Chapter8
Kane
"You asked her to marry you?" Zee asks, seeming shocked.
I frown, realizing belatedly that I should have done all that better. Alyssa wasn't ready for it. It's not like I've ever proposed before.
"Sort of. I asked her for eternity," I grumble while gripping my head. So stupid.
It seemed so romantic at the time. Now I feel like a complete ass. No wonder she said no, or well—postponed saying no.
"Dude," Zee chuckles out, "You're supposed to buy a ring first—chicks expect the works."
I groan, dropping my head back so I can stare at the ceiling instead of Zee's mocking expression.
"I know. I didn't mean to just blurt it out like that," I say while bringing my eyes back to meet his.
The roaring and banging below reminds me I need to soundproof the fucking basement. Even as a mindless red moon beast, Amy recognizes and loathes the very mention of the girl I love. She can kiss my fucking ass.
"When are you going to buy one?" Zee asks, letting his teasing tone disperse and make room for his supportive friend mask instead.
It's about time.
"I already got one. Today. After that stupid fucker showed up and took her out to meet the widows."
The very mention of that damn dark user pisses me off. I can't stand him. He's constantly going on about Alyssa as if she's his. She's mine, damn it.
I take a deep, cleansing breath, refusing to allow my anger to surge. I wish they'd hurry up and get back. I hate the fact she's even with him.
"Hello?" Zee gripes, waving his hand in front of my eyes, sounding exasperated. "The ring? Where is it?"
"It's here," I murmur, digging it out of my pocket. "I thought I'd get something together for her tomorrow night. I know there's supposed to be a red moon, but I thought she and I could grab a hotel room for just one night. One night."
I sigh out, feeling weighted by all the disasters surrounding our lives. Zee studies the ring, looking confused. I'm sure he expected some extravagant diamond.
"Dude, you know you have money, right? Why'd you buy the girl a mood stone?"
I laugh. He has no clue what this is.
"This isn't some generic piece of crap you buy out of a ring machine. This is the real deal. It's been blessed by a chanter. It'll actually shift colors with each mood she has— like her eyes. Except this will be all the time. I thought it was a little more personal," I say, shrugging. "It cost a hell of a lot more than any diamond."
Zee laughs and shakes his head, as I smile down at the small ring that will fit her finger perfectly. I pray she says yes. She was hesitant before, but she didn'ttechnicallysay no. She loves me. She's just scared.
"Damn, I wish she'd—"
A gush of dark specks invade the house, interrupting me. Gage materializes amongst the specks, looking like he just lost a fight with an ogre. His clothes are tattered, his bottom lip is bloody, and he seems breathless.
"What the fuck?" I blare, looking around for Alyssa to magically appear. "Where the hell is she? Did the widows do this?"
I start to punch him when he doesn't answer right away, in an attempt to snap him out of his deep thought, but he finally responds.
"It wasn't the widows—it was Alyssa."
Cold prickles climb over me, sinking deep into my core. "Alyssa? Did this?" Zee asks before I can.
"Yes, and I have no idea where the fuck she went after she left me unconscious."
"Back up and start over," I growl. "What did you do to her?"
