Page 14 of Kendrick

Jonas sighed. This was precisely what he’d feared. “I’m not lying. Kendrickismy mate, and while I understand that you’re angry and disappointed, there’s nothing either of us can do about it. It’s not going to change. We’re mates, whether you like it or not.”

“I don’t believe you. There’s no way for anyone to know if you’re telling the truth, and I don’t think you are. I think you want to take Kendrick from me.”

“I can’t take Kendrick from you because he’s not yours to begin with. He was clear when he told you that the other night. You need to listen to what he’s saying, Devon. He already told you he would go to the clan leaders if you continued bothering him, and if he doesn’t, I will. I won’t allow you to make my mate unhappy or uncomfortable.”

Devon’s hands tightened into fists. For a moment, Jonas wondered if he was going to hit him. He wouldn’t be surprised. Devon was young and clearly not thinking straight. He had to know that Jonas was a Krsnik, but he was still standing up against him. Jonas had no doubt he would fight him if he felt it was the only thing he could do.

Jonas didn’t want to hurt Devon, but hewoulddefend himself. The problem was that there was no one around, so it would be his word against Devon’s. Devon had been a clan member since the beginning, while Jonas had only just arrived. Who would the clan leaders believe?

Who would Kendrick believe if Jonas had to hurt Devon?

* * * *

Kendrick was headed home when he heard raised voices. That wasn’t something he heard often at the village. Most of the people who lived here wanted a peaceful life, even the hunters. They saw enough violence in their everyday life, having to hunt Kudlaks and defend people from them, so when they were home, they didn’t want to continue fighting.

It was none of Kendrick’s business, but he decided to take a peek anyway. Maybe there was something he could do to help. At the very least, he could make sure that no one was in danger. New people kept arriving at the village, so it was normal for some of them to clash. As long as no one got hurt, he didn’t think it would be a problem.

He was glad he’d decided to be nosy when he found Devon and Jonas facing each other. Jonas looked relaxed and unbothered, but Devon was shaking. He looked ready to punch something, and that something would probably be Jonas’s nose.

Not that Jonas would let him. Kendrick knew Jonas didn’t like hunting, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t defend himself. In fact, Kendrick was ready to bet that Jonas could do a lot more damage than Devon could ever dream of doing. If Devon wasn’t careful, he’d end up in trouble, and not only with the clan leaders. So far, Jonas had been gracious and hadn’t said much about Devon’s behavior, but his patience wasn’t infinite.

Neither was Kendrick’s.

“What are you doing, Devon?” he asked as he stepped into Devon’s sight.

Devon’s eyes widened, and for a moment, he looked even younger than he actually was. It was painful to watch. His expression quickly turned into anger, though, and Kendrick steeled himself. He already knew what was about to happen, and he hated it.

“I know he was lying the other night,” Devon said. “You can’t be his mate. It’s not possible.”

Kendrick prayed for patience. He didn’t know what else to do when it came to Devon. He had already tried talking to him, and he’d thought that Jonas being in his life would get Devon to let this go.

He’d been wrong.

“You need to stop bothering me and my mate,” Kendrick said, trying to keep his voice calm. Yelling at Devon wouldn’t help anyone.

“Don’t call him that,” Devon snapped. “You’re not his mate. You’re mine.”

“I understand that you’re young and foolish, but I’m done with this,” Jonas said. “You’re becoming a stalker, and that’ssomething no one wants to have to deal with. Is that really what you want to be, Devon? Is that how you want Kendrick to think of you?”

“Shut up!”

For a moment, Kendrick thought Devon would throw himself at Jonas. If he did, Kendrick wouldn’t blame Jonas for anything that happened. Instead of doing that, though, Devon sobbed.

He pressed a hand against his mouth as if horrified he’d made that sound. Kendrick’s heart broke for him, and he stepped forward, already reaching for him. He didn’t have anything in mind. He just wanted to comfort Devon, even though part of him knew it would make things worse.

He didn’t get the opportunity to do anything. Devon stumbled back as though touching Kendrick would burn him. He stared at Kendrick with wide eyes filled with tears. Kendrick hated this entire situation. He’d never meant to hurt Devon, and he’d give anything to snap Devon out of the obsession he had with him. The problem was that he’d already tried, and nothing had worked.

“Devon,” Kendrick began.

He didn’t get to say anything else. Devon shook his head and bolted. Even though Kendrick felt the need to go after him, he knew better, and he stayed where he was. He watched Devon run and disappear into the trees that surrounded the village, shielding a lot of it from sight and making it safer.

Not for Devon’s heart.

A hand on his arm startled Kendrick. He looked to the side to find that his mate was standing there, an expression of concern on his face. He was worried about Kendrick, which was a surprise, yet not. He was Kendrick’s mate, so of course he was worried, but they’d only known each other a few days.

Kendrick still couldn’t believe he’d get to spend the rest of his life with someone like Jonas. It was a bit intimidating, but he knew they’d be happy. They wouldn’t be mates otherwise.

“I hate that I’m hurting him,” Kendrick said.

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