Chapter 9

Chapter

Nine

Music blared through speakers in the courtyard while shifters ate, chatted, and danced through the night. Instead of joining in on the festivities, I sipped my drink and huddled against the brick wall, trying to blend into the shadows.

Why the hell did Jax feel it necessary to force me to go to this party? I'd probably end up pissing someone off and getting into a fight.

Barric decided to throw the bash to celebrate the visiting alphas and their families from Chicago. Grilling meat scented the air, and dangling lights cast a glow over the tables and dance floor that had been set up. Even though it was freezing outside, the heat lamps and multitude of shifters warmed the area, keeping the chill from leaking through my ripped jeans and leather jacket. Plus, shifters ran warm, so I probably wouldn't feel the cold air that much.

Roman, Barric's witch friend, strolled in my direction with two plastic cups in his hand. "Stop being antisocial and have some fun, Tate."

I flipped him off. "I like being antisocial. "

He laughed and passed me a drink. "Maybe a rum and coke will loosen you up or at least wipe that unapproachable scowl off your face."

"It must not be that unapproachable if you still came over." I sipped the drink, the fizzy soda gliding over my tongue and masking some of the liquor's harsh taste.

Roman shrugged, the crescent moon dangling from his ear shining under the draping fairy lights. "I'm braver than most." He searched the area near me and frowned. "Where's your brooding shadow?"

I shrugged as if the lack of his presence didn't affect me. "Somewhere not bothering me."

Fane had been avoiding me since we hooked up at Lunar Souls a few nights ago. He'd barely spoken two words to me.

Prick.

To make matters worse, the Infernal Sol had begun to stir, restless and longing to yank the wheel of control from my hands. I couldn't allow that, especially trapped in the compound. If I started acting nuts or chowing down on fears, causing chaos, Barric would definitely realize something strange was going on with me.

What would he do if he found out about the demon amulet? Shifters rarely had any interest in magic or dark, nefarious demon talismans. Of course, Barric might consider his pack in danger, and locking me up would be best for everyone.

A shudder rippled down my back at the thought of being imprisoned in a room within the compound. Fane wouldn't let the head alpha do that.

Right?

"You need to keep your guard up, Tate, especially right now." He twirled his finger at the many shifters enjoying the festivities. "There are a lot of male shifters visiting, and even the male pack members at Silver Ridge notice when Fane's not around."

My eyebrows slammed together, and I had to choke back the urge to toss my drink in his face. "I can take care of myself, Roman. Why the hell does everyone think I'll turn into some weakling if a male shifter tries to get a little handsy?"

As memories of my time in foster care bubbled up, I swallowed back the bile oozing up my throat. I was a helpless kid then, and I couldn't protect myself. Things were different now. I was stronger, and I'd never let something like that ever happen to me again.

"I know you're capable of handling yourself," Roman said, his head tilting as he studied me, his cheekbones looking even sharper under the lights. "But I've seen males allow their primal instinct to control them, and it's not pretty."

So had I. They were just human.

"I'm hungry." I pushed off the wall and slipped by him. "Thank for the advice, Roman."

I wasn't actually hungry, but I'd wanted an excuse to end our conversation. Once I reached the food table, I grabbed a plate and started making a pulled pork sandwich.

"I made the pork." Charla, the blonde shifter who helped me in the archives gave a beaming smile as she pointed to my plate. She was tall and thin with high, delicate cheekbones and rosebud lips, looking more fae than wolf.

"Oh, cool." Did my voice sound as flat and uninterested to her as it did to me?

"It's spicy." She laughed and pushed her glasses back up her nose. "Not as spicy as your little toxic seasoning stuff, though."

Nothing was that spicy.

She jerked her head to the right, her blond hair shifting around her shoulders. "Let's sit at a table together. "

Before I could protest, she skipped toward the only empty one around, shooting a beaming smile over her shoulder. Ugh. Why did she have to be so nice? I could just ignore her, couldn't I?

