Page 204 of A Soul to Steal

While they began to have a deep conversation, Gideon rose to meet Aleron. His wings shifted, likely wanting to embrace Gideon when he came closer. However, Aleron only slid his armsaround him, since Gideon had been the one to instigate their hug.

It just further proved how much he’d broken this compassionate and affectionate being.

Before we find our siblings, there’s something I want to do.

Gideon didn’t think he could handle witnesses for what he was planning.

With the ground blanketed in inch-deep snow, Aleron shuffled his feet back and forth, wishing Gideon would hurry. It crunched and squeaked until he patted it down into a dense layer.

I can smell Ingram.Aleron would know his scent anywhere; it was like a balm to his aching soul. His kindred was near. So close, in fact, that the northerly wind had pushed his familiar scent to him during Gideon’s absence.

A soft growl bubbled from his chest.And I cannot go to him yet.

Instead, he stood at the fringes of a forest, staring at the timber stakes of a town’s protective walls.

Gideon had pleaded with him to be dropped off here. Now, of all times, when they both knew how close they were to their family.

For the first time, Aleron had denied him. Tried to, rather. When he refused to land, Gideon had wiggled like he wanted to fall from his arms, metres in the air no less! The male’s safety was the only reason he’d landed, immediately snapping his fangs at him.

He’d run off. Shouting over his shoulders as he left Alerondumbstruck at his sudden departure, he promised he’d return shortly without further explanation.

Aleron had considered... leaving without him to search. He’d come back to his side within a day, so it wouldn’t be permanent.

He couldn’t,wouldn’t, do that, and felt deeply ashamed that he’d even considered such a terrible thought.

Even when Ingram’s fresh scent fluttered to him on the wind, Aleron found his feet frozen when every other inch of him longed to chase after it. His claws dug into the tree beside him, gouging it until bark cracked and flung off as he impatiently waited.

Hours had passed. They’d arrived here near noon, Aleron flying fast from Orpheus’ ward. Now, the sun steadily dropped.

There would be no rest for them, even if night came. He and Ingram would be reunited this day, no matter what this human said or did.

I wish he would stop doing this.Why did he need to keep going into human towns? He didn’t need to eat or drink, and his clothes were surely fine. What more did he need? Gideon also returned with the smell of others on him, and every time it had Aleron wanting to rub against his body to remove the evidence of their brief touches.

When Aleron finally spotted him leaving the town’s gates, he was so irritated that another growl rumbled from him. Gideon headed straight to him, his case jiggling behind him as he did.

He unslung it from his shoulders as soon as he reached Aleron, and they moved deeper into the tree line to hide in case human eyes saw them from afar.

“Sorry for taking so long,” Gideon forced out around deep, fogging huffs of exertion from sprinting. He turned his head away as he rubbed his hands together for warmth. “Thank you for being patient.”

The fact he refused to look upon Aleron’s face deepened his annoyance. Ever since he’d taken Reia for a flight, Gideon had not brought his eyes to him.

If he was so upset by it, he should not have told me it was okay.He’d much rather have denied the female if it meant keeping this human happy.

Their relationship was constantly strained. One minute Gideon appeared content, then he looked deeply unnerved. He’d rather not add to it.

“I can smell Ingram,” Aleron snapped out, despite trying his hardest to sound calm. “They are not far.”

With urgency, he went to grab Gideon, but the little human swiftly stepped away from him.

“Wait,” he choked out, looking at Aleron’s chest as he put up a hand. “Please wait.”

His wings fluttered with agitation behind him, dusting loose snow and causing it to flurry behind him.

“Itireof waiting, Gideon,” Aleron stated honestly, with a bite in his tone. “I wish to see–”

“I know.” His eyes flicked up to his reddening orbs before darting away. “There’s something I’d like to do first. Please give me a moment.”

Crimson flared into his orbs as his growl deepened. “Gideon.”

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