Chapter 109 - You’re trying to kill me

EMMA

*Deep inhale. Slow exhale.*

Every breath I take seems to lack oxygen. My chest rises and falls in quick movements. I place my hand on my chest as I try to get my breathing under control.

I sink further onto the grass as I repeat the mantra a dozen more times. The sunbeams dance in the sky and birds chirp in the trees. All signs that this is supposed to be a good day. *What a lie.*

Lucas brought me back to the house, but the walls just seemed to close in on me. I watched two people die. I watch silver burn through their chest and blood seep onto the ground. *More senseless violence.* I’ve seen too many people die. Girls, women, men and now werewolves too.

I just can’t take all the bloodshed anymore. This has to end.

“There you are.” Dex’s smooth voice blends in with the serene nature as if he didn’t just kill two living beings.

There is no hint of regret or any amount of sorrow for what he did. It makes me wonder how many times he has done it before. He doesn’t see the senseless violence. For him, for everyone in the town, it’s a victory.

I try to walk away from him, but Dex wraps his arms around my shoulders. “I know you’re upset.” There is no overwhelming warmth coming from him and there is no wave of calm.

I know that if he didn’t kill them then a bigger fight would’ve happened. The soldiers recognized Hadrian. He would’ve been exposed and more lives woud've been lost.

Dex rubs warmth on my shoulders. “I didn’t want you to see that. If I’d known that they were heading in your direction, then I would’ve intervened earlier.”

*Intervened.*

I’m not upset that it happened before my eyes. I’ve seen too many people die to be affected anymore. I’m upset that more and more people are dying, period.

I stay still and Dex must notice my lack of response. “Let me make it up to you.” He moves around me and keeps his hands on my shoulders.

I can see his sincerity. I sigh, because I know that Dex acts out of what he knows. In his mind, all werewolves are bad and dangerous. “How?”

His smile brightens when I start to relent. The dimples become apparent. The delight is clear and shows his boyish spirit. “By being your date to Arthur and Julie’s wedding.”

“Their wedding?” I repeat, I cannot help the shock in my voice.

Arthur is the owner of the diner and probably somewhere in his forties. He lost his wife a couple of years ago. Julie is a blue-eyed woman who came to Aldea to find sanctuary. They don’t participate in the fight, but their helping hands keep this town running.

“They are getting married?” Excitement seeps through my shock and Dex must hear it too.

“They haven’t announced it yet, so act surprised when you hear.” Dex laughs and gives me a wink. “Let me take you.”

I process the rest of what he's saying. He wants me to be his date. I move back from the flirtatious action.

Dex is a notorious flirt and uses his charm on any living and breathing woman. No matter age or marital status. I usually cast it off as part of his personality. Normally I’m not bothered by it. It’s not that I want anything from it anyway. And besides that, Hadrian is here now.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Come on, who else are you going to take?” Dex takes my hands in his and pulls me closer. “You need someone to dance with.” He playfully twirls me around the small patch of grass and I stumble over my feet.

“I’m not a good dancer.”

Dex chuckles and places a kiss on the back of my hand. “I'm sure you'll do fine.”

A dark presence moves behind me and goosebumps rise on my back. I swallow the deep dark hurt blooming in my chest. I move away, but Dex places his arm over my shoulder and turns to Hadrian.

“Jack, is everything all right?”

His eyes are so dark that they are bordering on black. His aura emanates the darkness of his bloodline. “The bodies are gone.” His voice is low and deeper than normal. His knuckles are white and the tendons in his neck show the strain.

“Good.” Dex doesn’t seem to recognize the edge Hadrian is on. “Was there anything else?”

“I promised Emma that I’d help her with her *training.*” His eyes are zeroed in on the arm around my shoulder and I step further away from Dex. Normally I’m impassive to his touch, but this time I feel my skin crawl. It feels wrong.

“Sounds good.” Dex is smooth to hide his surprise when I move away. He places his hands in the pockets of his trousers.

Nobody speaks for a second and Dex’s gaze lingers on me for a moment. “I’ll see you later.”

He turns back into the house but stops when he steps on the porch. “Oh Jack, remember that your presence is mandatory tonight. So, don’t be late.” Dex gives me a wink before he moves into the house.

Hadrian’s anger turns into sadness. I can see it through the darkness. It emanates from him and I can feel it as if it’s my own emotion. I can feel it in my chest. Hadrian turns his back to me and moves into the alley.

He takes large steps and I have to run to keep up with him. I grab his hand to make him stop. “Hadrian.”

Hadrian spins around and walks me against the plastered wall of the house. His fingers interlock with mine as he cages me in. “I can’t do this anymore.”

He leans down and his forehead rests against mine. His breathing is heavy and full of pain. His grip on my hand is strong as if fighting to hold on.

“I can feel myself losing control.” He takes my hand and rubs it against his shirt and the exposed part of his neck. Like he’s cleaning my hand from a stain.

It’s the hand that Dex playfully kissed. It’s hurting Hadrian now.

I raise my free hand, place it on his jaw and run my thumb over his stubble. “There is nothing to lose control over.”

Others may believe that Dex has an interest in me, and even if it’s true then it’s one-sided.

Hadrian’s breathing calms down when he regains control. His eyes return to their bright amber color. He was very close to losing it.

“I’m yours, big guy,” I say. The statement feels so obvious.

He places my hand over his heart and a smile tugs at the corner of his lips. “Go on.” The dark intensity loses its power and is replaced by eagerness.

I can’t help the smile and run my fingers over his chest. The hard definition of his muscles is hot beneath my fingertips. "Well…"

I have a sneaking suspicion that Hadrian might like a little praise. “You’re the one I think about at night and when I wake up.”

He moves my hand further down his rock-hard torso. “Is this all about my body?” There is a hint of amusement in his voice and I know he’s not angry anymore.

“It helps. I mean look at those muscles.” I bite my lip as I roam my eyes over him. I move my hand over his abdomen until it lands on his lower abs.

Hadrian groans and it rumbles in his chest. “You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?”

There are so many things I could say. He makes me feel safe. He doesn't judge me for being human or half-werewolf. He listens to me. He believes in me.

“I love you, Hadrian.” The words come out before I realize what I’m saying.

His eyes widen and I open my mouth, but no words come out now. My lips open and close again before being pressed against his.

His kiss is hungry and rough. The urgency and fervor make me moan. The intensity steals my breath and I heave for oxygen when Hadrian pulls away.

“What about needing space? What about having no time for romance?”

I shake my head. “That doesn’t change. This is dangerous. People are still dying, not just humans.” I place my hands on the sides of his face. “But there’s no one else. I need you to know that.”

He takes my hands in his and kisses each palm. “When all of this is over, I’m taking you on a date.”

I’m reminded that *this* is far from over. “Are you really helping me train?”

Hadrian nods and places a hand below my ribcage. “I thought maybe we could see if you could tab into that werewolf blood of yours.”

“Really? Here?” The alley isn’t really somewhere people ever come, but it doesn’t seem like the best place.

He shakes his head. “We better do this away from prying eyes.”