Someone's stare burned into the side of my face, and I turned as Barric caught my attention a few feet away, his alpha power pulsating around him. He arched his scarred eyebrow, tilted his head toward Charla, and mouthed, "Be nice."

Whatever .

I stomped to the table and plopped down, shoving the sandwich in my mouth. I'd eat quickly and sneak back inside. They'd have to tie me down to make me stay any longer.

"Did you find what you were looking for in the archives?" Charla asked before sipping her drink.

"Oh, um, sort of." I didn't uncover shit about my parents, but that damn symbol certainly had my interest piqued.

Charla wiped her hands on a napkin. "Anything I can help with?"

Even though Charla was a bitten shifter, she'd have to know more than me. She'd been in Silver Ridge for a few years now, according to the records in the archives. "Do you know anything about…" I leaned closer to whisper, "The Collective Hunt?"

The instant the word hit the air between us, her mouth curved into a sneer. "I'm surprised there's anything in the archives about it, but I guess those assholes are part of our history."

"What do you know about it?"

She shrugged and brushed chip crumbs off her sage sweater. "It was full of a bunch of snobs. They all wanted the bloodlines to be pure, as in no romantic mingling with other races or species of shifters. And they believed turning humans into shifters was the worse offense." She scoffed. "Totally stupid. "

"Definitely." I picked at the bun on my half-eaten sandwich, trying to calm my racing heart so I didn't sound too eager. "The Collective doesn't exist anymore, right? We'd hear things about them if they did."

Charla leaned toward me, pitching her voice low. "I think smaller groups exist, operating in secret. They probably have clandestine meetings to discuss their hatred for made creatures like you and me."

Her theory mirrored Dante's. Picturing a group of shifters congregating in hidden spots to wax on about maintaining pure bloodlines and taking out the made scum sent a shudder down my spine. Did they debate over ways to stop born shifters from biting humans and turning them? Did they consider ways to irradicate turned shifters…?

What was really happening to the missing shifters—who were all bitten?

The cute blonde plucked a chip from her plate and chuckled, breaking the dark, intense mood. "They can hate us all they want, but there's nothing they can really do about it."

I gave a forced laugh but found no humor in her words. Maybe they were trying to do something about it now.

"I love this song!" Charla's excited voice interrupted my spiraling thoughts. "Want to dance?"

"I'd rather not."

Her shoulders drooped. "Oh."

She looked so sad, like I kicked her puppy. "You can dance."

"No way. I can't go by myself. I'll feel stupid." She waved her hand through the air and then picked at the remaining chips on her plate. "It's fine. It's just a song."

An invisible hand squeezed my heart at the disappointment in her brown eyes, ones that reminded me too much of Jayla's. Why did I have to be such a softy now? You'd think after what I'd been through, I wouldn't give a damn about disappointing anyone, especially someone I barely knew.

But when her gaze lifted, all I saw were Jayla's eyes.

Son of a bitch.

I downed the rest of my drink and stood. "Come on. Just one song."

Charla shot up, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Yay!" She grabbed my hand and yanked me to the dance floor.

Damn. She was stronger than she looked.

As soon as I was able to, I pulled out of her grasp, trying not to grimace. She didn't know I hated physical contact. Charla started swaying her hips to the upbeat song while I did the same, pretending I was alone at Wrath & Ruin instead of in the middle of a shifter party.

After a few moments, I shoved all the worrisome thoughts out of my head and became lost in the music. More than ten minutes later, Charla and I were still dancing, and I smiled, actually having fun. And then, the atmosphere changed as a few males slinked around us. Charla didn't seem to mind when a guy grabbed her hips from behind and started grinding on her.

I glanced over my shoulder as a man with rich, tawny curls closed the gap between us, reaching for my waist. "Do it, and I'll break your nose."

Torin, a Silver Ridge shifter who didn't live at the compound, showed his palms. "Got it. No touching. I'll just dance close."

"Fane wouldn't appreciate that." I was really in no mood to deal with this douchebag. I didn't need Fane to protect me, but the demon amulet had already perked up the second this creep slithered into my orbit.

