The vein on Adonis’ forehead bulges prominently, throbbing like a live wire, while his contorted expression radiates an intensity of pure, unbridled anger. A shiver snakes down my spine, prickling my skin, leaving me acutely aware of the storm brewing within him.
Lightning flashes outside.
“You don’t think I know that, Killian!? You don’t think I want the curse fucking broken? You think I don’t want to bond with Dani? Well, you’re fucking wrong! I would love nothing more than to get that part of my fucking soul back, but that can’t possibly happen. It’s gone!” Adonis throws the chair across the living room with such force that it splinters upon impact, shattering into a cascade of jagged pieces, scattering fragments of polished wood everywhere.
“Octavia took the part of me that can love! I won’t be able to bond with Dani because of that! She won’t be able to complete the bond with me, which means the curse can’t be broken! I’m sure of it! My soul isn’t whole. Octavia said the curse would never break because of me! I. Am. Not. Enough!” His voice booms like thunder, causing the lights around us to flicker ominously. I flinch at the weight of his words.
“Okay, listen. I’m trying to say something here,” Dax clears his throat. Adonis and I look at him, waiting for him to go on. “I already told Dani all of this.” Adonis and I groan. I run my fingers through my hair. “I thought she already knew! She didn’t seem bothered with it either. So, you’re fucking welcome!”
I glare at Dax.
“Nice work, Dax,” Amelia says sarcastically. She continues, “And Adonis, stop that self-pity this instant! It’s getting tiring!” Amelia roars, her voice cutting through thetense atmosphere like a knife. “You’re all being childish! Especially you, Adonis! Yes, Octavia may have taken a part of your soul, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t enough—more than enough, in fact! Dani will see that, you foolish idiot! Now, all of you, pull yourselves together and go upstairs to talk to—”
Her fierce gaze suddenly shifts behind me, her expression transforms from determination to alarm, and her eyes widen.
I quickly turn to follow her line of sight and I’m met with the shocking sight of Dani, hastily wrapped in nothing but a rumpled sheet.
Her green eyes pierce my soul.
“Way to fucking go, Dax. You imprinted her with your rune already…” I run my hands down my face. I whip my head towards Dax, a surge of frustration causes my lips to press into a thin line. “We were supposed to do it together, Dax.” Disappointment fills my tone.
She bolts for the front door in desperate urgency, her bare feet barely making a sound on the polished floor.
“She wants to be chased,” Adonis says. None of us move. We not only watch Dani dash out the front door but we let her. Dax imprinting on her allowed her to get past his influence and escape Adonis’ room.
Amelia sighs, “Men are so dumb.”
Adonis and Dax move toward the door, but I can’t let them leave. With a determined gesture, I halt them both in their tracks, the weight of my anger hanging heavily in the room.
“I will go and get her! I will fix this mess. You two, sit the fuck down and get your shit together.”
Dax arches an eyebrow, a playful shine in his eye as he glances down at my hand resting on his broad chest. The warmth of his skin radiates against my palm, and I can feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath it. He then shifts his gaze back to me, his lips curl into a smirk, “Yes, Daddy.”
“Well, go get her then. Our girl is on the run. If you don’t catch her and fuck her, I will.” Adonis says with excessive sarcasm in his voice.
Without saying another word, I swiftly make my way through the creaky front door. There’s no rush; I know I can catch up to Dani instantly and convince her to come back. Instead, I decide to turn this moment into the game, knowing she wants to be chased.
I’ll do anything she wants.
I allow her a few moments to distance us, savoring the thrill of the chase.
I stand on the weathered porch, and take a moment to absorb my surroundings, my eyes tracing the intricately spun cobwebs that cling to the corners. Gods, Adonis truly excelled at transforming this place into an eyesore from the outside.
As dusk settles, surrounding the world in a deepening shroud of darkness, I smile, knowing Dani won’t venture far into the rainy gloom.
I close my eyes, tune into the soft rhythm of her breathing, and let the sounds guide me. Then, with a sudden shift, I vanish from the porch, and materialize effortlessly in front of her, the thrill of the pursuit ignites my senses.
Her body slams into mine, and she screams.
“Wh-what the hell!?” She almost falls but I grab her by the elbow.
“Hello, sunshine.”
Her big green eyes look up at me. “Hello, Killian,” her smart mouth says back, matching my tone.
The satin sheet clings to her soaked body.
“You want to run? Then, by all means, RUN.” I practically whisper ‘run’ for the sake of drama.
