Page 111 of Stroke of Shadows

Sythe shrugged, knowing the Guardians were more a family to him than his father ever was. “And you’re nothing but a sperm donor.”

“Are you telling me, Mr ‘scared of anything with breasts’ has touched a woman?” Titus’s mate snorted. “I don’t believe you.”

I fucking love her already. Sythe thought.

“That’s quite enough.” Edwards clicked his fingers, and security swept in. “I ask that you all leave the premises immediately, and son, I expect an answer soon.”

Sythe fought back his frustrated snarl. “I’ve already given you an answer. It’s go fuck yourself.” He flipped up his middle finger. “You can tell the Fates that, too.”

His father’s skin flushed angrily, and Sythe simply grinned in response. He didn’t bother adding anything else, believing his statement was enough. Sythe was never anything but a protégé, and when he’d become ‘useless’, he was thrown aside. Edwards gave his right up to be his father a long time ago.

The security escorted the three of them back out through the twists of the corridors. No one made an aggressive move towards them, their fear subtle. The Guardians were once the protectors of their Breed, and now they were the barbaric warriors gone rogue. The idea had Sythe chuckling.

“Such a pompous prick,” the redhead said, biting at her lip. “Should have let me kill him.”

Titus laughed, the sound something Sythe didn’t think he’d hear again. His brother had suffered and lost a part of himself, but it seems he’d replaced it with something else. Or maybe that was someone else.

“So, are you going to introduce me before I go back?” Sythe asked. “Or are you going to make me beat it out of you?”

Titus brushed his fingers along the redhead’s jaw. “Sythe, I’d like to introduce you to my mate.”

“Fucking hell.” Sythe pulled her into a hug. “Lovely to meet you. Just so you know, I’m the coolest brother.”

“If you say so,” Titus said, deadpan. “Now get off my mate.”

“I’m Rae,” she laughed, patting him on the back before pulling back. “I’ve heard about you.”

“All bad things I hope.” Sythe grinned, the happiness at the moment darkened with the knowledge his own mate wasn’t there.

Titus reached over, gripping Sythe’s shoulder. ‘I thank you, brother.’

Sythe’s smile widened. ‘Don’t worry, I’m sure you can make it up to me.’

Titus laughed, and Rae watched them both with curiosity.

Sythe was so happy his brother had found someone who accepted who he was, and he couldn’t wait to hear more of their story. But he’d left a part of himself back at the estate, and he’d do anything to bring her home.

“Actually,” Sythe said aloud. “You can make it up to me right now.”

Titus raised a single brow.

“I have an idea, one that requires your mad tech skills and planting a fuck ton of evidence.”

Titus smirked. “I’m listening.”

Sythe pulled the shadows tighter around himself, rubbing the heel of his palm over his heart. Something was wrong. There was an ache inside his chest, one he couldn’t place.

‘Ten minutes, incoming.’

Sythe kept the connection open with Titus, knowing Axel was likely listening too.

Ten minutes, that was how long he had before the Beauchamp’s empire was stripped to nothing. He should be fucking excited considering months he’d been planning on it. Months of being away from his family. Months of pretending to be someone else.

Yet that ache didn’t stop.

Fuck!

‘I can sense your beast from here,’ Axel said, his voice on edge. ‘Calm down before you shift.’

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