Chapter 176

Jack

He sighed and tilted his head back against the wall. It was almost a relief to have the truth out in the open. To not have to sneak around and lie anymore. If he was being honest with himself, the subterfuge was really getting to him.

Now, at least, everyone knew what he’d done. He’d told Matt everything, down to the last detail. Whatever they did to him now was out of his hands.

Still, the fact that the truth came out because of Henry Schreiber was a hard pill to swallow. His father, if he could even call him that, threw him right under the bus. Jack shouldn’t have been surprised. He’d already abandoned him. Why not get him killed, too? Then he could take the newly minted Maiden all for himself.

Jack didn’t believe that Henry actually cared for his sister. How could he? He’d abandoned her just as much as he’d abandoned Jack. It was an unforgivable offense, and it hurt him to see Celeste talking to him, being somewhat friendly. They went off together, Fiona trailing after them with a confused look on her face.

Jack was still a little shocked that Fiona decided to step between him and a bullet, not to mention Celeste and Matt.

“Why are you still here?” Jack said, eyeing the man in question.

Matt just fiddled with his small knife, twirling it between his fingers. “I’m in charge of your sorry ass, remember?”

“Wonderful, because I don’t see enough of your ugly face.”

The corner of Matt’s mouth turned up.

“I hope your nose hurts,” Jack bit out. His ribs and face still ached from Matt’s punches.

“Oh, it’s pretty much healed already.”

Jack shook his head. Werewolves were so irritating. “I’m surprised you didn’t take the opportunity to kill me. Your leader was clearly game.” Jack couldn’t get the look on Nina’s face out of his mind. She was really going to shoot him.

Matt rolled his eyes. He was sitting with his back to the bed, his long legs perpendicular to Jack’s. “I think it’s a bit early to kill you off,” he said. “Also, Celeste would never forgive me.”

“Ah, so that’s what you’re worried about.”

Matt sighed. “I wasn’t going to let them kill you, regardless.”

“How sweet.”

They fell silent, glaring at each other. Matt’s eyes flashed gold, but Jack just narrowed his eyes. He’d spent enough time around werewolves by now. He wasn’t going to be intimidated by him and his fancy werewolf eyes.

“So, you really hate your father, huh?”

“Eat me.”

Matt grinned again. “Not in the mood for a heart-to-heart? Come on, we’ve got to kill time somehow.”

“Yes, I hate him. He deserves it. I can’t believe you brought him here.”

“He insisted. Excuse me for being a little worried the Schreibers were moving in while I was gone. He made it sound like you were in league with them.”

“Wasn’t I? I’m a Schreiber in case you’ve forgotten.”

“You and I both know it’s a lot more complicated than that. I don’t think you would have told Freddy anything if he didn’t threaten you. And you stopped being a Schreiber the moment you decided not to kill me.”

Jack just shook his head. “They’re still going to come for her, and they’re going to kill me the minute they lay eyes on me.”

“They won’t get anywhere near you or her.”

“They’re going to kill you, too.”

Matt just chuckled. “I’m not too worried.”

“Then you’re a bigger idiot than you look.”

Before Matt could respond, the cabin door opened, and Fiona shouldered her way into the room. She held a glass of water in one hand, and a plate of food in the other.

“You can go eat if you want,” Fiona said, sitting on the floor across from Jack. “I’ll watch him for now.”

Matt eyed her for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of leaving.

“It’s fine. I promise.”

“Alright, but don’t untie him.” He walked over to the door, gesturing for her to follow. She trailed him to the door, her ponytail swishing out behind her. “Lock this behind me. Only open it for me or Celeste.”

“Okay.”

Matt left, and Fiona turned the bolt on the door. She took her place in front of him again. “Hungry?” she asked.

“No,” he said, but his stomach rumbled.

“Right. The aliens can probably hear your stomach from space.”

She moved closer until she was sitting right beside him. He tried not to focus on the feel of her shoulder brushing his, but he couldn’t help it.

She spooned mashed potatoes onto the fork and brought it to his mouth, making airplane noises. He gave her a dirty look.

“Hell no,” he said. “You are not spoon-feeding me.”

“It’s either that or starve,” she answered sweetly, bringing the fork even closer to his mouth. “Open up.”

He grumbled a curse but allowed her to feed him. It took them a while, but he eventually finished the plate. He didn’t think he’d ever live this moment down, and from the smile on her face, he could tell she wouldn’t let him.

She helped him drink the water, then set the plate aside.

“See, that wasn’t so bad,” she said.

“I hated every moment of that.”

She laughed a light trill that was like music to his ears. He kept expecting her to move away now that she was done feeding him, but she didn’t. Her shoulder stayed pressed against his.

“Why did you stand up for me back there? I know you don’t like me.”

“I wasn’t going to let them shoot you,” she said, giving him an indignant look. She had the prettiest doe-eyes, he realized. The moment he thought about it, he forced himself to turn away. Being attracted to his sister’s best friend really wasn’t a good idea. “Anyway, I like you fine when you’re not being an asshole.”

“Thanks, I think?”

She bumped his shoulder. “You’re welcome. And honestly, everything makes a lot more sense now that I know about the whole werewolf thing and your weird wolf-hunting family. It’s not your fault you were raised to be a psycho. You’ve managed to overcome your psycho roots, which is kinda impressive.”

“Um…”

“Plus, I know you were just trying to protect Celeste. You didn’t want her to fulfill her werewolf prophecy by banging Matt. Totally understandable, considering she was kidnapped by a group of werewolf psychos.”

“That’s…one way to put it, I guess.”

“You were obviously a total asshole about everything, and you made Celeste feel really terrible and insecure, but at least I understand your motivations now. And you have time to make it up to her. You’re still her brother and she loves you. That’s another good reason I couldn’t let you die.”

“Right.”

“Plus, you have a nice face. It would be a real shame to put a bullet through it.”

He gave her a flirtatious smile. “You think I have a nice face?”

Her face turned red, and she glanced away. “It’s not the ugliest one I’ve ever seen. Your personality sort of ruins it, though.”

He laughed. He couldn’t help himself. “I get why Celeste likes you,” he said.

She smiled. “Because I’m awesome, obviously.”

“Obviously.”