Chapter 148
The portal closed behind me and I looked back to make sure that nobody had gotten through but I also wondered if Zade got away before they barged into the Elder’s office. I’m sure he did.
Darian was handing Kiera over to Gabe who gladly took her with a beaming smile and they walked out of the office followed by Abby who walked out after
them.
Without turning to look at Darian, knowing he’d want to talk about everything now that we were back, I decided to leave as fast as I could so I walked toward the door with my heart in my throat and my feet feeling heavier than led.
Almost there, just a few more steps- I reached out to grab the handle.
“Stop.”
Damn, so close.
I held my hand in the air for a second, it lingered and I looked longingly at the handle, cursing Abby for having closed it when she left.
Either I opened and ran, hurried the fuck out of here and disappeared or I swallowed my ego and admitted that I wouldn’t reach three steps before he caught me.
“Turn around, please,” his voice was a subtle mix of gentle authority.
At least he said please.
When I turned and looked at him I didn’t know where to start with everything I wanted to say. Part of me wanted to clear the air and discuss everything with him while the other part of me wanted this entire last year erased completely.
He kept a distance and relaxed his mouth while he waited- I guess he wanted me to talk first.
“I haven’t forgiven you,”
“I know that,” he answered huskily.
I took a deep breath and my shoulders lifted before they fell and I looked at his face- it was frustrating how badly I wanted to kiss him and hit him at the same time.
“Nate was alive but you made me think that he died because of me,”
“I did,”
“To break me,”
“Yes,” he said.
Short and honest.
“Darian-“A wave of wind blew against me and Darian stood in front of me, he closed the distance and cupped my cheek while I heaved a breath.
“You have to trust how sorry I am for everything that I have done to you but it’s over,”
“Maybe it is but the memories are very much present. You broke me, Darian,”
“I didn’t-”
I grabbed his hand and pulled it down- electric currents shot up my arm when I touched his skin.
“I know you didn’t want to and I understand why you did it but I am the one who has to live with it,”
1/3
Chapter 148
His eyes narrowed and he clenched his jaw as he stepped back.
“You don’t think it pains me every second knowing what I did to you? You don’t think it will kill me to live knowing the pain I caused you?”
He stepped closer, his eyes bleeding with desperation and swirled anger but that isn’t on me.
“I think it does; I just don’t think I care right now. You took my parents from me, you took my body, you bent me and broke me until I didn’t think that there was anything left for you to take. You shattered me and I have to find a way to live with that before I ever think about us,”
He stopped in front of me and his eyes softened on mine. God I wanted to reach out and touch him, I wanted to drag my hands over his chest and I wanted to wrap his arms around me and plaster myself onto his front but I wanted to do it when I knew that I’d be safe in that embrace.
“I understand,” his voice was low and his shoulders relaxed.
There was one thing on my mind right now and one thing only.
“Where is Mathilda?” I asked.
Darian nodded.
“I’ll have the Royal Guards bring her here,”
I shook my head and stuck my chin out. After what we’ve been through with the Dark Guard, I was not trusting anyone else with my sister’s life.
“I’ll go, just tell me where she is,”
Darian fought not to tense his face, it was amusing to watch because he had to constantly relax his muscles and not blow up.
“I’ll take care of it,” he said calmly with an edge.
“I don’t want you to, she’s my sister, I’ll get her,”
He stood close enough now that with every breath I took my chest brushed against him.
A darkness that he couldn’t hide swirled in his eyes, it was always there, the only constant on his face was that swirl of anger; it was more a part of him than anything else.
His breaths were heavy and warm as they fanned my face when he looked at me, pinning me down with a hard glare.
“Let’s make one thing clear, I will give you space and I will give you, as much of it as you need to heal, but you are not leaving this palace to do so,”
A puff of air left my lips and my eyes narrowed to slits on the dumb mountain of a man in front of me. What did he think forgiveness was? Something that could be forced or forged under certain rules and restrictions?
“You want to amend our bond by taking away my freedom?” How did he not hear the absurdity in what he was saying?
“I am not taking your freedom from you, you can still leave and have fun and live your life but I can’t lose you, Hazel. What I’m saying is that whenever you leave, you will return before nightfall. This palace is your home and I want it to be a safe place for you,”
“By not giving me a choice?”
A muscle feathered in his jaw and he lifted his shoulders as he leaned in, his head brushed against the side of mine and he reached his arm behind me.
“Those are the rules,” he said and opened the door before he leaned back and looked unbothered.
2/3
The Alpha’s Hunt
