Blood's Fury (Deadly Beauties 1)

Kane's arms wrap around me and pull me to him as he sits down beside me, and I willingly nestle into him, paying no attention to the fuming black-haired girl trying not to be obvious with her dagger-throwing glare.

"You ready, babe?" he asks while kissing the side of my head.

Hell yes. Get me the fuck out of here.

"If you are," I murmur casually, trying not to show him how completely out of place I feel.

"Hallow's Ball is in two months," Zee randomly inserts as he sifts through the mail, obviously finding an invitation of some sort. “It's hard to believe Halloween is so close."

"Hallow's Ball?" I muse, happy someone is talking about something other than the moon.

"It's a local thing. Every year they throw a big masquerade ball at one of the prominent homes. You want to go?" Kane asks while running his fingers through my hair.

"That's two months away," Amy scoffs, not enjoying his future planning.

"And?" Kane growls, his tone more threatening than his word.

She looks down, huffing as she does. Apparently he's warned her not to say anything, and now he's reminding her. It just makes me feel all the more uncomfortable.

Zee walks by her, patting her shoulder as he does, and Deke's lips tighten as he too takes notice of her sullen stance.

"We'll see," I mumble, suddenly feeling like the girl everyone wishes would just go away.

It's obvious they want him with her, and I certainly know this thing between us can never actually work.

"It's up to you. I'd like to take you. I've never gone with a date before," Kane murmurs softly, pretending not to notice the sudden uncomfortable shift in the room.

"I think we should get going. Nothing in this town stays open too late in the off season," I say with a strained sense of nonchalance.

He finally acknowledges my discomfort, and his lips thin into a knowing line. I look away, feeling all the more insecure as his friends cast their disapproving stares to their roommate.

Standing, I wave at everyone, feigning dignity, and I walk out without waiting on Kane. Once the fresh air hits me, I fight to keep my composure. With the wind rustling in the trees, and the lake fighting with the shore, I can't hear them, even with my amplified hearing.

I know he's probably scolding them for not making me feel comfortable, but that's only going to make it worse.

"Out of all the creatures on the planet, humans are the most complex," a smooth voice murmurs from my side, forcing me to shriek a little.

"Damn you. Can't you ever just call ahead," I gripe while glaring at Gage who has appeared on the railing beside me.

"Sorry," he snickers out. "I didn't mean to startle you."

I don't believe that one little bit.

"Sure you didn't. What are you doing here? Did you find out something?" I ask hopefully, my eyes glancing through the windows to make sure Kane isn't coming out yet.

"Unfortunately, no, but I wanted to check out this town of yours. An associate of mine told me a vicious pack of lycans lives here. He also said he sensed my kind and night stalkers here. I was worried about you, and I see I was right to worry."

"What does that mean?"

"You're standing alone on a deck, your mind is completely distracted, and there's not a spell you can cast to keep yourself safe in the open like this. You should be in your house. The spell Frankie cast was strong. It even kept me out."

My brow arches as I eye him suspiciously.

"You tried to break into my house? I think we should discuss boundaries."

He smirks, and then his eyes flash to the inside of the house as Kane shakes his head and starts walking to the door.

"I suppose we'll discuss them another time. Go out tonight, but don't make a habit of this. I'll keep an eye on you."