Page 27 of Fallout
“Really? Because we just got started,” I argue.
But he’s already walking. He doesn’t glance back or wait for me. He just paces ahead. Even when I try to catch up, he always stays a good distance ahead. He opens the passenger side door for me, but he won’t make eye contact as I get in.
Did I just ruin things between us?
Will doesn’t say a single word the entire drive to my house. When we get there, he doesn’t move to get out.
“I have something I need to do. Will you go inside and lock the door?” he asks, still keeping his gaze focused ahead.
I’m torn between begging him to come inside and being thrilled that I’m actually going to have some alone time.
“Will, I’m sorry. I didn’t know I could do that. I didn’t mean—”
He cuts me off. “Henley, go.”
I sigh but do as he says. Will watches as I make my way inside, but as soon as my front door is shut I hear loose gravel crunch under his tires.
If I thought he hated me before, it’s nothing compared to what he will think now. I can’t even blame him—I’d hate it if somebody else read my private thoughts. But it’s not like I meant to do it. I never would’ve tried that stupid experiment if I knew.
I think about reading a book or watching something mindless on TV, but I am so sick of being cooped up inside. If it was really dangerous for me to go outside, Will never would’ve left me alone. So I slip my cardigan back on and head out the front door. I walk on the familiar path between Parker’s house and mine. I don’t plan on going to his house since he won’t be there, but I want to be outside. I’m only about fifty feet from my house when I hear a noise behind me.
“Hello, there.”
6
They’d have to catch me first.
Henley
I turn so fast that my hair slaps against my arms. My heart accelerates so fast that I feel as though it’s going to burst right out of my chest.
I recognize the guy, though I don’t know him. He’s the same supernatural I saw before—the supernatural who has been sneaking around pack land.
He’s the reason Parker is always gone. Suddenly, my fear is replaced by anger. Who does this guy think he is? He doesn’t belong here.
I cross my arms over my chest. “You shouldn’t be here. This is pack land. If they find you, you’ll be in a lot of trouble.”
“I had to come.” The guy takes a step closer to me. “I had to meet you. I just didn’t realize you would be so hard to get alone. You are always surrounded. Today is the first day you’ve been alone in a while.”
I take a step back, uncomfortable with his closeness. “Why do you need me alone?”
“I’m sorry.” He holds up his hands. “I am not here to hurt you. I’m sorry for scaring you. It’s just… I’ve never met another supernatural like me.”
“Like… you?” I look at the guy’s glowing brown eyes. There is something familiar about him. I still keep my guard up. If he is the same kind of supernatural as me, it doesn’t mean he’s a good guy. He’s a stranger who has apparently been stalking me.
“The alpha of this pack has been asking around about you, trying to see if other supernaturals know what you are,” the guy says, shaking his head. “They won’t know, by the way. Nobody knows what we are because they hunted us down until near extinction. I thought I was the only one left.”
“You know what I am?” I ask.
He nods. “Of course. My parents taught me. They died a couple of years ago after they were hunted by a pack of wolf shifters.”
My breath gets caught in my throat.
His parents were killed by wolf shifters?
I take a deep breath. “If you’re really not here to hurt me, then meet Parker. He will let you stay, as long as you don’t mean to harm me or the pack.”
He shakes his head. “Absolutely not. Wolf shifters are not good. I will not have anything to do with them.”