Page 149 of Scars Like Wings

Focus on it. Find where it’s coming from.That voice from before said in my head. I closed my eyes for the briefest moment and breathed in all the scents. My eyes snapped openimmediately and went to the open doorway. The smell led there. It was strongest just around the corner.

And it had been there, lingering for some time before I had picked up on it.

“Bee? You okay?” Maisie furrowed her brows, noticing the change in my demeanor.

“She’s scenting the air.” Simone’s eyes widened. “Her sense of smell is telling her something.”

“Her what now?”

“Shifter thing. Well, certain shifters and other supernaturals can smell the air and gather all kinds of information from it.”

“There’s someone eavesdropping,” I whispered. My eyes were locked on the door. I couldn’t take them away. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up. Something in me wanted to growl, protect what was mine and fight against anyone who dared to come in without my permission.

That’s new.

Quietly and quickly, even with my heeled sandals on, I approached the doorway. I could tell from the scent that whoever was there was on the right. So, once I reached the door, I turned.

“Cooper?” I stared into his sharp blue eyes. They were as calculating as ever, but they were wide with shock. I had surprised him. Something in me purred with pride that I was able to sneak up on him when he should have had the upper hand.

“So. You’re a shifter,” He stated simply.

I bristled, fighting the urge to snarl at him. “Were you eavesdropping on me?”

“Can you see in the dark, too? Have super strength and speed? Super healing?”

I clenched my fists so tight my nails bit into my palms.

“Do you have a special connection to your mom, maybe?”

I growled, something surfacing instantly at the mention of my mom from this total asswipe. My fangs sharpened immediately. I smelled blood as my talons cut into my palms. All I could muster was one word.

“Don’t.”

“What are you doing listening to our conversation, Cooper?” Maisie emerged, putting a hand on my arm. It cooled my temper somewhat, enough to make my nails dull back to normal. Distantly, I noticed that I didn’t feel the sting of an open wound as my scars seemed to heal. But my fangs remained long, and the sting in my eyes told me that the pupils were thin lines instead of round human ones.

“Yeah, is Byrd’s sex life something else you have aquestionabout?” Simone appeared on the other side of me and Maisie, touching my other shoulder.

He rolled his eyes at their snark. “I wasn’t listening to your silly conversation. I couldn’t care less about who you have sex with. I was merely passing by to get downstairs to breakfast. Only one way up and down the hall, you know.”

I crossed my arms. “Sure, I’m sure Quinn would love to know how you were snooping again after yesterday.”

Cooper’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t answer to you or her. I could take her in a fight any day. Regardless, do you always have my cousin fight your battles? Are you incapable of doing it yourself?”

“Aw, is baby Cooper sad he doesn’t have friends to back him up if he gets jumped?” Maisie play-pouted.

“Byrd is more than capable of taking care of herself, Cooper, but having people who care about her means she doesn’t have to,” Simone said. “Don’t think that just because you are my boyfriend’s brother I won’t literally wash the floor with you.”

“You’re outnumbered, buddy. Maybe think twice before you mind the business that doesn’t pay you,” I hissed.

“I don’t need this.” Cooper shook his head and sneered before turning around and going back to his room. He slammed the door behind him like a teenager who had just told his mom that she was ruining his life.Such melodrama.Still, something about Cooper made my skin prickle and put me on edge.

I didn’t like the look of the motherfucker, to be honest.

I closed the door to my bedroom door harder than I probably needed, and Maisie was kind enough to lock it with her magic for extra measure. Then the three of us made our way down the stairs to the already bustling kitchen with the rest of the cousins.

It was like night and day comparing them to their other sour family member. Quinn was making eggs for everyone with that same finesse from earlier. Cody and Cole were joking about something that made Natassa throw her head back and laugh straight from her gut. Quinn shook her head, but there was a smile on her face that was light and relaxed. They were a family, yes, but when they saw us, I didn’t feel excluded. I had never felt more included, actually. It helped to cool my rage slightly.

“I hope we aren’t interrupting!” Simone ran up to Cole as if she hadn’t spent the morning with him. I couldn’t blame her. I joined Quinn’s side as she cooked. I couldn’t help but want to be in her orbit all the time.

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