Page 43 of Villainous Fate

“Let’s get out of here before someone finds us,” Conner whispers quickly, and I hurry, hoping to see their faces before they disperse. The sound of retreating paws follows before I catch even a glimpse, and I attempt to distinguish how many were gathered. Stopping, I hear at least five distinct patterns, all moving away from my location.

Fucking cowards.

Heading back toward the camp, I shift and change back into my discarded clothes before strolling into the barracks, schooling my features to appear to be without a care in the world. Conversations drift my way, but I avoid focusing on anyone and instead plop myself down on my cot, throwing my arms behind my head and crossing my feet at the ankles.

My eyes glance over at Stone’s bunk to see he hasn’t returned.

Wonder how he did with the adjudication?

My time in that room had been nothing short of exhilarating. I told my story about Alvarez’s attack and subsequent elimination honestly, and as it really happened, knowing the bloodsuckers would see the truth anyway. As soon as I saw his lilac irises, I knew they were taking this investigation seriously down at the LLC.

There go all my tall tales…

I sat and allowed him to ask his series of questions, refusing to give any information about myself or anything that danced outside of the purview of the investigation. No, I don’t believe you need to know my relationship with Alvarez. He’s dead. I didn’t kill him. Move on. I also don’t see how questions regarding my Awakening, my nickname, or my preparation for this training are relevant to the matter at hand.

Nosy bastards.

When Alexander moved to verify my version of events, I allowed my eyes to shift, not because I lost control but because I wanted them to be afraid of me. They needed to understand that this interview was happening because I was allowing it and for no other reason.

What I hadn’t anticipated was the complete lack of tension from the vamp. His smirk made his eyes dance with interest, his expression revealing his intentions. I was like a toy he wanted to play with.

Hard pass.

Stickman reacted exactly as planned and got in my face. It’s not my fault the cold hands made me throw my head forward, busting his lip open and causing him to swing on me. I was merely protecting myself when I caught his fist in midair, my claw shifting out and slicing open his knuckles.

Whoopsie daisy.

“Oh, I love a good A positive. Are there cups?” Alaric’s comment broke the tension immediately, his head scanning the room, but damn if the fear that flashed in Rodriguez’s one good eye wasn’t just what I wanted.

Any. Fucking. Time.

My wolf growls, squeezing the fist hard enough to force more blood to spill before I release him, a fake apology spilling out with my laugh.

“Terribly sorry, Twigman. Reflexes and all,” I cough out, shrugging as I relax back, enjoying how his neck turns crimson as his fury builds. My eyes meet Alexander’s amethyst set, silent understanding passing between us.

He nods, amusement shining from his face as his hands slide to my temples. The memory flash happened quickly, and he made no additional comment before dismissing me to the hallway beyond and the guards who gave me the shifting rules and allowed me out.

“Hey, Marlo,” a female voice interrupts my inner dialogue, causing my gaze to shift her way.

Megan Clark.

My expression stays neutral despite the urge to snarl at her after what I heard in the woods, and I don’t waste my energy responding.

What exactly is your angle, bitch?

“I heard you would be joining us. It’s been what? Two years? How’ve you been?” she asks, crossing her arms in an effort to accentuate her chest, after flipping her obnoxiously long platinum blonde hair out of the way. I don’t take the bait.

“Just peachy.”

“I’m so glad to hear it. My dad was talking about reaching out to your pack so we can host another retreat since so many of us are turning eighteen this year,” she prattles on, losing none of her enthusiasm despite my short and monotone responses. “Your birthday is coming up, right?”

“Your point?”

“Oh, it’s just cool to think about. The fact that we all will be able to find our mates soon. My birthday isn’t until…” I tune out the annoyingly bubbly sound of her voice, focusing instead on the fluttering of the thin skin at her jugular and calculating how long it will take her to bleed out if I tear it out.

“... but I’m not sure if I’ll get to fly home from our apprenticeships because apparently it's against the rules, but my dad is going to call Alpha Rodriguez. He knows him from the LLC Committee meetings…” She continues before being interrupted by a voice I recognize.

“I’d imagine sticking to the rules isn’t a concept you're too familiar with,” Stone interrupts, causing Megan to snap her mouth shut and glare at him.

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