Page 28 of Foxes of Legend

“Nothing,” I said quickly, jogging to catch up with him. I eyed him cautiously. “Were you worshiping?”

He picked up the pace, twisting and turning through the many hallways of the shrine. I had to jog to keep up—my sore muscles screamed at the extra work.

“I thought you guys were going to Lethe today. I didn’t see you at training this morning,” I said, hoping my voice sounded casual.

Seven glanced over at me, continuing his unforgiving pace. “Are you going to keep following me?”

“It’s about what you said last night. I intend to be fair to all of you. We should at least try—”

Seven stopped, spinning to face me, causing me to almost slam into his chest. His red eyes glinted like fire and blood, shadow forming around him as he prepared to enter the Shadow Vale. “We? There is no we. You are a pestilent fly always buzzing around.”

I stumbled backward, stammering over my words. “I just thought since we’re Fated…”

“Our genetics are compatible for breeding. That’s all.” His words were cruel, his stature and form dangerous. His eyes dropped viciously to my neck, the same way a demon would before he was about to attack.

My insecurities pulsed, an earthquake trembling through my entire body. “Am I not good enough for you?”

“You have the other two, you don’t need me.” His words were simple, his demeanor so cold and collected while I was wrecked. A fire of emotion that burned out of my control, spreading and wreaking havoc on everything around me.

“Is that what this is about? You’re jealous of them?” I snapped, trying to hold my ground despite the massive height difference between us.

Seven laughed coldly, stepping forward and causing me to stagger backwards. “Is two not enough? Are you really that greedy? I’ve known Kairos and Enko for years. You’ve known them for less than a week. I’m notjealousof them, I’m happy they have you. They both seem very pleased with you.” He narrowed his eyes dangerously, glowering down at me. He passed by me, intentionally brushing against my shoulder, adding darkly, “Don’t follow me anymore.”

“None of us chose each other, Seven. But we are Fated now.”

“I am bound to you by our laws, not by the goddess orfate.You must see how odd it is for someone with no fox form to have three powerful mates.”

Again, his words cut me like his daggers.

Seven rolled his eyes. “Don’t cry. Kairos and Enko care about you. You’re better off staying away from me.”

It hurt to watch him go. I choked on my tears to keep them from escaping. Pain shot through me. He didn’twantme. Why the hell couldn’t I let him go? Something inside me was holding on to him. Like that faint bond between us was hoping instead of shattering. I had been utterly rejected and told our sacred bond was merelygenetics.

I had two others, both perfect, why did I need a third?

Because I want him.

Because he’s fucking mine.

Mine.

The feral thoughts slipped into my mind out of my control.

Seven parted the students on the grassy field like a god. Or a devil. His red eyes whipped around and spotted me one last time, holding my gaze for half a second before storming off across the campus into the forest.

17

Dove

The worst part was that I knew he was right. The blood tests confirmed Fated pairings through genetic testing, compatibility. It was faster than traditionally-found Fated mates when a female goes into heat for the first time after some time to bond.

“What’s wrong?” Kairos asked the moment he entered the dorm with Enko. I sat on the ledge of the window, looking out at the campus.

“Nothing,” I said, turning my head away from him as I frantically blinked away the tears.

“Dove,” Kairos said with a warning tone as he approached, his hand resting on my shoulder. “What happened?”

“Seven...”

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