Chapter 19

Phoenix

Protecting both my father and my sister is difficult, but I make it work. Arriving outside Selene's job, I park my motorcycle beside her car. I've been trying to speak with her at home for the past few days, but it seems like she has been avoiding me.

I don't blame her. I've been doing the same thing, but now I'm ready to clear the air between us. I want to show her that I can be different, that I can commit to her.

As I stand outside, leaning against my motorcycle, one of her friend's come out. I think his name is Sam or something like that.

"Hey," I call out to him.

His head whips around to look at me. His eyes widen and he points to himself. "You're talking to me?" he asks, sounding unsure.

"Yeah, I guess I am," I grumble, striding over to him.

He raises his hands in defense. "I swear, I'm just Selene's friend. If you want to beat someone up, it's Zack you want."

I chuckle at the tremble in his voice.

He must believe the bullshit rumors going around about me.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to talk," I promise, keeping my voice leveled with the friendliest smile I could muster.

"About?" he asks hesitantly.

"Selene. How is she doing?" I ask, cocking my head to the side.

"Oh, she's good."

"Come on, Sam. You can give me a little more than that, can you?"

I can be convincingly friendly when I want to be.

"Uh, I shouldn't. I don't think Selene would be okay with me sharing her personal life with you," he murmurs.

I won't tell if you don't."

"W-What do you want to know?"

I shrug, trying to seem nonchalant. "Just about her and her cop friend. I just want to know if my sweet little stepsister is being safe. He hurt her once, and I would hate to see it happen again."

"She seems...content," he answers, and I can tell he's choosing his words carefully.

Well, that sure as fuck doesn't sound like happy to me.

"So she's going to go ahead with being marked by him?"

Saying it aloud sends fury rolling through my veins, but I've managed to work on controlling how I react with my emotions. I clench my jaw as I wait for his response.

"Eh, I don't think things are that serious between them. But if I'm going to be honest, I was rooting for you and her."

I raise an eyebrow. So she told her friends about me? Interesting. It seems my chances of winning her back aren't out of reach yet.

My lips curl into a coy smile. "Don't give up on the idea of us yet. I plan to win her back, no matter what I have to do," I vow, my voice calm despite the fierce conviction.

I'm sick of playing games. My little wolf belongs to me, and if I need to pretend to be her knight in shining armor for a while until she becomes just as obsessed with me as I am with her. I know I fucked up last time, but I won't make the same mistake again.

Sam smiles at me. "Good, don't. I don't think she's ready to let you go completely either."

With that, he gets into his car and drives off.

Alone again, I consider how I should get back into her good graces. I need a reason for her to need me, a reason for her to cry on my shoulder. I know her ex is on duty right now, I've been keeping tabs on him, so he couldn't come to her even if he wanted to.

This is the perfect opportunity.

My eyes fall on her car, sitting innocently beside my bike.

Bingo!

Selene

"Motherfucker!" I scream in frustration, trying to turn my car over again.

This is a brand new car. Why the hell isn't it starting?

My day has been the worst, and I'm two seconds from having a mental breakdown in the middle of the parking lot. This morning I spilled coffee all over my new skirt and then the copier was jammed. I really think the Moon Goddess is saying "fuck you" today.

I jump out of my car, popping the hood and stomping over to see what could possibly be wrong with my car. I stare at the engine, not even knowing where to start. I don't know shit about cars.

I wish I could call Zack right now, but I know he's busy at work and won't be able to help. And there's no way in hell I would call on Philip. Not when I'm still suspicious of his intentions with my mother.

"Moon Goddess!" I curse aloud, tears springing to my eyes. Yeah, I'm going to have a fucking meltdown and one of my coworkers will come out here and find me sobbing on the hood of my car.

"What's wrong little wolf?" A deep voice resonates from behind me.

I don't turn around. Of course he's here, he's my fucking stalker.

I hear a purr in my head, but before I can freak out, I realize that it's my wolf.

That's...strange. I've always felt my wolf's emotions, but it has never made a sound inside my head before.

"Oh look, you remembered I exist," I say bitterly.

He chuckles, a low and amused sound. "You're the one who's been avoiding me lately."

He's right, I have. But it's been for my own good.

I turn around to face him, folding my arms impatiently. "What do you want, Phoenix?" I grit out, glaring at his stupidly handsome face.

His icy blue bore into mine. "It seems like you needed help. Your car not working?" he asks, tilting his head.

I glance at my car. "What does it look like, Sherlock? I wouldn't be sitting in the fucking parking lot if it were."

Instead of getting upset about my snarky retort, he just smiles, and it's the most unnerving thing I've ever seen, considering the last time we were together, he spanked me as a punishment.

"Do you want my help, or are you going to call your cop?" he asks, his voice almost mocking. Or maybe I'm just imagining it.

I bite my lip, contemplating if I should let him or not. "Sure," I relent, knowing I'll probably regret this.

He steps forward, his body brushing against mine and electric shocks travel between us. I quickly pull away, giving him space to get to the hood of my car.

What the hell was that?

If he felt that too, he doesn't show it.

I have no idea what the hell he does next, but in only moments, he manages to get my car roaring to life.

Despite the fact I'm still pissed with him, gratitude overwhelms me. I feel involuntary tears well in my eyes, but I blink them back before he can see them.

"There, better?" he asks, opening the door for me to get in the driver's seat.

Swallowing hard, I force the words past my constricted throat. "Thank you."

A small smile plays on his lips. "No problem. That's what big brothers are for," he replies with a wink that nearly makes my knees weak.

I grimace. "You really have to stop saying shit like that," I mutter, climbing into my seat. "See you at home, Phoenix."

He nods. "See you, little wolf."

I watch as he hops on his bike and drives off and I quickly head home to wash off my shitty day. Surprisingly, I find a nice, hot bath ready for me. There are scented candles and rose peddles scattered around the bathroom.

I catch the lingering scent of Phoenix. He did this...for me?

Both gratitude and confusion surge through me. Is this some kind of peace offering? And by the way the water is still hot, it was very recent.

Deciding not to think about it any further, I settle in the bathtub and relax, my taut muscles finally unravelling. Within minutes, I can no longer keep my eyes open.

I'm barely aware of my body being lifted out of the cold water, Phoenix's scent surrounding me like a comforting blanket. "Little wolf, what am I going to do with you?" he coos, settling me into bed and pulling my quilt over my bare body. Before I know it, I pass right back out.