Chapter 17: Worse Than You

Looking from behind Kano’s back, Essence could see the terror on Emon’s face. He cleared his throat as he stared at the massive wolf in front of him, and spoke low. “D-do I-I know you, sir?”

Cutting his eyes deep into the older wolf, Kano nodded slowly, and clenched his hand into a fist. As he prepared to strike him, he felt Essence’s small hand cover his. She pulled it down and hugged his back, trying her best to calm him. Though she couldn’t see his face, his tense back and deep breaths told her that his wolf was in control, and she knew at any moment he would shift in front of everyone. Kano’s breath grew erratic as he tried to calm himself. He heard a link from his brother.

“You’re scaring your mate, Kano.”

He turned around and faced Essence. Seeing her face lined with worry, his eyes softened. Pulling her to him, he rubbed his head against her hair, leaving his scent.

Cayden joined them, and standing by his brother, he folded his arms to his chest. “Emon, this is Alpha Caysen. He is the alpha of another pack, and also my best man,” he said.

Emon tilted his head. “Might I ask what pack that might be?”

“If I felt you were privy to that information, I would tell you,” Cayden replied in irritation. Kano let out a deadly growl that left Emon confused. The fear that coursed through him made him almost bow his head in submission. Cayden cut his eyes at Emon. “I’d suggest that you be a bit more cautious in the future. Alpha Caysen may not say much—but then why would he, when most who cross him, end up dead?” A smirk played on his lips as he shrugged his shoulders. “And you and I both know the dead can’t have much of a conversation.” He linked to Kano again as he saw his anger rise, “Not here.”

Though he could hear him, Kano felt his anger continue to grow. The longer he looked at the man who’d left the permanent scar on his face, the more he wanted to tear him apart.

Essence stepped around Kano and leaned her head against his arm. She gave Cayden a nod. “It’s alright, he didn’t know that I’m Alpha Caysen’s mate, and he was a bit too forward.” She felt Kano tense behind her, and she watched the gleam spread in Cayden’s eyes. Stepping into Kano, she swayed back and forth against him. Her scent mixed with his more, and his wolf growled small, but relaxed.

Emon threw up his hands. “Apologies to you and your lovely mate. I meant no harm.”

Kano remained quiet. The stoic expression on his face made Emon uncomfortable. He coughed, and his eyes bulged from his head when Kano took a step towards him. Leaning down, Kano grinned sinisterly at the sight of Emon shrinking in fear. He spoke through clenched teeth, “Never come near my mate again. If you see her, you cross the street. Don’t breathe her air. If you have a dream, and somehow, she ends up in it, you better wake up, because if you even think of thinking of her, I will rip your fucking head from your shoulders, and hang the rest of you for others to see.” Both Cayden and Essence stared at him in pure shock; his stony expression leaving chills up their spines. He stepped back from the terrified man and seethed. “Now, get the fuck out of my face.”

Emon darted from them, and Essence grabbed Kano’s hand before turning to Cayden. “Give us a minute, okay?” she said. He nodded, and Kano quietly followed behind her to a secluded part of the square.

Kano watched her pace back and forth, and though his anger was still high, his worry surpassed it. He rubbed the back of his neck, his face red as he looked at her apologetically. Growing dizzy, he stopped her and grabbed her arms, making her look at him. His eyes soft, he scrunched his face, worried that he’d scared her.

Essence let out a huff. “That was insane…” He lowered his head as she pulled herself from his arms. She blurted, “Fucking hell, that was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen!” He lifted his head in confusion as she paced again, and rambled, “You were all like ‘dOnT fUcKiNg LoOk aT HeR!’ Oh, my goodness! I’m afraid and turned on at the same time! That the most I’ve ever heard you speak, and it was to threaten someone for coming near me. Whew! I know if he would have said something crazy… Lord! Where did that come from?! Damn, that was so hot!”

Kano felt his wolf lurch in his chest, and he grabbed Essence again and kissed her roughly. Slipping his tongue into her mouth, he pressed her against him. After a few moments, he let her go and he breathed raggedly. “You called yourself my mate,” he said in a husky voice, his eyes gold.

Her face flushed, and she looked down at her shoes. “Yeah, well, don’t tease me about it,” she said, feeling nervous under his gaze. Shaking his head, Kano pulled her to him again and kissed her neck. His hands ran up her body, and she let out a small moan. Pushing away from him, she glared. “Don’t distract me. You know what I’m about to ask.” He turned away from her and let out a deep growl. She folded her arms to her chest. “Who is he, Kano? I know that wasn’t all about me. You looked feral, not like yourself,” she said. He didn’t turn around, and she sighed. “Never mind.” Biting the side of her lip, she turned to walk away.

Kano walked up behind her and ran his hands over her shoulders. She turned around, and he felt sad seeing her try her best to not show her disappointment. He grabbed her hand and placed it on his scar, and for a quick moment, she saw pure pain in his eyes.

She clasped his face. “It was him who did this to you?” she asked, and he nodded. Letting him go, she exhaled harshly and closed her eyes. She tapped his waist. “Kano, hold these for me, please?” she said. He looked at her, confused, as she handed him her shoes. Rage on her face, Essence shouted, causing everyone to turn around, “Emon or whatever your damn name is, I’m going to beat your decrepit, balding, stank breath, funky ass!” Kano quickly grabbed her, catching her in mid-run. She swung wildly. “Let me go! The lord is about to call his old ass home early!” He shook his head and put her down and she huffed. “Fine, I’m good,” she said, still scowling at Emon. Kano gave a breath of relief; his face turning to horror when she slipped under his arm. Running full speed towards Emon, she grabbed onto a piece of plywood that laid haphazardly on the ground.

Emon’s eyes grew larger as he watched her charge towards him. He covered his head. “Someone stop her!” he screamed.

Essence felt arms yank her, and Kano threw her over his shoulders. She pointed to Emon, and continued to shout at him, “You’re fucking lucky! I was about to dot your I and cross the hell out of your t! You count your days and split that number in half because when I get to you, I’m going to knock you dead in your shit!”

Putting up one finger to his brother, Kano scowled at the amusement on Cayden’s face. Carrying Essence back to where they were before, he put her down and she looked at her feet. He handed her shoes to her and placed his hands on his hips.

She stomped her foot. “I get it, okay?! I did too much, but—ugh—I will not apologize. I don’t care how long you angry stare at me! You should have let me ring his fucking bell!” She looked up and saw his face break out into a grin. He chuckled, and then it turned into a full out laugh. Kano doubled over, unable to stop until he accidentally snorted. He glared at her, daring her to say anything about it, before he burst out in laughter once more.

She huffed. “Stop laughing at me. It’s not funny. I’m really mad, and I want to beat the shit out of him for hurting you!” Running his thumb across her cheek, he leaned down and kissed her. She burrowed under his arms, and he chuckled again, causing her to punch his side. “Don’t think I don’t know you just called me a maniac,” she said. Kissing her forehead, he nodded, laughing at her glare.

Across the square, Emon seethed in embarrassment. His eyes locked on the alpha who looked familiar.

Why do I know him? He hated that he couldn't place it. He looked at Essence, who planted playful kisses on Kano’s face, only to point and laugh at how red it grew. Why isn’t she marked if she’s his mate? None of this makes sense. Emon looked from them to Cayden and Anastasia, and he tilted his head. Something’s off. He didn’t know what they were hiding, but he decided then he was going to find out.