Page 39 of The Blood Moon Oath

“That you’re an ass,” I say before she can answer, flashing a grin at him. “But that’s old news, isn’t it?”

Kael doesn’t even look at me. His focus stays on Sable, his eyes scanning her like he’s looking for any sign of distress. It’s infuriating, the way he can just brush me off, but at the same time, I can’t blame him. She has that effect on all of us.

“I told her the truth,” I say after a beat, my tone shifting to something more serious. “About what she’s signed up for. About Rothgar. And about us.”

Kael’s gaze snaps to mine, his expression unreadable. “What about us?”

“That we’re going to fight for her,” I say simply, holding his stare. “No question.”

Something flickers in his eyes—something that looks almost like approval—but it’s gone as quickly as it came. “Good,” he says finally, his voice firm. “Then you can leave now. She’s had enough of your antics for one night.”

I grin, pushing off the edge of the bed. “Sure thing, Alpha. But don’t forget, she invited me here.”

Kael’s glare sharpens, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of reacting. Instead, I glance back at Sable, giving her a wink. “We’re not done talking, kitten. You know where to find me.”

Her blush deepens, and Kael steps in front of me, blocking my view of her. “Go,” he says, his voice low and cold.

I laugh softly, brushing past him toward the door. “You’re no fun, Kael. But fine. I’ll leave her to you—for now.”

Chapter

Twenty-Two

KAEL

The door closes behind Torin, his infuriating grin still lingering in my mind like a taunt. I stare at it for a moment, my fists clenched at my sides, willing myself to calm the hell down. My breathing is sharp, controlled, but only barely. I shouldn’t care. Idon’tcare.

But I do.

Through the binding, I felt it. Her pleasure. It hit me like a jolt of lightning, unexpected and raw, crackling through my veins until I couldn’t ignore it. I knew Torin had gone to her room—of course I did. I could sense his presence, the pull of his proximity to her. But I didn’t know it would lead to... that.

Jealousy isn’t something I’m familiar with. I’ve never needed to be. Everything I have, I share with my brothers. It’s how we’ve always been—food, power, territory, women. There are no boundaries between us, no lines we won’t cross. And yet here I am, gripped by something I can’t name, something dark and ugly that churns in my chest as Ilook back at her.

Sable.

She’s sprawled across the bed, naked, her skin flushed and glowing from the aftermath of whatever Torin pulled her into. The sight of her sends a fresh surge of heat through me, settling low in my gut. I grit my teeth, my body betraying me, and with a thought, I materialize clothing onto her—soft fabric draping over her curves, hiding the temptation she doesn’t even realize she’s wielding.

The moment I do, I feel her frustration spike through the binding, sharp and accusing. Of course she’s annoyed. Of course she resents me for taking control. I’m trying to take care of her, trying to salvage some scrap of sanity, and all it does is piss her off. It shouldn’t matter. I shouldn’t care.

But I do. And that only makes it worse.

Her gaze snaps to mine, fire sparking in her eyes, and I know she felt the shift in me. “What the hell is your problem?” she snaps, pushing herself up onto her elbows.

“My problem?” I repeat, my voice low and cold. I take a step toward her, trying to keep my composure, but it’s a losing battle. “You’re my problem.”

She huffs, rolling her eyes in a way that makes my blood simmer hotter. “If I’m such a problem, then why not just let me go?”

The question cuts through the air like a blade, and for a moment, all I can do is stare at her. “That’s not happening,” I say firmly, my voice like stone.

She tilts her head, challenging me with those fiery eyes. “Why not? What’s the point of keeping me here? You’ve already bound me. Isn’t that enough? Or do you just like having me locked up like some kind of prize?”

The accusation sparks something raw inside me, and I take another step forward, towering over her now. “You think this isabout control?” I growl. “You think we’re keeping you here for fun?”

“Then what is it?” she snaps back, rising to her feet to face me. “What am I to you? A weapon? A pawn in whatever game you and your brothers are playing? Or am I just your latest pet project?”

My hands curl into fists at my sides, and I have to fight the urge to grab her, to make her stop talking before she says something I can’t forgive. “You’re more than that,” I say, my voice tight. “Whether you believe it or not, you’re important. You’re?—”

“Important,” she interrupts, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Right. That’s why I’ve been dragged into your Trials and bound to a warlock who barely knows me. Sounds like I’mrealimportant.”

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