Chapter Four

Tristan’s POV

“You might want to back off, Cameron,” I urged, clenching my fist as they drew closer. “Don't make me ask a second time.”

“It's four against three,” he retorted, smirking coldly as the huge guy in the crew, Falcon, advanced. He tried to grab my hand, smirking like he could overpower me.

Such an insult never sat well with me. Swiftly, I pulled his hand off me and slowly twisted it backward as he crumpled to the ground, wailing at the top of his voice.

I watched in satisfaction, enjoying the pain in his eyes, the screams filling my ears like music — almost ecstatic.

“What are you doing?” Caitlyn’s voice pulled me back. Once again, I almost lost myself. My control had been slipping too much these past couple of days.

I let go of him and watched as he writhed on the dry leaves, cowering in fear. She watched in bewilderment, further proof that she might have had no knowledge of any of this.

My gaze shifted to Cameron, who watched in fright but tried hard to conceal it. He kept swallowing as I walked up to him.

“Get yourself and your minions out of my sight before I break something else,” I whispered, watching him fold within my grasp.

His sister chuckled. “You think your—”

“Carolyn!” he blurted, stopping her from speaking any further. “Let's go.”

She resisted, scoffing in disbelief. “But Cameron, we were—”

“Let's go!” he yelled, startling her into silence.

“But remember this, Tristan. You can't hide the freak forever. I will get my hands on her and slowly unravel what the hell she is.”

“Wow,” a smile danced on my lips as Orion and Mira walked up to my side.

“Stay away from her. There won't be a next conversation about this.”

“No, there won't,” he grunted as he grabbed Falcon and left.

We waited until their scent was out of range before turning back to Caitlyn, who still looked perplexed.

“Now, little pup,” I crouched beside her. “Do you want to tell me what you are, or do you want them to find out first?”

She gulped as my gaze pierced even harder.

*****

I had spent all night thinking about it — about her. She had only been in Aurora a few days, and I couldn't even keep her out of my head.

She knew nothing, including the basics. We left it at that because it was the first time meeting a top family that had no idea who they were.

It was just one more day until the full moon passed, and then I wouldn't have to worry about my control problem.

“I'm leaving for school,” I told my drunk of a father as I headed out. “Do you need anything… anything besides the liquor that is slowly drowning your kidney?”

“So judgy,” he groaned. I could smell his breath from a distance, the strong stench of alcohol and other substances I didn't even want to know.

“You are just like your mother, boy. Judgmental to a fault. Pisses me the fuck off.”

“She was the only person who cared about you,” I retorted, watching his pitiful state as he rolled over on the couch, shrouded in his own drool.

“Don't expect the same attention from me. I'm only asking because I'm not going to spend some of the money Mum left me handling your funeral.”

He laughed heartily, belching loudly alongside it. He finally lifted his gaze to mine.

“You think because you are smart, look good, and ripped, that life will go according to your plan? Who do you think gave you those genes?”

“Clearly not from a fuckin’ drunk,” I shot back.

“I’ll grab dinner on my way back. In the meantime, be of use and clean up after yourself.”

My dad was one of those gold diggers, married my mum for her fortune. Imagine his surprise when he found out the Venom family wasn't as rich as the others. The kids from the other so-called great families drove around in cars, lived in mansions, had butlers to clean their asses. Not us. We were stripped of everything during my grandfather’s time.

I got to school and met her chatting with the boat kid in the hallway. She was smiling blissfully, and his hands found every chance to be on Caitlyn’s skin. Watching them up close released a frenzy in my chest. The strange sensation caused my heart to pound as I walked toward them, my fist tightening with every step.

Luckily, their discussion ended and he walked away just before I reached them. I exhaled heavily. I had no idea what I might have done. I had never lost control to that extent before.

The reason behind my anger was a mystery to me.

“Hi,” she waved while I nodded in response.

“You should be careful with the Theo guy,” I warned subtly.

“Why? He's nice,” she replied, walking behind me as I hurried to the staff office.

“Yes,” I stopped suddenly, causing her to bump into me. She fidgeted when I grabbed hold of her. Her cold skin triggered a strange chill that ran up my spine, sucking the air from my lungs. Yet I still found it troubling that she had no scent.

“No one is ever that nice.”

I stepped into Mr. Franklin’s office before she could respond, leaving her lost in thought.

I took a second to catch my breath, not realizing I was already standing before Mr. Franklin.

“Are you okay?” he asked, loosening the tie around his neck. “You look shaken.”

“I'm fine,” I exhaled. “You asked to see me. Is something wrong?”

“That depends,” his raspy voice echoed through the office. I noticed he was stalling — listening as Caitlyn walked away from the door.

“I heard from the others that Cameron and his sister tried to rattle the newborn.”

“We stepped in on time,” I answered quickly, dropping my bag on his desk as I watched him arrange files into a drawer.

“What is she? I guess they also told you about the scent situation and the fact that she has no idea about any of this.”

“I heard,” he muttered.

“Do you think she transformed that night? The shredded clothes and all.”

“There was no scent to confirm,” I replied. “But I know transformation is the only thing that shreds clothes like that. She claims the last thing she remembers is fainting after hitting her head.”

“I have heard tales of other mythical beings in the country,” he said, walking up to me with a file in hand.

“For now, we leave her out of the life. She knows nothing for a reason. Her family made sure of it. But if she proves to be a threat…”

I matched his glare with a cold one, noticing how composed he was.

“What would you do? Kill her?”

“As Alpha, yes,” he responded without flinching.

“Are you serious right now?” I reacted.

“We are protectors, not babysitters,” he said. “You know the rules. If she becomes a threat to the pack or the inhabitants of Aurora, I will put her down.”