Page 9 of Crossed Fates

Besides, it’s not like I stabbed him in the damn chest. Why is he being so grouchy about it?

“Silver?” Alaric repeated, sounding doubtful. “How?”

“We suspect it was from his visit to the city this morning,” his dad replied, a note of irritation in his tone. “As you know, he had a lunch appointment.”

Alaric’s jaw ticked, highlighting the light dusting of dark hairs along his chiseled jaw. “Yes. I meant to meet him there, but I found myself otherwise detained.” He glared down at the hybrid as though to blame him.

I frowned. As he’d just arrived, it seemed an unfair correlation, unless he’d been hunting Vex all day.Why did you come barging in here to kill him?I would have opened my mouth to ask, but I didn’t want to interrupt his conversation with his dad.

“I need you here,” his father said, ignoring the excuse. “Now.”

The wolf flashed in Alaric’s eyes, reacting to the command in that single word.

Definitely an alpha, I realized. His size already sort of gave him away with that over-six-foot-tall frame and broad shoulders. Although, he had an athletic litheness to him that reminded me of a runner’s build. Sleek and trim, but definitely strong. And I had no doubt his endurance in a fight lived up to his muscular build.

Probably has decent endurance in bed, too, I thought, allowing my gaze to drop to his tapered hips and strong thighs.

I was a wolf; therefore, I naturally noticed these things.

It didn’t mean I wanted to test the theory. Of course, my wolf vehemently disagreed.Tramp.

Some of the ire had bled from his eyes as I returned my focus to his face. His full lips even quirked up on one side, my appraisal having not gone unnoticed.

Because yeah, he was a wolf, too. Hence, he also noticed these things.

But the amusement quickly died as he shifted, flinching from the stab wound in his shoulder. Yeah, I’d be paying for that in a few minutes.

I swallowed, considering my options.

He had the upper hand with that gun. He also outweighed me by a lot. I was tall for a woman, making it difficult to squeeze by someone of Alaric’s stature. However, I was fast. Especially in wolf form.

Of course, I couldn’t exactly run around New York City with my fur on. And if I were to shift here, I’d end up naked when I switched back to my human skin later.

Which meant I had to fight him like this.Ugh.

“I need to wrap up this scene,” Alaric finally said, the gravel in his tone remaining harsh and unmoving.

Definitely still pissed.

I can’t really blame him.

“I’ll be there by sunrise, or just after,” he added.

“Good. The pack needs you, son.”

Alaric’s wolf took over his gaze again, his jaw clenching once more. “I’ll do what I can.”

“Do more,” his father returned before cutting off the call.

Alaric just stood there for a minute, his anger tangible. Then he slowly returned his phone to the pocket of his jeans.

I considered apologizing, but it wouldn’t be heartfelt. He’d deserved a blade to the shoulder for grabbing me like some sort of omega in need of a stern lesson.

However, I really didn’t want him to return the favor.

Okay. Maybe I should offer a different sort of olive branch here.

I cleared my throat, considering what to say. “So, um, I’m Makayla.” Seemed like a good idea to give him the answer he’d wanted from me earlier.