Page 111 of Rest In Knotty Pieces

I frown and lean closer, peering into his face. “So, they didn’t see you. No one saw you?”

“No.”

“But someone tried to hurt you, and that’s when you started hurting them back, wasn’t it? Was it Cyn? Your parents?”

King’s jaw works. “My tutor.”

“What happened?” I ask, ignoring my instincts telling me to back off.

“He tried to take something I wasn’t willing to give. So, I killed him. My parents covered it up. They didn’t care what had happened or what my excuse was. It was just annoying to them that they needed to deal with it.”

I stare at him. “What were you afraid of as a child, Alpha?”

“I was afraid that everyone would forget my name, and I would disappear into the dark, and no one would remember that I was here. So, I started hitting. It’s hard to ignore someone when they leave trails of blood wherever they go.”

I put a hand on his. “I see you.”

Something in his eyes flickers.

“Not her. Me. I see you, King. I see your pain; I see your anger. I wouldn’t be able to forget you.”

When he inhales, his entire chest inflates. He’s off-center, falling and tripping, confused over my behavior.

“I wish we’d met first,” I whisper, surprising myself with how much I mean it.

He frowns and turns his hand over, wrapping those huge fingers around mine. Such a gentle gesture, one that touches me deeply. Too deeply. It hurts to swallow.

“Kest-”

“I’m afraid that they will not need me anymore and that I will fade away, merge with one of the other alters and be gone. They will forget my name, forget what I did to keep us alive. They will forget me,” I say the words, pushing them out fast so he can’t interrupt me.

“Kest,” King murmurs and leans forward, kissing me hard. For a long moment, all I can do is fear I’ve gone insane and fallen into a hallucination, but the feel of his warm lips moving over mine breaks the spell. I’m stunned, lifting my hands,unsure what to do with them, then I’m kissing him back with everything I am because I could love this alpha. I could love him with all my broken and scared pieces.

He has no idea how perfect he is for me, and that hurts worse than any blade I’ve ever felt.

His lips soften, teasing mine, his hands hold the sides of my head, but I’m not scared. When he pulls back, I lift my hands to his and stare at him.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, genuinely meaning it. “For scaring you. Let me make it up to you.”

King frowns, those beautiful blue-green eyes shine like diamonds, and wintergreen and alcohol fills my lungs.

“How?” King asks gruffly.

I smile at him, blinking through the tears. “By leaving.”

“Kest-”

But it’s too late. I’m gone.

Merle

Iopen my eyes and find King right there, his hands are holding my head. With joy burning in my chest, I study him, just a second to take him all in. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy. I let out a soft sound of surprise. He stares into my eyes, confused, but that confusion clears up instantly, and this smile, one of those smiles that make everything perfect, spreads across his lips.

“Merle,” he whispers reverently.

I reach up, thread my fingers through his hair, stroking his scalp. He makes my heart expand, not with fear, but with this lightness. He makes me feel brave. I get up on my knees and move into his space, pressing myself against him, his heart to mine.

His huge hands stroke down my spine.