Page 23 of Shadow Bonds

It’s late. Maybe I can bypass the four dicks and just head straight to bed.

But I open the door to find said dicks all waiting with scowls and glares directed right at me.

I guess that little plan went right out the window.

“How did you do it?” Knox demands.

So instead of dealing with their bullshit, I go for dark humor. “I summoned a demon and gave him my soul in turn for a trade. He obviously fucked me over on the deal though. But I suppose my soul wasn’t really that good to begin with.”

Malakai doesn’t seem to like my joke, growing more irate by the second. “Stop fucking around and tell us the truth.”

I throw my hands up. “What do you want me to tell you? I hadn’t a clue mates existed before Commander Talos pulled me into his office to explain. So how on earth would I ever know I was yours?”

“You did something,” Knox grits out. “You had to have. You can’t be our mate. There’s no way.”

The others nod, agreeing with him.

“I was left in the woods by four assholes that already knew I was exhausted and hungry. I then had to walk back alone in the dark and ended up getting ambushed by not one but two terrigons.” I glare at each of them as their anger slowly lessons and morphs into a myriad of frowns and confusion.

“Fuck you and your assumptions,” I tell them. “And for the record I don’t want to beyourmate either.”

“Are you hurt?” Cyrus moves toward me, his eyes running over my face and body. I’d actually believe he cared if he hadn’t just fucked me over with the others. Asecondtime.

I narrow my eyes on him. “Like you care.” I step around him and head straight up to my room, locking the door behind me.

It’s not until I’m showered and in bed do I realize that maybe they are right. Maybe I’m not their soulmate. Maybe it was the old Sena that was. And instead of feeling happy, something about it just leaves me feeling sad.

CHAPTER 8

Combat training in the gym with the other girls is not what I expected. I thought they didn’t want weak females but from the way they’re attempting to train us, I’m starting to think they just want someone they can control.

There’s no real technique to the moves they’re showing us. Nothing that would help us actually defend ourselves against an attack.

They show some spins and kicks that try to make it seem they have skill, but it’s nothing but flashy moves that will hinder more than help.

Realizing I’m not going to learn anything new from them, I zone out and think back to this morning.

My so-called mates ignored me from the moment I walked downstairs. Something I immensely enjoyed as I headed to the canteen and then ignored everything and everyone around me as I ate like a pig. And enjoyed every damn minute of it.

They can ignore me for the rest of my stay here for all I care.

I now know it’s possible for that damn shield to come down, thanks to Commander Talos informing me of his little tests. Which means I might be able to leave here sooner than the year I thought I’d have to stay.

A crack sounds out, and my head whips to the girl now coughing and gasping on the mat while the male stands over her with a savage smirk.

“That’s what happens when you leave yourself open,” he gloats, happy to see her injured.

From the way the girl is holding her side, I have a feeling he went much harder than he should have and all to prove how much stronger he is in comparison.

Dick…I guess no one told him, the bigger you are, the harder you fall.

An excited thrum rushes through me as I step in front of him for my turn. He looks at me and then glances away, already assuming that I will be an easy takedown.

It only makes this so much more fun.

He bounces on his toes from side to side trying to make this a damn show.

I focus on him and see his foot change right before he lunges. But I’ve already seen this move play out a hundred times.

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