Page 66

He’s right. The way I’m feeling, I might even kill my sister. Despite how much of a little brat she’s being right now, I’d never live down hurting her.

“Take a walk with me,” he suggests, catching me off guard.

He and I haven’t said over three words to each other since he banned me from coming to practice. The last time we talked even for a second was four days ago when I helped them look at that house. Even then, we didn’t communicate much. Him asking me to walk with him was out of place.

“This isn’t your attempt to kill me, is it?” I really didn’t have the time for that.

He chuckles. It’s a deep rumbling sound. “No. We both know I don’t have to lure you to a secluded area to kill you. If I did it in this crowded cafeteria, no one would bat an eye.”

He had a point. “You’re right. They’d probably help.”

“So, are you going to walk with me?”

Letting out a deep sigh, I nod my head. I needed to calm down before going back to the cabin. Also, I have to admit, I wanted to see what angle the Beta was going for. This isn’t a simple walk through the woods. He was after something. I just wasn’t sure what that something was.

He opens the door to the dining hall, allowing me out first. I walk out. He steps up beside me, his hand stuffed down in his front pockets. He walks toward the middle of town, and I follow.

“How did you get so good at fighting?” he asks out of the blue.

Is he fishing because he knows about my role in the legion? Couldn’t be. If he knew I was once part of the vampire army, he’d probably kick me out on my ass.

“My father wanted a weapon,” I reply honestly. “I was his first daughter, so disposable.”

He cuts his golden eyes over to me. “Vampires don’t cherish their daughters?”

“You guys really don’t know anything about us.” This time I laugh.

He shrugs. “Before one showed up on our doorstep begging to live with us, we never had a reason to.”

“Touche, wolf.”

He grins. I can’t say it’s my first time realizing how nice his smile is. I’ve picked up on it before. However, this is the first time I mention it in my thoughts.

“Is that why you have custody of Marley?”

I swallow, not enjoying being so honest with the wolf. However, to keep him from digging too much into my past and why I’m here, I have to feed him the safe truths.

“I have Marley because my father owed me a debt. Trust me, if he could have kept her, he would’ve. Not out of love, but because she is the only way he can control me.”

He’s silent for a long moment. “I’m an only child.” He finally says.

“My father was a scout in our old pack. He dedicated himself to his role. He loved it more than he loved anything. Even me.”

“Are we bonding over daddy issues?” I joke.

He sends me another one of his grins. “No. I doubt your father taught you to be a man by using you as a punching bag.”

Even though he says the words casually, I can tell they hurt. It seems the Beta has some deep scars.

“Well, you’re right. My father never hit me. He valued mental and psychological abuse more.”

He looks over at me. I shrug, not willing to delve further into my childhood trauma.

We continue to walk through town. I notice a lot of curious and disgusted faces. Oddly, he doesn’t seem to pay the stares any attention. We continue to talk as we walk. I realize he and I had a lot in common. Not just our childhood trauma or the fact that we are head strong and protective of the ones we love.

Loyalty is a big deal to both of us. And we both have control issues. I was having such a good time talking to him. I almost forgot that he’s the enemy and can’t be trusted.

We stop in front of my cabin. The walk was a great idea. I was a lot calmer than I was when I left the dining hall.