30

ALINA

“You bring out Alexander’s gentle side.” I turned sharply at his words.

“What?” The shock was evident in my voice and Claude laughed.

That was his gentle side? I wouldn’t want to see what he looked like when he wasn’t being gentle. Well, I had seen a glimpse of it, and I didn’t like it. I actually hoped I would never have to see it again.

“You’re surprised.”

“It is surprising,” I replied.

I really couldn’t understand why it was so easy to talk to Claude, but when it came to Alexander, I became mute. Maybe it had something to do with all the people who told me he didn’t like it when people were quiet. They unknowingly put pressure on me, and now, even if I wanted to talk, I couldn’t. I’d be too busy in my head, trying to guess if I was saying the right thing. Doing the right thing. So much more.

“You shouldn’t worry too much about what he thinks. He may act all tough, but he’s a big softie.”

“I don’t think he’s acting,” I muttered under my breath, kicking a small stone on the ground in front of me.

The moon was bright tonight, and it made me want to lie down on one of those grassy patches and just watch it until the sun rose.

I had never been able to shift, so this was the way I connected with the moon and my wolf side.

There were rumours that one of my parents was possibly human. Hence why I couldn’t shift. But it didn’t make much sense. How would a wolf and a human even go about having a child?

And if Alexander was the one who killed my family, then they were werewolves. He didn’t care much for humans.

“Really? I’ve known him all my life, and I can confirm he’s not really like this.”

“But you couldn’t blame me if I didn’t just easily believe that, right? He’s your brother. Of course you’ll defend him.” I shrugged, crossing my arms over my chest.

I was starting to feel cold. The weather was a bit chilly, and I was only dressed in a flimsy t-shirt. Maybe I should have picked up a jacket before we came out. But I hadn’t realised it was this cold out. Inside had been so warm and cozy.

Funny how the wolf slayer lived in a house that felt that good.

“Do you have any siblings?” he asked me, tilting his head to the side.

We had come to a stop near the fountain in the middle of the driveway. It was magnificent, and I longed to dip my hand into the water and play with it.

I didn’t want Claude, who could be the only friend I had, to think I was weird.

“No.” I shook my head, swallowing the lump that formed in my throat.

I wasn’t about to go off about how his brother was the reason I didn’t grow up with my family.

“Oh.” His expression looked solemn. “When you have a sibling, no matter how badly the world sees them, you’ll see the good in them. Because you saw what they were before they became whatever the world sees.”

“And you’re saying Alexander has some inner goodness?”

“Did I mention his name?” I pursed my lips and shook my head. He had a point. “I’m not referring to him. I’m just speaking of siblings in general.”

“Oh.” He chuckled and took my hand.

I wasn’t expecting it, so I jumped back. He released me when he saw that.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said. “You just looked cold. You’re shivering. Here, take this.” He took off his jacket before I could protest and draped it over my shoulders.

Immediately I was covered in warmth and a heady scent. It was a nice gesture, but deep down, something didn’t feel right to me.

I pushed the thought aside and thanked him.

“Well, I didn’t want you to catch hypothermia or something.”

I looked down, trying to keep my expression blank even though I was shocked.

He was mentioning something again that you wouldn’t typically say to someone with lycanthropy. They had a stronger resistance than us, so the last thing he would think about is me getting sick.

“Or are you not one of those hybrid werewolves?”

“What?” I choked on air.

He pulled me closer and stroked my back gently. I regained my composure and moved away from him a little.

“You know what a hybrid werewolf is?” He said with amusement in his eyes.

“No.” I shook my head. “I just know that anything werewolf scares me when I’m here.”

Damn. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud. But Claude took it in stride. I mentally noted that it wouldn’t go this way with Alexander. So I had to be more careful.

“After seeing what happened to the people in your pack? I understand.” He shrugged, nonchalantly.

I saw the glimpse of coldness Alexander usually carried around with pride.

I reminded myself not to delude myself into thinking he was an angel. He was also a monster who just knew how to hide his true form really well.

“You have nothing to worry about. Alexander only has a problem with werewolves and liars. And you’re neither, so you’re fine.” He chuckled.

I had to laugh with him. Though if he looked deep, my laugh was more nervous than anything.

“If you’re okay, we can start going back.” I nodded almost too enthusiastically.

If I stayed out here any longer, I wouldn’t only freeze, but I’d probably be caught, and that was the last thing I wanted to happen.

Claude wasn’t clueless. And he was certainly not stupid. I shouldn’t only worry about Alexander getting close to me. What he would notice. Claude would too. And he may not have mentioned it, but the resentment he said werewolf with each time made me realise he didn’t like them any more than his brother did.