My pulse rings in my ears as the door creaks open. My hands curl into fists, ready to greet whoever stands on the other side, but my anticipation is answered a few moments later as Rion appears.
He wears an effortless grin on his face as he gives me a nod, closing the door behind him before locking it in place.
Foolish fucker.
Locking himself away in here with me is not the best idea right now. I open my mouth to tell him just that, but he speaks before I get the chance.
“How are you holding up, man?” He scrubs his hand through his short hair as I glare at him.
You shouldn't be here,” I grunt, and he cocks a brow at me.
“You’re right. Not when you've gotthatlevel of attitude,” he retorts with a smirk, plastering his hand against his chest for added dramatics, and I sigh.
I’ve known this guy long enough to know that he won’t let this drop right now.
Instead of fighting with him over the matter, I decide to use the moment to get some information, since I shattered my cell phone.
“Is Elodie okay?” I ask, and he nods.
His smile grows wider at the mention of her and it makes my stomach clench.
I hate that he can just express his feelings without care, let his walls down, and openly chase the woman we’re obsessed with.
“I’m on my way to find her after I check in with you,” he explains.
Instead of letting jealousy creep in, I focus on the facts, turning the conversation on him.
Widening my eyes, I gape at him. “Are you telling me you didn't barricade yourself in her room last night?”
He sticks his middle finger up at me and scoffs. “No, I had Nathaniel to deal with,” he states, and my blood runs cold at the mention of him.
“Thank you,” I rasp, but he quickly shakes his head.
“Don't thank me. It's not your fault that he was a cunt, working for Jude,” he grunts, and I scoff, the sound hollow and raspy in my throat as I look anywhere but at my friend.
“It's because of my brother,” I clarify, fully aware of the extent to which this all links back to me. I’ve had hours to throw my own little pity party, and although it’s completely out of character for me, I bask in it.
“Fuck Jude,” he bites, anger vibrating in every syllable. “Fuck all of this. All that matters right now is that you’re feeling okay and whether you’re ready to leave,” he adds, and I shake my head immediately.
“No,” I blurt, watching his eyebrows crinkle with confusion.
“Why? You seem okay to me.”
I wish it were as simple as that.
I exhale slowly as I wipe a hand down my face, defeat creeping in again. “I can't risk putting her in danger like that again,” I admit, and he sighs.
The sympathy that lingers in his eyes makes me want to gauge them out, but I focus on the fact that he’s my friend andthat he helped with the Nathaniel issue last night while I sat down here doing nothing.
I don't fucking deserve his aid.
“Kael,” he starts, and I shake my head, frustration getting the better of me as my eyes darken and my teeth elongate, my vampire bursting to the surface, ready to protect my stubborn integrity.
“I mean it,” I snap, nostrils flaring as rage radiates through me. “Until we’re sure she’s going to be okay, leave me down here.”
He nods in understanding and my body relaxes a little, but it irritates the hell out of me that there’s not an ounce of tension emanating from him as he comes face to face with me. There’s no fear as he approaches, like he knows I’m not a danger to him in my current state. Not even his wolf flickers in his eyes.
I should be a danger to everyone.
