54

Ryan and Leif gaped at me, and Kira arched an eyebrow. I guess I’d said too much. My cover was law enforcement. No one needed to know I was a TO. That would make it too easy to connect me to Kira when her career was eventually revealed.

I shrugged. “Took a specialty biology class in college. ‘Creatures of the Earth.’ Still remember all that stuff.”

The guys seemed to buy it. They started chatting with Kira, and I breathed a sigh of relief. The only reason I was here was to keep my best friend’s sister alive. Nothing about this would be easy, and I needed to keep my head on straight. As delicious as Kira was, and as tantalizing as it would be to make her back arch in ecstasy again, I needed to get my desire for her out of my mind. She always found a way to get into trouble. If I was going to keep her safe, I’d need to be completely focused on what was happening and what she was doing.

It bugged the hell out of me that she still seemed to despise me. Even when we’d had sex, there’d been a bit of hate-fucking involved. It had been hot and sexy. Tonight, before those two bozos showed up, I’d thought the same thing would happen again.

After all this time, I wish she’d let go of our past. I’d never truly understood why she’d pushed me away after what happened. If I had to guess, it was probably her pride more than anything else.

Twelve years, and her irritation and hate for me had only grown like some malignant plant inside her, pushing vines and creepers through her heart and mind. Still, it was her prerogative. I couldn’t tell her how to live her life, who to love, and who to hate. If she wanted to bite the hand trying to pull her to safety, that was her decision. I was prepared for that.

“All right,” I said, “I’m gonna try to hit the hay again.” I gave Kira a friendly nod. “It was nice getting to know you tonight, Kira.”

Kira smiled at me. Anyone who didn’t know her would think it was a sexy goodnight smile. I knew it for what it was: a sarcastic grin that was about one step away from a fuck you. It was all I could do not to laugh.

I said goodbye to the two guys and walked away. As I rounded the corner of the hall, I had every intention of making my way back to bed and sleeping. The problem was, I only got a couple of yards down the hall when an image flashed in my mind: Kira in my arms, bleeding out, the silver knife protruding from her body.

I froze mid-step. I couldn’t leave her by herself. Not with two guys I didn’t know. Not in a place like Bloodstone Island.

Doubling back, I slid behind the thick curtains of one of the windows in the hallway. It allowed me to hear the three in conversation without them being able to see me.

“Kira,” Leif said, “I have to say you are looking beautiful tonight.”

“Oh, I don’t think so,” Kira said. “No makeup, hair’s a mess, I’m out here in PJs and a robe. I probably look like a slob.”

“No way. If I woke up every day to see you looking like this beside me, I’d count myself a lucky man.”

I rolled my eyes. Leif was laying it on thick—really thick.

He and Kira exchanged a little more flirtatious banter before he excused himself to go back to bed. Pulling my toes further under the curtains, I waited for his footsteps to recede. Unless my ears were deceiving me, there was only one set of feet departing, though. Where the fuck was Ryan?

To be safe, I waited one full minute before sliding out from behind the curtain. Peering around the corner, I saw Kira and Ryan walking away. Ryan was far too close to her, his arm brushing hers. At one point, he even put his arm around her waist, and Kira leaned into him for a few seconds before pulling away. The muscles in my jaw ached from me grinding my teeth.

They strolled the halls, and I stayed far enough back that neither of them would pick up my scent. Unfortunately, that distance didn’t allow me to hear their discussion. Ryan continued to make small flirty touches to Kira’s shoulder, her arm, her hand. If his hand went anywhere near her ass, I didn’t think I’d be able to stop myself from sprinting down the hall and maiming my fellow alpha.

After tailing them for nearly ten minutes, the two stopped in front of what must have been Kira’s room. They stood outside the door, awkward and nervous, like they were on their first date. I prepared to race down the hall if the jackass decided now was a good time to try for a kiss.

His voice drifted down to my hiding place in the alcove. “It was really nice talking to you, Kira,” Ryan said. “I was honestly worried about who I might be here with. You know, who was this possible mate I have to prove myself to. I’m super excited it’s you. I can’t wait to get to know you more over the next few weeks.”

I sighed to myself. That was tame enough, and he actually sounded sincere. Maybe he wasn’t some horny bastard trying to get his dick wet on the first night.

“Thanks,” Kira said. “It was nice talking to you, too. Now, I’ve got to get some sleep. I’ll be worthless tomorrow if I don’t.”

Kira stepped into the room, and once I heard the door lock, I turned and did my best to stay silent as I took a shortcut back to my room. I had to make sure I got back and into bed before Ryan, or he might suspect that he and Kira had been followed.

On my trip back, I could still hear the snarls, growls, and yowling from outside. At the bunk room, I opened the door silently and slid in. Everyone was passed out and snoring. I managed to get my shoes and shirt off when the doorknob twisted. I quickly got under the covers and turned my head. Closing my eyes, I began to breathe like I was asleep.