Varen
I dragged the towel through my damp waves, slow and rhythmic, like if I moved any faster, I’d lose control of the storm in my chest. Cold air kissed my bare skin as I stood outside my room, trying to breathe, to focus, to not think about the girl down the hall.
Josie.
My wolf was pacing, claws raking the inside of my ribcage, snarling for to go to her. I clenched my jaw, ignoring it. I wasn’t going to her because I missed her. Or because every inch of vibrated with the urge to see her face.
No.
I was just making sure she was okay.
That was it.
That’s what I told myself, anyway.
I turned toward the east wing, my feet moving on their own. The scent hit before anything else—hers. Warm, soft, heartbreakingly familiar. But sothing was off. The air was heavier, bitter.
I rounded the corner, and that’s when I saw him.
Thorne.
Coming out of her room.
The towel in my hand nearly shredded from how hard I clenched it.
What the hell was he doing in there?
My body tensed, and I forced myself forward, trying to stay calm, rational—but then I saw the guards. Seven. Standing outside her door like she was royalty... or a prisoner.
Red flashed behind my eyes.
"Are you serious right now?" I growled, low and sharp.
Thorne turned, his expression unreadable. "Good morning to you too, brother."
"What are you doing here?"
He tilted his head. "I could ask you the sa thing."
"I live here."
"So do I."
I stepped closer. "Then you wouldn’t mind explaining why you were in her room?"
He gave a soft shrug, like the whole thing was insignificant. Like it didn’t matter that he was the reason Josie’s scent carried a hint of tears.
"You’re not going to answer ?"
"You want a play-by-play of my morning now?"
My jaw tightened. I looked at the guards again. Too many. Too obvious. "What the hell is with all the guards?"
"I wanted to make sure she’s safe."
My stomach twisted. Of course he thought of that. Of course he acted first. And I hadn’t. I should’ve been the one watching over her. I should’ve been the one making sure no one got near her without going through . But instead, I stood here playing catch-up while Thorne walked out like a savior.
"That’s it?" I snapped. "You barge into her room, make her cry, and then post guards like she’s under surveillance?"
His brow twitched at that. "I did it because no one else did."
The words landed like a punch to the gut.
And the worst part? He was right.
Still, I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction. "Congratulations," I sneered. "Want a damn trophy?"
His eyes darkened. "You’re welco."
"Oh, don’t start acting like the hero. You went in there and upset her—"
"I didn’t upset her."
"I could sll the tears, Thorne. Don’t lie to ."
He shifted his weight, and I saw it—guilt, flickering in his eyes before he buried it. "She’s not exactly in a good place. I was trying to help."
"You’re not the only one who cares about her!"
"Then start acting like it," he snapped.
That did it.
"Co with . Now."
He looked like he wanted to argue, but I didn’t wait. I turned and walked, knowing he’d follow. Whether it was curiosity or reluctance, I didn’t care. I didn’t stop until I pushed open Kiel’s office door and shoved Thorne inside.
The room slled like cedar and citrus. Warm light pooled across the floor, hitting the instrunts that lined the walls—guitars, violins, a cello in the corner. Scattered papers littered the desk, so with scribbled lyrics, others just strange half-lodies and nonsense words. Cozy. Weird.
Undeniably Kiel.
Thorne yanked his arm free from my grip. "You don’t get to drag around like I’m so kind of child."
I rolled my eyes. "Then stop acting like one."
"I am your older brother. I deserve respect."
"Then earn it," I shot back. "Start by telling why you felt the need to play alpha guard outside Josie’s door."
"I already told you. I wanted to protect her."
"You think you’re the only one who wants to do that?"
He crossed his arms. "You’re not doing a great job of it."
The insult sliced deep, even though it ca wrapped in calm. I took a slow breath to keep from yelling. "You could’ve told . You could’ve said sothing before you just... acted."
"I shouldn’t have to," Thorne muttered.
And that’s when I heard it—the soft creak of a door opening behind us.
I turned to see Kiel stroll in from the adjoining room, fresh from the shower, steam still clinging to his skin. Towel barely holding on to his hips. Hair wet. Completely unbothered.
"You’ve got to be kidding ," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. "This is supposed to be your office, Kiel. Could you at least pretend you’re aware it is?"
He smirked. "Could you at least knock before barging in?"
Thorne made a noise of disgust and turned toward the door.
I stepped into his path. "Oh no. You’re not running off again now, are you?"
"I’m not in the mood for your drama, Varen."
"And I’m not in the mood to watch you play hero like we’re all just background noise in your glorious redemption arc."
Thorne gave a hard look. "I acted. I protected her. Sorry if that offends your delicate pride."
"You should’ve asked."
"You weren’t there," he snapped. "I did what I had to."
"When your mate is in danger," Kiel said, casually toweling off his hair, "you act. You don’t wait for permission. You don’t hold a team eting about it. Maybe if you both understood anything about what this bond ans, you wouldn’t be so damn rude about it."
I glared at him. "Kiel, not now."
But Thorne was already tuning out. He stepped around like I wasn’t even there, head high, jaw tight.
Kiel gave him a lazy salute. "Glad to see your emotional maturity hasn’t evolved since puberty."
Thorne didn’t reply. The door shut behind him with a soft click that felt too final.
I stared at the wood, my chest burning.
"He’s going to ruin it," I muttered.
Kiel raised a brow. "You sure it’s not the other way around?"
I didn’t answer.
Because I wasn’t sure of anything anymore—except for the ache in my chest every ti Josie’s na ca up, and the burning fury I felt when I saw her cry.
And the fact that no matter what we were supposed to be to each other... we were already falling apart.
Reviews
All reviews (0)