Page 18 of Supernova

Carter laughed at Griffin's remark. “I did have prior engagements but Vee here seemed like more fun.”

“Is this idiot annoying you?” The question was directed at me now. But there was humour in his tone. Like this was normal banter between them.

“No actually, we were just getting acquainted.” I smiled at Carter who flashed his pearly whites at me.

“Griff lad, you coming out tonight? You can join me and Vee. Although she did tell me she prefers my charm and good looks,” Carter boasted.

I stilled as Griffin looked at me. He replied drily to Carter without breaking our eye contact. “I think you’ll have just as much fun on your own tonight, Car. Pebble here needs to rest before her first day of training tomorrow. I won’t be going easy on her.” Was that a play on Stone? Arrogant asshole. I glared at him.

“Ahh always the ball buster,” Carter whined. “Alright boss, see you in the morning so you can kick my ass.” He grabbed my hand and gave it a quick kiss. “And I’ll see you later, Sunshine.” He winked at me and I knew he had definitely seen me crying. He butted out his cigarette and threw on his jacket before jumping off the fire escape and casually sauntering off into the night.

And then there were two.

I stood up, getting ready to leave for bed. I had to listen to the Captain, right?

“So, Carter huh?” Griffin questioned, catching me off guard and putting a pause in my exit. I thought I may have heard a bit of an edge to his tone. “No boyfriend back home then?”

I swallowed, leaning against the ladder that Carter left unoccupied. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get into this so soon. A part of me wished I could pretend I didn’t have a crazy story back home and that I could just enjoy being in this new place with new, interesting and incredibly good-looking people. Maybe even make up a whole new alter ego. Start fresh.

“Maybe Carter,” I said confidently, as if I were actually considering it. But I couldn’t stop thinking about how the gorgeous guy in front of me had apparently ‘called dibs’.

“I’ve known Carter my whole life. He’s a good guy. A bit of a philanderer but he’d make a good boyfriend when it comes down to it. For the right person.” It was nice to hear him sound so sincere about his friend. He ruined it when he added, “He’s not half as good looking as me though.”

I didn’t respond to his remark, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of agreeing. I sighed instead, knowing there was no point starting my life here with a lie. So after another beat I added, “I had a boyfriend back home.”

“Had?” he prompted.

“It’s kinda the reason that I’m here.” I paused momentarily, deciding if I should tell him the next bit.

Since I was going to be here a while, I might as well. After all the lies I’d dealt with, honesty was the best policy right now. Lies were what got me into this mess. So I continued, “I was dating the alpha of Saint Claire.” I let that statement hang in the air between us, waiting for his reaction. I didn’t miss how his eyebrows raised as he registered what I just said. I kept going but kept it brief; the details would only be shared on a need-to-know basis. “He wasn’t who I thought he was. He hurt someone … and they all kept secrets from me. I don’t want anyone else getting hurt.” I couldn’t help my words from sounding clipped as I recalled the events, seeing it all replay in my memory—feeling the pain and terror all over again. “I want to be able to protect people. To protect myself.” As mad as I was at River, I still didn’t want to incriminate him by explaining the full story. Especially to the equivalent of the supernatural police.

“You dated a wolf?” He didn’t let me respond before he added. “You’re a hunter.” Curiosity laced his gravelly voice.

“Yes, well I didn’t know that until yesterday.” I paused. “And neither did he.”

“Your last name is Stone. Your mum is Maya. He definitely knew. No alpha would be dumb enough not to.” He said it so matter of factly that my head spun. “I’m surprised though, that there is a Saint Claire pack. Bastards have kept a low profile,” he muttered under his breath.

“You … you think he knew … and kept it from me?” I thought for a second. "Used it to his advantage?”

His response sent chills through me. “I don’t think. I know how wolves operate.”

Rage filled me once more and I wanted to take back the tears I had previously cried for River. I wondered what else was a lie. I didn’t mean to sound so harsh as I told Griffin I better get to bed and tried to push past him, but I couldn’t help but shoot the messenger.

His reply was soft, concerned even, as he refused to move and let me through. “How are you finding it here?”

I snapped again, “I thought you told Carter I had to go to bed?”

“Maybe that’s because I wanted you to myself tonight, Luna.” His smile was wicked.

I ignored the butterflies it elicited in me. “I don’t think Sienna would appreciate that very much. She’d probably take it out on me tomorrow.” I was annoyed but somehow still found a way to pry. Curiosity often got the better of me.

His grin grew in response to the interest I just showed as he said, “Sienna was a fling once. Besides, I think you could take her.”

Okay, so not his girlfriend then. Good to know. But clearly he was a player, just like Carter. Which did not surprise me one bit. You could tell just by looking at the guy.

I thought back to his previous unanswered question and figured answering it would be a good distraction from the flirty path this conversation was heading towards. “Things are definitely different here. My life has been such a mess the last forty-eight hours. I’m still processing it all … but I think I could like it here.” My response was softer now. The rage simmered inside me and I let the cool city breeze calm my senses, closing my eyes to take it all in. I wouldn’t let River have that hold over me.

Griffin was quiet for a bit, letting me have my moment. After a few beats he said, “I think I’m gonna like having you here, Jupiter.” So much for throwing off the flirting. Despite it, he sounded earnest. Minus the condescending nickname, which I was beginning to think was his thing. But it gave me hope that I was in the right place and that I could belong here.

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