16
KADEN
The beast stomps my foot on the ground, branches and twigs snapping loudly. All day we’ve been restless. He’s been searching, looking forsomethingand I’ve been stuck as a passenger in my own body.
My skin feels tight, constricting, and the air in my lungs sits trapped. Everything is stuck, the world, the sky, feels too close yet too far. I can’t quite describe the unease—my mind wants to spin out, fix problems that do not exist as I usually do. But the nervous energy will not dissipate.
Glancing up, the moon is halfway into the sky, not quite full. Once it reaches its peak, the rays will rain down on us and submerge the world in silver.
It fills me with dread and the beast surges with need.
Something is happening and I need to figure out what. If he’s pleased with the night, with what it holds, it doesn’t bode well for me.
A sweet scent wafts through the air, and the beast inhales deeply, snout pointed up. It’s the ripest berries on a hot summer’s day, full of life and want and my fangs drop drool to the dirt.
Max. It’s her blood.
The beast cracks his neck twisting to catch the trail. Before I canattempt to take control, he launches into the forest, a beast possessed, following that tantalizing scent.
I admit—it’s one of my favorites. I much prefer to smell my mate after I’ve had her—consumed by me, covered in my release—but the beast doesn’t want to have her as a lover. He wants to eat her, devour her in ways not right.
If it’s Max’s blood, then she’s weak. Injured. She’ll be no match. I try to break through the cage, force my way through the mental door, and shove him aside. But he’s strong and he’s determined.
Trees blur as he leaps, running over roots and small flowers. He doesn’t see anything but that red trail, following it with one singular focus. Claws scratch into bark as he propels himself forward, darting under heavy branches and over upturned stones.
We come to the scorched patch of earth. It’s a clear attempt to keep people away. The beast doesn’t care. He sniffs, searching, until he turns to the left.
My brother stands there, fingers dripping red. Max’s blood covers him, his clothes, down to his boots.What happened?
Mentally, I yell at him to leave as worry for Max crushes my heart.That’s too much blood.What is happening—does he understand the beast is made up of magic and ill-will and will kill him should he be caught.
I cannot see another male I love, die because of me. Not Oslo, andabsolutelynot Reid.
He wiggles his fingers and the beast growls. “Ah, so it’s the beast I’m speaking to.”
The monster stalks forward. Pointing to his eyes, Reid says, “We can tell by the eyes. Hungry, beasty?”
What is he doing?He can’t be this stupid.
Reid knows me in this form—truly, I’ve never succumbed so far. But he knows how to act around me when the beast is in control. He’s seen the destruction, heard the tales.
He hasn’t run away and he doesn’t have his sword pulled. Does he want me to get closer?
The beast swipes at him, and my annoyingly quick little brother jumps back, grinning.
This isn’t a game,I roar. If he doesn’t leave, I’ll kill him myself.
“Now, you’re just teasing,” Fee comments, arms crossed. Leaning against the tree to the side, the beast turns to glare at her. He’s not fond of my sister—seems she’s the only one who can put him in his place.
He also remembers her promise to kill me if he took over. I’m sure that left an impression.
“It’s fun,” he quips. “You should try it.”
Fee pushes from the tree, swaying over to us. Close enough to smell her bitter apple scent, she lifts her hand.Really, her too?I’m surrounded by infuriating asses.
A brilliant red flame appears and the beast jumps back, startled. I feel myself stumble. The beast is terrified but I’m amazed.
Fee has magic. I’m not the only one.
