HUNTED-Chapter 436: New Acquaintances (3)

Ahren sat back on the bed, putting distance between them, while Keira looked at the photo on the wall, distracting herself and Dylan. "You’re allowed photos here?" She asked, clearing her throat.

"Yeah, I managed to make a deal with a guard," Dylan brushed it off, clearly not wishing to speak more about it. He wiped his glasses with the bottom of his clean shirt and gestured for the door, his dashing smile tugging at his lips once more. "My lady… To your bed chamber, if you will!"

Keira shook her head, smiling, and rushed after Dylan as the door whooshed open for them. Ahren looked at the photo again, frowning before catching up with them with his long strides out of the door.

"Woah! Who are you?!" Dylan’s jaw was slack as he stared wide-eyed at Keira’s luxurious room. Even Ahren stopped in the doorway, blinking at the obvious differences between their rooms and Keira’s.

"Take a seat." Keira gestured towards the plush sofa, ignoring Dylan’s question that was both in jest and curiosity. She’d always preferred if her identity was kept hidden; that didn’t change now—especially considering her circumstances. Dylan and Ahren were her allies for now.

Like her wolf kept reminding her, she had to be vigilant with even those closest to her. It was clear most rogues despised the royal family and many in the research centre were rogues, Ahren and Dylan included.

"We are sooo making this our base of operations!" Dylan sighed on the sofa, unaware of Keira’s darkening thoughts. She merely smiled back at him.

Ahren strolled in after, glancing at everything as the door to Keira’s bathroom slid shut behind her. Once inside, there was already a new pair of pyjamas and scrubs set. They must top their rooms up like some fancy hotel.

As soon as Keira stepped into the shower, she sighed at the water beating down on her aching muscles, washing away the dirt and grime down the drain. She took longer than she intended but made herself step into the dryer once her hair was conditioned. After changing into the clean scrubs, feeling refreshed and much better, Keira returned to the room, holding onto the dirty shirt Dylan had given her.

"Why do you wear those?" Ahren took the glasses off Dylan’s face, turning them around and inspecting them. "These aren’t prescription?"

Keira had been wondering the same thing, but it had gone to the back of her mind, understandably. Most werewolves had excellent eyesight unless they were, unfortunately, wolfless. That wasn’t the case for Dylan.

"Because girls love it." Came Dylan’s shameful answer. He smirked as he noticed Keira past Ahren’s shoulder. "What? Keira, don’t you think I look cute?!"

Keira’s eyebrows raised in answer as Dylan snatched his glasses back but didn’t put them on yet. "I look too rough otherwise. Scary-looking, some even called me. See?"

Actually, now that he mentioned it… Dylan’s eyes were quite sharp and even a little more menacing without his glasses. "Hmmm…" Keira placed the shirt on the back of the sofa beside Dylan as she tilted her head to the side. "Smile."

Dylan followed her orders and smiled, lighting up his face and cute dimples formed. "If you smile with or without your glasses, you’re a heartthrob." Keira nodded, taking her role seriously, a little too seriously considering the circumstances.

’I kinda just wanna pinch those dimples,’ her usually serious wolf unexpectedly whispered.

"Aww, thanks! Did I make your heart throb?" He grinned again, placing the glasses back on his face, making him look less menacing.

"No," Keira replied bluntly, brushing her fingers through her hair and trying to detangle some of the knots. She had a luxury room and no hairbrush.

’You know it could be worse,’ Ember muttered, acknowledging they had it better than most here. If others discovered she was getting some sort of special treatment, it would put a bigger target on her back.

Ahren snickered at her answer, then stopped suddenly, straightening on the sofa. "Why are we talking about this?"

"You asked him about his glasses." Keira shrugged. "It’s kind of nice having a normal conversation."

She walked in front of them, looking to sit down. The sofa was big, but so were these bulky werewolves. She was about to retreat to her bed, which could fit more than two people, but Ahren and Dylan moved aside for her, each resting against the arms of the sofa.

Ahren stopped ’manspreading’ as much, and Dylan crossed his ankle over his knee, holding it in place with one hand, both resting their arms along the back of the sofa.

Keira plopped down, feeling a little safer between them as she’d never forgotten about the camera lens in the corner of the room with its constant red dot blinking. "It’s a nice distraction." She closed her eyes, leaning her head back until she accidentally nudged Ahren’s arm.

Keira jolted a little, beginning to move her head forward, but Ahren cupped the back of her head. "Stay," he whispered so quietly only she could hear, thumb brushing her head a little before his hand fell away.

"Speaking of which…" Dylan interrupted, drawing Keira’s attention away from Ahren and turning her head to look at Dylan, her head still comfortably resting against the back of the sofa. "Why were you so weak earlier?"

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Ahren shifted a little beside her, his interest piqued. "Your wolf is huge," he commented factly. "So you are a powerful she-wolf."

