Chapter Eight
Rune had never knownagony like it.The instant the mate bond snapped, it was as though a blade had been driven through his chest and twisted, tearing something vital from his very soul.The rooftop blurred, his knees hitting the mat beside Kamon’s.His brother’s ragged breathing mirrored his own, both of them broken in the same moment.For a long, harrowing beat, neither moved.The pain was too much, the shock too heavy.
Finally, Rune forced air into his lungs, tasting blood, tasting loss.He dragged his hands across his face, trying to anchor himself in anything but the yawning emptiness inside.Kamon’s gaze met his, wild and haunted.
“What the fuck did we just do?”Rune rasped.
“We destroyed her,” Kamon whispered, horror etched across his features.“We destroyed us.”
The words barely cleared his lips before Rune pushed himself unsteadily to his feet, dragging Kamon up with him.“Unacceptable.We’re not letting her walk away like that.Not without fighting for her.”
They staggered downstairs, the weight of their mistake pressing with every step.When they hit the main floor, the sight that greeted them made Rune’s heart lurch.Only Kieran and Liam waited in the living area.Beyond the closed door to Violet’s room came the unmistakable sound of Klarissa sobbing, raw and broken.
Rune started forward instantly, but Kieran’s arm shot out, barring his path.“Don’t.”
“Get out of my way,” Rune growled, his tiger pacing furiously inside.“She’s our mate.She needs us.”
Kieran’s eyes narrowed.“Are you sure?After what you just did to her?Is she really your mate, or just a woman you broke?”
Liam stepped in too, his voice firm but cutting.“Not right now.You’ll only make it worse.You call her mate, but mates don’t drive each other to tears like that.”He jerked his hand in the direction of the bedroom.
Kamon’s hands curled into fists.“You think we’re going to stand out here while she cries alone?You think we don’t feel every sob like it’s our own heart breaking?Because I can tell you right now, it’s fucking breaking!”
“She’s not alone,” Liam said trying to reason with them, “Josie and Violet are with her.”
“I don’t fucking care!”Kamon growled.“She needs us—fuck!We need her!”
The tension sparked sharp, the air electric with threat.Rune’s voice dropped to a deadly growl.“Move, or I’ll move you.Question our bond all you want, but don’t stand between us and her.You will not like how it ends.”
Dominance filled the room, almost a tangible energy that swelled, with all four men balanced on the edge of shifting.
Before either side could erupt, the door slammed open.Violet stormed out, eyes blazing, her hair a fiery halo.She pointed straight at them.“Get.Out.”
Rune froze, her fury hitting like a slap.
Violet’s voice thundered.“You are not Pride.You are not even from Chicago.And you are sure as hell not welcome in my home after what you just did to my friend.To a woman who has given more than any one of us to end this fucking war.Now, get the fuck out of my apartment before I ask Alpha Kieran and Liam to kill you both where you stand.”
She spun back and the door slammed behind her again before Rune could answer, leaving silence hanging heavy.
For a long moment, no one spoke.Then Kieran exhaled slowly, shaking his head.“That’s the first time she’s ever called me anything but Alpha Kitty.”
He turned to Rune and Kamon, his tone iron.“She’s not wrong.You’re not Black Ridge.You’ve been asked to leave.You will honor it.”
Rage and desperation twisted inside Rune.“She’s our mate.”
Liam’s gaze softened but stayed firm.“Then prove it.Right now, the only thing she feels is betrayal.Give her space.Give her time.”
“We have nowhere to go,” Kamon said hoarsely.
