Page 37 of The Crimson Wolf
“I don’t. I just…” I stutter, trying to find my rebuttal.
“Save it. I don’t usually smoke. It’s just with the Blood Moon coming, it puts me on edge. Mix that with being around you.”
“Oh, please.” I hit his shoulder, electricity zipping through me the moment we touch. That’s so fucking annoying, but maybe it’s a reminder that I should avoid touching him at all costs.
I shake my head, ready to get this conversation back on track. “You said there were bad eggs in the bunch. Do the bad eggs eat humans?” Maybe these are the ones that killed my parents.
“Have you heard of Jeffrey Dahmer?” he asks, not turning toward me.
“Was he a werewolf?” Oh my God, I never thought that people I’ve thought were people could very well be a werewolf or a paranormal monster. The edges of my reality shake with questions.
“Nope. He’s a human that eats humans. That’s about how common it is for werewolves to eat humans.”
“Oh.” I’m kind of disappointed. I think I’d rather have all serial killers be monsters instead of fucked up humans, even if I am a fourth werewolf. Maybe it would make the universe seem less harsh. “Well, what do werewolves eat then?”
He finally looks at me, scrunching his brow in disgust. “We eat the same things you do.”
“Okay, geez. How the heck am I supposed to know that?”
“Your father was Charles Hoodson, right? You’re part werewolf. Have you ever had any cravings for human flesh or wild boar?”
“Just because my father wassupposedlya werewolf doesn’t mean I am. I mean, I know for sure I’m not. I’m just a regular human.”
He glances at me curiously as if to say something but then shakes his head and continues to look straight ahead.
I peel myself away from the shade of our conversation to notice our path. Damn it. I should have been paying more attention to the surroundings of Cameron’s cabinso I can escape later whenever I find a way to get out of his room. I’ve been in and around his house before—when I wasn’t a prisoner, but I wasn’t too focused on mapping out an escape route then. We’re already deep within the woods, walking along a worn path. A creek bubbles in the distance, and birds chirp overhead, but I hear no signs of cars or civilization.
A thought blares through my consciousness, snapping me out of my survival mode. “Did you know my father?”
“Yeah,” he says, not slowing his pace.
If he knew my father, he must have known about me. “Why didn’t you tell me you knew who I was when I first met you?”
“I didn’t know who you were until Jack arrived at my house. Then everything clicked into place, and at that point, I figured you were already brainwashed.”
“I’m not brainwashed,” I say with an edge.
“Whatever you say.”
I take a deep breath. Cameron knew my father, therealversion of my father. I need to know more. “What was my dad like?” I say, softening my tone.
“I was just a kid, but he’s actually the person that inspired me to become the Human Liaison.”
“Human Liaison?”
“Yeah, that’s my position in the pack. That’s why I’m the park ranger and participate in community activities.Only a few government officials know I’m a werewolf, but I need to ensure I integrate into society to keep the peace.”
So Cameron is the person that Jack was mentioning couldn’t be touched. Why the fuck didn’t he tell me the powerful werewolf was Cameron? “And that’s what my father did?” I don’t even realize how close I’m walking with him now. It’s like I’m inching as near as I can, as if I need his memories of my parents to seep inside of me.
“Yeah, that’s how he met his mate, your mom. You really don’t know anything about your family history, do you?”
I want to tell him that he’s an asshole and that, of course, I don’t know anything because his people murdered them before I ever got the chance to know them, but I’m too distracted. “They were mates?”
His cheeks blush, which is odd because in the short time I’ve known Cameron, he hasn’t been one to show much emotion besides asshole-ness. “Yes, werewolves have mates. Well, not all, just the lucky ones. It’s a pre-destined partner, and there’s only one in a Were’s lifetime. A Mate is your perfect match. It’s something no one can control.”
I don’t mention that Jack already explained mates to me. I figure bringing him up won’t keep this conversation moving. I don’t know if I like the idea that my parents only got together because they weremates,but it explains why my mom would end up with a werewolf. Maybe I should think it’s romantic that they were destined for each other,but I’d like to believe in love where there’s a little more choice in the matter.
“And my father, the half-werewolf, half-human, found a mate with a human hunter?”
