Boaz’s grip tightened on the steering wheel at the thought. Even now, he couldn’t bring himself to tell him.
“He just showed up,” Boaz said instead.
Hansel’s head snapped toward Alexander, a low growl building in his throat.
“Hansel, just leave him,” Boaz said quickly. “He needs to be checked by a healer anyway. After Manlius and his friend look at him, he’ll leave.”
“And never come back,” Hansel added, his stare fixed on Alexander.
Alexander didn’t react. He just looked back at him, calm… almost bored. That only made things worse.
Hansel’s jaw tightened as he took a step forward, his body already starting to shift, tension coiling through him. Boaz got out of the truck and stepped between them before things could get dangerous.
“Stop, Hansel.”
“Let him try, Boaz,” Alexander said, almost amused. “Little dogs need to be trained to know their place.”
That did it.
Hansel snarled, the sound erupting out of him as brown and white fur spread over his skin, his body twisting, growing. His clothes tore apart as the shift took over him completely.
Boaz barely had time to react before he threw himself forward, wrapping his arms around the wolf, trying to hold him back.
Pain exploded through his arm as teeth sank into his flesh.
“Fuck, Hansel,” Boaz groaned, his grip tightening despite the pain.
The wolf froze.
Then, just as quickly, Hansel pulled back, shifting again until he stood there, staring at the damage he’d done.
“Boaz… I’m sorry,” he said, guilt flooding his face. “Let me get something to wrap your arm.”
“No. It’s fine,” Boaz said, already pulling away. “We have to go.”
He didn’t want to stay here any longer. Didn’t want this to drag on. He just wanted the night to be over. And the vampire gone.
“Get in the car, Alex,” he commanded, rounding the truck and sliding into the driver’s seat.
He started the engine just as Alexander got in beside him. He drove off, holding the steering wheel lightly as pain shot through his arm with every movement.
Beside him, Alexander let out a low, strained moan.
Boaz turned toward him and froze.
The vampire was already staring at him, his eyes… burning red.
Boaz sucked in a breath.
“What’s wrong with you?” Boaz asked, ignoring the ever-present tingle at his neck every time Alexander’s eyes went red.
“Nothing,” Alexander said, shoving the window open and leaned out, dragging in a deep breath like he’d been suffocating.
Boaz frowned but said nothing, turning his attention back to the road.
The truck rolled forward, tires crunching over gravel as they made their way down the uneven dirt path that cut through the forest. Ahead, the valley opened up, and the town came into view.
Only then did Alexander pull back inside.