Addictive (Hellish Mates #1)

Chapter 15

"I would never do such a thing." Zachariah paused and added, "Without good reason."

"And what is that reason?" When he didn't reply, Alastar said, "Even if you don't speak, Kiki has given me enough details to know. The halfling has become more than a mere novelty to you, hasn't she?"

Zachariah's eyes strayed to the side in indifference. "She's...interesting.

"Of course. It's why I assigned you to her. Good work. You did well in taming her."

"There was no taming. She is simply spontaneous when it comes to her thoughts and actions. A few choice words were able to help her recover from her...setback."

Alastar raised a heavy brow. "You...comforted her? You?"

Zachariah tilted his head. "Do I not seem the comforting type?"

"Coming from you, comfort is a strange concept. After all, you easily lose interest in even the most unique subjects. The question now is how much longer this fascination of yours will last."

The vampire's eyes returned to Alastar. "What are you saying?"

"She's ready to be independent now. You're no longer her trainer, Zachariah. Your task is done."

Utter silence filled the room, but there was static in the air. Their gazes clashed and Zachariah's fangs sharpened while the wolf within Alastar prowled with vigilance. Two powerful beings sized each other up, one in contempt, the other in amusement.

"Do you disagree?" Alastar inquired.

"Hellions with centuries of experience are no match for Rose. Yet you want to send a new-comer halfling charging after your little rebel?"

"Is that worry I hear in your voice?"

Zachariah ignored the quip. "Alastar."

The werewolf had no sense of shame, it seemed. He looked as aloof and proud as ever, even at the aspect of sacrificing Rina. But that was the strangest part of it all. Why did Zachariah care? Hellions knew they could die at any moment, and they willingly became Alastar's pawns to move at his bidding.

Why should Rina be any different, regardless of her target? And why was Zachariah so reluctant to see her be at risk?

"If you're so concerned for your student, then by all means, continue to stay by her side. Plenty of Hellions form groups with common interests to ensure safety and success on missions. A duo is also not unheard of. I'm sure she would welcome your company."

For some reason, Zachariah felt as if he had fallen straight into a trap. Or rather, he had been led to a pitfall, seen the drop as well as the previous victims impaled in the spikes below, and still chose to leap without hesitation. Was he really that desperate to stay with his little halfling?

"Of course," Alastar continued, "you can also leave her to her own devices. I'm confident her encounters with Rose won't result in immediate demise."

Zachariah sneered, baring his fangs.

Alastar lifted his chin. Though he sat in a chair and was therefore at a lower elevation, the werewolf still somehow managed to look down his nose at Zachariah.

"Again, that expression. Worry not, vampire. I have no desire in claiming the little halfling or hoarding her attention all for myself."

Ah, Zachariah realized. Now he knew why he was in such a sour mood. Before Rina even met Alastar, she was already singing praises of him. On the other hand, the time she spent with Zachariah did not elicit any similar emotions. Granted, he was not the leader of the Hellions, and he hadn't exactly done anything to garner such worship. However, he hated seeing her so ecstatic for another while he was left thirsting.