Charis
The tears spilt over now, running hot down my cheeks. My throat felt tight, making it hard to breathe. "Why are you doing this? Why have you been picking on all week? What did I do to you?"
Kael opened his mouth, then closed it. Sothing flickered in his eyes; guilt, maybe, or regret.
"Charis—" he started.
"No!" I cut him off. "You’ve been irritable and an and critical ever since this week. Ever since you walked in on with Rhett and Slater, is that what this is about? Are you jealous? Are you angry that I was with them? I told you I cannot reject them and accept only you..."
"Wait!" Slater interrupted, "Kael asked you to accept him alone and reject us?"
Kael rolled his eyes, sighing with exasperation. "That’s not—"
"Then what is it?" I was crying harder now, the words tumbling out between sobs. "Because I can’t keep up with your moods. One minute you’re kissing and saying you need , and the next you’re telling I’m immature and weak and making bad decisions. Which is it, Kael? Do you want or not?"
The silence that followed was crushing.
Rhett stepped forward. "Kael, I think you should leave."
"Yeah," Slater agreed, his voice tight. "This isn’t helping anyone. I can’t even begin to think why you feel like you’re the worthier mate."
Kael looked at for a long mont. I couldn’t read his expression. Then he sighed—and walked toward the door.
He paused with his hand on the doorknob. "I’m sorry," he said quietly, without turning around.
Then he left, pulling the door closed behind him with more force than necessary. The slam echoed through the room.
I fell back onto the bed and buried my face in my hands, sobbing. Everything hurt—my throat, my chest, my heart. I couldn’t understand why Kael was being like this. Why did he keep finding faults in everything I did? Why was he suddenly so irritable and harsh?
Was it because of the mate bond? Because I’d been with Rhett and Slater first? Because he felt excluded?
Or was it sothing else? Sothing I couldn’t see?
The bed dipped on both sides as Slater and Rhett sat down beside .
"Hey," Slater said softly, his hand rubbing circles on my back. "Don’t listen to him. He’s being an ass."
"He’s scared," Rhett added quietly. "That’s what this is. He’s scared of losing control, scared of the mate bond, scared of caring about soone. So he’s pushing you away before you can hurt him."
"But I wouldn’t hurt him," I sobbed into my hands. "I wouldn’t."
"He doesn’t know that," Rhett said. "Kael’s been hurt before and a lot. He doesn’t trust easily, and when he does, he panics."
"That doesn’t give him the right to be cruel," Slater said firmly. "You didn’t deserve that."
I lifted my face from my hands. My eyes felt swollen, my cheeks wet. "What if he’s right? What if I am too emotional and too weak?"
"You’re not weak," Rhett said imdiately. "You just stood up to your abusive father. You told him off in front of everyone. You refused to let him control you anymore. That’s the opposite of weak."
"You’re a living being," Slater added. "You’re allowed to feel things. You’re allowed to cry, be angry, and be scared. That doesn’t make you weak. It makes you real."
I wiped at my face with the back of my hand. "I’m so tired."
"I know," Slater said gently. "Co on. Lie down. You need to rest before court."
"I can’t sleep," I protested. "There’s too much in my head."
"Just try," Rhett urged. "Even if you just rest your eyes, it’ll help."
They helped lie down and pulled the covers over . Slater lay down on my left side, Rhett on my right. They weren’t touching , just close enough that I could feel their presence.
"I’ll wake you up in ti," Slater promised. "Don’t worry about the alarm. I’ll make sure you’re up and ready."
I closed my eyes, not really believing I’d be able to sleep. But the warmth of having them near, and the sound of their breathing, made feel a little less alone.
***
Three hours later, I was still awake.
I’d turned over so many tis I’d lost count. I stared at the ceiling, watching the shadows shift as dawn started to break outside. My mind wouldn’t shut off. It kept replaying everything—my father’s hands on my throat, Kael’s harsh words, Eva’s tears, that calculating look on Elena’s face.
Shoot! I’d forgotten to ntion Elena to the boys —did they know she was here yesterday? I made a ntal note to tell them as soon as they wake up.
On both sides of , they were fast asleep. Slater was snoring softly, a gentle rumbling sound. Rhett’s breathing was deeper, slower. Both of them looked peaceful.
So much for waking up.
I smiled slightly despite everything.
Carefully, I untangled myself from the bed, trying not to wake them. I padded to the bathroom.
An hour later, I was showered, dried, and dressed.
I’d chosen my outfit carefully, sothing that looked appropriate for court but still felt like . A navy blue dress that fell just below my knees, simple but elegant. Black tights underneath because the morning was cold. Low black heels that I could actually walk in. I’d dried my hair and left it down, falling in soft waves around my shoulders. Minimal makeup to hide how tired I was and to make look innocent.
I stared at myself in the mirror. I looked older sohow. Different from what I had just a few months ago. Maybe that confrontation with my father had changed sothing in . Or perhaps I was just too tired to look young anymore.
When I ca out of the bathroom, both Rhett and Slater were still sleeping. Rhett had rolled over and was now sprawled across most of the bed. Slater was curled up on his side, one arm tucked under the pillow.
I looked at the clock—7:05 am. I still had at least thirty minutes before I needed to leave for court. My stomach growled, reminding I hadn’t eaten since before Kael’s party.
There was a breakfast café in town that opened early. I could stop there, get so coffee and maybe a muffin, then head to the courthouse. Better than going on an empty stomach.
I grabbed my bag —a small leather one that looked professional —and checked that I had everything I needed. My identification docunts, so money and my phone.
I took one last look at Slater and Rhett, sleeping peacefully. Then I closed the door quietly behind and headed downstairs.
The pack house was mostly quiet at this hour. A few early maids were in the kitchen, but I slipped past without being noticed.
I stepped outside into the cool morning air. The sun was starting to rise, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold. It would have been beautiful if I’d had the energy to appreciate it.
That’s when I saw him.
Kael was leaning against the fender of a sleek black car. His arms were crossed. His dark hair was slightly ssy, like he’d been running his hands through it. He looked tired but alert, his eyes tracking as I ca down the steps.
Our eyes t.
I looked away and kept walking toward the driveway exit. I wasn’t in the mood for another argunt. I didn’t have the energy for whatever he wanted to say.
"Get in."
His voice was quiet, but I heard it clearly.
I didn’t stop walking. I acted like I hadn’t heard him and just kept putting one foot in front of the other, focusing on getting to the street where I could hail a cab.
I heard a sigh behind . Then footsteps following .
"Charis, stop walking and get in the car."
I kept walking faster.
"Charis."
I ignored him.
"For the love of—Charis, would you just—"
In the next instant, I felt hands on my waist. Then I was being lifted off the ground.
"Put down!" I gasped, squirming. "Kael, put down right now!"
But he just adjusted his grip and carried back toward the car, my feet dangling in the air, my bag slipping off my shoulder.
"Let go of !" I protested, pushing at his chest. "What are you doing?"
"Taking you to court," he said calmly, like he wasn’t currently kidnapping . "Since you clearly weren’t going to accept my offer to drive you."
"I don’t want you to drive !"
"Too bad."
He reached the car and sohow managed to open the passenger door while still holding . Then he deposited into the passenger seat.
"Stay," he ordered, like I was a dog.
"I’m not—"
He closed the door, cutting off my protest. Then he walked around to the driver’s side and got in.
I considered getting out, opening the door, and walking away. But sothing stopped . Maybe it was how tired I was. Perhaps it was the look on his face or sothing else.
Kael started the car. "Seatbelt."
I glared at him but put on my seatbelt.
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