Chapter 5 Ch 5

The woman who told me not to run was babbling off French to the big fucking beast who kept stealing glances at me. Wasn't like I was going anywhere. One of Basileus' lackeys was standing beside me, prepared to put my ass on the ground if I made a run for it. I only knew this because I'd already tried. And he had indeed put me on my ass.

"What's your name?" he asked, probably sensing I was ranting to myself about him.

I risked a glance at his face. For the first time, I noticed he was handsome. Like, really handsome. Blushing at my ridiculous thoughts, I looked ahead at the two bickerings in a foreign language.

"Why?" I muttered under my breath. "So you can announce my name while you decapitate me?"

He growled. I shrugged. Even though I was two seconds from shitting my pants, I wanted to play it cool and confident. These werewolves stalked the streets with their arrogant eyes and murderous hands. I wasn't going to let them see it get to me in my last few hours of life.

"My name is Tandan," he told me. "You don't think it matters now, but it will."

"Okay."

His gaze practically melted down to my bones from its heat. "You should show more respect, human."

Now I couldn't help but look back at him, the blood of a thousand dead burning in my veins. I clenched my jaw. If I let my tongue have its way, I would end up dead sooner. Then again, what the hell did I have to lose? Time stopped having meaning the second I was caught.

"You're brave," Tandan continued, lifting his attention to the wolf girl and the hulking monster. "I'm assuming that's why Peter kept you alive."

"What do you mean?" I asked once my temper waned.

"I would assume you understand what I mean. You were his ally."

"Yeah, for six hours."

His brows furrowed as he glanced down at me again. "Seriously?"

Shrugging again, I nodded.

"Why did you . . . what was the point of joining him?"

"Well, let me see," I spoke sarcastically, splaying out my hand as if to count reasons on my fingers. "He said he would protect me. He said I would get to help him bring down the big bad wolf. He—"

"And you believed him?"

I cut my eyes at him again. "Are you always this fucking condescending?"

"I see you two are getting along," said the girl who had been talking to Basileus.

They both were approaching us now. I shrunk back under the weight of the beast's eyes, but Tandan grabbed my elbow. The girl noticed this and frowned.

"By the way," she added, addressing me, "he pretty much is always that condescending."

He growled at her. Basileus snapped his massive jaws at them both, effectively ending their little spat. I felt myself starting to shake.

"I'm Lee," the girl finally spoke when the tension lessened. "Now, tell me what your name is."

Although I couldn't fathom why I automatically answered her. "Anna Barnhart."

Tandan scoffed with an eye roll. Nobody minded him.

"Okay, Anna." Lee released a sigh and crossed her arms over her chest. I realized as she stepped closer that she was much shorter than me. Even so, she was the epitome of confidence. Small and mighty and all that shit. "Why don't you come with me so we can get you cleaned up and fed? Looks like you've been in hiding for some time."

Obviously. What else would I be doing while there was a genocide against my species taking place?

Tandan nudged me in the back to follow after her, so I did. Basileus fell into step beside me on his two trunks for legs. I could hardly breathe. He was so close I could feel his silky hair on my arms. We were soon surrounded by an entourage as we entered their camp in the square. People stole furtive glances every chance they got, but none else noticed or cared. Basileus and his team really did own the whole damn planet.

We crossed the square, passing fallen trees and crushed flowers that made my heart sink, and entered an old hotel on the opposite side. Old meaning it had been abandoned since the day Hell reigned. Basileus lowered himself onto four legs to fit through the lobby doors. There were a few others walking about and talking. Most scattered in Basileus' presence.'

Lee stopped us in the middle of the lobby and looked between Tandan and the beast. "I think I can take it from here. Why don't you go find us some food, Tandan?"

He gave her a look that spelled out don't-tell-me-what-the-fuck-to-do. I mean, I knew how he felt. But I was still hoping he would listen. If it was just me and her, I might have a chance to get away from here.

Basileus turned to stare at Tandan, his Beta, or whatever, and tipped his nose up. The handsome jackass sighed annoyedly before leaving us. And then there were three.

"Laissez-nous, s'il vous plaît," Lee told Basileus. (Leave us, please.)

He made a noise that sounded like a surprise. "Comment pourrais-tu me demander ça?" (How could you even ask that of me?)

"Parce qu'elle a toujours peur." Her eyes grazed me momentarily, a flash of guilt there. "Elle ne comprend pas." (Because she is afraid. She doesn’t understand.)

Snarling quietly, Basileus turned to face me. He moved towards me until I gave in to the temptation to step back. My hands were trembling again. He halted. His electric blue eyes seemed to dim as he suddenly turned around and ran off. I remained frozen in my spot, stunned.

"It's okay," Lee said, extending a hand towards me. "Come with me."

A few of the remaining wolves were staring at us in alarm. I almost felt relieved that I wasn't the only one who felt like shitting bricks whenever the beast so much as breathed too fast. Rylee grabbed my hand when I made no gesture of movement. As we were about to head to the stairs, a loud commotion shook the hotel lobby. Lee paused, which meant I paused too. Her head swung towards the lobby doors. I was promptly shoved behind her, pinned between her back and the wall. My cheeks flushed. This felt way too personal.

The doors burst open as Tandan came marching in. Being dragged along the floor, screaming and bloody, was Nathan. The prisoner looked me dead in the eye and his protest went silent.

And then: "You fucking traitor!"

Tandan growled and yanked the flimsy human off the floor. He proceeded to carry Nathan like that to the staircase, where they disappeared from sight. Lee released me from the awkward hold and turned to face me.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

I blinked. "Um."

"Never mind. Stupid question. Let's get you upstairs."

She took my hand again and led me to the elevator. The power suddenly surged back on, making me jump. Lights jolted on as did the thunderous air conditioning unit.

Lee chuckled hollowly and pressed the up button. "About time."