Page 140 of Aine

“Alex,” he whispers, begging.

Alex stands his ground. “You want to kill my true mate, and I need to know that your actions are justified,” he says, clearing his throat when his voice grows rough.

Alex looks just as uncomfortable as we all feel, but apparently, that isn’t enough to stop him from making his ridiculous demand. Objectively, I know I’m not a beast and don’t understand the mate bonds the way they do, but I still think this is out of line.

Damien speaks. “That night, Freya helped me home after you left the party. I was struggling to move and talk, but I didn’t think anything of it. She took off my clothes and helped me to bed, which wasn’t unusual. Then she climbed on me.”

Damien clears his throat and shoves his face back into my neck, breathing in my scent as he continues to speak. “I was drugged. My body betrayed me, and I was too weak to push her off. She marked my thigh when I wouldn’t stay hard and tried to—”

“Show me where she marked you,” Alex orders, interrupting.

I stiffen, my anger spiking. “Go fuck yourself,” I snap, more than done with this. I understand Alex needs closure, but he’s asking for too much. “Your mate drugged and raped him. Damien owes you nothing, least of all to show you his scars.”

Damien’s body curls around mine as I shout the words, his shame hitting me full force through the bond. I’ve seen the scar during our showers, and it’s gruesome. She ripped out a large section of his skin, and I can only imagine the pain it’s brought him to see it every day.

Alex’s throat bobs as he gulps, his eyes darting between Damien and me.

Hands tighten around my own before adjusting as Damien begins to stand, but I refuse to budge and remain seated firmly on his lap. Damien will not be showing Alex his scar. Not today, not ever. It’s his body, and Alex doesn’t get to demand he show it.

Alex nods, a silent submission. “Freya’s father built a cabin about two hours south of here before he died. It was a place we’d go to when we wanted to be alone, and I’m willing to bet that’s where she is.”

I try not to let my shock show as I absorb that information. He’s known where she was this whole time and hasn’t said anything? It’s clear Damien’s thinking the same thing as his anger reaches me, and I place my hand on top of his in an attempt to calm him down.

“Thank you,” Damien eventually says. “I know this isn’t easy for you.”

Alex shrugs and turns to look out the large windows behind Damien’s desk. I can practically feel the tension between them, and I wonder how this scenario would play out if they weren’t brothers who shared so much love.

“My beast will recognize her death” Alex says. “Please keep it quick.”

Damien nods. I’m sure he intended to do that even if Alex hadn’t asked. Alex and Freya will always have some sort of connection, and I know Damien would never purposefully prolong the pain Alex is sure to feel when Freya dies.

Alex teeters slightly, rocking back on his heels as he returns his focus to us. “You know the river Dad used to take us to when we’d hunt with him?” he asks, waiting for Damien to nod before continuing. “The cabin is about two miles east of there.”

“I know where that is,” Damien says.

His thumb strokes the back of my hand as Alex shares a few more landmarks and turns to leave. The door clicks shut behind him, and we both turn to watch him stomp across the back lawn and into our home. Why’s he going there? Probably to steal our food.

“I want this to be over with,” Damien admits, his lips brushing my neck.

I can tell there’s more he wants to say, but I don’t push him to get the words out. He doesn’t like to speak about his interactions with Freya, and I’m not surprised by the self-hatred and anger coursing through him right now. I’d feel the same way if somebody were to demand I speak about what Owen or Henry did to me to prove they deserved their punishment.

Alex has admitted he knows what Freya did, and I’m angry he put Damien through this just to appease his beast.

Damien peppers soft kisses along my neck, teasing the spot where he’ll put his mark on me someday. I’m growing excited at the idea of it, and I’ve caught myself a few times wanting to ask him to bite me.

“I didn’t want anybody to know what she did to me,” he finally admits after a long pause. “It makes me feel weak, and if I can’t even protect myself, how can I protect my mate and my people?”

I’m quick to shake my head, disagreeing with his statement as I spin and wrap my arms around his head. He doesn’t fight my tight hug, and our bond hums as I press his face to my chest and squeeze his skull.

“You’re not weak. She was your family, and nobody blames you for having been tricked by her. Your beasts love and respect you.” I’m desperate for him to believe my words.

His fingers dig into my waist, and I give him one last squeeze before climbing off his lap. Even without the bond, I can tell he’s anxious. Damien’s been looking tirelessly for Freya, and I know he’s eager to go find her after what Alex told him.

“Go on, then,” I murmur, gesturing to the door. “I know you’re dying to go.”

Damien hesitates, and I bend and kiss his forehead before grabbing his hand and pulling him to his feet. Still, he hesitates, and despite my fears of being left alone, I lead him outside and into the back yard.

Owen is dead, and I can’t live my entire life by Damien’s side.

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