Page 71 of Broken Wolf

“I suggest you watch how you speak to her, trainee,” Nikos cut in, his voice cold. “And us. We might not be your instructors, but we’re full-time FBI.” He gestured between the two of them. “That’s why this is wrong. There’s no cavorting between agents and trainees during training or—”

“It’s not like that at all,” Carter defended… As they detangled.

I simply snorted.

He frowned and gestured to the couch. “We were just sitting here watching something like—I’ve seen you sit like that with Nikos.”

“Yeah, and as she pointed out, Nikos and I do have sex,” I drawled. “Way to admit—”

“We’re not having sex,” he argued as she said, “So you’re allowed to but he’s not? Nice.”

I moved before anyone could stop me and backhanded her. “Remember who you’re fucking talking to.”

“Sera!” Carter gasped and grabbed my arm, yanking me away from her.

I reacted without even thinking, so pissed it wasn’t even funny but also just I moved that fast. I grabbed his arm as well and yanked it from the socket, dislocating his shoulder so he released me.

The shock on his face rivaled what I was feeling, but I felt better when Nikos defended me.

“I would have reacted the same. She went to handle a hostile person challenging her and you intervened. Remember whose fucking side you should be on.”

“Clearly not mine,” I mumbled as I stepped away. “Move out of the packhouse. Live at one of the other buildings and—”

“Sera, stop this is—”

“Shut up because I’m trying not to escalate this, but she’s fucking amused,” I snapped. I turned to focus on her and tilted my head. “I’m getting images off of her, but I don’t understand them. Something else is going on here.”

“I thought you knew what was happening with Carter,” Helmer said from the group.

I frowned and looked at him. “I didn’t know you were back, and you’re not supposed to be in here.”

“I just got back and was filled in that there was a situation with Carter.”

“There’s no situation with me or—” Carter argued as he popped his shoulder back in. “I’m allowed to have friends. I made a fucking friend, and we’ve been spending time together that—”

“Who are you?” I whispered, honestly more shocked and appalled than pissed in that moment. He was like a whole other person and completely blind to the situation.

“He’s bonding with wolves,” Helmer explained. “All of us are master vampires. I was told your old Master of the City was bonded to wolves. I noticed it when I arrived. He smelled mostly of vampire, but partly of wolf—she knew.”

Yeah, she did. The trainee fucking knew what was going on. “And you wanted to be the wolf he bonded with. That was your goal here.”

She jumped to her feet and power flashed in her eyes, challenging me. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re friends. If you didn’t fuck all of your friends and understood what—”

“This is the first time we’ve met and you don’t know me, so cut the shit,” I blasted. “I have lots of guy friends and men in my life I’ve never touched. I could give you a list so enough.” I moved in her face and shoved my finger in her chest. “You knew. That’s the image I’m seeing. It’s a vampire with a wolf. You know someone bonded.”

Yes. It was all over her face and pouring off of her.

“Separate them,” I told Nikos. “I don’t understand what’s going on here, but clearly Carter’s vulnerable. Helmer, tell me everything on the drive back.” I pulled out my phone and connected to Brian.

“Hey, are you okay? I heard your—”

“We’ve got a situation and I’ll explain it later. I’m booting one of your trainees. I’ll fill you in later, but I want her packed up and out of here immediately, so I’m telling security.”

He was quiet a moment. “Sera, I’ll back whatever, but if this is about her friendship with Carter then—”

“Her against regs friendship?” I drawled. “He’s FBI, and that’s not allowed while in training. But yeah, it’s more than that. Or are you siding with her too?” I hung up before he could answer or I said too much. “Fucking idiots.”

“You can’t even make the call, can you?” she jeered.

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