Page 59 of How to Rescue Your Surprise Baby

“You were different, back then,” Mav said quietly.

Telos swallowed. “People change.”

“You were... bright. Ready smiles. That all disappeared suddenly.”

Telos looked away and shrugged. “Yeah, well.”

“What happened?”

Telos’ laugh was mirthless. “Please don’t ask.”

But Mav frowned. “Telos.”

“I was stupid, okay? I was a stupid fool who got myself hurt because I didn’t know better.”

“Who hurt you?” Mav growled.

“Me, because I expected things of someone who wasn’t on the same page!”

“Who?” Mav’s teeth sharpened. He pressed Telos against the wall, shoulders bunched, looking like he was out for blood.

Telos sighed. “You.”

Mav recoiled, his anger melting into horror. “What? How?”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not.”

“It was nearly three hundred years ago, Mav. Leave it.”

“I hurt you so much, it changed your entire personality.” Mav looked like he was trying to wrap his mind around it. “How?”

“It’s fucking humiliating. Please don’t.”

Mav frowned. “I... All I remember is you being annoying. Then one day, you stopped.”

“Do you remember when?” Telos asked quietly.

“The... After the ball. You... You came into my room while I was with someone, and I yelled at you. But it wasn’t any more than the usual.”

Telos pinched the bridge of his nose. “That whole time, I’d thought our bickering was flirting. I’d thought you were going to the ball with me. I was that stupid.”

Mav opened and closed his mouth, looking more horrified as the seconds dragged on. “Fuck. I—I didn’t know that. Holy fuck.”

“Yeah.” Telos breathed out a sigh. “Drop it.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It wasn’t your fault.” Telos scrubbed his face. “No one else flirts by arguing. Of course you wouldn’t know.”

But Mav’s gaze was still dark, his forehead furrowed. “I—I wish I’d known.”

Telos shrugged. “It’s not like anything would’ve changed.”

“You don’t know that.”

Telos met his eyes. “You didn’t even think alphas could get together.”

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