The rapid thumps in my chest were so hard and loud I prayed he couldn't hear it. Keeping my eyes on the ring, I watched the mage dodge another hit, but all I could think about was the man sitting next to me. The one who disappeared and broke my heart a year ago.
“You got your eye on the mage, huh?”
Even his voice was the same. Light and just a bit husky.
I took a few seconds, gulping down a couple breaths before I shrugged. “I’m always looking for men to strengthen the Rossey clan. You know that.” I couldn't help turning toward him, but I made sure to keep my face devoid of any feeling—even when awavy caramel lock slipped into his eye. My instinct was to brush it back, but I balled my fist up instead.
His striking turquoise eyes were locked on me, crinkling in the corner as his lips tipped up. He smiled at me like he hadn't disappeared for a year, like he was easily slipping back into the best friend role again.
A spike of rage hit me, and my hands tightened so hard the tips of my claws poked my palm. My wolf turned her attention to him, and a flood of emotions ran through me. Excitement. Longing. Heartbreak. Hope. Everything she was feeling for him came at full force. It was unfair, really, especially when I wanted to throw him into the wall as much as I wanted to hug him.
“What are you doing here?” I swallowed hard, trying to keep my cool. Pretending I didn't care that my best friend and first love was sitting next to me. The same man I shared a passionate kiss with and then the next day disappeared on me. Sure, I was told he was undergoing special training with my grandpa Manic but that it was something he requested. He wanted to leave.
“You're not glad to see me, Nov?”
Hearing the nickname he used to call me caused my body to shudder. In my head, my wolf howled that her mate was back. That he didn't reject her. I just wanted to roll my eyes at the claims.
How could he reject you when we never told him that you picked him as your mate? How could anything happen between us after he left once I finally hinted at my feelings for him?
With a whine, she settled into the background. She remembered how I’d felt when he left without a word. She remembered what I’d told myself.
Never again.
I would never again be put in that kind of a position. To be hurt so completely.
The crowd roared as the mage got in a round of jabs and hooks that made a bloody mess before dodging the vampire's counterattacks with the wind below his feet. Only thirty seconds left of the third round, and this vampire had yet to do any real damage. The mage had a shot.
“What are you doing here, Zeth? I’m working.” I kept my tone sharp and clipped, letting him know he was treading on thin ice with me.
He leaned over, getting too close for comfort. “Aniyah had her twenty-first birthday, right?”
Tearing my eyes away from the ring, I wanted to yell.Why the fuck does he care?He left! He has no reason to be here.Before the words came out, those sea green eyes captured mine, luring me into their depths before I could get an angry word out.
His breath skated across my skin, eyes shining bright. “You’re going to be Boss Rossey soon, right?” He paused, and his tongue swiped along his lips before he said, “I’m ready to take my place beside you. Be your second. Like I was always meant to be.”
The bell rang just as I shot up out of my seat, the crowd roaring in the background, but my focus was on the insufferable man next to me.Nowhe wanted to be by my side, right when I was about to take my seat?
I grabbed him by the arm, yanking him up with all my might as I growled, “Locker room. Now.”
His eyes flicked to where my fingers were digging into his bicep. His muscles flexed, and I let go like he’d burned me. “Of course, Boss Rossey.”
We easily made our way to the back since everyone was paying close attention to the judges, waiting for the final verdict. I was pretty sure the mage won, purely based on how many hits he had landed versus the vampire. He was just too quick for him.
He propped open the door for me, and I went in. No one was in there, but there was a dark section off to the side, so I went in that direction.
The door clicked shut, and I spun around, grabbing him by the neck and slamming him into the lockers. Longing and rage warred within me.
I wanted him as my second. I missed him as my best friend, but the pain was still raw.
Getting in his face, I could feel my body vibrating with the warring emotions, and my voice clipped out, “You think it's just that easy? You disappear on me for a year, no reason, no explanation, and then bam, you’re back! You think you deserve your spot again?!”
Not trying to get out of my grip, his eyes narrowed. “It's my spot, rightfully. Our dads worked together. I’ve trained by your side. I know what to do and what is expected of me. I’m a good fit for the job.”
My fingers dug into his neck harder, the anger edging out. “It’s. Your. Spot. Only. If. I. Say. It. Is.”
I could feel his muscles move as he swallowed, taking short, shallow breaths. Still, there was no hint of fighting back. “You’re right,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “Can’t we… move on?”
Move on? He thought rejecting me and running away was something we just needed to move past? Did that kiss mean nothing to him?
