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CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
SUMNER
Itoss the bags of trash into the dumpster with a humph. It’s by far my least favorite part of the job, coming back to the alley to rid the diner of the day’s filth. They could at least make the darn thing lower. Hurling heavy garbage above my head is absolutely the last thing I want to do after hours of taking orders and wiping down tables.
Footsteps make their way behind me. I smile, shaking my head. “Convenient timing, Liy, but I already did it all by myself.” Turning, I swipe my hands together, dramatizing the chore I did alone, then stop when I see it isn’t Liya.
“Hey, doll. Remember me?”
Doll? What is it with these people and their pet names?
I scan him up and down. Ruffled dark hair, brown eyes, jeans, and a pullover sweater. Doesn’t look familiar. “Should I?”
“I guess it’s been a minute since our little game in the forest. And I’m far more handsome without the fur.” His lips curve in a half smile. “You’re also alone this time. No overpowered Alken to protect you.”
Wait… is he… he’s the panther. That’s why it seemed like Rhenn knew him. Why he wasn’t afraid. He’s a shifter.
“Overpowered? Aren’t all Alkens stupidly strong?”
“Is that all you think he is?” The man tsks. “Guess you wouldn’t know. Word on the street is you’re not from around here.”
“Word also on the street is it’s extremely creepy to follow and corner people.” I push past him, ready to say bye to Liy and head home.
“Not so fast.” He grabs my wrist, forcing me back. “We have unfinished business.”
“Ow.” I tug my arm, trying to shake him off.
“I don’t like being made a fool of, and that’s exactly what you did.”
“Let go. You’re hurting me.”
“Does it hurt?” He walks us back. “Do these nails hurt?” Pain shoots through my wrist. I look down, not seeing the nails of a person, but the nails of a cat. They press into me, breaking the skin.
I hurl my free hand at him, smacking him hard across the face. His nostrils flare, eyes narrowing, and a horrifying purr echoes through his chest. He turns me around, pushing me against the ground. I try to scurry away, but his foot comes down on my back, forcing me to cry out in pain.
The man crouches beside me, leaning close to my ear. “If you’re so precious, where is your protector now?” I’m rolled over, made to look at my attacker while he towers over me. “Folks around here don’t like you. I’m just doing them a favor.”
“You think you’re big and strong? Pushing around a small girl make you feel like a man?”
“Oh, it does.” He squeezes my arm, and suddenly, it’s not the shifter on top of me anymore.
I’m a little girl again, trapped beneath the person I’m supposed to feel protected by. My body screams with pain, but I stay silent, looking at my only friend in the whole world, because I can’t bear to look up and see him. Luca’s forced to watch, even though there’s no life left in his eyes.
“Answer me,” the man grits, forcing me out of the daydream. I stare up at him, no longer seeing the man from my nightmares. This one may be stronger, but he’s nothing more than a bully. An insecure half-cat who got his feelings hurt.
And I am not that scared little girl anymore.
I may not be able to fight him off, but I’ll make damn sure I don’t let him see me cower.
No matter what happens, I’ve always had worse.
“What is he?” I ask, trying to distract him, or maybe I’m trying to distract myself. “If not just an Alken, then what?”
Voices emerge from down the street. I look toward the sound, not seeing them yet, but praying they are headed in this direction. My mouth is covered, the shifter blocking my chance of calling out for help. He clutches my arm even harder than before, a warning to stay silent while he watches the road, his face falling when he hears them coming closer.
Before anything more can happen, he leans down, bringing his mouth near my ear, leaving me with one final statement before releasing me and disappearing down the alley. “He’s the fucking end.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
