Patient Mates(5)

*

Later that day

Kira in her wolf form stood motionless in the shadows. She didn’t like sneaking onto pack land but there was no other way she was going to get Lilah on her own. She was hiding in the trees waiting for Joseph to leave for work. Ha! That was a joke, he just took a percentage of the pack business profits and did nothing all day. Lazy asshole.

A few minutes later her ears pricked up as the front door opened and out tramped the asshole. Lilah didn’t work. When they first got married there were numerous arguments about Lilah working which eventually the asshole had won. Kira felt a pang of regret; Lilah had been making a name for herself as a wildlife photographer. Kira didn’t even know if Lilah took pictures at all now.

Joseph stopped at the porch steps and lit a cigarette. He took a few drags and had a good look round the surrounding area. His eyes lingered on where Kira was hiding. She held her breath until his gaze moved on.

Quickly he hopped in his sports car and sped away, music blaring in his wake. Kira breathed out in relief. She waited a few minutes and then trotted to the house, swiftly changing to her human form she steeled herself and knocked on the door.

Kira looked around furtively. The last thing she needed was to be spied by one of Joseph’s pack mates turning up at his house naked. She fidgeted impatiently for what felt like an age before finally Lilah’s small voice asked who was there.

“Li it’s me open up.” Kira hugged her arms; it wasn’t exactly a warm day.

There was a pause. “Does Joseph know you’re here?”

Kira rolled her eyes. “Not unless he’s got ESP. Come on let me in, it’s frosty the snowman weather out here.”

Kira heard a sigh and then the door opened an inch. “Maybe you should come back later when Joseph’s home.”

“For heaven’s sake! I don’t need his permission to talk to my own sister.”

Impatiently Kira pushed the door open and Lilah jumped back as if scolded. Kira gasped as she took in her sister’s appearance. Her heart shaped face was marred by angry bruises, her bottom lip was swollen and cut and there were finger marks up and down her arms.

Lilah’s eyes darted around the room, looking anywhere but at her sister. Kira moved toward her and Lilah flinched, jumping away.

Kira gulped like a goldfish. Her wolf whined at seeing her twin in such a pitiful state. “What the heck happened?”

Lilah shook her head.

Kira felt red hot rage bubble inside. “Did Joseph do this to you?”

Lilah tensed but didn’t answer.

Kira scowled. She would take that as a yes. “That asshole! When I get my hands on...”

Lilah rushed toward her and grabbed her arms. “No! You can’t tell him you know he’ll... he’ll get upset.”

Kira tried to process her thoughts whilst soothing her wailing wolf. Yes, she’d never liked Joseph but she had no idea he could be so violent to her sister. He’d always seemed so devoted to Lilah. She breathed in and out slowly.

“Has he done this before?”

Lilah licked her lips and nodded.

Ugh, that dickhead! “Have you spoken to the Alpha about this? He could...”

“He already knows. When it first happened I went to him. Joseph just has a few anger issues.” Lilah shrugged sadly.

“A few!” Squawked Kira.

“As long as I don’t do anything to irritate him we’re generally fine.”

Was she being serious? “Irritate him? Irritate him?! I can’t believe you’re actually saying that! So what did you do last night to irritate him that warranted this?” Kira gestured to the ugly bruises.

Lilah pursed her lips and balled her small hands into fists. “Joseph was annoyed at you.”

Kira’s eyebrows shot up her head. “Me?!”

Lilah wouldn’t meet her eyes. “He was just annoyed that you’re arguing with his father about rejoining the pack. He said you needed to show some respect for the Alpha. I told him he was wrong about you and...” Her voice trailed off.

Kira shook with the effort of controlling her temper. “So this is my fault then? It’s my fault that your fucker of a husband is a wife beater?”

“Don’t yell at me!” Tears sprung to Lilah’s eyes.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry Li.” Kira hugged her twin fiercely.

Lilah was a stiff as a board but as Kira smoothly began rubbing her back she relaxed into her sister’s comforting touch. She gurgled. “Ki I just realized you’re naked!”

Kira began snickering, her shoulders shaking slightly as her twin clutched at her. “Yeah after a while I just forget.”

Lilah sniffled. “I guess you’ve been spending a lot more time as your wolf recently.”