The words hurt—not because they’re cruel, but because they’re true. I can hear the pain threaded through them, raw and unguarded.
“Is there someone else?” His gaze locks onto mine, sorrow laid bare.
“No—no,” I say quickly. “I promise, it’s nothing like that.” I exhale, the sight of him like this twisting something deep in my chest.
“Then what the fuck is it?” he snaps. “Because you’ve been spending alotof time sneaking around with River.”
Jealousy bleeds from him, sharp and bitter.
“River and I are just friends,” I say, too fast. “You know I’d never do that to you.”
The realisation hits me a second later. “Wait. How do you even know that?” I frown. “Have you been watching me?”
Guilt flashes across his face before he looks away, jaw tightening.
“Seriously?” I scoff, disbelief prickling my skin. “And you had the nerve to callmea stalker?” The thought of his hawks circling unseen makes my stomach churn.
“I didn’t have a choice.” His body goes rigid, anger simmering just beneath the surface. “You’ve been lying to me.”
His eyes narrow, something cold and dangerous bleeding into the darkness of his irises. My knees weaken instinctively. I take another step back—
His hand snaps around my wrist, not hard but enough to make my body jerk.
“I want to know what you’re hiding from me,” he demands, and I swear I catch a flicker of purple threatening to surface.
“Ryder,” I say softly, forcing calm into my voice, “I swear there’s no one else. I love you.” I search his face, desperate to reach him. “I’ve just been tired lately.”
I pray it’s enough to smother the fire burning beneath his skin—before it’s too late.
“I’m tired too—TIRED OF YOUR LIES!”
The words explode from him. His hands clamp onto my shoulders and slam me back against the tree, bark biting into my spine. His breath is ragged, hot against my face, his nose brushing mine. Once, this closeness would have sent my body spiralling—desire lighting me up from the inside.
Now, the butterflies retreat. They fold in on themselves, sealing tight in the pit of my stomach.
“Fine,” I say, my voice steady despite the tremor in my chest. I’d thought keeping the truth from him would protect him—from himself. But all it’s done is feed the anger, and I can feel it pushing him closer to becoming that stranger again. “The reason I’ve been acting shady is that I’m afraid…”
If this wakes the beast inside him, so be it. I’m done lying. If he wants an avalanche, here it fucking comes.
“Afraid?” His grip loosens slightly. Confusion fractures his fury. “Why didn’t you just say that? You know I’d do anything to protect you.”
“No,” I say quietly. “I’m afraid of… you.”
I don’t look away. I hold his gaze, searching for the flicker of violet, the surge of something monstrous rising beneath his skin.
Nothing.
“You’re afraid ofme?” His voice breaks—not with anger, but hurt.
“I think the serum still runs through your veins,” I whisper. “I’ve been trying to find a cure. River’s been helping me.”
A tear slips free as he absorbs the words. I watch the moment it hits him—sharp and sudden, like a blade driven into his chest. He turns away, and when he does, fear finally finds him.
“But I’m me,” he says, forcing the words out. “I’m not him anymore.” His lips tremble as he looks back at me, hope warring with terror.
I shake my head, even as doubt flickers. “I’ve seen it in your eyes,” I admit. “The purple glow.”
For a heartbeat, all I see is brown—warm, familiar—and it almost undoes me.
