Page 177 of Fangs
I’d genuinely forgotten where I was going, but the way he was talking ignited my stubborn anger. “I’ll get something later.”
He stalked toward me, and I had to fight the urge to retreat. “No, you’re coming now.”
“I can make my own decisions, Wolf.”
His face darkened. “You clearly can’t take care of yourself,” he said in a low, angry voice as he approached me. “So, no, I don’t think you can make your own decisions.”
“What are you so fucking mad about now?” I snapped, my temper leaking out.
He stared at me, eyes flashing. “You’re supposed to be talking to me, to be tellin’ me the truth. And you still aren’t.”
“When have I not told the truth?” I threw my arms out, frustrated.
“About Hawk and your arm!” he snapped. “Why would you hide?—"
“I wasn’t tryin’ to hide it!” I fumed.
“Really,” he drawled, the word oozing with sarcasm.
Behind him, Sable, Kai, and Lee approached, their eyes flicking between the two of us.
“I’m not lyin’,” I tried and mostly failed to temper my voice.
He scoffed sarcastically, and the hurt that went through me nearly bowled me over. Why did it bother me if he didn’t believe me over this one stupid little thing? He didn’t believe me about a lot of far bigger things.
“Fine,” I hissed, recklessly ignoring the anger darkening his expression. “Don’t believe me. Believe whatever you fucking want. That’s all you do, anyway.”
“That is not fair, and you know it, Ember Cutler. Now get your ass over to the canteen so you can eat something.”
“I’m not hungry,” I spit out, stepping backward.
“Wolf,” Sable’s voice sounded like a warning.
“I’m not askin’,” Wolf’s voice dropped to a dangerous growl.
“Wolf!” Sable caught Wolf’s arm as he started to reach for me.
Wolf spun on his heel but stopped just as quickly as soon as he faced Sable. They stood there, staring at each other, Sable’s hand still wrapped around his upper arm. The tension felt thick.
“We can bring her food back,” Sable finally spoke, his voice low.
Wolf jerked free and strode off toward the canteen without even glancing back.
“Two godsdamn Wolfs,” Kai muttered, stepping closer to Sable. “You okay?” he asked in a lower voice. Sable nodded, giving him a wan smile.
I started back toward the clinic, and Lee began walking with me. I halted, still brimming with frustration. “Lee, please, just go to the canteen.”
His eyes narrowed, hurt flashing across his face, but from behind him, Kai spoke up, “Tuck’s there, Lee. She’ll be fine.”
I didn’t wait, turning and striding away. I waited on edge for Lee to ignore me, but when I glanced back, he was walking toward the canteen with Sable and Kai. Embarrassment itched across my skin. Why couldn’t I get along with my brother? And while I was at it, why couldn’t I just let a healer put fucking salve on my back? It’d only been one day without my crew, and I already missed them so much it hurt.
When I approached the clinic, Tuck was sitting on the porch. He frowned. “Where’s everybody else?”
“Going to breakfast,” I muttered, stomping up the steps and slamming the door behind me.
The new window was open, letting cool, fresh air in. I couldn’t smell the blood or Madame’s scent anymore. My quilt was neatly folded on the exam table. I carefully spread it out, checking for the bloodstains, but Kai had removed them completely. My chest felt tight.
The door opened, and I glanced up, but it was just Tuck. He approached the table, still frowning, as I folded my blanket.
