Years ago, we used to find human mates by using a lottery of sorts. We called their numbers. They mated with us. We had children. End of story.
And then the system broke.
The mates began to die.
Mine included.
And now, now that it was fixed, it just seemed like one more cruel trick of the universe that everyone would be happy; everyone would have someone but me.
Not that I needed someone, not when I had friends.
Yeah, just keep telling yourself that.
And now, now that the thirst was suddenly getting worse.
And on the anniversary of her death.
I felt — helpless. Wolves weren’t supposed to be helpless; it was not in our nature.
I growled low in my throat at Alex. It only seemed to amuse the idiot more.
“Well someone should go talk to her,” he finally said, “We all know I’m not allowed near humans since they tend to die from lust.”
“Exaggeration,” I ground out. “You didn’t kill Hope.”
“She’s only part human.” He shrugged, looking to Alex. “And since Ethan has a shitty bedside manner—”
Ethan hissed, his fangs elongating past his lower lip before he retracted him.
“As I was saying…” Alex grinned. “…that leaves you!”
“Or we can send Cassius,” I offered, hating that I was even willing to send the dark angel in my stead.
Over a girl.
A simple innocent girl.
“Cassius—” The angel’s booming voice shook the room.
I hated it when he did that.
“—will not be going in your stead, ungrateful wolf. Go see to her injuries.”
“You heard the King.” Alex crossed his arms. “See to her injuries, Florence Nightingale.”
“I’m a wolf not a bird.” I snapped my teeth together.
Alex grinned wide. “Both are pets.”
I moved to slam him against the wall, but Cassius blocked me with one of his wings; the blue feathers stood out like spikes, ready to impale me if I moved to a track.
“Fine.” I jerked back. “I’ll check on our prisoner.”
“She’s a guest,” Ethan said as if I needed reminding.
I stomped down the hall and called over my shoulde
r. “We find all our guests in the street bloody and beaten now?”