Girl Gone Rogue (The Shadow Hunters #2)

8. Blue Cave

"I wouldn't go in there just yet."

     I paused at the threshold of the Pack House, wondering why Tatum was idly perched on the rail of the porch, sipping on a cup of steaming coffee that was clasped between his hands. He jerked his head to the door, as if to clarify what he was talking about like I was a dimwit.

     It wouldn't be the first time he'd done it. If I squinted hard enough, I was sure he rolled his eyes when I only responded with a raised brow, but I couldn't be too sure when it came to the man.

     He was enigmatic to the core.

     Today, he was wearing a light blue dress shirt with some dark charcoal pants that seemed to have been heavily ironed. A thin leather belt adorned his trim hips and his feet were covered in the dark leather loafers he liked so much. I wondered if ever he and Seamus got over their dislike for each other, would the two find that they had similar tastes in dress?

     "It sounds messy in there." He added, taking another long sip of his hot brew as he watched me over the rim of the ceramic.

     I blinked. Aella had told me to come to the house to meet up before we began training. I hadn't thought much about it when I rolled out of bed this morning. Plus, I had something I wanted to share with the Alpha. I fiddled with the chip I had in my pocket, feeling the grooves on it. It was a tracking chip. I wanted to share my idea with both Jude and Aella. I was sure they'd lend an ear. It wasn't a stupid idea but it was a novel one in the current circumstance we had with the red eyed changelings.

      "What's happening?" I asked, trying to listen.

      "You'll soon see it-"

      On cue, the front door opened with a slam. It rattled heavily against the exterior of the house. A woman rushed by, her wheat-coloured hair fluttering behind her like buttery silk. Some part of my brain deemed her familiar, but I couldn't quite attach a name or place to her face as she ran down the stairs.

     I barely dodged the edge of the door as it opened again, revealing Alexei who looked annoyed. I didn't make a single sound as the man watched the woman jump into a baby blue car parked crookedly on the gravel driveway. I hadn't even noticed it there since I had been tapping away on my phone. The vehicle rumbled to life.

     From the front seat, she defiantly raised her two middle fingers, jamming it right to the screen so Alexei wouldn't miss the lewd gesture. I heard Tatum snort as the woman fiddled with the gears and sped off, leaving black track marks along the grass.

     Jude barged out of the door seconds later, "You're going to fix that shit up." He pointed to his marred lawn, aiming a glare at Alexei.

     "Will do Alpha." Alexei responded.

     "You know how to pick them." I spoke, watching the car disappear behind a thick line of trees. I wasn't even going to acknowledge the sudden emotion that reared its ugly head within me.

     Alexei's gaze snapped to mine. He couldn't even hide the slight widening of his eyes when he noticed my presence. It wasn't like I was hiding from the guy. He had been too occupied with runaway Barbie to notice me.

     "How long have you been standing there?" He asked warily, peering into the distance before focusing his attention back on me.

     "Not long."

     His brows furrowed but he didn't say more.

     "She looked angry." Tatum intercepted, "What did you do to the poor woman?" The man approached us, nosy and unashamed.