Page 122 of A Blackened Bond

“She’s a part of me, a part of us…” He gestures toward the others as they nod. “Even before I knew she was my mate, she was already one of us. She has been since the first day we all met her. She’s accepted every part of us, Creed. Even the dark, painful, twisted parts of us that we’ve tried to bury deep inside.” A frown pulls at his lips, his brows creasing as he watches me.

“Even you, Creed. We have a chance at something more than this…” He gestures to the space and abattoir around us. “What we had before Micai was only strings holding us together. Small threads that tethered us to this world but that could easily break at any time. But now…” A soft smile tilts his lips as he flicks his gaze back to Annex and Mallyn before turning back toward me. “She makes it so much brighter. I can finally see a future, Creed. One with all of us. Why do you keep fighting it?” His brows pinchtogether again. “I know that some part of you already realises what she could be to us, and you’re just scared of letting her in.”

He shakes his head, his smile disappearing as he continues. “Lashing out at her, rejecting her, and hurting her first before she ever has the chance to do it to you…that’s not living.” He shifts a step closer. “Stop pushing her away. Because you’re pushing usallaway with her.”

I taste the tang of metal on my lips as Ezra sighs.

“She’s a part of us now. She makes us whole and happy. Life without her was an empty black hole, filled only with schemes and blood…And I grew tired of that long ago, brother.” A frown pulls at his lips, a genuine look of sadness in his eyes as he watches me.

I glance between the three of them. We have been through so much together over the years. They are the family I chose. One that’s always had my back. I thought I was protecting them…and never realised I could be the one hurting them.

I look back to Ezra as he turns away and leaves before Annex approaches me.

“Apologise properly when we bring her back, you dick.” Annex bumps against my shoulder as he passes before turning back to glare at me. “Or I’ll poke holes in your Dodge charger and make it look like Swiss cheese.” There’s a slight bite to his tone but no real venom in his gaze. “Don’t fuck with Red, ‘cause I’ll always take her side. Even when she’s wrong. Which I’m sure she’ll tell me she never is.”

A grin breaks out on Annex’s lips before he jabs forward and punches me in the torso. The hit has me leaning forward slightly, pain searing through the spot, and something definitely broken as all three of them head toward our hidden garage.

I glance back at the abattoir door as it slightly sways back and forth, the music and noise of voices floating out toward me. I guess I had to sort this shit out first.

And then we can properly sit down and talk about our future together…and where Micai fits in.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

MICAI’S POV

Ireach the bus stop, the lights flickering on and off above me as I glance at the bus schedule. Only to realise I have missed the last bus by an hour.

I start my trek again, walking through the town and toward the academy, heading toward the forest as soon as I reach the edge of town.

Once a few feet inside, I take off my heels and start running.

I pick up speed as I move through the forest and get further away from town, and leave it, and everything else behind me.

It was supposed to be a fun night, one surrounded by the guys in their sexy suits and dancing together, not filled with asshole morons taking turns to snap at me.

What did Creed think I would do? Did he expect me to take every insult on the chin and stay quiet? The ass didn’t eventryto listen.

But what did I expect? Creed seemed to have made up his mind about me from the very start. He didn’t like me or want me around him or the boys.

The strange part was why this bothered me so much?

Why did I even care? He has made his feelings clear…So why was some part of me disappointed and secretly hoping he would eventually accept me?

Maybe it was because of the guys? Or maybe some part of me had hoped I could be a part of what they had?Their little family.

I shake my head and quicken my pace, listening to my surroundings as I near the academy through the forest.

It didn’t matter anymore. He fucked up and crossed the line.

If he wanted to lick that dickhead Nathan’s shoes so much, I would leave him to it. He would regret it soon anyway. Guys like that were never loyal or good to do business with. Why Creed couldn’t see that was beyond me.

I make my way through the forest near the academy and see the grey-brick building in the distance as I slow down, bringing my pace to a light run as I try to calm my thoughts.

I come to a stop a few metres from the treeline near the main academy building and not far from the courtyard.

Tonight’s events had been a shit show and not at all what I wanted to happen. Maybe some sleep and time away from them will help clear these frustrating emotions that keep bubbling up inside of me.

“What,pray-tell, are you doing here?” Calls a low voice as a figure steps out from the shadows.

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