Page 60 of Nitro

I knew I had to get out of there. This space was too small for me and two pissed-off alphas.

I shucked off my clothes in a hurry and shifted. The change was agonizing, but I was so glad to be in my other shape.

A shriek tore out of my beak, then I hopped to the nearest opened window, spread my wings, and took flight.

As I put more distance between Marc and Nitro's shouting match and that suffocating apartment, I felt a little better.

Guilty, but better.

NITRO

Ten minutes into my ride and I decided being with Tommy was more important than going to some stupid MC meeting.

However, my anger-fueled clash with Marc left Tommy caught in the crossfire, and I didn't hear his pleas over the noise of our argument.

The tension in the room only broke when Tommy emitted a shriek, shedding his clothes in a frantic hurry before transforming into his avian shape.

As Tommy took flight through the open window, I stood there, dumbfounded, staring at the discarded clothes on the floor and the empty space where Tommy had been.

The reality of the situation hit me—Tommy had escaped our conflict, leaving behind a room filled with unresolved anger and confusion.

Honestly, I couldn't blame him for fleeing. In his shoes, I might have done the same.

The realization of Tommy's distress and the magnitude of our argument sank in, and the guilt began to overshadow my rage.

"He flew," Marc whispered.

"Yeah, to get away from both of us. We were being jerks," I admitted.

"No, I mean, I knew Tommy hasn't shifted in a long time. He was traumatized and scared," Marc paused, locking eyes with me.

Beyond the animosity, I detected a hint of awe in his gaze.

"You did this?" Marc asked.

I scoffed. "I can't take all the credit because Tommy did all the work. All he needed was a push in the right direction," I said.

At that moment, I was pretty proud of my mate. Then I remembered Tommy was missing.

Noticing a piece of paper on the floor, I picked it up. Reading the words, my blood ran cold.

"When I arrived here, that was under Tommy's door," Marc said.

Ah. That explained why I walked into Tommy's place with Marc in such a mood.

"Do you have any idea what that note means and who's after Tommy?" Marc asked.

He wasn't shouting or throwing accusations at me any longer.

Although Marc didn't apologize for earlier, he was, in his own way, trying to make amends, I realized.

I told Marc about how Tommy found Dylan unconscious and with his neck bleeding in the kindergarten.

"So this thing, whatever it is, is going after my brother?" Marc asked, sounding worried.

"Looks like it," I said. "Do you remember Tommy telling you if he had any other enemies who are alive, maybe one of the guys who used to work for Hicks?"

Marc shook his head, and his expression looked... sad?