This Dark Wolf (Soul Bitten Shifter #1) - Everly Frost Page 0,64
fear—and he couldn’t reach them in time. I’m familiar with that panic. I felt it when my father was killed.
“Is that what happened when Iyana and Danika were in trouble? You sensed it?”
Tristan sucks in a sharp breath. “The only good thing my father taught me is that anyone can be pack.” His focus becomes distant. “Everyone on this side of the river is part of my pack—the humans included. I look after my pack. If they’re in trouble, I help them.”
His eyes gleam with a menacing light. “If they step out of line and hurt someone, I take care of it.”
“You’re an alpha to all.” I try to read Tristan’s thoughts, to understand his plan for me. “How am I supposed to help you?”
“Tonight, you’re staying up here,” he says. “I’m giving you one night to get your bearings and get used to being out in the world again. Tomorrow, I’ll show you my city. After that… you’re coming out with me.”
I perk up. “On patrol?” I’d love to test out my new skills.
He shrugs. “Something like that.”
Before I can ask him exactly what he means, he seems to shake off his thoughts, lifts off the lounge, and strides away to the elevator as if he’s going to leave.
I jump to my feet, nearly sloshing wine across the carpet. “Wait, where are you going?”
He casts me a backward glance. “Out. You can sleep in my bed. I won’t be back tonight.”
“But I cut you a piece of cake.”
It’s possibly the most idiotic thing I could say to this dangerous man.
I bite my lip, wishing I could swallow it back.
He pauses in the act of swiping his security card, half-turning back to me with a wary expression, his gaze flicking to the glass of wine and the plate waiting on the far kitchen table.
He scowls before turning away again.
I blush. Of course he doesn’t want any fucking cake.
He swipes his security card, the elevator doors open, and he disappears inside it, bare feet and all.
“Um… but…”
The elevator doors close and I’m left talking to an empty room.
The penthouse is silent around me.
“Okay, then. He’s gone.” I place the wine glass down on the nearest coffee table more forcefully than necessary and begin to prowl, my wolf’s energy rising to meet my agitation.
First he separated me from Iyana and Danika and then he left me here. I have to find a way out of here somehow. I stomp to the elevator door and thump on the button multiple times, even though I’m sure it won’t get me anywhere.
Placing my hands on my hips, I survey the rest of the penthouse.
Maybe this is some sort of test.
There has to be a spare security card somewhere.
I blast through the kitchen first, churning through the obvious places like the drawers that inevitably accumulate a bunch of crap. Fruit bowl. Side of the cabinet where keys might hang.
Making my way into the bedroom, I inhale the scent of male shifter like a punch to my head.
Holy fuck.
I make it three steps before my senses go wild, too overwhelmed by Tristan’s lingering power to think straight. Judging by the tousled sheets and wayward pillows, Tristan is a light sleeper and hates making his bed.
His presence in this room is overpowering.
As if I could sleep in his bed at all, let alone tonight. I can’t even step foot in his room to find a damn security card.
It’ll be a shame when I need to shower or use the bathroom since the only bathroom I see is the one I need to access by crossing his bedroom. I’ll just have to run for it when that happens, but that’s a problem for future Tessa.
Assuming defeat, I rush out of his room and stomp toward the far window again, forcing myself to accept that I’m stuck here tonight.
Unless…
My wolf’s energy shivers inside me at my sudden thought.
I’ve never had a reason to try to send her through solid objects before, but I know she can do it. After all, she’s pure energy. She curled herself around the little girl, Becca, and calmed her. I’m sure my wolf can travel through inanimate objects too.
The biggest challenge will be whether or not I can make sure my wolf’s energy isn’t seen since she glows cobalt blue, but I’ve been practicing a skill that I’m keen to test. I didn’t tell Helen about it because I wasn’t sure what she would think.
Grabbing another cushion like I would in the garden at Hidden