Keira sighed, then proceeded to tell them how she’d been kidnapped—after her first ever shift and was caught in a vulnerable position.

"Those fuckers," Ahren snapped, his hand squeezing--almost crushing-- the armrest.

"Easy there, don’t go popping claws into her couch," Dylan jested lightly, trying to ease the tension rising. But he, too, couldn’t stop the scowl on his features. "So, earlier was your second time shifting?"

Keira nodded, closing her eyes again. She honestly shouldn’t be so relaxed in front of these two. They were huge and could easily kill her.

’Yet you’re doing it anyway,’ Ember sighed, sounding disappointed in Keira. ’Is it because they’re good-looking?’

Keira internally rolled her eyes at her wolf. ’No. It’s because I have full confidence in my wolf and my skills to protect myself.’

’Oh, NOW she’s all confident?!’ Ember threw her head back.

’You wanted me to have faith in you, and I do,’ Keira replied, meaning every word. After the game earlier, she knew they would only grow stronger from there. It had been difficult, but they pulled through it.

"Keira?" She was sure that wasn’t the first time Dylan had called her name.

"Sorry, I’m still getting used to my wolf talking to me." He nodded in understanding, but his frown showed concern. "Yes, today was the second time I’d shifted."

"Wait… How old are you?" Ahren asked from beside her. Why did he sound so nervous by that?

Keira rolled her head to look at the rogue. "Eighteen in a month."

"Fuck. You’re not even a late bloomer…" Ahren’s gaze flicked over her, then looked away.

Dylan snorted from the side. "He’s just worried because of the age difference."

"Shut the fuck up, Dylan," Ahren snarled; he shoved away from the sofa aggressively, glaring at Dylan. "I don’t think with my dick."

Keira’s eyebrows shot up. How did the conversation turn to this? Dylan smirked, still sitting languidly, amused at Ahren’s outburst, clearly enjoying himself ’stirring the pot’.

"I mean, it’s rare to shift younger than eighteen," Ahren then explained. "Even then, others don’t get their wolves until they’re twenty." He relaxed his aggressive position, but his gaze still cut across the room to Dylan.

"It’s only a month’s difference, but she recovered from her first and second shift quicker than anyone else would…" Ahren’s attention then turned to Keira, a little suspicion creeping into those deep blue eyes. His steps were slow, almost like he prowled towards her, the atmosphere suddenly shifting.

"Your wolf is bigger than others, and you’ve been given this room…" He leaned against the sofa, hands placed beside Keira’s head, caging her in, his eyes hardening as they flicked between hers.

"Ahren…" Dylan warned, shooting up to his feet.

"So… Who the fuck are you?"

Keira glared back at him. "I’m so sick of this treatment…" She whispered her thoughts flicking to Kodi and then to other rogues who knew who she was and hated her without knowing anything about her.

Ahren’s frown deepened and lips parted, surprise flashing behind his eyes.

A hand clamped down on his shoulder. "Ahren, we’re all in the same boat here. Give her space to breathe. If Keira wants to tell you, she will. There’s no need to intimidate her." Dylan’s hand squeezed tighter, but Ahren didn’t budge.

His features did soften, though, the longer he stared at Keira.

"Alright, time’s up, kids." Everyone’s heads whipped to the side at Carter’s sudden appearance, along with multiple guards storming into the room, pointing their guns at them. "Step away from her."

Ahren stepped back, glaring at the guard who strolled into the room like he owned it. The guards drew closer to Ahren and Dylan, and they were forced to step back against the wall as Carter stopped beside the sofa, hand stroking the side of Keira’s cheek. "Keira here has a date."

She turned away from his touch, her hands clenching, claws growing and cutting into the palms of her hands. Carter leaned closer, his hand sliding to the back of her neck and gripped bruisingly. "Don’t do anything stupid, or your little boy toys will die," he whispered darkly into her ear.

There was no need to whisper. All the werewolves heard his words.

Keira’s gaze flicked to Ahren and Dylan, fear etching her features. "That’s right." Carter’s grip loosened on her neck. "Now, why don’t you release your hands. That disgusting blood is sacred."

His hand unfolded hers, and he tapped on one of her claws. Keira followed suit as Ember growled in defiance. Carter smirked at Keira’s glowing eyes and dragged her to her feet by her neck. Keira looked away from the guys, feeling embarrassed at her lack of power.

Carter walked Keira away, still holding her neck. "Remember, if you do anything, a silver bullet will go straight in their heads," he whispered again in her ear.

Honestly, Carter didn’t need to whisper; it was almost like he just wanted to get close to her and watch her features pale and fear creep up her spine. She wouldn’t let that happen, though.

After all, she was a Cross.

"I heard you the first time," Keira clipped back, glaring at the soldier as the door whooshed open. She was utterly powerless and couldn’t do anything but follow Carter’s orders, ignoring the lingering stares of Ahren and Dylan, the door shutting behind her. Still, that didn’t mean she wouldn’t give them a hard time.