Page 15 of Hidden Pain

She smiled at him and tossed a strand of long, black hair behind her shoulder.

“How did you guess?”

“Lucky.” Kingsley tried to keep the smirk off his face. What the hell had Hunter seen in this woman? She was pretty, but the bitch vibes emanated off her in intoxicating waves.

“I wouldn’t call you lucky. Not with the late Senator Ross as your father.” Ebony topped up her glass of wine and went to push past him and exit the kitchen. He stopped her by putting his large body in the way. “Brave, maybe…or stupid,” Ebony responded with a growl.

“I may be Senator Ross’ son, but I don’t agree with his principles. If you’ve got something to say to me, then say it direct to my face. Don’t make snide comments.”

Ebony tried to move past him once more, but again, he stood firm.

“You don’t want to make me angry,” the she-wolf snarled, fangs appearing into her mouth. “Haven’t you learned yet that you’ll make a good dinner if you piss us off.”

“If you attack me, you risk losing your place in the pack that Hunter has only just allowed you back into?” Kingsley reminded her.

Ebony snarled again.

“You think he’ll care what I do? He’s humoring you, andthatbear. I know Hunter better than anyone here. He’s power hungry and won’t give up this pack for anything or anyone. When he sees the trouble you bring with you, you’ll be out of here so fast it’ll be like you never existed.”

“I don’t think you know Hunter at all,” Kingsley replied. He couldn’t understand how one person could contain so much venom within them. Ebony would have gotten on well with his father. His hunger had disappeared, and all he could think of was getting away from the crazy lady in front of him. This time he turned to walk out on her. Ebony caught up with him and grabbed hold of his arm that had a finger missing.

“You, human, are a freak. You shouldn’t be here. You’ll ruin this pack, and I won’t let that happen. Hunter is weak and sees goodness in you, but you’re damaged.” She looked down at his hand and screwed her face up in revulsion. “I won’t let someone like you take control here. You’re a sick, disgusting monstrosity covered in ink and missing parts of your body. I’ll see you’re run out of here with nothing. Just like your father, you’d be better off dead.”

Kingsley had heard enough. The anger he’d had dwelling dormant within him, as a result of what happened with his father, bubbled furiously to the surface. He clenched his fist and sent it flying toward Ebony’s face but stopped at the last second. He was not that man. He was not his father.

“You are a complete bitch who knows nothing other than the shade of lipstick that is currently in fashion. An airhead who has nowhere to live because she couldn’t keep her husband happy. He’ll see through you soon, and I’ll be there front and center, laughing.” Kingsley turned heel and walked out. He went up to his room, pulled his suitcase out of the wardrobe, and started throwing his belongings into it. He couldn’t stay here. He’d been wrong. Being around shifters like Ebony would turn him into his father. He was safer hidden away where he could wallow in his own self-pity alone.

Chapter Nine

Lily stood on the patio allowing her breath to recover. Hunter and some of his pack were still playing in wolf form on the manicured lawn in front of her. It’d been such a long time since she’d run freely as her animal—she’d almost forgotten how exhilarating it could be.

She pulled her clothes back on and watched the wolves for a few more minutes. She hadn’t been as quick as them, so Hunter had allowed Christian to lead the pack while he ran by her side. He’d nuzzled into her when she’d stopped a few times to check she was ok. In the past, being in bear form was something she’d felt was shameful—she’d shifted for performance only and to allow people to laugh at her. But it had been beautiful in the woods tonight with the moonlight shining down on her. Nuka didn’t run very often—it wasn’t a big thing in his pack. However, for the wolves, it was their respite from working hard throughout the day, and while she was running, she’d begun to realize just how amazing being a shifter was.

A female wolf came out of the house and passed her with a growl before padding straight over to Hunter. Lily watched as the black-haired female stroked her face over Hunter’s fur. Hunter looked past the female to Lily, and she smiled at him before disappearing into the house. She suspected she’d just met Ebony, and something in her chest hurt. She shook it away.

Kingsley…she wondered if he was back. Taking the stairs two at a time, she ran up to his bedroom, excited to see him. It’d only been a few hours, but she’d missed him. They’d spent a great deal of time talking together over the last few days, and she’d realized for a human, he was ok. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her. She pushed his bedroom door open and was shocked to find him packing all his clothes into a suitcase. He was still dressed in only his shorts and sneakers.

“Kingsley?”

He looked up at her. His handsome face marred with tension.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

He slammed the suitcase shut, and she jumped back.

“I’m leaving,” he replied, pulling the suitcase off the bed and onto the floor. “I can’t stay here.”

She hovered by the door.

“B-b-but…” she stammered out. “You can’t.”

Kingsley, who was now pacing around the room grabbing a few other belongings, stopped. He dropped the items onto the floor, and his head drooped onto his chest. His shoulders raised and lowered as he took deep breaths.

Lily took a few tentative steps into the room.

“Talk to me.” Her words were barely audible.

Kingsley sat down on the bed. His hands resting on his knees, but he didn’t look at her. She went over to him and sat beside him.

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