Page 29 of Shadow City: Silver Wolf

"Yes." Dick blatantly didn't want Griffin to go with him, to the point where he was openly discouraging it. "Having lunch issomuch more important than attending to alpha duties," I said sweetly as I smiled and batted my eyelashes.

"Don't worry, I'm not ready to step in permanently." Griffin straightened. "But like I said, he attacked her right in front ofme, almost like a dare. One day, I will take back the role full time, and I need to show everyone I won’t take any bullshit."

"Come on." Killian took my hand and opened the back door. "We'll see you guys later."

I let him pull me out the door, but I didn't want to leave. Dick was attempting to make Griffin stand down, and for whatever reason, Griffin had almost allowed it. If I hadn't butted in, I had a feeling he would have lost his nerve. But if Griffin was the true alpha and he wanted to be part of the interrogation, it wasn't Dick's place to tell him no or discourage him.

"You okay?" Killian asked, leading me to his truck.

"Yeah, why?" I focused on Killian. Everything inside me was telling me to go back to Griffin, which I didn’t understand. The sensationtuggedand itched inside me almost to the point of being overwhelming. He had some sort of hold on me, and I didn’t like it one bit.

"Let's see, you went up against Dick." He chuckled. "And you were attacked."

"What is Dick’s problem?" I tried to sound casual, but I desperately wanted to know.

"Well, he hates a woman talking back to him, but he's a good guy other than that." Killian opened the passenger door. "When Atticus died, the entire wolf pack in Shadow City landed on Griffin’s shoulders. He was seventeen. My pack is large, around eight hundred wolves, but he’s alpha, not only over the six hundred who live in Shadow City—but he also represents the over fifteen hundred various shifters who live outside. Not only did all the responsibility land on him, but he was grieving for his father while still learning to be a man, just like me. Dick offered to be his proxy. He's taken on a lot of the alpha responsibilities to let Griffin have a semi-normal college experience before Dick hands the reins back to him. That’s why Griffin is majoring in political science, preparing for his inevitable role."

So that was the angle the older man was working. I had a gut feeling he had no intention of handing the power back to Griffin. “Is Griffin not your alpha too?” If Killian’s pack were the ones protecting the city, it’d make sense that they were connected.

He chuckled. “No. With us living outside, we have our own pack. It works better that way. Besides, if we didn’t, then we’d have to get approval from the council for any decisions we—or rather, I—make. It’s easiest to stay separate.”

"I see. And why didn't you tell me who Griffin was?" That kind of burned, but I didn't have a right to be upset. We'd known each other for only a day, and I had a ton of secrets that I hadn’t shared with him. I slid into my seat.

"Because Griffin would rather pretend no one knows, though that’s truly impossible." He pulled at his ear. I realized it was a sign that he was uncomfortable. “That kind of role isn’t one you can hide from.”

“What’s going on with the attacks? It sounded like there was more to the bear shifter attacking me today.” Maybe today’s attack on me was coincidental, but that seemed convenient. Something about the whole thing bothered me.

Killian tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “Ever since Shadow City began to open back up and the college was built, there’s been at least one attack a month on wolves. We think it’s because Atticus was the one who headed the charge.” He shrugged. “Either way, your best bet is to stick with me, especially since you've been attacked twice in two days."

“I thought Shadow City was a place of refuge. How did it become so volatile?” That was the missing piece that I couldn’t get a handle on.

“From what Griffin had told me one drunken night, that had been the intent, but they started recruiting powerful beings and approving only the strongest to move there before the border shut down.” He shrugged. “I didn’t push for more information,but essentially, only the strongest of the races were allowed into the city.”

So much hidden history. But it wasn’t my problem. I had something more pressing on my mind. "I need clothes." I lifted the skirt material. "This isn't cutting it. I need jeans so I can carry my knife around. I hate to ask, but can you cover me until I get my first paycheck?"

"Normally, I would argue with you, but after today, I won't." He pouted. "So I guess that means I'm taking you shopping."

The restof the day flew by, despite me looking over my shoulder at all times, expecting to be jumped again. I'd gotten two pairs of jeans, a few shirts, a pair of tennis shoes, and boots at a local thrift store, so tomorrow I'd feel more like myself.

Once my new-to-me stuff was washed, I put it away and then paced around the small bedroom. It was almost eleven at night, and I was restless. My wolf was edgy, not having a pack, and that damntugwas working at me again. I’d been waiting for Killian to settle in for the night so I could head out to the backyard and stand in the moonlight for a few minutes. The moon always seemed to soothe my soul and spoke to my wolf in a way that was almost inexplicable. It wasn’t nearly as effective as running in animal form, but it would help ease the turmoil brimming within.

As quietly as possible, I opened my door and creeped out to the back porch. Low mumblings from the television from Killian’s room informed me he was already in bed. My heart slowed as a sense of calm settled over me. I needed to be alone. He and I had been together all day, and even though I enjoyed his company, I needed space to function properly.

I slipped down the brick steps and around the concrete pool area until my feet touched the grass on the side of the yard. I lifted my face to the moon, feeling a little bit of its power wash over me. Even though it was a trickle compared to a full moon, it was enough to make my blood buzz.

That was when I heard the snap of a branch. I tensed.

I wasn't alone.

CHAPTER NINE

I spunon my heels and faced the direction of the white house next door. The scent of leather and myrrh filled my nose, and thetugfrom earlier reappeared.

Griffin was near.

Dammit. I came out here for peace, and the douchebag showed up here. Maybe he came for a swim. Either way, I had to stay away from him. For some reason, he grated on my nerves by being in close proximity. The fact that I was drawn to his playboy ways pissed me off even more.

No self-respecting girl would want someone like him. And I refused to become another notch in his belt, even if I would love to know how his lips tasted.

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