“Araya,” Clay gasps in surprise, his jaw unhinging almost.
Hale’s lips tighten, his laughter evaporating upon the announcement of my presence. His eyes grow wider with every inch he turns. His head finally makes it around to where he’s staring at me fully, disbelief staining his wide hybrid blues.
There’s no softness, no excitement, and barely any color left in his face. He looks me up and down before loosening the collar on his shirt and coughing slightly to expel his shock.
“Clay, I need to speak with you in private,” I quickly assert.
“Is something wrong with Hershian?” he worries.
“Did someone do something to you?” Hale snaps while stepping up to inspect me.
His hand almost finds my waist, but I jerk back, my anger surging forth to take front and center.
“Don’t touch me,” I bark, and his eyes show their pained sting while he backs away. “I said in private. It’s a hybrid matter.”
“Last I checked, I’m a hybrid too. Maybe you forgot,” Hale snarks, and then his eyes glance down to my ring on the wrong hand.
“You two couldn’t have been like us,” Grayson whispers, and I cringe because he doesn’t realize how much better Hale and I can hear.
Fuck.
Hale’s eyes soften momentarily, but the secrets burdening them keep their cool glaze lingering. He starts to speak, but Clay beats him to it.
“Hale is privy to any information concerning hybrids now that he has been voted the hybrid advocate. It’s actually necessary. Brazen has been elected advocate to the full blood board, but I’m sure he has told you that by now.”
Hale stares at me with tight lips, and I roll my eyes.
“We haven’t talked very much since he got there… yesterday,” I finish. Hale cracks his neck from side to side, his irritation showing, but I ignore him while focusing solely on Clay. “We had an incident which required my presence here, otherwise I wouldn’t have come. Can we please go somewhere a little less public?”
“My place,” Hale murmurs.
“I thought I destroyed it,” I snark.
“I’m damn good with my hands. It’s back like new,” he retorts, and I roll my eyes while following him.
“You two fighting is a first. Either you don’t talk at all, or … well… you don’t talk at all either way. I’m not used to the back and forth slices. Knock it off.”
“I’m not slicing, Clay. I’m on a mission. I’ve got a lot of work to do back home, and-”
“Home? You’re calling it home already? That’s a good sign,” Clay murmurs softly, his own anger subsiding.
“It’s a great place to call home,” I gingerly answer, and Angelica comes up to take my hand while holding Grayson’s hand with her other.
“I don’t see why you’re confused about Brazen. He’s awesome, but this guy is a jerk,” she whispers.
Fuck my life.
I have to educate these newbies on the exceptional hearing they’ll one day acquire. Sheesh.
“I’m not confused about Brazen. I know what I do and don’t want. This guy is a jerk though. You’re right about that,” I whisper back knowing full well Hale can hear me.
He rolls his eyes while opening the door for us to walk out of the school, and I almost fall apart when my hand accidentally grazes his. I see something stir inside him, and I look away before it distracts me.
We walk through the courtyard, and then we quickly make our way to the central building where Hale holds the door once more, our eyes connecting by accident this time. His body brushes up against mine as he moves to return to the lead, and his hands slide over my waist to move me to the right so he can get by.
I feel him grip me a little tighter than necessary, and I feel his reluctance to let go. I just want to pull him to me, kiss him, hell… fuck him, but I refrain.
We finally reach his apartment, and I look around to see everything is completely restored. The pictures of me are no longer in the living area though. I suppose that should have been expected - heartbreaking, but expected.
