damaged by the worst of life.
So I couldn’t get mad at Victor for kissing me. He was right. I wanted to help him. There was so much more to Dorian’s pack than I had ever imagined, and I was rapidly getting emotionally invested in their well-being. I understood Dorian’s point of view so much more than I had before he left.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Mam complained as we drove to the local police station. “What do they want from us now?”
“I thought they suspected a girl from school,” I said. “But they kept bringing up the pack, too, so I don’t know what they’re thinking. I’m so confused.”
“They’re trying to confuse you,” she said. “To make you slip up. Standard tactic.”
I glanced at her, amused.
“What?” she said. “I watch TV.”
“I doubt real life is quite the same,” I said, laughing despite the nervous tension roiling in the pit of my stomach.
“I suppose they’re doing their jobs,” she said with a weary sigh. “If they’re trying to find the truth, it could take them some time. This might not be our last trip out here.”
“I feel sick,” I admitted. “What am I supposed to tell them when they ask how I happened to show up to every single fire around here? I’m going to slip up and say something stupid. I just know it.”
