Page 5 of Elas

“Don’t posture. I can take you out with one hand behind my back.”

“What’s the score?” he asks, and despite the night’s stress, a grin digs into my cheeks.

“Last I checked, I’m ahead by two.” Ever since we were young, there’s been an ongoing competition between us. We’ll tussle, rules forgotten as we use any means necessary to make the other tap. Over the years, we lost count of how many times we’ve brawled. We only know who’s winning.

And right now, it’s me.

“Alright, as much as I’m enjoying this trip down memory lane, you knocked on my door at this ungodly hour for a reason. What’s going on?”

Ronan hesitates, glancing around the room like he’s expecting someone to be waiting in the shadows. Once his paranoia is satisfied, he leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees. “I have patrol today.”

I nod, understanding what he isn’t saying out loud. “Do you have everything you need?”

“I think so… I’ve got clothes, plenty of shelf-stable food, a few knives, and some hygiene necessities… even food for his dog.” Affection softens his expression even as he rolls his eyes, trying to hide it.

“Shit’s potent, huh?” I nod towards his gloved hand. Ever since the mark came up, he’s been extra careful to keep it covered. This is uncharted territory, and we aren’t sure how command would react. Neither of us trust them enough to risk Ronan or his mate.

He nods, staring at his hands as he absentmindedly rubs his palm. “You probably think I’m an idiot for doing this.”

“I always think you’re an idiot.” He lifts his head, eyes narrowed as I grin. “Not about this, though. What does it feel like?”

Ronan has never been one to speak without putting intention behind his words, and he pauses as he considers the question. “Mostly, it wants to be near him. It makes me restless, knowing he’s so far away right now, like it’s urging me to find him. Then, when we’re together, the patience that I’ve been missing my entire life is suddenly there in droves. It doesn’t matter what he does, or how much he pisses me off with that smart ass mouth. He could be on the floor throwing a tantrum, and this fucking mark on my hand would think it wascute.“ His lip curls in disgust as I chuckle, and he relents and lets a smile slip, too.

“Mostly, though, it wants me to protect him. That’s why my monster is so anxious. He might not even be there when I arrive… what then?”

“If your mark makes you that restless, I imagine his is doing the same.”

“Don’t throw logic into this conversation, Elas. Cameron defies it all.”

I chuckle again, thinking of the razor tongued human. The few times we were in the same room, I found myself envious of his reckless attitude. It didn’t matter that he faced two monsters who could easily overpower him. He spoke his mind, and he spoke it loudly.

“I’ll give you that much. He’s still there, though, Ronan.” I hold my hand over my heart, patting my palm against my chest. “You’d know it if he wasn’t.”

“Look at you, being the romantic,” he mutters, and I grin wider.

“You should take notes. You’re going to need them.”

“Have you had any luck tracking down August?” Ronan crosses his arms, shaking his head and muttering to himself before I can respond. “I cannotbelieveI am helping my mate find another man. Gods give me strength.”

“I’ve interviewed a few prisoners and identified which cell he’s in. I’m lying low for a few days so I don’t raise any suspicion, but everyone I’ve spoken to agrees with Cameron. He’s a good medic and a nice guy.”

“Nice guy,” Ronan snarls, and I fight my grin at the jealousy in his tone. His eyes snap up to mine. “And why, pray tell, are you making that stupid face?”

“It’s cute that you care.You,the guy who’s been allergic to commitment his entire life.”

“I’m notallergicto anything… it’s just that most people are idiots.”

“Here, here,” I mutter, tipping my bottle into a sarcastic toast.

“And besides, I’m not committing, I’m… testing the waters.”

“By performing high treason? That’s a reasonable first step in a relationship. Really frames the romance in a nice light, you know?”

“Gods, your head really is full of nonsense,” he mutters. “Why did I even come here?”

“Alright, I’m choosing to ignore the insult, but that’s a valid question. Whydidyou come here?”

He shrugs, but his fingers tap along his knee like they do when he’s uncomfortable. “I wanted to talk to you before I left. This weird feeling in my gut is telling me something is going to happen today, and I want to make sure I’m prepared.”

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