Page 12 of Alphas Never Hide

“Didyou see this?”Ryleywaved his hands over his chest. “Doyou thinkIdid this for fun?”

“Well?”Vanprodded.

Ryley’sjaw dropped open, and he crossed his arms. “Whatkind of question is that?”

“OneI’dlike the answer to,”Vanpressed.

“No,”Ryleysnapped.Hestank of fear, but his hands were balled into fists and his leg was twitching like he was getting ready to kick again. “I’mnot working with those ass-blankets.Theyabducted me.Awhile ago,Iguess.It’sdefinitely been longer than a week, butIlost track of time.ButIfinally escaped tonight and ran into this guy.”Hepointed at me.

“Thankyou,”Vansaid.Hisbody visibly relaxed, soRyleymust have been telling the truth.Vanwould haveknown if he wasn’t.Itwas one of the perks of being a hellhound.I’dthought as much, but it was reassuring to have it confirmed. “We’regoing to take you into town, okay?Getyour injuries looked at.You’llbe safe.”

Ashiver rolled throughRyley. “I’monly trusting you because you and your friend over there are hellhounds.”

“Iknow,”Vansaid. “Now, let’s get you andHaydenout of here.”

“Whoare the rest of these people?”Ryleyasked.Hisgaze darted from person to person.Hepressed closer to me again.

Idid a round of introductions.Iended with, “Youcan trust them.”

Ryleyfrowned. “Ornot.SupesandI, we don’t get along.”

“Whatdoes that mean?Iswear they aren’t likeRobbie.”

“Yeah.Robbie’san asshole,”Ryleyagreed. “Butmost supes are.”

Whothe hell had hurt him?Igrowled low in my throat.Hepatted me on the arm.

“It’sokay,”Ryleysaid. “You’vegrown on me.I’vedecided you aren’t like those other supes.”

Consideringearlier he’d been moaning about how he hadn’t managed to kill me, that was practically a declaration of love.Awarm sensation flowed through me, leaving a feeling of lightness in its wake.Idon’t know whyIwas so happy to have gained his trust, butIwas.

“Hey!”Jeremysaid. “I’mnot an asshole and neither isAdrian.”

“Thanks, bestie,”Ashmuttered.

“Imean, none of us are,”Jeremyquickly amended.

“Iguess we’ll see,”Ryleysaid. “It’snot likeIhave a choice.NotifIwant to get out of here.”

“Speakingof which, can we finally leave?”Vanasked. “Docis waiting forRyleyandHayden.”

Istraightened when he said my name. “What?No.I’mnot returning toWillowLakenow.I’llfind my own way back later.”

“You’regoing to go seeDocRoberts.”Vannarrowed his flame-filled eyes at me as if daring me to disagree.

“No.”Ishook my head. “I’mfine.I’llshift and all this,”Imotioned at my face, “all of it will heal.”

Vanlifted an eyebrow.

Itried to lift one too, but my face was too swollen to move the wayIwanted.Iwinced.Van’slips twitched as if he was trying not to smile because he thoughtI’djust proven his point.

“Fuckoff,”Imuttered, but there wasn’t any heat behind my words.

“DocRobertswould have my head ifIlet you go running off with a head injury.”

“Thisis the first lead we’ve had in months,”Iexplained. “Robbieis out here.Ineed to find him.”

“Dillon,Adrian, andIwill follow the faun’s scent.”