It would be so much fun to break into his mind and discover what makes him scream.

I clamped my eyelids shut and tried to ignore the craving for chaos the Infernal Sol leaked into my bloodstream like a drug. When was the last time I'd consumed a fear?

Too long. Aren't you famished?

I'm fine. I have no desire to slurp up any terrors or create havoc at this party.

Oh, this was bad. I was talking to myself again.

I opened my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm the appetite the damn amulet stirred in me.

Torin released a twisted grin that sent chills down my back. "I'm not sure Fane would care. He's a little preoccupied with a sexy guest from Chicago."

Without warning, my consciousness left my body, zooming through the party and slamming to a halt in the kitchen. Fane poured a glass of lemonade while a gorgeous glamazon with long chestnut hair leaned beside him, batting her lashes.

"I've heard stories about you." She ran her fingers across his scarred and tatted forearm, sending fire through my blood. "I'd love to see what your wolf looks like."

He shook her touch off. "You'd run away."

The female shifter shrugged. "Try me. I'm not easily scared." She bit her bottom lip and gave him a come-fuck-me smile.

When a low growl curled out of my mouth, Fane's head snapped up, noticing me. Before he could say a word, I forced myself back into my body, staggering into Torin who still danced behind me.

"Whoa, there." His lips brushed my ear. "Looks like you changed your mind, Tate."

I crushed my elbow into his ribs and shoved him off. "You're lucky we're in the middle of a crowded party, or I'd break your bones." I stormed off as fury pummeled my insides, prodding the Infernal Sol even more.

Being around so many people while my control slipped was dangerous. I needed to get away before my crazy side broke free. Seeing Fane with that female didn't help my sanity either.

Did he really think he could hook up with me one night and then get his freak on with some skank tonight? He didn't look that interested in her, but she was practically begging to be ravished. He could have easily bent her over and screwed her against the kitchen counter.

I marched toward the back of the courtyard and passed through the stone archway to the mystical forest, the music and laughter from the party fading. The enchanted place mirrored the real world, so nighttime enfolded the giant pines, oaks, and maples, and brilliant stars spotted the heavens. A few shifters lurked around, but they probably sensed the fury throbbing around me and kept their distance.

The Infernal Sol wanted to stretch its legs, consume fears, and cause anarchy. The amulet fought against the restraints I tried to tame it with, but I was losing the battle, especially after witnessing that she-wolf throw herself at my mate.

I groaned and dragged a hand through my long locks. Fane was not my mate.

Prickles suddenly crawled over my scalp as a presence crept behind me. My nose lifted, and I inhaled the musky scent of a male.

Just great. Did Torin decide it was a good idea to follow me?

I angled to the left and slipped through a thick grove of trees and foliage, but another presence approached in front of me. As I went to the right, another one joined the fray.

My pulse spiked as goose bumps pebbled my skin. They were herding me deeper into the forest. Did they plan on attacking me? They had to know Fane would kill them. Or I would if I couldn't control the Infernal Sol. That dark power pressed against the walls I'd tried to erect to keep some semblance of sanity, but the bricks were paper thin and flimsy at best.

Having enough of being stalked, I halted and spun to face the path I traveled. "I'm really not in the mood to play games, Torin."

Instead of the guy who had tried to dry hump me on the dance floor, a large tawny wolf emerged from the shadows, raising the hair on my nape.

Obviously, it was Torin, but who were the three other wolves creeping around me, one smoky gray, one golden blonde, and one ebony? They were all males, none of whom wanted to engage in any playful games.

Had Fane been right to worry about the unmated males in Silver Ridge? Was this going to be some big show of male dominance?

Pop s echoed through the forest as the brown wolf convulsed and jerked. The hair on his body shortened, his snout and ears drew in, and his paws slowly transformed into hands and feet. After a few moments, Torin rolled onto his feet and stood. Totally naked and smirking.

"You could have just said you wanted to play chase, baby." He flicked dark locks out of his glowing eyes. "I love hunting down prey."