Page 12 of The Wolf She Shouldn't Desire

“Out.”

“I already gathered that.Whereexactly, Talia?”

“I don’t know,” I answer. “I just need to get out of this damn house and blow off some steam.”

“Meaning you are going to go looking for a fight.”

“And you know it will only be with assholes terrorizing the streets that deserve it.”

“I know. Will you let me go with you?”

“I want to be on my own and you know I can handle myself.”

“That I also know, but you know I have to ask and insist a little as your guardian and as your friend.”

I look at him. “I know, but I really need to be by myself. Please.”

Danny stares at me for a second before he nods. “Alright. Stay safe.”

“I will,” I promise.

Chapter 7

Talia

Two hours stalking the streets, and I had already found three men and one woman to beat on—all who had been beating on or close to beating on someone smaller and weaker than them. They’ll think twice now in the future about doing it again, though. My boots have blood splattered on them to testify to the damage they suffered at my hand.Blood Queen indeed. I always find myself with blood on me and thrive off of it in situations like this where I feel a little justice has been meted out. Not so much when following orders that my father hands out regularly.

Down another alley, I hear a commotion and go to investigate if my next bully has presented themself oh so graciously for me. The adrenaline and satisfaction of teaching assholes to pick on someone their own size or to not attack those undeserving gives me a thrill and is the only way I can let out the frustration I feel regarding Zander and his coven’s attempts to drag us into a war with the wolves. With each person I find, the tension and frustration eases. Some may think it’s a bit barbaric or uncalled for to take my anger and frustration out on others, but I make sure to do it with the lowlifes in the city. Maybe that makes me a vigilante, but what the hell.

Sticking to the shadows, I take in the scene that greets me. Five males surround one smaller male, and with the shift of the wind through the alley, I identify them as five vampiressurrounding a werewolf. The werewolf is young and looks terrified as the vampires sneer down their noses at him. The wolf has blood at the corner of his mouth, indicating that someone has already struck out at him. I listen for a few seconds to see if I can discern why they are cornering the wolf and become angry. My blood begins to burn with my rage making it feel as if there is something alive beneath my skin. I slowly walk towards them, coming out of the shadows to make my presence known. The idiots are so focused on the wolf and not their surroundings that they don’t notice me until I grab a stone off the ground and hit one in the back of the head with it.

First, the one I hit turns around with a snarl on his face, and then the rest quickly follow.

“Did you just throw a fucking rock at me, bitch?”

“Very astute of you,” I sarcastically respond.

“Fuck off before you find yourself in a dangerous situation, little girl,” a different vampire directs at me.

“I think you need to explain what the wolf did to deserve this treatment before you findyourselfin a dangerous situation,” I respond.

“Excuse me?”

“What. Did. The. Wolf. Do?” I say slowly and sternly.

“None of your damn business,” the one I hit in the head with a rock replies. Based on the way the others flank him and allow him to take charge, I’d guess he’s their ring leader. “He’s a fucking mongrel and deserves whatever we decide to do with him. Now, last warning. Fuck off.”

“Yeah, that’s not going to work for me. So, I suggest you let him go or your dumbasses are going to find out what it’s like to have a ‘little girl’ kick your ass.”

They all start laughing. Fucking idiots. Guess they’re not the type to recognize women can be a threat to them like men, if not more.

“It’s cute how you think you can take on five adult male vampires.” Yep, called it. “Here’s how this is going to go now. We are going to deal with the mangy dog over there, and when we’re done, I’m going to show you who’s boss and teach you a lesson in what use you are good for, which is with you underneath me with your mouth shut.”

I stare at him as anger yet again fills me at the audacity of men today. Goddamn scumbags like this who think they have a right to take whatever they want from women without a care if they hurt them or not are the ultimate igniter to my rage that that I will not and cannot control. They just want what they want. Selfish pricks. I would bet everything I have that this man has assaulted multiple women in the past and has no regrets about it either. He won’t ever do so again after tonight, though. I’ll make damn sure of it.

They stare at me, and their smiles slowly fade. They probably thought I would start to cower in fear or even show anger at them rather than the cold, emotionless expression I give them.

“You have no idea who I am, but you’re about to. And I am going to enjoy every fucking second of it as I coat this alley in your blood,” I whisper menacingly.

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