I slip on my still damp clothing, sliding an annoyed side eye over at Kyra. There is no way her clothing is even close to dry yet if mine is still this wet. I don't say anything. I already have to be wary of what I say now that she overheard me and Koda talking. Not that I didn't say anything I wouldn't say to her face. Well, maybe I wouldn't say all of it to her face, but the point remains the same. I didn't speak any mistruths.

"Remind me again why we are leaving now?" Nisha mumbles, unhappy about not staying out of the rain longer.

"Because we need to catch up to Ezrah.," Kyra says with a heavy sigh. "Do you guys even want to find this guy, or is this really just some cover to avoid helping with the war?"

"The fuck did you just say?" I Koda growls, his head snapping up as he glares at her. "You think this has been a damn picnic for us, sweetheart?"

Kyra doesn't even flinch as she reaches out and grabs her bag, slinging it over her shoulder.

"No, I questioned exactly what you all have been doing out here for two years. I never said it was easy, just that it seems like you guys are trying to avoid-" she says, gripping the strap tightly, the only show of her nerves.

"He heard what you said, Kyra." I break in, giving her a stare that pleads with her to shut up. The last thing we need is a group of pissed off lycans and werewolves at our backs. I know for a fact they will protect me, but I need to know they will protect her, too. She isn't making it all that easy.

"She makes a point," Marcos says, and Koda scoffs, shaking his head.

"Of course you would try to agree with her, you want in her pants," he grumbles.

"Marcos is right, Koda." I say, reaching for my bag. Koda scoffs and chuckles dryly. "Or do you think I want to get into his pants?"

He frowns at me and shakes his head as if this whole conversation is unbelievable.

"No, I don't get the vibe you want in Marcus' pants." He says finally.

"We should be jumping at every opportunity to get Ezrah. We have become complacent in our failure. Clearly, we have forgotten what it is like to have a lead." I remind everyone, looking at Nisha, Dean and Koda especially.

"It's just rain," Dean says, trying to break the residual tension.

"Yeah, nothing like a wet dog," Nisha grumbles to herself as she slides a glance at Kyra and Marcos.

"Enough." I say, my voice low but firm. "This bickering and bullshit is done here and now. Do you understand me?"

nods like a child who has been scolded, and Koda mutters in agreement. Dean throws his hands up like he has had nothing to do with all of this while Marcos looks around, also

"Sorry," she whispers.

"Good. Now-"

me off with raised eyebrows.

annoyed to see

about me?"

kind of are part of the problem with all the bickering and stuff...no offense." Dean explains.

am the leader. I

Kyra all the time." Nisha points out, crossing her arms over her chest.

an angry monster

trust Kyra with my life and yours. If you doubt her, then you are doubting me. Do you doubt me?" "No, of course we

gone." I grunt,

be a little more frustrated than I thought. I clear my throat and let it fall to

a scene. After all, Nisha makes a point. My constant arguing with her does no one any good.

me. My brows pull together and my mouth pulls to one side as I try to understand what

specific?" I ask him, and he lowers his

this mission, you told me your goal was to find Ezrah

down my face, clearing it of rain for

giving him a

it feels like he has something more to say, like there is something hidden

say, feeling more guard around Dean than I have before. He seems to weigh my answer, his mouth opening and closing

At the end of all of this, is your goal to die in this battle and leave us

and look at the mud where my

has felt a sense of urgency to find Ezrah the way I have. "Merikh set you up to this, didn't he?" I ask, my chest burning with an unfamiliar feeling of regret as my self hatred grows. Dean clears his throat and looks away as I lift my gaze and scowl at him. "Alpha Merikh...expressed

all along, you have been what...? Ensuring I don't find Ezrah because you are

of truth as I realize the others have come

to watch me for him? Hmm? Make sure I don't allow

to see that no one will make eye contact with me. Nisha rubs

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255