Page 69 of Depraved
I kinda want to puke.
I check my phone out of nervous habit, just to see who’s called. I’ve had it on silent, but I can see texts starting to pop up from my mother.
I don’t swipe to read them, but the preview text pops up automatically, and I can see her words showing in all caps:WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING!
Word’s out.
I swallow hard because even though we knew that Elena’s mom would get word out to the pack, part of me kind of still hoped that maybe … maybe, Elena would be wrong. She still could be. Thomas could be down south hiding out like Black said.
My gut and my wolf disagree with me.
I check the time on my phone. We have ten minutes left until Black lands. If he lands, goes inside, hears about the dress shopping, then hops in the car … it’s maybe another twenty or so until he gets here. The longest fucking half-hour of my life.
But Pluto and Warcraft are our backup. They’re just outside. They’ll stop shit from getting in here. And there’s her mom too—she’s a fighter. Okay. Okay. Not terrible. I wish I could have brought a weapon, but Black had all of his locked up.
I make my way back to the front of the store, reciting the plan to myself.
If Thomas shows, we shove the humans in the restroom and lock it. He won’t be interested in them. But we hopefully won’t even need to get that far. Pluto’s got a great nose. He’ll probably scent that motherfucker coming a mile away.
Elena’s words from last night repeat in my head. “The worst part is going to be the waiting.”
I think she’s right.
I emerge around a carousel of mermaid dresses, expecting to find Elena talking with that uptight saleswoman or her mom. But the music plays, signaling the front door opening, and I bolt forward. I see Georgia and Katherine’s backs through the glass windows. They just left, and they’re walking down the sidewalk.
What the fuck?
I rush forward and yank open the door, eyes, and ears on high alert. The wind is whipping hard and fast, making my nose the least capable of all my senses. But then it shifts, and the smells of donuts and coffee waft over me.
Georgia turns back. “Oh, Jonah. We should have waited to ask you. Do you want a coffee? Adelle’s helping Elena into her first dress, so we thought we’d sneak out. Those dresses can take a little bit to get on, especially that first one.”
I try to mask the panic on my face and shake my head. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? Shouldn’t we wait in there with her?” I don’t like the idea of them leaving, even if it’s just for a second. I shove my hands in my pants pockets to avoid letting them see how jittery I am.
Coffee shouldn’t be a big deal. But it is. How can I get them back inside?
Katherine’s brow shoots up, and she puts a hand on Georgia’s shoulder. “Go on. I’ll catch up. I like dark roast; I’ll add cream and sugar myself.”
Georgia gives a nod, and her hair is sprayed so much that it hardly moves along with her face. “All right. Donut choice?”
“None for me.” Katherine would never eat a donut; it might throw her system off. And she’s always looking for the next fight, according to Elena. Which is why I want herin there.
Katherine stalks forward, and her tangerine scent becomes more acidic, more aggressive. “Maybe you should sit in the car. It might be easier.”
My wolf’s hackles rise, but I tell him to shut up. This isn’t the time to stir up shit with an alpha who likes to throw punches, at least not one that’s technically on our side. I force myself to stare down at the old black gum stains on the sidewalk. “I just don’t think Elena should be alone in there.”
“She’s not. Her fiancée will be here soon.” She steps in close. “Get a clue. It’s over. And honestly, it’s better this way for both of you.”
I turn around on my heel. I can’t. I can’t even stay there one more second with her. My wolf is snarling, and he’s ready to pounce. I walk back toward the dress shop and yank open the door. Fuck her.
Five minutes. It’s fine. They’ll be back in five minutes.
I go inside, and that idiotic song plays when I open the door. I want to reach up and disconnect the stupid doorbell. Immediately after I’m inside, I look over my shoulder to see if she’s gone. She is. Thinking she’s won, of course. Smug alpha bitch.
But then I glance over at Pluto’s car to make sure he and Warcraft are still there.
The seats are empty.
What the motherfuck?!
