Page 91 of Pet: Genesis

“How would you feel about visiting this planet soon?”

Iris

Something is pulling me out of my sleep. It smells... sweet... mouthwatering. It calls to me. I’ve never smelled it before, but as I do, I can only wonder how I ever lived without it. As my unconsciousness wanes, my senses come back to me. There’s a dull throb on the side of my throat, and I open my eyes to reveal the familiar ceiling of Remus’s bedroom. My mind slowly drifts to the cause of my pain: the ship, the mountain, my leap to death, and Remus’s reaction to it. I sit in bed, my hand flying to my throat as I try to rationalize what happened. The room around me sways as a wave of nausea washes over me, and I cry out softly from the pain on my neck.

“You shouldn’t be moving so much.”

I tense following the sound of Remus’s alluring voice. He’s standing in the doorway, his stark white hair falling carelessly over his face. There’s nothing holding it back or away from his features. He’s also wearing black for once, a sharp contrast to the hue of hishair. I find myself warming at the sight of him, his appearance breathtaking.

Remus gracefully begins walking toward me like a predator toward his prey, his gaze studying me with a strange expression. He silently sits on the edge of the bed, taking me in, and when I look into those eyes, I feel all my resentment rushing back to the surface. All the suffering he’s caused this planet and its people. All the pain and torture he’s caused me rush over me in a blur, but even as I recall these things, I can’t bring myself to move away from him. His scent is like a drug to me, and I want more than anything to be close to him.

He places his hand against my cheek, using his thumb to leave a warm trail across my skin. I don’t have the strength to push him away.

“What did you do to me?” I whisper. Tears spill down my cheeks as my brain fights with my body. Physically, I want him. But mentally, I despise him. And I can’t seem to get my body to understand that. Something isn’t right. Remus’s hand gently falls to my throat, exactly where the pain is, and I shiver in pleasure when I feel the warmth emanating from his palm. It soothes me and dulls the pain. My hand instinctually lifts to rest over Remus’s, enjoying the feel of his skin against mine, and he notices, smiling to reveal those sharp canines.

I shudder as I recall the feel of those piercing my flesh. So, it is a trait for something specific.

“I lost control...,” he trails off as he thinks about his next words.

“I lost control, and I almost killed you,” he says with a straight face.

“...You bit me,” I say. It’s strange hearing those words aloud. But not as strange as enduring the act. I expect him to explain the foreign action like he normally would, but instead, Remus’s eyes twinkle in light amusement.

“Yes. I did.”

“Why?” I ask. He doesn’t respond, his eyes sweeping over me. He’s having an inner battle with himself and finally comes to a decision. His amusement vanishes as he focuses on me.

“Don’t toy with your life again, Iris.” The way he says the words is almost like a physical entity in itself. Something inside me is convincing me that his concern is genuine and that he’s really worried about my life, but as quickly as I feel it, it disappears, and I’m left with a cold emptiness. My grip tightens around his before I gently pull his hand away from my body. And he lets me. He’s somehow different in the way he interacts with me. It sets me on edge.

“Don’t you see? I would rather die than spend another second with you,” I whisper. Even as I speak the words, my tongue feels heavy from the lack of conviction I feel.

“Congratulations, Remus. You did it. You broke me. Isn’t that what you wanted? To break me?” I ask. More tears fall as the words spill from my lips, and Remus still has yet to respond. He’s only watching me, and I can read him for once.

“I don’t value life anymore. I have nothing to live for... nothing,” I sob. Remus is silent, and suddenly, I feel his hand rubbingcomforting circles around my back. I feel emotions that are hard to decipher wash over me, and the moment I acknowledge them, they’re gone. Remus is keeping something from me. I feel strange ever since I woke up.

“You have me. I am your life now. As you are mine,” he says gently.

My eyes widen from his words. Is this his way of professing his feelings for me? I shake my head, looking at him in confusion.

“No. You don’t mean that. You don’t know what you’re saying,” I say. He chuckles softly, raising a brow at me.

“I don’t?” he asks in amusement.

“If you really felt that way, you wouldn’t force me to leave my planet, you wouldn’t do everything that you have done to me—”

“Those are humanity’s ways of living, Iris. I am not human, nor do I share an ounce of your traits and strengths. I do not need to adhere to your silly morals built for a seventy-year lifespan,” he snaps.

“And what about me? What makes you think I have to follow your morals?” I ask.

He laughs again, putting me on edge. “You don’t have a choice.”

Rage festers in me and my body is moving before my mind. I immediately move to slap him, but he catches my hand, his amusement still visible.

“What is it you want from me, Iris? You wish for me to abandon this planet and give up my search for my brother?” he asks.

“Yes! Your problems are not mine,” I growl. Remus narrows his gaze, and his grip on me loosens.

“How about we compromise?” he asks.

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