Page 83 of Death Warden
He pressed his forehead to mine. “In another life.”
I’d come here expecting to leave,wantingto leave, but now, that very thought evoked sorrow. I wanted a family. I wanted the connections. I didn’t want to go back to a life with an empty apartment and just my written words for company. I had too many things here to stay for.
But the choice wasn’t mine. “I’m so, so fucking sorry.”
Spectre placed his hand on my cheek, his golden eyes dark with emotion. “I’m not.” He stroked his thumb across my cheekbone. “I’m glad I met you. I’m glad we spoke and got to know one another regardless of how short our time together might have been.” He released me and put distance between us. “Once we find the trader, I’m leaving Frostgate for good.”
My heart sank and words lodged in my throat. “I won’t see you again, will I?”
He shook his head. “Dax was right. It’s better that way. I don’t want to become this…” He looked at his hands. “This out-of-control beast. It’s not who I am. Please keep your distance while I’m here, Adi. For both our sakes.”
He brushed past Curo and out the door.
“Get some rest,” Curo said before following Spectre.
I sank onto the bed and closed my eyes, riding the pain in my heart at his departure. A pain that had no logic and yet made every bit of sense.
My mother had been right to keep my nature a secret, to keep me away from the possibility of a mate bond. I wished she were here so I could talk to her and have her tell me everything would be okay.
“Adi?”
I looked up to find Logan in the doorway. “Everything is going to be okay.”
“I hope so, Logan. I really hope so.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
CURO
Spectre hits the punch bag over and over like a fucking freight train. His frustration, his rage, pulses in the air.
I kick off my shoes, pull off my cream tee—because blood is a bitch to get out—and join him on the mat.
“No,” he grinds out. “You need to go.”
“I think I need to stay.” I come into his line of sight, but he stoically keeps his eye on the bag and keeps hitting it. “It’s not the bag you want to hit, it’s me. So let’s get it over with.”
“Trust me, Curo, you do not want to do this. I won’t hold back. I can’t. Not tonight.”
“Then don’t. Let’s just lay it on the table. I want her, Spectre. I fucking want Adi.”
He falters, shakes his head, and resumes his attack on the punch bag.
Some might call me insane, and maybe in this moment I am. I’m a big guy but Spectre’s a behemoth of a male. When he hits for real, his opponent doesn’t get back up. But I owe him, and it helps that my pain threshold is insanely high.
I’ve been coveting his mate. Dreaming of her, tasting her, wanting her. “I kissed her.”
Spectre stills.
I have his full attention.
“I wanted to fuck her, Spectre. I wanted to—”
I know it’s about to happen and yet I don’t see it coming.
I feel it, though. His body connects with mine with a thud and a crack. There goes a rib. My feet leave the ground and then the same ground rushes up to slam me in the back while his weight crushes me to the mat.
“Why?” His fist connects with my face. I see stars. “Why, why, why?”
