She tensed, daring a look at the guy.

No pity. Just understanding. Then it hit her; unless Mikar was one of the posh born ones, he would have been turned too, at one point. He got it. The choice was often getting changed or dying. As Avani loved being alive, she didn't want anyone to pity her for what had happened to bump the course of her life in another direction.

And being a wolf was all she knew. All she’d known as a teen and an adult. She loved it.

"How old were you when you moved to the Elder Pack?”

"Fourteen. Twelve years ago. It wasn't bad. I like Oldcrest. The woods are gorgeous. I like being able to let my wolf free. I'm a little wilder than your run-of-the-mill werewolf."

The vampire snorted. “I’d say. You were turned by The Wolf. I think he’s only turned a dozen people in I don’t know how many thousand years—two or three. His blood is more potent, which makes you a seriously strong beast. I bet it’s very close to the surface.”

He really did get it.

“I am the beast,” she admitted. “There’s no distinction between me and my wolf. Anyway, thanks for listening. I'd better get in, see if Alexius will let me crash another night.”

Now Mikar laughed. "I don't think that'll be a problem. The guy is a bit of an asshole, because he tries his best to put some distance between him and the rest of us. But I don’t actually think I’ve ever seen him say no to anything—or anyone. He just tries to annoy people to death. When they stick around, he lets them hang out with him.”

That had been her exact impression of Alexius.

“If it is an issue, though, the next house up the hill on the right is Levi's, and the one after is Chloe’s. You'd be welcome in either home."

Why were they so freaking nice to her?

She nodded and got out of the car, frustrated and wary. "Thanks again. I'll call you about the next trip."

Mikar waved as he drove uphill.

Eavesdroppers

The noisy gathering of vampires with an acute sense of hearing had grown entirely silent as they heard the wolf’s tale.

Now Alexius was just pissed.

At Knox, for one. How dare he turn two females—regular humans—and then when the mother died because of his carelessness, dump the youngest in this boring prison, and in the custody of the Elder Pack, of all people?

And yes, maybe Knox had had too much on his plate to babysit a kid, but she was his responsibility if he’d taken it upon himself to turn her. He was unreasonably angry.

It all made sense now. Why she wouldn’t allow wolves to hunt regulars, risking her own life to help the teen. It had been personal. That didn’t make her actions any less commendable, it simply made them more logical. He started to understand the enigmatic shifter.

Alexius liked logic. He liked comprehending how things and people worked. He told himself that was the extent of his fascination with Avani. Curiosity. No doubt, once he figured her out, he’d lose interest.

As her steps approached, he cleared his throat, eyes on the crowd drinking his beer and spirits.

"So, we were talking about the zombie," he informed them.

They were not going to make things awkward for her when she walked in.

Understanding him, everyone started chatting like they hadn't been completely silent, enraptured by her every word five seconds ago.

Though not quite as acute as that of a vampire, werewolves also had powerful hearing, so there was a chance they weren't fooling anyone.

Instead of walking inside his home, Alexius heard Avani stop at the threshold, and recognized the telltale sound of a number being dialed. He focused his attention on her, shamelessly listening in.

On the fourth ring, a familiar voice picked up.

"Sweetheart." Knox's drawl was suave, almost sweet, clearly affectionate. And also completely out of character. "I tried to reach you. I figured your phone was in the woods. I’m glad you called."

"I just got a phone," Avani replied. "The vamp said he told you what happened last night?"

Alexius took umbrage at being called the vamp. At the very least he should be Alexius. Alex. Lex. Something a little less formal.

Then again, they’d met a week ago.

And he’d been an ass.

"He did. I'm so very proud of you, Avani. You always were too good for the rest of us. Resisting a bloodhunt is quite the feat any night; on a blood moon, I don’t think even I would have managed it. You’re a diamond in a pile of coal.”

“Can we please stop the bullshit?”

Alexius smiled, while Knox chuckled on the phone.

“All right. No compliments—however well deserved. What can I do for you? Do you wish for me to find you another pack?"

She marked a long pause. Alexius's entire attention was so fixed on her he could smell and feel her, though he would be hard-pressed to say what was going on in his drawing room.

"They want me to stay here. They think I can enroll in the Institute."

“They?” Knox’s tone had lost some levity.

“The people from this hill. You know, Chloe, Levi, the rest of them.”

