“Dean, I don’t want to interfere. I want you both to figure it out, build something worth living for, but I have a feeling you’re running out of time. Tiberius is getting close.”
I don’t know much, but from what little I’ve heard, I want to bury the Jellyfish King in my backyard and throw a dance party on his grave.
Anxo swallows, head bowed. “And it’s not just the intruder or Hazel’s nightmares. Something is wrong. It’s a stench in the air, like something is rotting, but I can’t find it.”
I wish I could call it paranoia, but I feel it too. Ever since the attempted breach, the air has been thick with anticipation. With dread.
One thing is clear, if Hazel’s past is catching up to her, she needs her mate now more than ever. The laid-back approach isn’t working. It’s time to retire it.
I need to prove myself to Hazel. Show her I’m on her side, no matter what. I need to be loud as fuck about my intentions so she can’t ignore me anymore.
I’m done pretending I’m okay with friendship or respectful companionship. I want her love. Her heart. Her soul.
I’m going to make my mate fall head over heels in love with me, and once she’s mine… I’m never letting go.
8. Two halves of a whole idiot
Dean
Iwake up to soft music ringing in my ears, and I immediately know I’m fucked. It starts quiet… almost serene, gently pulling me out of yet another sleepless night.
I almost laugh at how harmless Hazel’s new prank seems… until the soothing melody twists into something dark, the volume climbing higher with every passing hour.
I thought she’d be too stressed and take a break after last night’s nightmare, but boy, was I wrong. My siren doesn’t take days off from ruining my peace.
At first, I naïvely thought tolerating her pranks would earn me some points, but it turns out Hazel enjoys watching me suffer.
I’m at hour three, and my head is pounding. Every beat feels like a small explosion behind my eyes.
As if that wasn’t enough, Grace linked me to let me know that she’s heading to the human realm with Harvey to see a doctor.
I knew she hadn’t been feeling well, but I didn’t expect it to get worse this fast. When I hugged her goodbye, she sagged into me, tired and weak, and my stomach dropped.
I wanted to tag alone, but Harvey gave me a look that screamed, “Back off, old man.I know how to take care of my mate.”
I appreciate how well Harvey and Anxo take care of my daughters, but I still hate the fuckers. I was gone for twoyears, and Fates thought it’d be funny if I lost my girls to mouthbreathing idiots and be forced to smile through it.
I slam my forehead against my desk when the volume spikes again. I’m going to go deaf if Hazel doesn’t take pity on me.
Maybe that’s her plan… drive me insane until I free her from a bond she doesn’t want.
There’s a knock on my office door, and I assume Khatri has come back to entertain himself with my mate’s shenanigans, but when I look up, Hazel’s perfect heart-shaped face peeks through the gap.
I stop breathing. Everything goes still, the music fading into the background as my mate walks in like a prayer answered. It’s the first time she’s come here. Even if she leaves right now, her scent will linger long after she’s gone, and the thought of sitting here, drowning in her essence, feels better than heaven.
“Anxo wants to know when you’re heading to the dungeon.”
What a pretty little liar. She’s obviously here to enjoy my misery. And I don’t mind as long as she stays.
“You look pale. Feeling okay,honey?” My little hellfire tilts her head, smirking, and I remember she’s on my hit list today.
“I’m great!” I snap then wince. I’m practically yelling over the noise, and now she knows exactly how bad it is. “Thanks for the background music. Really helps me focus. Absolutely love it!”
“Oh, my pleasure.”
“Did you need something, or did you just come here to admire your perfect mate?”
Hazel’s eyes flash with frustration, her glare sending a thrill down my spine. There’s something about her anger that sets my nerves on fire. I never miss a chance to rile her up. It’s the only time her perfect, untouched mask cracks, and I get a glimpse of therealHazel.
