“I don’t like you.”
Those were the first words Kenley shot my way once everyone else had left the room. I wasn’t surprised. I wasn’t angry. I was just there…. baffled.
They’re brothers. Kasan is a werewolf. Kenley is a human.
From what Kasan told me, it’s obvious that they’re blood related… so why? They have different hair colour but that’s it, everything else screams family.
How can he even live amongst them like this? No. Better yet, why couldn’t Kasan be the one who’s human?
“Are you wondering why I’m here? A human?” He didn’t hide the displeasure in his tone as he grabbed the stool Kasan had been sitting on and swerved it across the floor till it settled under his butt.
“And why I’m human and he’s not?”
Am I that easy to read cuz that’s precisely what I’m thinking.
If he is truly a human as Kasan says, what happens if they suddenly decide to change their allies? What if they suddenly want to get rid of him? What would he be able to do as a helpless human against overgrown beasts?
Is it trust that makes him entangle himself with them despite their differences? Or is it simply family bond?
I don’t get it at all. However, considering the turn of events, I’m atleast happy there’s a human here… someone who’s actually as powerless as I am.
Throwing the duvet off my bottom half, I ignored the cramping in my limbs and spun around on the bed, shifting just enough so I was facing Kenley while my feet dangled off the edge.
“Let’s talk…” I maintained eye contact. “Human to human.”
He scoffed. “Let’s get one thing straight.” He raised an arm and before I could evade his touch, his index finger harshly jutted me in the very shoulder where I’d been shot. It didn’t really hurt as much anymore but it sure as hell stung. “I don’t consider my brother any different from I am.”
“Ahh!” Groaning, I swatted his hand off me and glared. “What the fuck?”
“Shut up if you don’t want him flying in here.” He rolled his eyes, bringing his hand up to run through his blond hair. “I barely even touched you.”
“You call digging your finger into my shoulder ‘barely even touching’?!”
“Get to the questions before I change my mind.” He demanded, icy eyes returning my glare tenfold. “Know that I’m only doing this for my brother not you. He’s obviously out of control because you’re dumping him over this shit!”
What? Dumping him? When did I say—–
I shook my head from side to side, ignoring how Kenley’s brows rose.
Why am I even attempting to deny that?
I don’t need to think on it to know that it’s for the best.
I mean, what’s a relationship without trust? What’s the point in continuing this when I can hardly even stay in the same room as him without feeling as if my throat’s clogged?
I dumped him…. I’ll choose to leave it at that.
But as soon as that particular thought crossed my mind, the stinging sensation on my neck restarted. After Kasan explained everything, I now know that this distance between us is the cause of theses sudden phases. But the more I think about it all the more confused I become. Mate marks, pain when we drift apart emotionally…
It all makes me wonder… how deep even is this ‘bond’ he spoke of?
It’s almost… scary.
“You said you don’t consider yourself any different from him… why?” I tucked my thoughts in the farthest depths of my mind and refocused back on the dude before me. His thin lips were pursed and his impatient eyes were still glaring into my soul.
“We all live, we all die, we all sin. It’s just that I’m human and he’s werewolf. You’re asking me why I’m with him? Isn’t it obvious why? We’re brothers… we need eachother.”
Eh? Is this a brother complex?
“He’s the only person I consider family and unlike you, I actually care about him…. which is why I’m sitting in front of you now. If you both dont reconcile, the toll on your bodies will be drastic. I suggest you stop creating more distance and get over this problem. He’s a full-grown werewolf, not some big ass beast without a brain, and he needs you more than you will ever need him. I’m positive he won’t do stupid shit like Lucas did.”
If those words didn’t say it all then judging by the disapproving looks he kept sending me, its obvious that he thinks little of my worries or he’s convinced that my actions are uncalled for. He must think it’s wrong of me to even question what Kasan might do. I get that he doesn’t like me and I get that they’re brothers so naturally he’ll be on his side, but am I not allowed to?
I lived with a werewolf for years and it wasn’t pretty to say the least. Why should I not be cautious? Why should I not be scared after all the bullshit Kasan just told me? Because he’s had alot of dark days too? Because he’s been treating me like his god?
Mates, bond, mind link, alphas, packs, inner-wolf, the salty relationship between him and his father and the rest of that crazy ass shit.
That’s a fucking lot to take in. My head is about to fucking blow! How am I supposed to just accept that almost everyone I’ve been living around… are all fucking werewolves who could eat my flesh and bones if I get on their bad side?!
“That’s just what you think.” I grumbled, my fingers clenching as I clutched unto the crinkling sheets. “But what happens when anger gets the best of them? I’ve been around my brother for as long as I can remember and every single time he’s pissed off, –no matter the cause– I instantly become a punching bag. I’m pretty sure that if Kasan ever decides he doesn’t need you around, you’d be in the same messy position I was in.” He flinched at my words and for a second there, it looked as if he actually believed it.
That was enough to say that my worries were justified and similarly, that was also a sign that I was probably going too far.
But my lips refused to stop moving unless everything was off my chest.
