Chapter 6

Patricia

William and June are living in pure luxury. I can't believe they own this place—it's so incredible! Their mansion is enormous, and so is their kitchen, where professional chefs work to please their alpha and luna.

I was astonished the entire walk to their dining area. There are actual diamonds in their chandeliers, and there is an open flame ahead of me. The table is polished and so clean a better-behaved person would fear touching it, afraid of tarnishing it, but I don't care.

With a big smile, I gulp down food like it's the first time I've ever eaten. Some guy named Antonio came out with a silver platter of delicious shrimps, and I'm now throwing them into my mouth with my heart singing happy songs.

Changing into a werewolf burns ton of calories. I suspect the shape-shifting is part of why I'm not a big girl—I love cake and bake them too.

"This is so good," I take another bite, eye-rolling and smiling at my platter like a child being offered cookies. "Oh-my-god!"

The werewolf couple watches me eat until June clears her throat. I peer up from my food, blinking at her. I knew her taking me in was a little too good to be true, but I didn't expect her to dig into my brain straight away.

"Yes?" I try to put on my friendliest smile.

"So, you're name is Patricia, right?" June asks. Her hands are folded under her chin, making her look like Mr. Burns from The Simpsons. Her eyes are calculating too.

Unfortunately for the young lady, June doesn't have the intimidating aura I suspect she wishes she had as a luna. Her hair is barbie-blonde, and she dresses like a doll—all pastel and pink.

I nod with food around my mouth, drying it off on my sleeve. Heat envelops me, and my smile grows embarrassed when William stifles a laugh. Both werewolves are sitting with me around an oval-shaped table, and I feel they took me in solely to her information. Not that I mind—I can use them for food.

"And you were in Dior's pack—the Winterbite."

Oh, so she had hidden motives all along. I peer into her eyes, not surprised at finding burning passion behind them—June seems to hate Dior more than I do.

"Yes," I reply, chewing and swallowing. "Does it matter?"

June and William exchange a glance, and then the blonde woman turns to me with a smile. My stomach growls, unease latching at me as I study June's dark expression. I've heard some packs take in rogue refugees to question them. The worst part is how they get rid of their bodies after the interview to hide all the traces.

"Well..." June twitches her lips, meeting my eyes. She appears cunning, and I don't trust her one bit, even if she has given me food. "We would like to know Dior's weaknesses, and since you left his pack, maybe you could help us? You're not loyal to him anymore, so it wouldn't hurt you if you talked. We have a lot of food and room to spare."

I stop eating, laughing a little down at my feet. Did June honestly think she could bribe that easily?

I wasn't born yesterday.

Slowly, I lift my eyes to meet June's kernels directly. Surprise hits her features as if she didn't expect a werewolf to ignore her position of luna so easily. I might have been an omega in my pack, but I'm a rogue—I don't yield to anyone.

"Thank you for the food, but it's way too early to ask me to betray my old pack. My parents are still members, and I care about my pack—even if they didn't always treat me nicely."

Anger zaps within June's eyes, but instead of letting me discover her inner rage, she smiles. Goddamn. The woman is faker than her plastic lips. I hold back the urge to walk out of this mansion. People with split personalities terrified me. Sadly, I need a place to sleep and force myself to stay and eat a few more shrimps.

"Of course. However, if you change your mind, don't hesitate to talk with me, Patricia. Our pack is on natural grounds with the Winterbite pack at the moment, but lately, we have taken an interest in their lands. They have far better hunting territories, and therefore, we would like to get rid of their alpha."

I finish my platter and dry my hands on my jeans. William smiles at me, seemingly amused by my lack of manners, but I ignore him to focus on his girlfriend.

June is scary and only invited me into her home to milk juicy details from my mouth. I should have known; then again, I'm not afraid of pretending I might give her what she wants if she offers me a bed. I'm not a snitch, but sleeping in the cold doesn't sound appealing.

"So, you wish to kill Dior?"

June inhales, hesitating before beaming at me. "It's common for alphas to battle in deathmatches, and since Dior won't give his territory willingly, then yes—we wish to take his life. End him."

Oddly enough, there is an ache of worry biting me in the guts. I've convinced myself that I loathe Dior—the truth, however, is that I'm too kind to hate someone entirely. I care about him, and the thought of these two people killing him bothers me.

Why do I care?

I ask myself that question, replaying the horrible memories of the things Dior has made me go through. Last year, he put a doll inside my locker, basically delivered me a jumpscare, and had everyone laugh at me.

He gave me a nickname and made the entire school call me Patty. During gym class, at the pool, he winked at me when I was putting on flippers, making everyone snicker at the fat chance of Dior, the alpha, actually liking me.

Another day, the asshole cracked up when I stumbled on ice on my way to school, and then he made our entire pack see me as a clumsy idiot not suited for responsibilities. Not only that, but when he came back after the summer, much taller than me, the first thing he did was rest his stupid chin on my head.

"I can't let you do that," I sigh, wrinkling my eyebrows at the conflicting emotions within me. "Indeed, I'm not on good terms with Dior, but I don't wish death upon anyone."

William gives me a half-smile, then looks away, leaving his woman to do the talking. June appears thoughtful, letting her eyes study me before she finally cracks open her lips.

"What if it's for the best?" June asks. "If Dior dying meant balance in our world, would you help us take him down?"

I furrow my eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"I'm saying that Dior isn't who, or what you think he is—it would be in everyone's best interest if he disappeared."

"In everyone's best interest?" I stare at June, unable to not snort at her cold words. "Damn, it's a person's life you're talking about, woman."

June hesitates, then touches my hand with her fingers. Her face is twisted with concern.

"Weird creatures are appearing in our world, Patricia. We have spotted undead bears, burning horses, and giant snakes, and we believe Dior is involved somehow. Some members of our pack even believe he is one of the creatures. Have you seen Dior engage in battle? He is too strong for a normal werewolf."

"He is an alpha; those are naturally superior," I withdraw my hand from hers. "And an undead bear attacked me when I was with Dior—I don't think he would have the creature attack him if he were involved in bringing it to life. I was the only person there, and he wouldn't gain anything from winning my trust."

"Are you certain about that?" June asks. "Because to me, it looks like you're incredibly loyal to your alpha, which might have been what Dior wanted all along."

I laugh. "Well, I'm a nobody, and gaining my loyalty is a wasted effort."

June shakes her head. "You're wrong—you're worth more than you think, Patricia," Her lips form a smile. "I understand if you don't trust me yet, but if you change your mind, then you know where to find me. I wouldn't hesitate to recruit you, and your ranking would be far superior to the omega in our pack."

"Yeah," I try to smile, hoping it's convincing. June scares me. Therefore, I don't want to join her pack. "So, about my sleeping situation-..."

"Of course," June stands up from her seat, smiling radiantly. "I will take you to our spare bedroom. Follow me."

I hate having to sleep here—I don't trust June. Yet, it's better than the alternative of freezing in the woods. So I put on my best game face, intent on using this couple for one night.