I parked one of the pack cars along the street and climbed out. With a deep breath, I fixed my jacket and peered across the road. The building was practically vibrating from the loud music. People covered the lawn, and I was sure the inside was crowded as well. I marched toward the gate.
A man stopped me. "Ticket?"
I rolled my eyes. "Where can I buy one?"
He motioned to a small building. "They might be sold out."
Cursing under my breath, I went to the building. A girl was sitting inside on her phone.
She glanced at me. "Saigon?"
I was startled by my name. "Yeah?"
"Hey, remember me? We had math together. I was the poor senior stuck with a bunch of sophomores," she laughed.
"Yeah." I forced a smile. "How are you?"
"Here," she shrugged, motioning around the booth. "Summer job and all. Do you need a ticket?"
I nodded. "I'm meeting a friend and forgot to buy one ahead of time."
She sighed. "You should've gotten here earlier. I sold the last one about thirty minutes ago."
I rubbed my face. "Damn. That's sucks." I flexed my hands and scanned the area. I'd jump the fucking fence if I had to.
She reached into a container. "Good for you, I save a few." She handed it to me. "Thanks for not letting me fail."
Taking it, I smiled to myself. "Being nice does have its perks."
"See you around." She sat down and unlocked her phone.
I jogged over to the guard and show him my ticket. He traded me for a bracelet. Not bothering to put it on, I shoved it in my pocket and headed for the main building. The noise coming from inside sounded horrible. The singing was a little more than screeching. I hadn't been missing anything by being banned from coming here. I maneuvered my way inside and peered over the bouncing heads. I didn't see Archer anywhere. Walking around the walls, I arrived at the stage. Where the hell was he? I hope they hadn't decided to go somewhere else.
I started another round and spotted a blond head of hair being whipped wildly from side to side. Snatching Willow's arm, I jerked her to the side.
"Hands off, asshole!" Her eyes met mine and I saw fear. "Saigon?"
"Where is he?" I growled.
"How did you—"
I pulled her closer. "Where is Archer?"
"Outside."
I shoved her away from me and left. Outside, I still didn't see him. I searched the grounds, but he wasn't there. Standing in a clearing, I cursed the bastard for making me come all this way and falling for that horrible girl. She dragged him here and then ditched him? I glanced at the forest out back and moved toward the fence. Archer had a fear of humans. He'd never admit it, and it was another reason I was surprised he went along with Willow. Pushing on the gate, I made a small gap. It wasn't enough for me to fit through. Making sure no one watching, I pushed harder and bowed the bottom of it out. I slipped through and hurried into the trees.
Archer's scent caught my attention. I spotted something red sitting by a tree.
"Archer?"
His head popped up, and he turned to face me. "Saigon?" Leaping to his feet, he dusted off his jeans and red jacket. He seemed to be debating on whether or not to run. "Hi, um... what are you doing here?"
I snatched his wrist. "We're leaving."
He shook his head. "No— I came with Willow. I need to find her. So you can—"
Yanking him to me, I felt my fangs form. "We are leaving."
Fear filled his expression. "Saigon, what's wrong with your eyes?"
"Nothing," I stated. "I'm just a little annoyed I had to drive an hour to let you know how big of a fucking idiot you are. Are you stupid?"
He bowed his head. "You can't tell me what to do."
"Oh, shut the hell up," I snapped. "That's not you talking, that's Willow. We are going home." I started for the road, dragging him along.
"Let go," I replied, resisting slightly.
"Make me," I said plainly.
"Saigon, knock it off. You can't force me to leave."
"Do you want to bet on that?" I moved my hand from his wrist to his upper arm.
"You're hurting me." He elbowed my side.
I barely felt it but didn't relax my hold slightly. I was so mad at him. How could he risk everything, his standing in the pack, for a little fun with a girl?
I opened the door to the car. "Get in."
Archer bowed his head. "This is a pack car. Does Darius know?"
"No, he doesn't." I grabbed the back of his neck and forced his head down. "I broke into the shop and took it."
Once he was inside, I slammed the door. I could feel my claws coming out as I walked around the front of the car. Archer was an idiot. He had let Willow pull him down to her level. I wouldn't allow it. I'd stop her myself if needed.
Climbing inside, I clutched the steering wheel.
"Are you feeling alright?" He stared at my hands.
"Not really." I narrowed my eyes at him. Turning on the car, I pulled onto the road.
Darius was going to find out. I couldn't get back in time for the second watch. He'd figure out the car was missing and know we had left the pack territory. No matter what I did, we'd both be punished for this. I was going to make sure Darius knew everything. Willow would fall the hardest.
"Saigon." Archer put on his seat belt. "You're going really fast."
"Hmm..."
"A cop is going to pull you over."
"Hmm..." I arched a brow. I didn't care.
"Please, slow down." He touched my arm. "This is too fast. I don't like cars. You know that."
I moved my foot off the gas pedal. "You don't like humans, either."
"I was tired. I needed a break."
"Liar."
Archer turned to me. "What is with you? Why are you acting like this? I know I messed up, but you don't have to talk to me like that."
"The truth? I'm not allowed to be honest with you anymore?"
"You want to be honest now," he exclaimed. "Fine, let's be honest. You like Willow."
I slammed on the brakes. Archer would have hit the dash if he hadn't put on his seatbelt.
"Damn it, Saigon! That's why I said to slow down."
I locked eyes with him. "I despise Willow. I despise everything about her. The moment she goes rogue, because she will"—my body was shaking with anger—"I'm going to enjoy tracking her down and giving her exactly what she deserves."
"Something's not right with you." Archer leaned against the door. "This isn't you. You'd never say that."
"Oh, really," I laughed. "Maybe you've just pushed one too many of my buttons." I locked the doors.
Archer puffed out his chest. "You do not control me. I don't care what your rank is going to be, I'm a dominant, too."
With an eyebrow raised, I glanced at him. "Wow, if I wasn't driving, I give you a round of applause. I hope the alpha takes that into consideration."
"Fuck you." Breathing out through his nose, Archer sunk into his seat. "Why don't you go to college early? Better yet, go and live Bloodhound with the other rejects. A bunch of parasites the whole pack."
I swiveled the car to the side of the road and stopped. Archer was clinging to the door as he braced himself.
"Don't talk about them like that," I stated, locking eyes with him. "You have no idea what those werewolves have gone through. And unlike you and your bitch of a girlfriend, they are loyal to the pack. They are loyal to Darius and thankful for everything they have." I shook my head. "Maybe it's time Northern Ridge had a few challenges of their own, so you and all your shitty friends can understand what it's like to lose everything."
Archer swallowed hard.
"The majority of the werewolves our age are orphans or are taking care of parents that never fully recovered. You don't know anything about what they've gone through, so watch your mouth."
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I was mad..."
Pulling back onto the road, I felt the anger swirling around in my body start to fade. I focused on taking deep breaths. This wasn't normal for me. I had kept so much inside this summer, maybe it had built to the point that it had to come spilling out. Glancing at Archer, I noticed he wouldn't look at me. He had shut down, just like when Rupert yelled at him.
I was annoyed with myself and him. For now, I just needed to get back to the garage in one piece and protect Archer from any punishment that Darius had planned.