Alexius snarled. So, first, the vamp, now the rest of them?

"And you'd like that," Knox gleaned.

She gave no reply.

“It’s an option. Even with the pack situation going on, Oldcrest is still one of the safest places on Earth for a wildling. There are other hidden territories, like Dale, but the eagles who own it aren't to be trusted."

“The pack will try to kill me,” she stated.

“Perhaps.” Knox might as well have commented upon the weather for all his intonation showed. “If you're under the protection of the Institute, they'll die trying. Which is what they deserve after last night. It’s just a matter of establishing to what extent your new friends are prepared to take care of your safety.”

“I can protect myself if it comes to that. I’m not defenseless. Did you catch Draiden?" she asked him.

Knox sighed. "He was long gone by the time my agent reached Oldcrest. Not far, although he's hidden his trail. My man will remain in the area to look for him. He's on borrowed time. I've had the beta appointed alpha. Do you think he's trustworthy? I don't know him well."

“He isn’t,” Avani replied. “And he might still be loyal to Draiden anyway, whatever appointment you made. You might be alpha of all wolves, however, you’re mostly absent. I don’t think your authority is entirely recognized in Wolfcrest.”

"Mh." Again, Knox seemed entirely indifferent. "Well, that changes your situation. I can get you out of Oldcrest. It's up to you."

Alexius couldn't help himself, he was at the door, snatching the phone out of her hands. "Wolf."

"Helsing." His tone changed ever so slightly, losing some warmth. He didn't sound unfriendly per se, but Knox reserved the suave gentleness for Avani. "Didn't your mother warn you about eavesdropping?"

"My mother didn't teach me a thing. Avani will stay here, under our protection, as you're too busy to ensure her safety or wellbeing."

Knox was silent for half a beat. Then he replied lightly, “Well, I asked you to take care of her yesterday, and you did that. It sounds like I'm taking care of her well enough."

"Technically, I am," Alexius pointed out. "She wants to go to school. She's staying here. End of discussion."

Never mind the fact that just a few short hours ago, he'd been completely against the prospect. Blinded by his desire, he hadn’t wanted her anywhere near his place of work. Something had changed since yesterday, though. Now, he’d ceased to see her as a piece of ass he wanted to bite.

Well, he wasn’t blind; he still very much would have liked a taste of her dark cherry lips, and her tanned, taut skin. He just knew he wouldn’t give in—now or later.

In one day, she’d changed from a stranger to a part of his world. A real person who deserved acknowledgment as such. What he’d heard about her life until now had been the nail in the coffin. The last thing a woman like her needed was an asshole playing with her for a night. She should be cared for. Appreciated. Two things he wasn’t capable of. And he simply didn’t shit where he ate, so that made her untouchable.

If he couldn’t fuck her, there was no reason why she shouldn’t join the Institute.

“Avani has a pack of seventy adult shifters potentially against her in the area. She'll need to be actively guarded. Are you saying you'd do that, Alexius? As far as I’m aware, you’ve never had any responsibility in your entire life."

"Hey, I'm here." Avani waved with one hand, the other on her hip. "And I happen to be a grown-ass twenty-six-year-old, not a stray pup. I get to decide what I’m doing. No one has to guard me or take responsibility for me.”

"Yes, we do," Alexius retorted, at the same time as Knox in the receiver.

To The Wolf, he said, “As long as you haven't located the rogue alpha, she's safer here, under our watch. We'll take care of her."

"You do realize that if anything does happen to her, then it'd be your fault?”

Avani growled low. "And I'm still a responsible adult."

Trying his best not to smile at the rough, wild sound, Alexius turned to her, focusing all of his attention on her.

Her eyes had lost their deep brown hue, turning amber and gold, like a tiger’s eyes. Her nostrils flared and she sniffed him, grimacing. Her mouth thinned. Her wolf was showing.

And the beast was pissed. Majorly pissed.

Soothingly, he asked, “You want to go to school, don't you?"

She froze under the scrutiny, then bobbed her head. For Knox's benefit, she added out loud, "Yes. What business is it of yours?”

He chose not to address her question. "Then, here we are. The matter is closed. You'll stay here, we'll ensure the pack can't get to you. Knox, clean up your house."

The Wolf laughed out loud on the other end of the phone. "Pardon me, that almost sounded like an order."