“I’ve partially gotten myself out of that situation and I’m not going to get tangled up in it all again. So what I wanna know is… what makes you safe? What makes ME safe?! I cater for my own life… and I refuse to relive my past. You can say that all werewolves aren’t the same but Kasan is already practically the devil to everyone in this country. And if he’s as bad as he is now, imagine what he’ll be like when he actually listens to his animalistic instincts!”
Kenley remained silent.
Seconds passed and then a minute yet not a single word left his lips.
Just as I thought… he doesn’t even have a good argument.
And I admit… that disappoints me.
“So…” He finally opened his mouth to reply after moments of what seemed to be silent contemplation, his back reclined against the chair and his jaw bones flexed as he stared at me. “… do you want to leave?”
“W-What?” My jaw slackened. “You’d let me leave?”
Is that an option? After all that shit Kasan spoke about fated and all that… they’d just let me leave?
“It’ll take a while, but he’ll eventually let you go if I push a few buttons. You want to leave, right?” He sighed and abruptly, he pushed the stool back and stood to his feet, his arms crossing over his chest.
I blinked.
What?
“I’ll let him know.” He spun on his heels and was ready to walk off, but before he could take a single step towards the door, something stopped him.
And it took a moment for me to realize that my fingers were actually the obstacle that kept him rooted in place. My gaze rolled down my arm, feeling embarrassment surge through my being as I surveyed the hand that was tightly gripping his shirt.
In all honesty, I don’t even know what the heck I’m doing.
“… The nightwalker…” I squeezed out, mentally face-palming at how stupid I might’ve seemed. “I’ll stay until you guys catch him.” I dropped my head when he turned to look down at me, his eyes screaming annoyance.
“Why?” He swatted my hand off his shirt and stepped to the side out of my reach.
Why? That was a very good question that I myself couldn’t even answer. A part of me wanted to stay and test how different Kasan is from Lucas but a bigger part wanted to leave… desperately. I thought of begging and I thought of taking a shot at running away, but never would I have thought that they’d ever give me the option of leaving. And for some odd reason, the fact that this just seemed wayyy too easy didn’t make me content in the slightest.
Why speak so high about his mate, when he’s just gonna let me leave without a fight? What about atleast doing me a favor and letting me dump him properly? Then again, were we even a thing? Because now it kinda seems like he kept me around coz of this stupid bond he talked about.
“I’d be a pain if I’m attacked again.” I mumbled.
That wasn’t exactly a lie. Who’s to say the geezer won’t make another snipe attempt anytime soon?
Kenley stared down at me, his forehead pulling together into a frown. He’s never liked me, but he doesn’t seem all that happy about all this despite how many times he’s demanded me to leave before now.
“That half-shift you saw back there was rare.” He said, darting his glare towards the door. He then sighed for the umpteenth time. “For as long as I’ve known him, he doesn’t shift unless it’s VERY necessary. He’s never said it but it’s obvious that he’s trying to keep his werewolf side at bay. However, the wicked truth is… humans and werewolves, we’re all the same when it comes down to it: violent and vicious when we want to be, and throw in the fact that he’s an alpha… that makes him worse when he’s aggravated. But the fact that he practically licks your feet coupled with the fact that he hasn’t killed me, my father nor your family… is reason to believe that he’s better than most. So don’t make him seem so ruthless… especially when you’re the only one getting special treatment here. And frankly, you’d be stupid if you leave because you’re convinced he’ll become like your brother. That will NEVER happen.”
Those were his final words before he slipped out of the room and through the door. He didn’t even give me a chance to answer much less get my thoughts together.
Simply put, I didn’t know what to feel. Was that meant to invoke guilt? To make me feel like shit? Or to actually make me consider staying?
I hate this.
…. I hate the uncertainty.
…. I hate the fact that he’s somewhat right.
…. And I hate that I keep looking for reasons to stay.
I should leave, I WANT to leave. Yet… I don’t really want to.
I shouldn’t trust him no matter what they all say. Yet…. I want to.
Yeah, my thoughts are all over the place. At this point, I’m no better than I was back then: naive and stupid.
Have I become so attached that I can’t even devise when I’m in danger?
Wrapping my hair into a sloppy bun, I settled my dangling feet to the floor, the small movements inciting a throbbing along my forehead.
I should take a shower then sleep…. just to clear my head.
I sluggishly rid myself of my clothes and tossed them across the room before moving off towards the bathroom. But the sight of something familiar peeking from beneath the bed stopped me in my tracks.
Huh?
If I’m not mistaken… it’s the gift Kasan gave me the night we went to the bar. I never opened it, did I? I totally forgot about it and he never once mentioned it either.
I dipped an arm down, slipping the box into my grasp before bringing it close to my face.
Even now, I could feel my cheeks heat up as a tinge of anticipation slipped into my chest.
I seriously need to clear my head.
But it won’t hurt to open it. Besides, it’s mine anyway.
Shrugging, I walked off in the direction of the bathroom with the box in hand, whilst my fingers removed the cover.
… A familiar silver necklace came into view.