A COURT OF SHIFTERS AND SECRETS

F O U R T Y - E I G H T

Nova

I gritted my jaw, glaring at the three Alphas pains in my ass that were blocking the exit. 

"Why can't I go with you?"

The biggest asshole of them all raised a brow at me.

"For one, that creature is hunting you down specifically" Nix said smoothly, folding his arms across his broad chest "And for another, you don't have a wolf."

I inwardly flinched at his harsh words, steeling my spine and sending my nastiest glare way.

"You're right, I don't have a wolf" I poked his chest hard enough to have him raising an eye at me "I have three or did you bozos forget your promises?" 

Atlas whistled low "She got you there Nixy"

Nix locked eyes with me before reaching forward and guiding a stray piece of hair away from my face.

"I didn't say it to be mean little star" he murmured softly so that only my ears could hear "And while you do have us at your disposal, we can't worry about staying alive and keeping you safe at the same time."

My heart, the traitorous witch that she is, galloped faster at his soft movements and even sweeter words. 

If we're being honest here, I really liked when he showed this side of himself to me...since he rarely let anyone in those titanium walls of his. 

I knew that whatever caused him to be so closed had something to do with his past, given the haunting sad look in his eyes. 

"You said we have about a week and a half more before the creature breaks in" I whispered just as softly "Why can't I just come to the borders with you three? Just this once?"

"Honestly?"

"I'd expect nothing less from you."

"I don't trust the Butcher's guesstimate" he said bluntly "They might be the best brutes at murdering and dismembering a body but that doesn't take a lot of intelligence in my book."

"We can hear you, you dick!" Nico growled from the other room "And from where we're sitting, it doesn't take a lot of brains to sit on an overpriced chair and give orders either!" 

My lips twitched at his words and Teo's attempt to shush him.

"You just love pissing people off, don't you?"

"That's his favorite pastime" Atlas snorted "The motherfucker could win an Olympic medal if it was a sport."

Kassian nudged Nix away from me a little "Nova, you were the one who suggested to stay behind and try to learn more about your birth mother in the first place."