“We were all young back then with a lot of pressure on us. Samara was easily the most dramatic and prone to spiraling.” I wiped a few tears from my eyes. “Once Samara calmed down, the party continued. If you get enough wine into Roth, they actually have a really good voice and know a lot of hilarious tavern songs. We stayed up all night, sending Cali and Nyx out to steal us more wine, and it was just . . . nice.” After a few more chuckles, I got myself under control.
“So, that was better than the birthday parties your pack threw you, I take it?” Bastian grinned.
My good humor died.
After it was announced I would be joining the Alpha pack, I’d spent every birthday alone until I’d gone to Drudonia and become friends with Samara and Cali.
“Yeah,” I said simply. “It was better.”
The light, happy mood in the room faded. I felt Bastian’s attention on me, but I stared at a spot midway between us. I didn’t know what game he was playing, but I wasn’t about to pour my heart out to him. Although, given that we’d be around my family in a couple of days, he’d probably be able to piece it together.
Damn it. I shouldn’t have told him this story.
“You and Cade were friends,” I stated the well-known fact. “But how did the two of you meet Warrick?” As curious as I was about Bastian’s scars, that felt too personal to ask. I assumed Warrick was just a childhood friend of Cade and Bastian and nobody talked about it because Warrick was fucking terrifying.
“That is a good story.” Bastian’s lips curved up. “For another time.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What happened to our deal?”
“I never agreed.” He smirked. “Merely gave comment on the idea.”
“Now who’s acting like a Moroi?” I said tightly after replaying his words in my head and being annoyed I hadn’t caught it, but I had never been particularly good at wordplay.
“Oh, don’t be mad. The daemon’s in the details, as the Fae used to say.” He frowned. “Have we figured out what daemons are yet?”
“No.” I moved so I was on my back again and put a few more inches of space between us. Why was I always such a gullible fool around the Alphas? I had to stop lowering my guard and start being smarter around them. “Good night, Bastian.”
There was a little silence, then the bed creaked as Bastian moved and the Fae lanterns went out a second later. “Good night, Rynn.”
I stared up at the ceiling, running through my plan over and over again until sleep claimed me.
“Are you alright?” Bastian asked, and if I hadn’t known better, I’d think he was genuinely concerned.
But I did know better.
After letting him trick me into telling a story about myself and then not reciprocating, I’d put all my mental walls back up and reinforced them. Bastian was playing a game, and the only way to win against him was to not play.
We’d stayed at another inn last night. Again, he’d chosen one slightly off the beaten path. Despite the cozy and inviting atmosphere, I’d grabbed my food from the bar and taken it straight upstairs to our room. Bastian had followed me up, but I’d shut down every attempt at conversation. He’d eventually sighed and gone back downstairs, coming back a few hours later and going straight to sleep on his side of the bed.
The only time I’d willingly interacted with him was when he’d woken me up halfway through the night with his tossing and turning. I’d gently shaken his shoulder and he’d jerked awake, scaring the absolute shit out of me. After that, he’d gotten up with no explanation and hadn’t returned.
I hadn’t brought up the nightmare this morning, nor had he mentioned it.
“Rynn,” he pushed, “you good?”
“I’m fine.” I stared at the open door of the small outbuilding we’d stopped in to grab some clothes before entering the Narchis stronghold. Well, technically, I’d decided to come here first. They had plenty of extra clothes inside, even ones that actually belonged to me and would fit me better, but I’d wanted to stall a little longer.
Put off seeing my father and uncle for a few more minutes.
“Really?” He snorted and then pinched my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Because you didn’t try to slap my hands away once.”
I looked down and saw he had buttoned my shirt. I barely remembered putting it on.
“Just a lot on my mind.” I jerked out of his hold and turned towards the exit. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Rynn.” He grabbed my wrist, but when I looked down at where he was holding me, Bastian instantly let go. “I’m sorry about not telling you a story the other night. I can make it up t?—”
“No need,” I told him. “We’re not friends, Bastian. We’re not even pack. You don’t owe me anything.”
