Red {Wolf Rebellion I}

Chapter 21~Nowhere We Can Hide Pt. 2~

I want to hide the truth, I want to shelter you. But with the beast inside there's nowhere we can hide.

-Imagine Dragons, "Demons"

Chapter 21~Nowhere We Can Hide Part 2~

I stopped, twisting around to the doorway where I'd heard Carmine's voice. "-can't keep doing this." Cas's sudden reply startled me as I took a few steps toward the door.

When Carmine replied, I got the impression that I wasn't supposed to be hearing whatever they were discussing. I wanted to move closer so that I could hear everything they were saying, but with Cas's hearing, I knew it was only a matter of time before he heard me. What are they talking about?

His voice was terse, and I could picture him running his hand through his hair, like he always did when he was tense. "-know that? This isn't...situation. I'm trying...her." Carmine's voice rose, and I wondered what had him so upset. I wanted to barge in and ask them what the hell they were talking about, but I physically couldn't.

"You can't do that." I was rooted to the floor as Cas responded, and it was all too easy to detect the anger he was concealing. "I had...lie...her-figure out."

His words didn't make sense to me, and my brain scrambled to find meaning in them. Were they-were they talking about me?

I inhaled sharply. *What are they talking about? I struggled to make out more words, but they'd gone silent.

After a few moments, "You need something princess?" Cas's raised voice floated to my ears, and I cursed myself.

Busted.

I decided to salvage as much of my dignity I could. Moving forward, I nudged open the door with a foot. I shook the bundle of papers in my hand. "I had a few questions about these codes," I said as I glanced between the two of them, "but I can see that you're busy. I'll just come back later." Cas continued to glare at Carmine, and I could see the predator in him reacting to the atmosphere.

My instincts told me I needed to be as far away as possible. The look in Cas's eyes screamed danger and it took every bit of control I had to keep my feet rooted to the floor. You've got to get over this. He's not like those other wolves. He's never tried to hurt you.

I paused, taking a deep breath as I turned around, the tension in the room palpable. As much as I desperately wanted to know what they were talking about, the smarter half of me wisely decided not to get involved right now. I took a slow step toward the door.

But Cas stopped me before I could make it out the door. Damn. "It's fine, princess. We're done here anyway." He breezed by me silently, leaving me alone with Carmine.

I slowly turned around to face him, "Is it just me, or is there way too much testosterone in here?" Carmine was sitting on the edge of a bed, a few books laying open around him, and I realized this must be his room.

Carmine looked up, chuckling drily as he ran a hand over his face. He didn't say anything, and after a few moments, I couldn't stay silent any longer.

"What was that about?"

Carmine looked up at me, and I could see the stress and exhaustion that he was trying to conceal. "Nothing. Shani's having some...second thoughts about our priorities right now. Cas is talking to her."

"Oh," I'd already realized that Shani wasn't completely on board with our plan, but she wanted Red taken down as much as any of us, so she went with it.

I thought back to the bits of conversation I'd heard. Was Cas lying to her about something? Was that why Carmine was so upset?

I didn't know, but I wasn't about to piss Carmine off again. I hated the way he seemed to draw away from me, and act cold toward everyone.