his feet.
“Wolves,” Lincoln answered, pointing at the distant figures retreating into the forest beyond.
“Please, tell me you weren’t just planning on running in there,” Caden demanded, coming to stand in front of Lincoln.
“Doesn’t matter now, Caden; blasts have drawn them out. I suggest we follow the wolves’ suit and retreat.”
Don’t worry, Lexia. I’ll be coming for you soon…
Chapter 23
Having no nightmares that night, Lexia didn’t wake early. With no electricity, her alarm didn’t go off. The banging on her door woke her. The sounds vibrated through her skull, each pound causing her to cringe.
“All right, all right,” Lexia groaned. She’d already checked the life force behind her door and knew Derrick, Belinda, Marcus, and Alice waited. It was usual for Derrick, Belinda and Marcus to be together, but Alice’s presence confused her.
She stumbled to the door; sleep still muddling her brain. Her room was lit by a dim green light, which was quite disorientating. The second she unlatched the lock, Derrick burst through. He looked as sleep deprived as she felt.
“Thank God. Where have you been?” he demanded, his voice stern, though Lexia detected the undercurrent of concern.
“Here in bed,” Lexia muttered. “Do come in.” Slamming the door, she collapsed into the nearest chair. “What is she doing here?” Lexia asked, pointing a finger toward Alice.
“I have a name, Maura!” Alice spat back.
“No you don’t. You’re not Alice,” Lexia replied.
“Whose fault is that, bitch,” Alice sneered, her eyes narrowing in anger.
“Stop it!” Derrick chided. “I brought her here because she’s your friend and the compound is in chaos. Did you not notice the ground shaking last night?”
“Course I did,” Lexia replied casually, waving them toward the sofa opposite her as they still stood hovering near the door.
“Why the hell you in bed then, boss?” Marcus asked, looking at Lexia as if she’d lost her mind.
Lexia glanced at Alice, still stood near the door, then back at Derrick. “I need to talk to you.”
“Talk then,” he answered annoyed.
Her eyes flickered to Alice a few times while she debated whether to trust her or not. Alice answered before Lexia had made up her mind. “For God’s sake, do you really think I’d say anything?” She crossed her arms and glared at Lexia.
Now that’s a little more like the girl I once knew.
“I’ve no idea what you think. You’ve not exactly been yourself,” Lexia stated.
“Well, Lex, I’ve been turned into a freaking monster and my best friend stood by and watched, so I think I’m entitled to be a little pissed. For the record, I still hate your mother and if you are planning to kill her, I’m all for it, but I’m never going to forgive you for this.” She gestured to herself, the look in her eyes one of utter disgust.
Lexia knew what it was like to hate yourself, to loathe the very blood keeping you alive and she understood Alice’s reaction. She’d never been a forgiving person, except were Lexia had been concerned.
Nodding, Lexia pushed the hurt Alice’s words caused away and answered Marcus. “I was in bed, because for once, I could sleep soundly knowing I was one step closer to finishing this.”
“I knew it! Told you she had something to do with the blast.” Belinda grinned at Marcus, nudging him with her elbow.
“What else have you been hiding?” Derrick muttered, clearly feeling put out by being left in the dark. He leaned against the wall to the side of Lexia, his arms crossed tightly.
“I’m not hiding information, Derrick. I’ve just been preoccupied and Lucy hasn’t allowed me the chance to bring you up to speed.”
“Still, I wish you would let me help you,” Derrick said.
“We all want to help,” added Belinda.
Lexia smiled at Belinda who sat on the sofa. “I get it. I really do but you have to understand something. I’ve spent the last four days wondering what the hell my next step is because it didn’t look like the alpha pack was coming through and seeing you guys only makes me feel worse. I see it in your eyes, the hope, the confidence I’m going to save you, but I’m just a girl. I’ve no clue what I’m doing. I was never the brightest in school. I’ve never been anything but ordinary, yet now I have the fate of so many lives resting on my shoulders. If you haven’t noticed, I’m coming apart. I can’t sleep. I can barely keep food down and the only thing that seems to keep me sane is running until my