Page 21 of Fated to Monsters

“You’re what, Bo? You’re sorry? You’re worried? You’re angry? What are you feeling?”

“I’m afraid.”

Two words I never expected the man in front of me to ever say. He's never been fearful of anything. He takes danger head-on with a sly grin on his face. But this…this is something different. It's not something he can beat or fight or outmaneuver. No, caring about someone is a new kind of fear that he's only known in small blips. Romantic feelings are entirely different than that of family—because family is forever, love is chosen, it's all or nothing, and quite literally the fiercest competitor he’s ever had.

“Hey,” I say softly and place my hand on his shoulder. “You’re going to get through this.” I bob my head up and down. “You will.”

Wren comes back into the room, her warm presence a welcome comfort. “They made some food if you guys are hungry.”

Bo shrugs me off and leaves me behind at the window, marching past Wren and disappearing in the direction she just came.

“Good talk,” she mutters on her way over to me.

“Don’t worry about him.”

“Oh, I’m not.” Wren sits across from me in the window and stares outside. “Not one bit.”

I hide the way my lips turn up. "Uh-huh. Okay."

“What?” She glances over at me. “I’m not!”

“What did he do?” I ask, despite knowing both of them are equally hot and cold on whether they’re willing to talk about things.

“What didn’t he do?”

Her response, so similar to his, makes me laugh.

“Sorry,” I tell her while covering my mouth and regaining my composure. “Is there something specific this time?”

She inhales and looks outside prior to exhaling and focusing back on me. “Promise you won’t say anything?”

“I promise.”

“Last night, he basically implied I was some piece of meat you guys pass around.”

My jaw clenches and without realizing it, I’m standing, both of my fists balled tightly. “I’ll kill him.”

Wren stands, too, to block me from going any further. “You said you wouldn’t say anything.”

“I did, didn’t I?” I force myself to sit back down.

It’s no wonder Bo is worried about things, he fucked up. Never should anyone feel the way that Wren most likely does since he said that. Regardless of the context or the tone or whatever was going through his thick skull, he should have kept his mouth shut. Wren is so much more than that to us—to me, at least—and if I have to be celibate with her to prove that, I’ll do it in a heartbeat.

“On behalf of men,” I say to her. “I apologize.” I take her hand in mine. “And I’m sorry if us being together last night brought this on.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong, Dash. You’re perfect, really.” She returns to her spot next to me. “I just don’t understand Bo. He’s into me one minute, and not the next. He shows he cares, or is worried, but then he’s so distant and reserved. I never know what he’s actually feeling or thinking. And if the only thing connecting us is this stupid mark, I’d rather it be gone so he could go his separate ways.”

Tears well in her eyes but she blinks them away and stares out the window.

“I’m sorry,” she tells me, her focus returning. “You just went through hell and here I am blabbing about boy trouble.”

“Shh.” I hold her hand tighter. “You brought me back, okay? I’d do anything to make you feel better.”

“Don’t worry about me, I’m fine, really. That stuff isn’t important.”

“You’re important,” I remind her.

“Well, so are you, Dash. And you’re probably hungry, aren’t you?” She stands and tugs me up with her. “Come on, you should eat before Bo wipes the entire house of all its food.”

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