Page 16

What?!

“A werewolf they knew?”

Teasing his fingers down my back, Phillip stared at me. “Worse. A whole society of them.”

“Scheisse…”

Grinning, Phillip beamed a smile in pride. “See, you do know German.”

Rolling my eyes, I stewed in the revelation that we were up against a society of werewolves working for Lux. It’d be a fucking chore to figure out how to tackle such a wolfy dilemma.

Chapter 9

Romance Book Material

Home. I never thought I’d be back. I never thought I’d see my friend again, but Grams and Kris said hiding in plain sight for a few days would give us time to reach out to Nigel.

I’d called Kate right away, pretending I was back to visit Grams because she finally accepted my relationship with Phillip. I’d worked hard not to cry, worried the visit would put a target on my sweet friend’s back, but Kris promised they’d make sure to watch her. If Kate were ever in danger, we’d know it.

I was grateful for the chance to wrap my arms around my friend after I never thought I’d see her again. It was something I didn’t realize I needed, and her happy welcome made me feel whole again.

Kate stared at Phillip, who sat right next to me like he hadn’t a damn care in the world with his thickly corded arm laid out over the back of the couch. One of his silver-buckle boots was propped up on his knee, and the other Hunter looked right at home and not at all like a teacher visiting his previous student after running off with another student just the year before. Theex-teacher’s dark hair was brushed back away from his eyes, exposing every piercing Phillip rarely wore in class.

The dude looked like a grade-A asshole and nothing like our previous Biology teacher. He hadn’t even bothered to act sorry about being found out by the town. If anything, the smug look on his face spoke predominantly of pride instead of shame.

I swear, this jerk did it on purpose. Knowing him like I did, I counted on it. He was probably drinking it up like his own personal alcohol of choice. I wasn’t even sure if he knew what shame truly felt like because god knows he never acted like it around me. Not really. The only time was when we…

Broke up? Decided I should date Sloan, too? How do I even classify the thing happening right now?

The gorgeous nuisance insisted on coming to “make it more realistic for the story.” Based on the sparkle in my friend’s eyes, it was clear Kate bought everything he was selling.

Fucking fantastic.

Kate’s eyes shot from Phillip to me, then back again. Her bubbling excitement was so close to making me laugh, but I kept it together. I’d missed her enthusiasm for the world. Well, I guess more of an enthusiasm for hot guys who looked like they committed crimes for a living.

She was the exact way I remembered—spirited, full of life, and quick to make the most out of whatever came her way. Kate didn’t blame me for disappearing on her. She didn’t blame me for never returning her texts. She didn’t chastise or ridicule me for anything, just offered her unwavering support. I didn’t deserve her. I silently vowed I’d make it up to her someday, somehow, even if I had to sell my body to Phillip in order to make it happen.

In her usual shorts and fishnets with a messy bun of faded pink hair sitting atop her head, Kate crossed her legs on the chair she’d dragged over from the kitchen.

It wasn’t a very big house because Kate didn’t have siblings, but it fit her personality. It was cozy but full of life. Nothing matched. Every piece was thrifted or sniped from a garage sale. Even the cups she brought over to us had different vibes—heat-resistant plastic, porcelain, and a weird cat lady mug despite them having no cats. Her parents were just as eccentric as she was, and their chaotic decorations proved it.

Thankfully, they were out today, so it was just the three of us.“They’ll say something stupid, fo-sho,”she’d told me earlier on the phone, grumbling. So, the devious chick was clever enough to plan for it when I, complaining, mentioned Phillip might come with me. Her squeal of delight had nearly taken out my eardrum, but I was glad one of us was excited about him imposing onourreunion.

Bouncing on her seat, Kate’s sparkly eyes settled on Phillip, who’d only worn a tank top today so he could show off a full body of tattoos. His sly grin made the chick beam an impressive shade of red, but I couldn’t really blame her. I was just as taken with those smiles at first. And if I were honest, I still was.

“So, are you guys like, getting married or something?”

Phillip opened his mouth, sure to say nothing but terrible shit I’d have to walk back the entire time we were here, so I cut in quickly, “We’re taking itveryslow. I still have to figure out my classes for college and working…and you know, everything else,” I lied flawlessly. I’d learned from the best.

Kate bobbed her cute head, the messy pink bun on top doing a sort of all-Kate flop. “That makes perfect sense. I can’t believe he followed you to college! You got a job at a nearby high school, right? That’s fucking dreamy. I wished I could find me a man who was willing to be my personal purse to carry around.” She slammed a hand over her mouth. “Not that you are, of course, Mr. Smith! I just mean—”

The saucy older Hunter waved her off, grinning in that sexy way of his. “Don’t worry, Ms. Huntington. It’s the truth. I’d follow V anywhere.”

Now it was my turn to blush. The suave bastard did it on purpose.

With a shameless grin, Phillip’s hand dropped onto my thigh and squeezed right in view of my friend. My body reacted just as shamelessly. I had to work quickly to smother the urge to respond because the power he put into the squeeze went right between my legs. It was the same squeeze he’d give when I climbed on top and rode him all night long, and he fucking knew it. I smacked the offending hand away with a spiteful glare, and his blue eyes glittered with mischief.

This smarmy bastard was living in his momentary glory, and I’d punish him later by hanging all over Sloan. Or maybe I’d switch places with Cash when Phillip was being cheeky and touching me. That’d wipe the self-satisfied grin off his gorgeous face. Just thinking about the joint horror of Cash and Phillip in each other’s arms without consent—they both fucking deserved it—was enough to put a smile on my face.