Page 147 of Haze

The arrogance in thinking he’s won is evident, but what Brayden doesn’t know is that he signed his death sentence.

We will rip him limb from limb for even implying hurting our mate like this. I’ll piss on his corpse and make sure not even the vultures will eat him. My wolf starts coming up with the most disturbing ways to mutilate Brayden’s corpse.

With a new focus, my wolf offers other options. They’re less incriminating options, but each is more bloody than the last.

Issue with the toaster in the bathtub? Or maybe an accidental drowning? Random mugging? Skip it all and send him out with a bang? My wolf offers slightly less bloody options first.

I grab the burner phone out of the bottom desk drawer. Even better, I assure him.

The mighty must fall. If I’m breaking the rules, it’ll be glorious. Brayden threatened to kill my mate.

Pocketing the burner phone, I pull out my regular cell phone.

Me:

Hey, faolan, I would love to watch you paint tonight. I’ll order food, pick it up, and meet you at your place? Maybe I could hang those paintings for you?

Kathleen Alden:

You can watch, but this isn’t ‘painting’ which leads to fucking. I need to get at least something done for the exhibition.

I promise no funny business. Food and silent observation.

No hammering?

Only a few nails into the walls.

I want Chinese. I’ll send you the website and my order. If you give them my phone number, they get it right every time.

Chapter 48

Finn

Every time I’ve seen Brayden today, the only thing stopping me from shifting and ripping his head off is the reminder that I wouldn’t be able to sit and watch Lena paint again. The way her ponytail flicked back and forth with the sharp adjustments of her head as she looked at the small details mesmerized me. How she held the brush in her mouth, tongue darting out along its shaft, well... that was a different vision altogether. But those moments are the only reason Brayden’s more than a puddle of blood today.

With two hours left, I leave the large-animal wing to head back to my desk. I stop by Lena’s lab with the intention of talking to Nikki loud enough for Lena to hear me when I hear Brayden’s voice. Drawing a deep breath, I scent who is there. It’s a mix of the humans and wolves of this floor.

“Brayden. That’s too funny.” One of the gals from across the hall laughs, and it doesn’t sound forced.

“What can I say? I just walked into the bar.” Brayden hams up whatever story he’s telling.

“What are you doing for Halloween?” one of the voices I recognize as one of the women from Lena’s lab asks.

“Well, I was hoping to get invited out with a lovely group of ladies,” Brayden hints. “Maybe Lena would want to come? It’s been a long time since she’s been out with everyone.”

“Uh. I’m not sure what’s up with Halloween yet. Joys of being Alpha Female.” Lena’s voice is hesitant, the words picked carefully.

“It would be so much fun. You both should come!” the human answers.

“Well, Lena, we do need another for our costume. I’ll have Nikki show you the details. It could be a good time,” the wolf prods as well.

I step forward and see a glimpse of Lena’s grimace.

She answers, “I’ll see. It sounds like a good time, but things are complicated.”

Nikki walks up behind me. “Oh God, are they cornering Lena about Halloween?”

“You knew?” I ask, looking at her.

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