Chapter 16: Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

Quillon

"I can't believe we're already out of your hair." Shade said, coming up from behind me.

I was standing by the tree in the clearing, sharpening the edges of my sword while they prepared to leave.

I shook my head.

"I can't believe you stayed for two nights." I countered without looking at him.

Shade groaned. "As if there's anything that could change Kat's mind. And two nights? Man, we used to stay for four or a week."

I know I implicitly told him to leave after one night but Katerina was the kind that couldn't be negotiated with.

I just shrugged and said nothing.

"Why do you want us to leave, by the way?"

I exhaled loudly. "I used my power recently. If Zeron's hunters come for me, I don't want you and Katerina near."

He scoffed. "I think we should be here if that were to happen."

"Well, I don't think the same." I placed my sword back in its sheath. "You know I can handle it, Shade."

"Yeah, yeah. So were we."

I shook my head again, wanting the conversation to end.

It's not that they couldn't fight. They can. Very much can. But they would distract me.

I would always put their safety first and it's not a good position to be in.

Its better to avoid such a situation than to risk it.

"How about her? Soleil."

I turned my head to look at him. "What about her?"

I'm sure my tone dropped deeper and I don't know if it's because Shade mentioned her name.

'Who are you kidding? Of course it is because of that!' My wolf argued.

Ugh. Alright, it is. It's been almost two days with just the whiff of her scent, and looking at her has become unbearable.

The fix I had when I touched her that other night has gone down and I'm back to losing my control. Craving her.

"She's here with you. If you're attacked, she could be a liability."

I groaned.

"She won't."

"How can you be sure? She's your mate--"

"Ssh!" I looked around and was thankful that she was nowhere near. "Don't fucking mention that again, Shade. Make no mistake, I'm serious."

He exhaled slowly and nodded. "Sorry. But you get the point. You don't want us here because you'll be distracted. And her? She'll make you even more out of it than us and its dangerous, Kill. Even unintentionally."

I know he's right but my previous plan to drive Soleil away was off the table the moment I found out she could help ease my urges.

I need her near.

I want her near.

And it was so strong, I'm barely fighting it.

"She won't," I said in a growl.

"You're not-"

"Just trust me on this, Shade. Alright?" I stood and tapped him on his shoulder. "I got this."

I'll do everything I can to protect Soleil. That's what I'm sure of. I don't think there could be a space for distraction if we ever face Zeron's hunters.

"Why do you have to conceal the bond, anyway?" He asked in a low and careful voice but I still looked around. "No one's near, don't worry. Your senses are even fucked up, even I could tell."

I groaned and turned my back on him.

"I think it's better this way. That's all the answer I could give."

"Better? You're taking the bond's pull twice than it should. How's that better?"

"I just know, Shade."

"What if you're wrong? What if it were much easier for her to know, for you both to succumb to the bond? You know that there's no spacing it, right? Whatever you do to hide it, time will still find its way to the truth. That's how fate works."

I groaned.

I hate how he could see through our shadow and found out about my connection with Soleil. This is the kind of conversation I'm trying to avoid having.

"I'm aware, Shade. Stop talking about it."

He sighed and paused, but only for a second.

"Is this bond concealment tight, though?"

"I said enough with it--"

"Come on, just answer me. You know I can't just let this go."

I groaned loudly and wiped my face with my palms.

"I don't know, okay? So far, she's not having any reaction. I do, but she wasn't pulled into it. So it's all good."

"What if it slips or something?"

I frowned at him.

"Slip?"

"Is it a possibility? You're the one who used your power for it, so what do you think?"

My gaze got lost in the distance.

I didn't think it would slip. My concealment skills have been powerful. The way Zeron hasn't found me was one proof of it.

"I... I don't think it will slip or something."

His eyes narrowed at me. "You sound unsure."

"This is my first time trying to conceal the bond, okay? I didn't even know I could until I tried it. Just drop it, Shade. What's important now is nothing's failing with the concealment, so don't overthink it."

He groaned, then shook his head. "Fine. We'll go now. I'll update you once Draco has the sightseeker so you can drop by. Don't forget to bring Soleil."

"Bring me where?" Soleil's voice suddenly popped behind me.

I turned my head fast and found her walking towards us.

Looking back at Shade, I growled at him. He fucking knew she was coming towards us and intentionally made her hear about it.

"You don't have to do that just to be sure I'd tag her along, dumbass."

"Was just trying how poor your senses are right now, man. And as I said, you're fucked."

"What were you two whispering about, like I can't hear any of it? Bring me where?"

Soleil stopped beside me at a safe distance, and all I could think was wrap my arms around her waist and draw her near.

I groaned.

She heard it and frowned at me, quickly annoyed. Well, she has been annoyed with me since what happened by the river.

"Shade?" She asked him, clearly didn't want me to talk to her.

I fucking hated it.

"I'll let Kill tell you about it. We're going now, friend." He smiled at her, and I narrowed my eyes at his obvious flirting.

He really is trying my patience around her. This fucker.

"Nevermind, then." She said and strolled towards her tent. "Take care on your way back!"

"Thanks! Katerina! We're going!"

"Coming!"

We exchanged a few more words and they were out of the clearing and shifted into their wolves through the deep forest.

Finally alone with Soleil again, I became aware of her as she made her way towards the river.

She couldn't even stand being anywhere near me, and it makes me want to be even closer to her.

So I walked to follow her steps, trailing the path down the river, being drawn by her scent.