Why is she trying to act like this isn’t a big deal? Why does she have to be so stubborn all the time? Why can’t she, for once, let me fucking help?
“I’m not buying the act anymore, Hazel. I can see you’re hurting, and I’m not just talking about the blood you’re covered in right now.”
Her eyes harden, but I don’t regret it.
I know pushing her never works, but I can’t ignore this anymore. She can’t keep doing this alone. She was literally bleeding out under a fucking waterfall and somehow still expects me to just be okay with it.
“It’s been a long night, Dean.” Her eyes fall shut, her head falling against the mirror. “I just need a minute alone. Please.”
She’s shutting me out. Again. I’m not letting that happen again.
“I’m not leaving you alone. Not after that.”
Hazel opens her mouth, probably to snap at me, but I bulldoze over her because apparently that’s the only way she listens.
“If you want space, I’ll take you to your bed, and you can take a fucking nap, but I’m not going anywhere. And you know what? I’m getting in that bed with you. I’m going to hold you until I believe you’re actually fine, and I don’t want to hear you complain about it or glare at me. I’m done pretending. I’m done keeping my distance. Deal with it.”
She squeezes her eyes like it’ll block me out.
“Hazel, I’m not giving you a choice this time. I’m. not. leaving. And youwilltell me what the fuck happened in that waterfall for you to hurt yourself like this.”
She grits her teeth, blinking rapidly. When I don’t let up, she turns away to hide the tears clinging to her lashes.
“Timor was right. No matter where I am now, I’m stillher. Scared. Weak. Harmless. I’m still…Flaw.”
“Don’t call yourself that. You’re not weak or harmless. You’re my hellfire. The most dangerous woman I know.”
“No, I’m not. I was slicing open my legs ten minutes ago just to feel even a fraction of my power. How can you look at me right now and still think I’m strong? You’re the fucking Grim Reaper, Dean. And I’m nothing. I’m no one.”
Before I can shut that down, she shakes her head, knocking my hands off her.
“Why are you even here? No one with half a brain comes near me, and you’re always around. Why don’t you just give up? Is it because we’re mates? That’s it, isn’t it? You can’t escape me, so might as well tolerate me.”
“Stop it. Stop pretending you don’t know this is more than us being mates.” My voice hardens.
I can see it—the rage choking her, pushing her to lash out, to shove me away. Because if she lets me in, she’s stuck with me… and that terrifies her for reasons she won’t say.
But I’m not letting her push me away. She can build the highest walls, and I’ll tear them all down.I’d choose her. Every time.
“Then what is it? Tell me one thing you like about me.” I open my mouth, but she cuts me off. “And if you say something sappy like my eyes or my smile, I will actually kill you.”
Silly girl. She thinks I’ll pick something shallow.
“Your anger.”
“What?” she blinks.
That’s not what she expected.
I smile, and the sudden shift disarms her. Anticipation winning over the fear drowning her. Good. Now she’s listening.
“I love the way you put me in my place. The way you snort and roll your eyes every time I say something cheesy. The way your eyes light up when you spar. The way you take rounds in the middle of the night—which I hate—just to make sure our family is safe. I love how headstrong you are. How ridiculously sassy you are. How you don’t let fear lead you. I could keep going until the sun comes up and still have more to say.”
I cup her face, kissing the corner of her mouth. “And none of it is because you’re my mate. It’s because you’reyou.”
Hazel is stunned. I expected that. If she weren’t angry, she wouldn’t have let me get this far without bursting out laughing, or turning uncomfortably red and running away.
I don’t know why it’s so hard for her to believe that she’s it for me. She’s become the most important person in my life. Someone I can’t go a day without. Someone I need close just to breathe.
