Page 18 of Savage Fate

I had no idea how much time had passed as I walked through the neighborhood, the stars twinkling in the pitch sky. The cold winter air wasn’t as biting as it used to be now that I was a shifter.

When I entered the woods, dead pine needles and leaves crunched beneath my boots. Scents of animals and other shifters permeated the air, and I crossed paths with a few wolves and one fox.

Fane’s presence eventually tickled the tattoo on my neck, and faint pulses radiated down the ones on my arm and my hand.

“Can’t you give me some time alone, Maverick?” I sighed. “I’m not going to do anything crazy.”

He gave a skeptical hum. “How am I supposed to know what you plan to do since you keep lying to me?”

I stopped and leaned my hand on a tree trunk, the rough bark digging into my palm. “I just need some air. That’s all. I’m f?—”

“If you say you’re fine one more time, I’m going to knock you out and take you to the healers to find out what’s really going on.”

“And as soon as I woke up, I’d break your nose.”

“My nose will heal.”

Had he always been this insufferable?

Yes, he had.

The bastard wouldn’t leave me alone until I told him the truth, at least enough to satisfy him. “I’m experiencing some side effects now that the amulet is gone. That’s all. I’ll get over it.”

“I know.”

Of course he did.

“If you knew, why did you keep pressing me about it?” I spun and leaned my back against the tree.

Fane stepped closer and flattened his hand on the trunk above my head, trapping me between him and the tree. “Because I wanted you to admit it. I can’t help you if you’re lying to me.”

“Who said I needed your help?” He was such a cocky bastard. What could he do anyway?

He scoffed and dragged his thumb over the tattoo on my neck, making me shudder. “Stop being so stubborn, Teague. What happens to you affects me and vice versa.”

My molars ground, and I ducked under his arm to slip away. “I’m so sorry if my struggle with the demon amulet is a burden to you. I never asked you to complete the mate bond. You did that all on your own.”

“Stop trying to piss me off so I’ll leave. It’s not happening.” He shortened the distance between us again until it was nonexistent and gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. “Tell me what else is going on. Something happened at the table.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Fane’s pupils began to thin. “Don’t make me torture it out of you.”

A sinister laugh slipped from my lips. “Oh, by all means, torture away, Maverick.” Didn’t he know I was addicted to his brand of torture?

His mouth flattened as he realized his mistake, and his hand fell from my face. “Just tell me, or I’ll end up visiting your dreams. I know how much you hate that.”

“You’re such an asshole,” I hissed.

“A concerned asshole.” He shrugged. “Blame it on the mate bond.”

I shoved him back—he let me—and stomped through the forest as he quietly followed. “I’ve been having hallucinations or visions or something.”

Fane flanked my side, keeping his strides short to remain with me. “Of what?”

“Being chased by unseen monsters.” I folded my arms and held back a shiver. “In one, I was strapped to a table in an altar room, surrounded by people in white masks.”

His brows slammed together. “And these aren’t memories?”

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