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"No way!" I heard Rosie shout from behind me, followed by her footsteps growing as she walked over to us.
"I want to go with you to get Joaquin back," I repeated, sounding more confident.
Del looked from Rosie to me before she snorted out a laugh. "That's cute, but I don't think so."
"Why not?" I frowned. "I can help."
"Del, it would be better if someone who knows the area went with you," Javier added, and I was grateful that he was taking my side.
Del looked at him like he randomly started speaking a whole other language. "Have you lost your mind?"
"Kai," Rosie whined as she grabbed my shoulder and forced me to turn and face her. "Have you lost your mind too? It's too dangerous for you to go back to Kingsrose. If any of the pack spot you, they could alert Pierce. He's nearly killed you last time, I don't want him to hurt you again."
"Rosie's right, Kai," Kao stepped in. "You're no match for Alpha Pierce."
"We may not have to fight Pierce, and I'll have P'Del with me, so it's not like I'll be fighting alone."
"You mean if I even let you come with me, which I'm not," Del snapped. "I'm sorry, Kai, but you're not coming with me."
"Mi amore." Javier was about to try and convince her to let me join her, and while I appreciated his help, this was something I needed to do on my own.
"I got this, P'Javier," I interjected, then took a step closer to Del. "P'Del, I don't want to be in your way, but I want to help get P'Joaquin back. It's my fault he got captured in the first place, and I want to make up for it. And..." I gulped, then admitted, "And I want to prove to myself that I can do something right. That I'm not the loser of the pack."
"Kai, you're not a loser. And I told you it wasn't your fault that Joaquin was captured," Rosie said.
"I know what you said, my love, but this is something I need to prove to myself. Not just by words but by action. Besides, P'Joaquin still risked his life for me and now I need to return the favor."
"Kai, this won't be an easy mission. I may not know you that well, but I heard what happened the last time you faced your alpha. While I'll try to avoid a fight, if possible, I can't guarantee we'll make it out in one piece, and we may have to kill members of your former pack. Can you really handle all of that?" Del asked as if trying to scare me away from my resolve. It didn't work. I knew the risk we'd be taking. I even knew that we'd eventually have to face our former pack in battle again. If it meant Rosie and the others were safe, I'd be willing to do anything.
"Yes," I said, no hesitation. "I'd put myself in danger a thousand times if it meant the people I loved were safe. I risked my life last time for Rosie's freedom, and if I had the chance to relive that moment, I'd do it all over again. Joaquin also risked his life for me, so now I'm going to risk mine for him too."
Del's eyes practically bore a hole into my skull, but after that felt like an eternity, she sighed. "I stand by what I said earlier, Kai. Both you and your brother don't have the strength to face what lies ahead."
My eyes fell to the ground, prepared for the disappointment of Del saying I still couldn't go with her. Even if she said no, it wouldn't matter. I'd go by myself if I had to. I couldn't stand on the sidelines anymore, not when there was so much at stake.
But Del surprised me when she said, "But you do have the heart and that comes with its own strength."
I looked up at her in shock. It was faint, but I caught the slightest hint of a grin on her face. "Then... d-does that mean...?"
Del nodded. "You can come along." She then pointed to me, adding, "But if you slow me down, I'll kill you myself. Are we clear?"
I gulped. "Yes, ma'am."
"Kai, please don't do this," Rosie pleaded, gripping my arm tightly as if afraid I'd vanish if she didn't have a good enough grip on me. "I already lost Joaquin and my grandma. If I lose you too—"
"You won't lose me," I cut in. I cupped her face in my hands before leaning down and taking her mouth in mine. I kissed her frantically as I held her close, drinking in her cries as if I were a man dying of thirst in a desert. Rosie's grip on my arm fell away, but then had me by my waist, pulling me close enough for our bodies to be connected. I deepened the kiss, my hands sliding up until my fingers ran through the locks of her raven hair. When we pulled away, our breathing was heavy, and our lips glistened with saliva. Rosie's eyes were hooded with need, and I wanted nothing more than to take her where we were standing. Instead, I rested my forehead against hers, relishing our connection for a moment longer.
"Rosie." Her name was whispered from my lips like a secret. “Phi rák na. I'll come back to you as soon as I can, you hear me? Phi san-yaa."
Rosie tilted her head. "What did that last part mean?"
"I promise," I translated.
"When we get our lives back, remind me to take some Thai lessons."
I laugh. "Sounds good, and I'll want to learn Spanish. But for now, I'll be going with Del to get Joaquin back. Maybe we can also find some clue as to what happened to Grandma Sonya, or where she’s held captive."
Rosie grips my hips a little tighter. "If you don't come back here in one piece, I swear I will hunt you down till hell freezes over. Do you understand me, Kai Trivinij?"
