Talons

Chapter 5: The Threat

Rhea's POV

I hate parties, but being that my sister is uprooting herself for my sake I show my face a few times before making my escape. Without a sense of smell, my other senses have heightened drastically. I swear I can hear a bug crawl, but more importantly, I can hear myself, and it has made me a much quieter person.

Even my steps are softer, and since I have been getting into the habit of wearing scent blocker in preparation for my school transfer, my family tells me that I am going to get myself killed if I keep sneaking up on them. I’m not doing it on purpose, and they know that, but I have almost been clawed by Robin twice, so I have picked up the habit of humming when I approach.

That is what I do at home, but I am not trying to make myself noticeable today. In fact, I just want to hide, especially because I hear that Colton is coming. Robin has been direct, she sat me down and told me that she ‘knows’ he hurt me, but I know she does not because she would have told Lark in a heartbeat. Her bloodlust is unmatched by other girls in our pack, and even some of the boys are afraid of her, so a pack war is right up her alley.

Raven has come to me as well, but only because she wants me to assure her that Colton is not the person who hurt me. I never give her any assurances, but I do misdirect her by reminding her that our packs are peaceful allies. Unlike her name suggests, Raven is softer than Robin, so she accepts my answer with a hug, and thanks to the twin bond, Robin is now unsure if her assumption is correct. Thus, Colton being here.

I’m sitting under a tree in the darkest corner of the packhouse when harsh whispering gets my attention. I can’t make out exactly what is being said so I inch closer, and I’m just in time to see Colton being punched by Alpha Stone. My stomach clenches and because I suffer from sympathy pain, and I swear I can feel the impact. Another blow hits Colton’s chest and I am not sure if I imagined it, but I think I heard his rib crack.

I step forward with a hum, and Alpha Stone turns to me. He is at first stern with his glance, but I am sure it’s because he didn’t hear or smell me, and he isn’t sure how much I saw. I make up a lie about my sister looking for Colton, and he smiles before turning to his son, likely linking him.

While they are distracted, I dart away, and go straight to my room. I have done my good deed for the year, which is a pack teaching, and I am content that it was a completely selfless act.

My wolf is angry with me though. She thinks I should have watched Colton get the wind knocked out of his lungs, but I quickly remind her that we too have wished for aid when we thought there was none, and she shuts her mouth.

I am not and have never been a vengeful person. As far as I am concerned, Colton has done me a favor. I will be going to a new school with an advanced placement program that will allow me to take some college courses while still in high school.

I cannot wait to step foot in their lab and get my hands on all the goodies they will make available to me. The pack is paying for my tuition with the sales from my scent blocker, so I don’t feel guilty at all.

I just wish that Robin had been interested in attending the school with us, but she claims the two hours we will spend commuting to and from school daily is time she could be using to train. I cannot argue with her logic, and neither can Raven, so we both submit to her will.

Colton’s POV

I jog up to the twins, smiling like a fool despite the fact that I now know my rib is broken. My wolf Orlin is beside himself with anger, and he cannot wait until we are of age to challenge my father for the position of alpha, that is, if he doesn’t willingly retire. My parents are fated, and while I hate my old man, my mother is not a problem. She is just blinded by love, and she really has no idea what my father does to me behind her back.

I ask the twins which one of them was calling for me, but they both seem confused. I want nothing more than to storm away, find Brain and rip her head off, but I flash a charming smile that works on Raven. She invites me into the conversation, and I realize that her personality reminds me of my mother; I dislike that.

I am half in the conversation and half out because my eyes keep searching the party for the little brat who put me in such an awkward situation. Brain must have heard my father and so she sent me to humiliate myself, but she will get what is coming to her, if not tonight than another night.

Rhea's POV

I was not planning to go back out, but my mother came to fetch me personally. Raven and Robin refused to cut their cake unless I was around, and for a brief moment I wished they still disliked me. Sixteen was big for a wolf, as it marks the official age they can be sworn into the pack.

I can’t be obvious by telling my mother I don’t want to go downstairs, and she would freak out if I pretended to be sick. Since I have been out of the hospital, she has been feeding me nothing but recovery foods, and because I can't really taste anything, I don't complain like I used to, which further worries her.

With that said, I know that if she gets it into her mind that her diet plan is making me ill, she will postpone my transfer to the new school, and I am already behind as it is. I sigh out in defeat and follow my mother out of the room.

My mother and I make our way to the dining hall, and all of Raven and Robin's friends are staring at me like the girl who is ruining their clique. I hide behind my mother, not because I am afraid, but because I don’t like people staring at me. It makes me think I forgot something, and as odd as it sounds, it makes me feel… naked.

I spin quickly when I hear someone approaching from behind me, and I see Colton smiling at me in a way that seems friendly to anyone else, but I can tell it's fake. He pats my head, and dips himself down to my eye level. I'm so afraid that I cannot move, but because I am wearing a scent blocker, no one can smell it, and if they can, it will just seem like the normal amount of fear weaker wolves display toward stronger ones.

“Little Brain,” My mom smiles at Colton’s greeting. She has never suspected him of anything. “I just want you to know that I am watching. If anyone says anything, I will be the first to know.”

“That is sweet Colt,” my mother says. Robin has been slowly approaching, and she can hear the conversation. Confusion flashes on her face because, like everyone else, she is puzzled by Colton’s words and actions.

“I- I-” I can’t form a sentence and I stutter.

“Sorry Colt. My little scientist gets lost for words at times. I’m sure she is trying to say thank you.” A lump rises in my throat. I was not about to thank him for threatening me, and now I don’t feel safe going to the new school.

Colton can drive, and that means he can come to kill me at any time. With the school being in human territory, the human authorities will likely remove my corpse and my parents will not be given access to my body before the scent of my attacker fades. That is if I am left identifiable.

“It’s fine Luna Mavis. I just haven’t gotten to speak to Brain since she returned. I wanted her to know that I will always be there.” Colton smiles at me. It's the same smile he wore the day he told me he would give me to his pack if I were his mate, and I fight back the urge to cry. I don’t have to pretend for long because my sister calls everyone to the cake table.

I have never been more grateful to cake in my life, and as soon as the last verse of the birthday song is sung, I bolt to my father’s office, the safest place in the house.