He reaches out and tilts my chin up. My breath flutters in my throat as I fall into his eyes.
“Because I am the wrath of our pack. The place they come to be safe. I am rage, insanity, the protector. I am the teeth and claws, the reminder of what we’ve lost.”
I stare up at him, the weight of those words bringing tears to my eyes.
“Wrath, Hudson,” I murmur.
He leans down; I rise to meet him, wrapping my arms around him. Trying to show him what he means to me.
He pulls away, and Hazard takes my hand.
“I’m Mika.”
“Mika,” I whisper and kiss him. “It suits you.”
Angel shifts, drawing our attention. “Drew.”
I stand up and approach him, moving slowly because we’re still being cautious. I lift a hand, pressing it over his heart.
“It’s nice to meet you, Drew.”
Khaos stands there, his expression miserable.
“I can’t tell you who I am,” he whispers. “I wish I could. If it were just my life at stake, I would tell you, but I have a duty.”
I dip my head, and a deep part of me understands him completely.
I swallow hard, regret filling me
“One day when it’s safe…I will call you by your names, and we can meet without the chains.”
Khaos swallows hard. “One day.”
Another promise.
Khaos
I have never, everhated who I am as much as I do right now. The secrets I keep weigh heavily on me, pushing and pulling me. I want to be the alpha who drops to his knees and gives her everything she deserves, but that’s not who I am.
I pace away from the house, heading into the woods.
“Khaos?”
I turn around and stare at Riot.
“Say my name,” I plead, reaching out a hand, “please, before I forget.”
Riot walks up and cups the side of my face. “Kerrick, you won’t ever forget who you are because we won’t let you. You are the son of the alpha, the heir, the most stubborn and best of wolves.”
I lean into his touch. “I can’t be…I can’t do…”
“You are enough, and I know you carry the weight of everything on your shoulders, but let us help you as we always have and always will.”
I squeeze my eyes closed. “I wish I could tell her my name and tell her who I am. This deceit feels so bitter.”
“I know, but it’s not safe,” Riot whispers. “We have to keep this secret, Khaos. Everything depends on it. Her life might depend on it.”
Riots’ lips press to mine, and I find myself desperately kissing him back, hoping that things will change or that he can at least make me forget for a while.
