Page 18 of Little Bunny

He held his breath for Elijah’s answer. Not because he gave a damn whether his bunny hated him. He didn't. Elijah’s response was strictly intel. Strategic. Just a piece of information to determine his next move.

Bullshit.

He tightened his jaw. He absolutely, completely didn't care.

Liar.

Matias exhaled slowly. Okay, maybe he cared. A little. But he’d rip the head off anyone who said it out loud.

“You dragged me off my couch last night, begging me to come with you,” Elijah snapped. “I was trying to forget Trent and ended up…in this mess. I might’ve handled it better if the asshole had at least told me why I had to stay here.”

Matias reluctantly admitted he could’ve handled it better.

But who the fuck was Trent?

Was Trent the reason Elijah had looked so frightened last night? Was he the reason Elijah had been softly crying in the parking lot?

His wolf snarled. Matias didn't even know who Trent was, but he was already prepared to tear the asshole apart. Slowly.

“I was already manipulated once, Percy. You know Trent loved playing head games.”

“Loved trying to control you,” Percy added with a loud huff. “Treacherous Trent. It should be illegal for scumbags like him to date.”

Matias unlocked the door and stepped inside. Percy was seated on the edge of the bed, lounging to the side on one arm.

Elijah stood beside him, his arms crossed, glaring daggers at Matias.

“Percy, go to the kitchen and get a bite to eat.” Matias’s voice was firm, but even. The male immediately obeyed. When he passed, Matias stopped him with a single glance. “Do not leave the tavern under any circumstances. Understood?”

“As clear as a rainbow.” He grinned, his hazel eyes sparkling. Matias wasn’t even going to try to understand what that meant. “Here’s some advice you didn’t ask for.” He leaned closer, humor gone. “If you thought I showed my ass earlier, keep making my best friend cry and I’ll show you just how truly insane I can get.” He pulled back and grinned as Matias snarled. “I guess that was more of a warning label than advice. Tootles.” He hurried out the door, slamming it closed behind him.

Matias wasn’t sure if he wanted to rip Percy’s tongue out of his mouth or laugh at the absurdity of the threat.

Shaking his head, he turned to Elijah. “There are things at play you don’t understand, conejito.”

Elijah stayed silent, gaze fierce, arms locked tight across his chest. Matias saw it clearly now—the desperate desire to trust battling hard-earned distrust. Elijah was vulnerability wrapped in barbed wire. No muscle, yet tougher than most men twice his size.

He hid his wounds deep, refusing to hand anyone a weapon forged from his own pain.

Someone had ripped innocence from Elijah’s bones and left a bitter survivor in its place.

Sliding his hands into his pockets, Matias stepped deeper into the room, weighing how much to say. Denial was pointless. Elijah wasn’t just another handsome face.

There was something special about him.

He’d triggered Matias’s wolf at first glance, and the fact that Matias couldn’t stay away spoke louder than words ever could. And now, the idea of confessing what he was said even more about how messed up his head had gotten.

Elijah’s gaze tracked his every step. The male felt it. The strong attraction between them, impossible to deny.

“My pack is at war, conejito.”

Fear flickered briefly in Elijah’s eyes.

“One of mine was taken. If you are seen leaving Sin’s, you may become a target as well.” Matias didn’t say more. Allowed Elijah time to digest it. Let him choose. Break or brace.

“Pack? War?” He laughed hard then abruptly quieted. “You’re serious.”

Matias watched him closely—stiff posture, glint of fear in his eyes, shallow breaths.

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