Page 52 of Brutal Alpha Dragon

“Can I come inside?” comes Kairo’s timid voice from outside the bedroom door.

Groaning reclusively, I throw the sheet over my bare legs and call out, “Yeah. Come in.”

Kairo gently pushes the door in and steps inside. When she closes the door behind her, she takes a moment to inspect the bedroom, and her surroundings, as if they’re a novelty to her.

“I can’t believe she’s gone…” Kairo murmurs as she gazes around and sighs.

Gulping, I try to remain emotionless as I nod. “It’s what she wanted,” I shrug nonchalantly. But when Kairo narrows her eyes at me, I know I can’t get away with this.

After all, I didn’t think anyone would find me here. But the fact that I’ve been sleeping in what was Lily’s bedroom—every night since she left—means that it’s affecting me.

More than I’m willing to let anyone know.

Except for Kairo, who sees right through me. She’s always been able to see right through the facade I sometimes portray. It’s the only reason I feel guilty for not telling her that Lily is my fated mate and why I’m torn that the two women didn’t have a chance to say their last goodbyes.

“I just can’t believe she left without saying goodbye,” Kairo says sadly, only driving my guilt further.

Almost as if she can read my mind. Word for word. Each word stabs a dagger through my heart. My impulsive decision to take Lily back to the human world is a tough pill that I’ve struggled to swallow.

Instead, I’ve been wallowing in my sorrows by spending most of my time here. Hanging my head, I allow the shame and guilt I’m feeling to consume me entirely.

“It’s my fault, Kai,” I admit earnestly, a lump lodging in my throat. Swallowing on the bitter taste of my honesty, it doesn’t digest because of my resistance.

“What do you mean, Brother?” Kairo sounds genuinely concerned.

Unable to look my sister in the eyes, I stare at the wall ahead of me. “I took her back home while she was asleep.”

“What?!” Kairo’s shock stems from the lie I’d been telling her all this time. Ever since the morning, she came to Lily’s bedroom and didn’t find her. All she wanted to do was feed Lily breakfast. And I had fed my sister a lie.

“Lily didn’t ask to go home.” I look up when the truth is finally revealed. “It was my call. I needed to protect her.”

Kairo’s brows knit to a frown as she takes a cautious step forward. “Protect her? When only a week ago, you were at her throat.”

“You don’t understand, Kai. She’s my—”

I’m just about to reveal to my sister that the human, Lily, is my fated mate. But I’m interrupted when a telepathic call from Aragon enters my mind.

“Yes, Aragon?” I ask with irritation, clenching my jaw as the truth weighs down on my tongue. I throw Kairo an apologetic look as she picks up on the mind link being used between our brother and me.

“Sorry to interrupt,” he says, sensing my irritation. “The Dragon Council has gathered in the boardroom. They’re calling for you.”

Kairo and I exchange worried glances as we suspect that this has to do with Lily going back home. Perhaps they’ve caught wind of it and seek to reprimand me.

“I haven’t told them yet,” Kairo assures me as I climb out of bed and march toward the door.

“Perhaps someone saw me leaving with her,” I suggest as I enter my bedroom. Kairo hangs outside.

“I doubt it, Brother. But it’s only a matter of time before they find out.”

“You think I don’t know that?!” I snap angrily. When Kairo gasps from the impact of my tone, I turn around and wince. “Sorry. I just have no idea what they want this time.”

“If anyone asks where I am, you’ll say I’m with Lily,” Kairo offers the alibi.

Thanking her with a nod, she goes back to Lily’s room, leaving me to get dressed and head down to the boardroom. When I enter, my brothers are already seated around the large oak table.

“Where’s Kai?” Father asks from across the table, seated between two other council members.

“She’s with Lily,” I lie, doing a quick head count and frowning. “Where is Zark?” I ask with a frown when I notice the absence of the Blaze Legion Elder.

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