Page 17 of Woven Souls

“Don’t.”

I stiffen as I block out what he’s trying to say. It’s stupid. He’s clearly a little crazy. Crazy to believe what he’s saying and crazy to think that I would believe him after what transpired between me and the Ghosts. I scoot forward and twist around so we can face one another. Kwil’s eyes search mine, a fire lit deep within those midnight blue eyes.

“You’re my mate, Willow.” His grin is both adorable and utterly terrifying as his jaw stretches, and I can see all those very large teeth.

I glare at him.

“You mentioned that I’m you guys’ mate before, but you’re wrong.”

Kwil’s grin turns into a fierce baring of his teeth as his dark brows crash together.

“You’re right, you’re notours. You’remine.”

“I’m not yours either. We’re an abomination caused by—”

“Don’t say it’s because our souls are tethered together.” The intensity behind his glare lessens. “Because I felt thisbeforethat happened. When you walked up to your house the night we met, the beast in me knew at once. I just didn’t know what it was trying to tell me at the time.”

I shake my head as anger flares up and heats my cheeks.

“I don’t know much about mates, but I’m pretty sure they’re supposed to look out for one another. You didn’t do that!” My voice echoes in the bathroom as my voice raises.

Kwil flinches and looks away from me.

“I don’t want to hear anymore,” I tell him sharply. “This morning I was feeling better after a week of misery, and I acted on impulse. But that doesn’t change how I feel about you or the others.”

Kwil’s strange jaw clenches before he sighs.

“Lean back and let me wash you.”

I do as requested only because he’s willing to let this drop. I expect him to reach over and grab the bar of soap. Instead, one of his hands snakes around and grips my throat in a tight hold. My body stiffens again. Kwil leans forward, his breath hitting my ear.

“You may not want to hear it, or even acknowledge it, but that doesn’t change anything. I failed you before by standing by and watching Theodon stab you. I never dreamed he’d do something like that, so I hesitated. But I won’t hesitate anymore. Not when my mate’s life is at stake. From here on out, I swear to you, Willow. You’re safe in my arms.”

My bottom lip trembles. As stupid as it is, I want to forgive him. My resolve wavers. Kwil must feel my hesitation. His hand slides up the column of my throat to grab hold of my chin.

He pulls it to one side and whispers in my ear, “No matterwhatyou are, you’re mine and you’re safe.”

His voice has changed. It’s deeper now, rough around the edges and nearly a growl. Gone is Kwil the man. Kwil the monster has surfaced and is staking his claim.

And, as foolish as it is, I accept it.

Chapter5

VIKTOR

Iflip the egg over in the pan, working hard not to burn it like I did with the last three.

It’s been a while since I’ve cooked on a real stove. It doesn’t help that I’ve been so lost in my thoughts that it’s hard to concentrate on anything. Those thoughts mixed with the overwhelming emotions bombarding me have been a nightmare to deal with. For the past week, it's felt as though I’ve been thrown into a turbulent storm. I can’t seem to find my footing. Nothing we’ve done since that fateful night has felt right.

Where I once would turn to Theodon for guidance and support, I can no longer do so. I could’ve sworn I’d be able to accept Theodon’s decision to stab Willow. At the time, I was sure that he had decided our time had come and this would be the way the three of us would go out. Later, when I’d managed to sedate Kwil and get Theodon to an infirmary, Theodon confessed that he had no intentions of killing her. Even then, I nodded, so sure that the reasoning would suffice to keep my guilty conscience from eating away at me.

But the onus of my guilt sits so prodigiously on my chest that it’s destroying me. It’s already crushed the weak faith I had in myself. It’s cracked the trust I had in Theodon to make the right call. In my head, a small voice screams for me to stop all of this. To end it so completely I can’t suffer any longer.

It doesn’t help to know that since now we’re Fallen,sheknows of my failures. What doesshe—No.

My grip tightens around the frying pan handle as I push all thoughts ofheraside. I’ve managed to stomp out all thoughts and feelings for that woman. Eleanor broke my heart thirty years ago. Since then, I’ve refused to confront the pain left in her wake. I certainly won’t let thoughts of her resurfacenow.It doesn’t matter whatshethinks anyways.

When I try to push the thoughts ofheraway, it’s easier than expected. How strange. I truly haven’t thought of her in years, and now she’s re-emerged. Usually, any thoughts of Eleanor would cause me agony. Now, thinking of her, I don’t feel anything but a mild annoyance.

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