Page 42 of Shadow City: Silver Wolf

Small wheels on both ends of the dumpster caught my eye. I could roll it closer to the door, at least temporarily. Few people came back here, so there wasn’t ahugerisk of anyone else seeing it, but I didn’t need to take the chance. The dumpster was large enough to block the painting from view.

The idea of touching that disgusting dumpster made me gag, but my life was way more important. Besides, the painting’s existence put Killian at risk too. This wasn't about keeping me safe.

With renewed determination, I walked behind the dumpster and pushed it toward the wall, tapping into my wolf. At the first push, something brown drizzled from one of the crevasses and almost spilled on my shoe. I jerked my foot out of the way in the nick of time.

A glutton for punishment, I leaned over to examine the liquid more. It reminded me of the murky brown Tennessee River, which was disgusting in its own right. I pretended the liquid was coffee even though my nose screamed how wrong I was.

Footsteps sounded from inside the building toward the exterior door. I pushed harder, needing to get the dumpster over to block the painting and fast. However, even with my strength, it was slow going.

I hadn't gotten it over the wolf yet when the door opened. Thankfully, Killian's musky sandalwood scent covered up a portion of the stench.

He stepped outside and grabbed his nose. "Oh, God. Carter wasn’t kidding when he told me to hold my breath."

He had a flair for the dramatic. "You can smell it in the hallway, so you should've known."

"It wasn't nearly as bad there. It's like someone magic-spelled the hallway to take down their enemies by luring them through it and then shoving them out the door." Killian shivered. "Carter said you've been out here for a while and that I should check on you. I thought he was overreacting until now."

I understood he was trying to be cute and funny, but now wasn't the time. "I've got a problem."

"This smell—"

"No, I'm being serious." I wasn't trying to be a bitch, but I needed him to focus. "Look." I gestured to the brick.

He pinched his nose, keeping up his antics, until his gaze fell on the silver wolf on the wall. "Holy shit." He glanced around and then sighed. "That could be awful luck."

"Let's see." The more I thought about the situation, the more I realized that this was done on purpose. "I've been the only person taking the trash out the past five days I've worked. Someone painted this back here where it smells like ass. And Rosemary has been sniffing around me since she found me in the woods last week."

"You had me at them coming back here and smelling this shit on their own terms." Killian sucked in a breath and pretended to dry heave. "I have got to stop doing that."

"Will you help me?" I nodded toward the other end of the dumpster. "The only solution is to use this to cover it until I can get back and spray paint over it."

"Of course. Let's do it." He clutched the other end of the dumpster and helped me guide it to the wall. Once it was positioned over the drawing, he frowned. "Go in before Carter comes back out here. I'll run to one of the hardware stores and get some spray paint. There's one not too far from here. I’ll paint over the wolf and meet you out front."

He was already doing too much. "If Rosemary finds out that you know my secret, then she could lump you in with me too. I don’t want the council to be out for you.”

"If she knows, then she'll assume that I know too." He placed a hand on my arm. "Especially with how a girlfriend suddenly popped up."

Ugh, I hadn't thought of that. But he was right. "Fine, I'll go in before someone else comes out here and snoops around."

"I'll be back and meet you out front." Killian removed the keys from his pocket. "Finish closing up the shop."

"Are you sure?" Leaving him to clean up my mess didn't settle well with me, but at the same time, having someone come back here and see the painting sounded worse. "Thank you."

"Of course." He kissed my cheek. "You're one of my best friends now. I'd do anything for you." He walked around the building, heading to his truck.

How I wished we felt a romantic connection to each other. He was the type of guy my dad would've been so proud that I found. He was kind, considerate, and loyal. Although, if my dad was still alive, Killian and I probably wouldn't have become friends even if the silver wolves had returned to Shadow City. We’d bonded over the loss of our families and created a connection through that.

Forcing myself to go back into the building, I rushed to the bathroom to wash my hands. As I looked in the mirror, I almost didn't recognize the girl staring back at me. My silver hair was pulled back into a bun, and my silver-purple eyes had darkened to almost steel gray. Hell, with the paleness of my skin, I could almost pass for a vampire.

My clothes were a little baggy on me, due to all the stress. Every time I tried to eat, I'd lose my appetite after a few bites. Lately, I’d been living on coffee, which amped me up even more on top of everything else. At some point, I would have to risk shifting and taking a run.

Turning away from the mirror, I cranked the paper towel dispenser and wiped down my hands and face. I tossed the paper towel into the garbage and pinched my cheeks, trying to add a little color to my skin, then left the bathroom.

The two girls in the kitchen were gone, and when I walked out front, only Carter remained.

He leaned over, trying to see behind me, and sniffed. "How'd you lose Killian? I need you to teach me that little trick."

Carter and Killian loved giving each other hell, but I could tell there was mutual respect on both sides.

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