Chapter 135 Identity Exposed

Chapter 135 Identity Exposed
I couldn't bring myself to talk to Azi after what happened, so I jumped down from the tree and started walking back to where we were staying. He immediately trailed behind me.

"I don't get it. Why am I an asshole?" Azi chortled. "Damn. That sounds off."

I gritted my teeth in anger. He was really pushing my buttons.

"What's wrong with you?" He tried to grab my arm, but I flinched away. "What? Don't tell me you like that lame rose better than this one? Tasteless."

Oh, God. The way he was acting like nothing happened made me even more exasperated. What was wrong with me? Was it really my fault? Did it mean nothing to him that he suddenly disappeared all night without saying a word?

Then again, he always did this. He would drag me into a situation and leave afterward. But this wasn't one of those times. He didn't just leave... he messed with my head first. He left me completely lost in his words.

When we got inside our room, I acted like I was about to shut the door on him, but he stopped it easily. I just let him be and went straight to my bag to pack my clothes.

"The mission isn't accomplished yet," I heard him say. I could tell he was starting to get annoyed too. "Why don't you tell me what's wrong? What's bothering you?"

"Stop!" I stood up and faced him. "Why don't you ask yourself, Azi?"

He tilted his head. "Oh. Last night?"

I closed my eyes in frustration.

"Last night was my last stay here," I said, staring blankly at him. "I'm leaving today. You can stay here and finish your mission. I'll go ahead. Sorry, Master Azi..."

"Okay." He nodded. "But bring this flower with you—"

"Azi." I took a deep breath because my chest felt far too tight. "You don't get it, do you? You left me all alone here last night. Didn't you tell me not to go far from you? But... you were the one who left."

"Were you scared?" His voice softened.

"I-I thought you abandoned me again." Tears welled up in my eyes this time. "Yes, I was scared. I got paranoid and disappointed. I know I have no right to complain, but... please, if you're leaving, just let me know. Don't make me wait for nothing, so I know I don't have anything to wait for anymore."

He froze, and I think he finally got my point. The hand holding the flower dropped to his side. He looked genuinely disappointed this time.

"That's all, Master Azi. I'm sorry for being dramatic—"

"I'm sorry..."

That stopped me in my tracks. I wanted to think I misheard him, but it was clear as day. What? Azekiel? The freaking beast of the Ravencrest Clan just said that word?

Frustration was now visible in his eyes. "I didn't mean to scare you. The truth is... I couldn't face you either. I should have been more careful with the words I said because I knew you'd be the one put in danger—"

"Do you regret saying it?" I cut him off.

I didn't know what hurt more, his leaving without a word, or his regretting what he said last night.

"I don't know..." He shook his head, looking down at the flower in his hand. "But one thing is for sure." He looked back up at me. "I've never felt as brave as I did last night, because I finally said it. My feelings turned into words."

With trembling lips, I said, "You really are a jerk, Azi. A total jerk."

A faint smile appeared on his lips. "Well... I am here now, Milady. You have nothing to be scared of now that the scariest thing is right here with you."

I took a deep breath. "What was that again?" I asked, pointing to the flower.

"Are we good now?" he asked.

"Is that for me?" I asked back.

"Hell yeah!" He offered the flower to me again, and this time, I accepted it. "This thing is way more badass than that plain red rose you can pick anywhere."

I looked at the purple flower and took a sniff. Damn. The jerk really knew how to make up for it fast. I didn't know if I was just easily swayed or if this flower was genuinely touching.

We both froze when someone knocked on the door. "Kina? Max? Are you guys in there?" It was Yorick.

Azi opened the door. I set the flower on the table and walked over as well. Yorick greeted us. "Sorry to bother you, but... my father wants to speak with both of you."

I didn't miss the subtle look Yorick gave Azi. Shit. It seemed like they knew. Yorick must have found out that I wasn't actually pregnant.

Azi turned to me. "Shall we?" he invited casually, acting like it was no big deal.

Sigh. Doesn't this guy ever get nervous?

"Why did he ask for us, Yorick?" I asked first.

"I'm not sure either," he said. "But not in the main hall. He invited you directly to his private room. I think he wants to talk about something very personal."

So he really knew.

We followed Yorick. The atmosphere around us felt completely different now. The guards kept staring at us, looking utterly confused. Who wouldn't be surprised when a group of rebels suddenly trembled just because a single vampire showed up?

We entered a large house, which looked like the most modern structure in the area. We stopped in front of a door.

"He's waiting inside," Yorick said.

As Azi reached for the doorknob, Yorick grabbed his arm. "Who are you really, Max?"

Azi shoved Yorick’s hand off aggressively and opened the door. I was about to say something to Yorick, but Azi quickly pulled me inside with him.

We found Leader Austin sitting in his swivel chair, his back turned to us as he stared out the window toward the fields.

"I was a fool not to consider that one day... you might target my clan too..." The Leader finally turned to face us. "The nightmare of all vampires is inside my clan. The beast of the Ravencrest Clan. Azekiel Vancourt."