Page 45 of Black Wing and Shadows
“What’s up? How were the flight maneuvers?”
I let out a small laugh.
"It's clear who will need more lessons and who was well-trained. Overall, we're looking good.”
“I am excited to see what kind of talent we gained and see who won’t be making it to their second-year.”
“Riders, always looking to off each other…”
“Like you all don’t,” he laughed.
“Naw, just other branches.” I laughed with him. Changing the subject, because I might as well get this done with. “You look to be in a funk.”
“Mmm. Yeah, I thought seeing Ella—I don’t know—I thought we would start over…”
“Yeah, I need to talk to you about her—"
“Wait, don’t tell me you fucked her?”
I glared at him. “It’s more complicated than that.”
“No, it’s not. I have been telling you I love this female for a long time.”
“Yes and no. You’ve been telling me about a girl named Ella. Not once did you call her Auri or Auriella.”
“And I told you about her unique tattoo, which you must have seen if you were—gods, she just fucks anyone, doesn’t she?”
“Do not be disrespectful towards her.” I could feel my anger rising, so I kept my shields up. I didn’t want Auri to sense me upset or feel my anger. I hadn’t realized before how deeply connected we would be, or that we could detect each other’s emotions when they became intense. There was much my aunt hadn’t taught me.
“You don’t know her, like I do. When we weren’t together, she was out fucking anyone who would twinkle their eyes at her.”
I took a deep breath.This was my friend. This was my friend. This was my friend. I kept telling myself over and over because I undoubtedly wanted to punch him straight in the jaw right now.
“Shut the fuck up. I don’t give a fuck about the past. I care about right now. We are mated. You two—”
“Wait, what the fuck did you say?” His cheeks flushed, showing his anger rising.
“I didn’t stutter, and before you cut me off, I was saying, you two don’t exist aside from friends. She will never see you as anything but—”
“You mated with her?” He growled at me.
“You know it is more complicated than that. Mates are destined from birth.”
“This is fantastic. Fucking fantastic. My best friend is fucking my ex, and he claims they are mated.”
“No claims.”
“Has it been confirmed?”
“Not yet.”
“Then fucking claims.”
I rolled my eyes at him. I had never seen him this angry, this uncontrolled. Even when we found ourselves in stressful situations, he had always remained calm. I was sure this sucked for him, and I couldn’t say I had ever been here before. I had many female encounters over the years, but I never desired a romantic relationship. Knowing I had a mate was always at theback of my head. Loving her the moment I saw her six years ago, I never let myself gain feelings for anyone else.
“I actually don’t give a fuck what you think. I am telling you, Auriella and I are mated. We are together. I am asking that you respect our wishes to keep this information to yourself, as we are not announcing it to anyone.”
“If you want our friendship, then you will end it with her.”
