“Don’t look at me like I’m some creep!” Kole says, shoving his pillow into my face.
“I’m sorry!” I call out from behind the plush wall of cotton. “You’re just so old!”
“Am I old or are you just a baby?” he teases, putting his pillow back and repositioning himself on his elbow.
“I amnota baby. I’m a full-grown woman, thank you very much!” I flip my hair over my shoulder, and Kole shakes his head. “What happened after you killed him?” I ask before we get too far off the subject.
“After that, we went our separate ways. There was still so much resentment and animosity between us. It didn’t matter where it came from. We had been pitted against one another for too long, and that wasn’t just going to go away because we had killed the devil himself.”
“But you must’ve fixed things eventually,” I add, wanting to get to the good part of this nightmare of a story.
“During the 1920s there were rumors of a hybrid gunning for Alpha over both species. Of course, I knew it was Thane,and after so many years apart, I knew I needed to go to him. Soon after, I found out that no one had accepted him. He wasn’t welcomed among the vampires or the werewolves. He spent all those years isolated from both species. While I was off building a new life for myself, my brother had been left alone.”
“You couldn’t have known,” I interject, noting the guilt painted across his face.
“Maybe not, but I should’ve checked on him over the years. It wasn’t his fault my parents were taken from me. He was as innocent as I was, and I never should’ve let his father turn us against one another.” Kole releases a heavy sigh. “Anyway, one day, Thane decided that if no one was going to accept him, then they were going to fear him. Anyone who went up against him didn’t stand a chance, and eventually, their fear turned into respect. I was by his side as he became Alpha over both species and began building a new regime. Over time, we slowly grew closer and eventually vowed never to go against one another again. At the end of the day, we’re all each other really has.”
“Thanks for telling me all of this. I know it’s not easy to relive, but it does help me understand you two better.”
“Good,” he says, shifting his arm beneath his pillow, making his bicep flex. “Now, close your eyes and get some sleep.”
I do as he says, embracing the comfort of his presence, but just as I’m about to drift off, I get the sudden urge to say one last thing.
“I believe you,” I whisper, opening my eyes to find Kole staring back at me. “I believe that you care for me, and I think maybe I was just too scared to accept it before.”
A smile spreads across his handsome face. “It’s okay to let people in.”
“You and Thane have each other, but I’ve never had anyone like that. Someone who I could count on to be there by my side. I’ve always been alone.”
A frown pulls at the corner of his mouth. “You’re not alone anymore. You’ve got me, Sienna, and Thane, and we’re not going anywhere.” His thumb gently strokes my cheek. “Especially not me.”
“You say that now, but I tend to push everyone away eventually.”
“Push all you want, Grey. I’m not going anywhere.”
There’s a promise behind his eyes that seems to banish any doubt I may have had, and I close my eyes, finally giving myself over to the sweet call of sleep.
“I believeyou.”
Kole
I’m so royally fucked.
How am I supposed to convince myself that this beautiful creature lying next to me hasn’t completely turned my world upside down? It’s like she’s taken root in my soul. There’s no way to cut her out without ripping out my own heart. And yet, I’m almost certain that is what will have to happen, because there’s no way this works out in my favor. The universe has already dealt me a losing hand.
At this point, I’m just torturing myself, but I’d rather endure the torment than miss out on being in her presence. For whatever reason, the heavens above have chosen to dangle this angel in front of me, knowing she could never be mine. I’m not sure what I did to deserve this cruel twist of fate, but it doesn’t matter. I’m a fool for this girl, and after tonight, I realize nothing is going to change that.
Chapter 39
Ipeel my eyes open to find myself plastered to Kole’s body. My right leg is draped between his thighs while my head and hand seem to be glued to his bare chest. Without lifting my head, I can feel that his hand is fixed on the curve of my ass, making my whole body ignite with heat. I know I should get off of him before he wakes, but instead, my eyelids fall shut as the sound of his steady heartbeat lures me back to sleep.
When I wake again, I’m alone in the bed, sprawled out where Kole had been lying. A pit begins to form in my stomach, but before my abandonment issues have a chance to take flight, I hear him rummaging around in the kitchen.
“Morning!” Kole beams when I round the corner to the kitchen. He’s already prepared a plate of avocado toast and set out a pitcher of orange juice for me. “I figured we’d eat and then hit the road so that we can get back to Headquarters and regroup before heading to Seattle.”
“Great idea,” I say, following him over to the dark wooden table. “I’ll tell Sienna to come over once we’re back.”
He nods and takes a sip of his blood bag, leaning back in his chair. “I thought you two would want some girl time, so I’ll drive separately, and you can follow in your car.”
