Page 68 of Pucking Feral: Part Two

Valek's mouth curves into what might pass for a smile if it reached his eyes. "Touché."

Then he laughs.

It's not what I expected. It's genuine. Almost warm, if you ignore the edges underneath.

Time to face the music.

"I'm Ivy," I say, cutting to the chase.

"I know," he says, pushing off the doorframe, and I have to force myself not to step back. "Valek. Though I suspect you already knew that."

My shoulders drop a fraction. Not much. Just enough to breathe properly. "Hard to miss when Whiskey won't shut up about you."

Another almost-smile. "He does have a gift for dramatics."

We stand there in the hallway, sizing each other up like two cats meeting for the first time. He's taller than I expected. Not Wraith-tall, but taller than every other alpha in the pack house. Enough that I have to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact.

He looks at me like he's trying to figure me out.

Or memorize my face.

But he doesn't set off any screaming alarm bells.

"You don't need to be afraid of me," Valek says as if he can read my mind. "Perhaps everyone else does. But not you."

I cross my arms, freshly suspicious. "Why not?"

"Because you brained me with a fire extinguisher when you know I could have overpowered you." His head tilts slightly. "You stood your ground. You're fierce."

"I was also naked, dripping wet, terrified."

He gives a low chuckle at that and moves past me toward the common area, clearly expecting me to follow. "If we're going to have this conversation, I'd prefer not to do it in the hallway where your alphas can hear every word."

I hesitate for exactly three seconds before following.

The common area is darker than the hallway, curtains drawn against the afternoon light. Valek settles onto the couch, one leg crossed over the other, arms spread loosely along the back.

I take the chair across from him, perching on the edge in case I need to bolt.

"I know who you are," he says without bothering with preamble. "Wade Kelly's missing fiancée. The omega everyone thinks ran away during All-Star weekend."

My throat goes dry, even though I suspected he knew who I was the moment he laid eyes on me. "Did you tell him?"

"No."

"Why not?"

Valek's expression doesn't change. "Because Wade Kelly is a piece of shit who deserves nothing, least of all information about the whereabouts of a runaway omega."

The bluntness of it catches me off guard.

"You played with him," I say carefully. "On the Demons."

"For one miserable season." Valek's lip curls slightly, flashing a hint of sharp canine. "He was insufferable then. Can't imagine he's improved."

"He hasn't."

"I caught a glimpse of your mark when you split my skull open," he continues. "Or rather, where it used to be. Burning off a mating bite... that couldn't have been pleasant."