Filthy rich werewolves by Taylor Caine novel Chapter 16

GRACE

I sit across from my best friend Lina.

”What?” she gasps. “Evelyn tricked you? And the man drugged you and forced you to drink! She's shameless! I'm going to find her!" Lina is one of the few friends I have left.

She’s also a wolf but from a pack on the opposite coast. We connected in college. I miss running with her. Her wolf is lean and like a flash of white under the moonlight, with a streak of darker fur along one flank.

It’s a bit like her human form. Her hair is pale. Her eyes are dark. She’s a tiny woman with a surprisingly big wolf.

“It’s still so weird to see you with injuries because … you know.”

Yes…I know.

Everyday.

“I’m going to kick her ass.”

I laugh.

“She’s not worth it. And it’s my fault. I was too careless. I thought that she would at most try to get some money from me. I didn't really expect…” I trail off. Lina wouldn’t understand what it is to be so vulnerable. She would’ve shifted and torn the guys’ arms off. “Fortunately, Jay came to pick me up when I was drunk."

"Jay?"

"He's the person who's living with me now. Think of him as my brother. I got him to call me ‘sister'."

“WHAT!?”

“You’ve been gone for three years. You never once let me visit you in prison. No matter how many times I showed up for the visitation hours.”

Prison was no place for Lina. For anyone really.

And what could she do—but see me beaten and weak? Then I’d have to worry about her losing control or trying to help in some way… all of which would only have ended badly for her.

“I appreciate that you came to see me. It meant everything just to know that you showed up.”

She sniffs. “Let’s talk about this guy you’re now cohabitating with…”

I didn’t really expect to get off the hook so easy.

At the thought of Jay, I feel my lips curving.

“How long have you known him?" Lina asks.

I smile fully now. “Oh. Two days.”

“WHAT!?!”

I laugh. I can’t help it.

”What are you thinking? What if he has evil intentions? Have you ever thought that you might be putting yourself in danger? You studied law, didn't you? Are you not thinking about the risks!"

"I know what you're worried about, but, Lina, you’re talking about the same man who has saved me twice now—“

“Twice? What else happened?”

My friend’s voice is getting shrill. And she looks genuinely freaked out.

“Just trust me,” I say. “He’s a good guy. He wouldn’t hurt me.” I lower my voice to a whisper. “I feel safe when he’s there and… less lonely.”

"What do you mean that you feel lonely? Don't you still have me!?" Lina shakes her head. "Why don't I move out and live with you?"

"Don't do that. Your parents will hate me even more if you move out of the house.”

Lina comes from a prosperous pack with a strong sense of community.

In my opinion, it’s how every pack should be. Wolves helping each other, supporting each other.

“You can’t do that,” I tell her. “You know why.”

She frowns. “Hey, look, I know my parents didn’t support you on the Council. I’m so sorry…”

I clasp her hands. “It’s okay. The evidence at the car accident was condemning. They were following what they saw as the facts.”

“Yeah… but it doesn’t make sense. We’re wolves!” She somehow manages to shout-whisper. Thankfully, there’s no one around us at this cafe. “You couldn’t be drunk. Our bodies metabolize alcohol too quickly.”

It’s true. When I had Ava, I could drink a bottle of wine and scarcely feel a thing.

I shrug. It’s not worth debating. What’s done is done.