Kaja nodded as if this made perfect sense. “He definitely wants to be alpha of your clan, and he hasn’t exactly been welcoming.”
Nell scrunched her face in obvious disagreement. “But that’s so obvious. Not to mention unethical.”
Pretty sure ethics weren’t at the top of Nolan’s priority list.
“This would take some thought,” Nell continued, oblivious to my judgy thoughts. “Who else hates you?”
I was barely out of ICU, and they wanted me to weigh-in on my nemesis’ identity and evil plan?
“No idea. I’m so nice and lovable,” I joked.
Kaja agreed, but Nell snorted. “I was thinking Mallory could have done it. You know, she and Rage dated last year for a hot minute, and she’s been glaring daggers at you since you arrived.”
“Mallory?” I asked.
“Evil Barbie,” Kaja translated.
Oh yeah, blood loss had done a number on my brain.
Barbie would kill me over Rage? She had to know life didn’t work that way, right?
“No,” I huffed. “It was a male wolf. I could smell him.”
Nell waved me off. “Well, obviously she wouldn’t do it herself. I’ll bet she hired someone.”
Kaja shook her head. “Murder, Nell? Really? No, it’s definitely Nolan. You should tell the princes so they can confront him about this.”
Pretty sure I knew that wasn’t the best plan—even without a gallon of blood.
“I’m a little overwhelmed, to be honest.” Dizziness rocked through me, and I closed my eyes until the sensation of spinning passed. “Can we change the subject for now?”
“Definitely.” Nell got up and walked over to the far corner of the room and pulled a wheelchair from an alcove. Bringing the contraption back to the bed, she patted the seat. “The healer said you need lots of rare steak and rest, so let’s bust this sterile hellhole. Kaja and I will take turns playing nurse.”
I looked at my two new friends and smiled. “Thanks for being here. You don’t have to do all this.”
Nell waved her hand, “We begged you to come to the beach party, so I’m only doing it out of guilt. And you went looking for Kaja, so it’s practically her fault.”
We all laughed. I knew she was lying, but the generosity made my heart swell. These girls were gold, and I was lucky to have them.
Chapter 13
Kaja stirred the pot of cream of wheat, and I frowned, eyes still blurry from sleep. We were at my place, having spent yesterday evening holed up at hers while her sweet sisters waited on me hand and foot. Today was Monday, which meant class. Ugh. My blood loss earned me a pass for serving meals. However, without the work, I couldn’t eat at the cafeteria or snake breakfast at the coffee cart like I normally did. Kalama had just left my dorm after relaying the king’s message, only to have a package delivered within minutes of her leaving my doorstep.
“You said this stuff has fifty percent of my daily iron requirements?” I grimaced as she let a spoonful plop into the pot of hot cereal and then shook my head. “I’m not eating any of it, just so you know. I’m…” My gaze flitted over the groceries laid out on the counter. “Having pancakes…”
She chuckled. “You can have both.”
My stomach echoed her sentiments with a loud growl.
I ate the hot mushy cereal while Kaja cooked pancakes, my gaze drifting back to the mysterious box of fresh groceries. They’d arrived by official Midnight Pack messenger not even an hour ago. Pancake mix, eggs, steak, spinach, ice cream, the works. There was even a card, one I couldn’t stop staring at.
I picked up the heavy cardstock and flipped it over for the tenth time. “Get well soon –Mate.”
Mate.
The rumor of my injury had reached my mate, and now he was sending food boxes. All while he chose to keep his identity a secret and ignore me. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to kiss him or kill him.
Both.
Before I could think more on the box of food, Nolan sauntered into the kitchen. I snatched the card up and stuck it in my pocket.
My cousin was dressed in head-to-toe black, emo all the way down to his charcoal turtleneck. His hair still rumpled with sleep, he surveyed the room with the hungry look of a hyena.
Both Kaja and I froze.
Was he behind my attack? Maybe his fur had darkened, or been magically camouflaged, and I was wrong about his wolf. Because who in their right mind wore a turtleneck when it was eighty-five degrees out? It was way too hot, not to mention social suicide. Unless they were hiding something…
“Food,” he mumbled, reaching for the pancake stack.
Still holding the spatula, Kaja whacked his hand, making him yelp. “I don’t think so, assface.”
He glared at her and growled, letting his yellow wolf eyes come to the surface.
I gulped, glad that it looked like Kaja wasn’t letting him off the hook. I guess now was as good a time as any to do this.
“Why the turtleneck?” I asked my cousin. “It’s not winter.”
“Not even close,” Kaja growled. “And it looks horrible on you.”
Burn.
He glared from Kaja to me. “Why don’t you both mind your own damn business?”
Kaja growled, low and deep, and I could see her losing control over her wolf. “Did you hear about Nai’s attack?” Her words were barely coherent. “Aren’t you going to ask how your cousin is doing?”
Nolan crossed his arms. “Yeah, I heard she pissed off a wolf at the beach party and they got into it.” Waving at me, he said, “Obviously, she’s fine.”
Kaja took one step closer to him, holding up the completely useless plastic spatula as if it were a lightsaber. “Where were you during the party, Nolan?”
My muscles tightened, and I sighed, pushing myself out of my seat. Might as well get it all out there. I rounded to his other side just in case he bolted, trapping him in.
Nolan laughed, legit barked out in full-on laughter. “You think I attacked her?” When neither of us disputed it, his face went deadly serious. “There’s a time for contesting her future place as alpha. It’s not now.”
Okay. His not so thinly veiled threat made it sound like we were being absurd.
“You’ll never take the pack from me, Nolan.” My wolf surged to the surface with my declaration, fur rippling down my arms, and I had to force her back down.
Now she wanted to come out and play? What about when I was dying?
More important than the pissing match, he’d not given a direct answer or told me why he was wearing that stupid sweater. It was perfect for hiding a still-healing wound, and I’d damaged that wolf's throat. Sneaky as a rat.
“Answer the damn question or I’ll report my suspicions to the Midnight brothers. Then, where will you be?” At least he had the decency to pale when I spoke of them. “Where were you when I was attacked, Nolan?”
Nolan drew himself up to his full height, and his nostrils flared. “Screw you, Nai!”
He turned to leave, and I realized he wasn’t going to answer. But… that turtleneck! I had to know why he was covering his throat. Kaja must’ve been on the same wavelength because, when I lunged for him, she did the same. We both grabbed at his shirt, high on the collar, and tugged. The seam ripped, and Nolan spun.