Page 52 of The Night Runs Red

We were lost souls adrift, searching for someone to understand, finding it in the most unlikely places.

Leonora and Renwick stood in the middle of the foyer, speaking in hushed tones before they turned and saw us. Their gazes drifted to where Rion's fingers were intertwined with mine.

His mother's sharp lips curved into a smile that had my stomach dropping. "How nice of you two to finally join us. Especially as the preparations are already in place for the festivities this evening."

Rion pulled me closer to his body. "Thankfully, you handled it, Mother. Just as you always do."

His uncle scoffed. "As the future head of this family, boy, you should have been by her side to oversee this." His eyes flicked to me, screwing up his nose in disgust. "But it is obvious where your priorities lie."

"My priority is my wife, as it should be." His fingers flexed on my hip, biting into my skin.

"Well," I said, attempting to turn the conversation around. "We are here now. Is there anything we can do to help?"

Raised voices had us turning around in time to see Enyo bound through the back door with Anya on his heels. "Come here, you little shit!" she called, her face turning red as she noticed us watching her.

The massive dog skidded to a stop before me, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. I bent forward and scratched behind his ears. "Hello, handsome," I cooed. "Are you being a handful for Anya?"

The woman in question caught up with a huff and clipped a leash to Enyo's collar. "Sorry about that," she said sheepishly, avoiding Leonora's malicious glare. "We were training outside when he took off running toward the house."

"Get that nasty thing out of this house," his mother hissed, pointing a sharp finger toward Enyo. He didn't seem to like that much, though, as his hackles raised, and he let out a low growl, his eyes shifting to pure black in a warning.

I snapped my fingers and ran my hand over the dog's head, claiming his attention. "Enyo," I commanded, and to my surprise, he turned his haunting gaze to me before sitting back on his haunches. Anya apologized profusely, shooting a grateful look my way before ushering Enyo out of the house.

Leonora crossed her arms. "I do not know why you still have those beasts, Rion. They are nothing but a nuisance."

"I have them because they protect those important to me and are loyal. Something I am sure you would not understand, Mother."

"Watch your fucking mouth, boy," his uncle growled.

His mother didn't seem offended by his words. In fact, she appeared utterly unfazed, as though this kind of talk was typical between them. It shouldn't have been a surprise, given what Jasper had told me about their relationship. But my heart ached for the man whose mother showed him no love.

Her gaze drifted over my body, stopping her perusal at my neck. "What is that?" she hissed, looking between Rion and I.

My hand drifted up, brushing against the mark against my shoulder that Rion had left this morning. I thought my sweater would cover it, but it must have slipped just enough for her keen stare to notice.

"What?" Renwick asked, stepping forward quickly and jerking my hand away to uncover the bite.

Rion's hand shot out and gripped his uncle's wrist. "Get your hands off my fucking wife," he snarled, nostrils flaring.

"You cannot be serious," Renwick shot back. "You have claimed her?"

"Yes," he said through gritted teeth. "And if you want to keep your hand attached to your body, I suggest never laying a finger on her again."

The two men stared at each other, primal power filling the air until I nearly choked on the tension. I didn't understand what the problem was. Maybe it was just old prejudices at work. It wasn't a secret that neither liked me or thought me suitable, but at some point, his mother had wanted Rion to woo me. Now that he had, what was her problem with it?

"Rion, can I speak with you for a moment?" his mother asked, clearing her throat.

"No."

"Rion—"

"I said no," he snapped, finally shifting his gaze to her.

I placed my hand on his arm. "It's okay. I should head to the library, anyway."

"Then I will come with you." Without a word, he nudged me toward the library, leaving his mother and uncle in the foyer. Neither of us spoke as we walked the short distance, and no matter how much I wanted to break the silence, I didn't know what to say. I could never understand their family dynamic; maybe it wasn't my place to.

As soon as the door clicked behind us, Rion dragged me to him. His hands cupped my cheek, kissing me with a desperation I felt throughout my entire body. He moved us backward until I bumped into the table. "Let's go somewhere tonight. Just you and me. Fuck this celebration. Fuck my family. Fuck that stupid fucking moon," he muttered between kisses.

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