Page 89 of The Secret of Pain

“You mind your words, boy.”

“Call me boy one more fucking time,” Creek snaps at him.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, take it down a level. I didn’t invite any of you here. Today was meant to be a day for me to not stress the fuck out. But look at you. Each of you tell me that you love me, you understand that I cannot choose, and yet you cannot be in the same room without wanting to tear each other apart.”

“Calm, my love,” Kain says soothingly, making his way to my side. “Creek, I assure you, neither Roman nor I had anything to do with the attack on your people. My word has been my creed for a long time, so take it as binding.”

“And I’m just meant to take you at your word?”

“You are. If anything, we are here to help. We each have resources, but if we pool them, imagine the possibilities.”

Kain’s calm seems to reach out of him and settle around the room, turning down the tempers of the other two.

“Fine, fine.” Creek agrees reluctantly, running a hand down his face, deflating before my eyes. “I came to make sure you were okay—you seemed so withdrawn the last few days. I guess I wasn’t the only one.”

“You’re more alike than you realize,” I say with a small smile.

“I don’t doubt that at all.” Kain says as he returns my smile.. “However, now that we know you are safe, Roman and I will take our leave. We have much to look into.”

Roman looks at Kain, questioning him, but says nothing. “I guess I’m going,” he huffs to me. I stand and Kain kisses me, gently but with so much passion, it makes my toes curl. Roman must be able to smell it, because his chest rumbles and Kain steps back.

Roman approaches me and takes me in his arms. “One day, very soon, I’m going to remove the scent of these two from you and make you mine.” His mouth devours mine, and I whimper underneath him.

He pulls away and heads to the door, Kain in tow.

“Until later, my love.”

“Later, princess.”

The door closes behind them, leaving me with Creek, who looks like he’s as turned on by their kisses as I am. He shakes his head, as if clearing his mind, and clears his throat.

“They’re… something else,” he says, and I laugh lightly.

“You could say that.”

“I came here, really, to see if you would consider not joining the hunt that I know is going to happen. I’m more than aware that you can protect yourself, but now I know for sure that they are not behind it, I worry even more. I can’t lose you, Remy.”

“Why? Why would you ask that of me when you know better than most who I am? Would you sit it out? Stand by when the ones that mean the most to you in the world risk their lives. If I asked, would you stand down?” He has the decency to look embarrassed, but I can see he still does not regret it.

“I had to ask, Remy. Your dad and brothers will feel the same. You have not completed your awakening, and that makes this so much more dangerous than it is for the rest of us.”

“No, I will not stay behind, Creek. I know you mean well, I do, and I love you for it, but no. Dangerous or not, the people who died were my friends too. It is my right to join the hunt, and I’m taking it. Everyone speaks of the legend that is Remington Bennett, but no one wants to let me become that person.”

“That’s because, sometimes, when you did the things that made that legend, you lost yourself. Doing those things broke you, because even though your actions were justified, your heart has always been so big and the guilt would eat away at you for the lives you did not save, or those who died at your hand who were only following orders. Becoming that person isn’t something you ever wanted,” he says, and I sigh, because I can feel the truth of his words deep within that pit of instinct inside of me.

“You might be right, but regardless, if a hunt happens, I will be there, alongside you and the others,” I tell him firmly, not willing to let this continue any further.

“Okay. I don’t like it, but I’m not going to try and stop you. I asked, so at least I know that I tried,” he concedes, and I try not to look victorious.

“Don’t sound so glum. We have the rest of the day to enjoy before the sadness of tomorrow.” I wink at him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Now that is something I can get on board with.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Today is the day. After the shit show that has been the last few days since we laid our fallen to rest, tonight we hunt the ones who attacked us. I barely slept a wink last night thinking about it. Torn between worlds. My argument with Creek the other day did not help matters—things are still a little tense between us. He really does not want me to join the hunt, and while he didn’t press too hard about it, my brothers and my dad are on his side. They had no qualms in letting me know just how much. Only Maddie sided with me, telling them to let me make my own choices, as they had the freedom to make their own. I take a deep breath and try to let go of the anger I’ve felt for the last few days at their nonsense.

The floorboards outside of my room creak. I hold my breath and reach for the dagger under my pillow. Climbing from the bed as quietly as I can, I wish I had worn something to bed last night. I slip on my shirt discarded on the floor from last night and make my way into the hall.

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