Free Web NovelChapter 85: Chapter 85
Katie POV
Flabbergasted, I stare at the three. Vampire? For real? The strange smell that had driven Lily crazy was a vampire.
“What the hell do you know about vampires?” Kane scoffs.
“The strongest rogues are warned about them as soon as we’re banished,” Mason shrugs. “So, we can protect our communities if they ever sneak around or try to attack.”
Try to attack? What the fuck? I lost all my personal memories, but I at least remembered basic things about shifters. But vampires? I cannot recall ever hearing that vampires were real, much less hanging around our territories and attacking people.
Kane and Axel exchange surprised looks, and then Kane’s face reddens. I can practically see the rush of fury flowing through his veins. He was so quick to anger sometimes. I guess that is an Alpha thing.
“Well, isn’t that wonderful for you?” Kane says through gritted teeth.
“You thought I didn’t know about them because I’m some dumb rogue, didn’t you?” Mason says in an icy voice.
Suddenly, I am super fucking annoyed. They are sizing each other’s dick sizes while I have no clue what is going on.
I shift back; clothes be damned.
“Excuse me,” I say, planting my hands on my hips, and all their eyes lock on me. “When were any of you going to tell me about vampires?”
They all freeze, and their eyes darken. I caught them off guard, which is a good thing. I want the truth, not a sugarcoated version of what they think I should know.
Am I imagining it, or are Kane’s and Axel’s eyes lingering on my breasts and between my legs? Mason steps in front of me, shielding my naked body from their view. So, I am not imagining it, then.
“It’s safer for you not to know about vampires,” Mason says, taking me by the shoulders. “It will only cause more trouble.”
“Oh, fuck off, Mason,” I snap, shoving his hands off my shoulders, and he looks at me with hurt.
“The same goes for you,” I step past Mason and glare at Kane and Axel. To my horror and delight, I notice that they are fully erect. I swallow hard, trying to keep the heat building in my belly from rushing to my core.
“If the three of you weren’t constantly competing in a pissing contest, you would’ve realised that I’m not a damsel in distress,” I continue furiously. “If you had told me about vampires and this area, I would’ve avoided it.”
“Telling people about vampires would create mass panic,” Axel argues. “How were we supposed to know you were going to run this way?”
“Well, duh,” I roll my eyes. “That’s my point. If I knew, I wouldn’t have.”
“We’re only trying to protect you, Katie,” Mason reasons. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
“It’s not about just you,” Kane adds. “One slip of this to anyone, and the High Council will hold us responsible.”
“That’s just stupid,” I huff, but my anger simmers down. I do not know much about the High Council, but if alphas are wary of them, then they must mean business.
“The Council is stupid,” Mason mumbles.
“Don’t you dare ...”
“Enough!” I snap, cutting off Axel. “I’m so over you three fighting and nitpicking about everything.”
I look at them and shake my head before I turn around and walk away.
“Where are you going?” Kane calls after me.
“Home!” I yell over my shoulder. “And leave me the fuck alone.”
They do not even have to look alike; I can tell they are brothers by the way they are constantly fighting. I would have found it amusing if I were not so annoyed with them.
“Katie, wait,” Mason runs up behind me, and I sigh inwardly as I stop and turn around.
Mason looks at me with uncertainty while Kane and Axel shift and sprint back into the woods.
“I’d rather not, Mason,” I say stiffly. “I don’t want the bad vampire to eat me ... in daylight.”
“Well,” he shrugs. “Sunlight doesn’t kill vampires.”
“What?” I gape at him, stunned.
“They ...”
“Let me guess,” I cut him off. “It’s need to know only, and I don’t need to know.”
“Katie, vampires aren’t a casual conversation you have over coffee,” he says urgently. “I didn’t tell anyone. Not even Quinn knows. For fuck’s sake, Kane and Axel didn’t even know I know. You were there; you saw it. I understand you are upset because you were blindsided, but this is not my territory, and not my rules.”
Silently, I stare at Mason. Even though I understand his argument, I am sick and tired of being in the dark. I cannot stand it. I have a hard enough time figuring out where I fit in, thanks to my memory loss.
“Katie,” he takes my hands hesitantly. “Why are you so mad at me?”
“You have to ask?” I raise my eyebrows. “After I told you.”
“It’s not just today,” his gaze bore into my soul. “Since last night, it feels like you’re pulling away from me.”
Guilt consumes me, and I lower my gaze. It is time to get off my righteous horse and admit my mistakes.
“I’m sorry, Mason,” I look at him, pulling my hands from his as I fight my tears. “You’re right. I think we moved too fast, and we should take a step back.”
“It’s because of them, isn’t it?” His eyes blaze with anger.
Truthfully, yes, and no. Yes, I am far too attracted to them for my own health. But no, there is also something about Mason which makes me doubtful.
“It’s not,” I say firmly. Twins or no twins, this needs to be said, and I prefer to spare him the agony of thinking this is history repeating itself. “There are too many secrets, Mason, and I can’t deal with them. I have my own mysterious past; I don’t need more to wonder about.”
“You know everything about me,” he argues. “And I will sit down and tell you everything I know about vampires, the Council, and everything else you can think of.”
“Mason, I made a mistake,” I sigh. “I followed you here without thinking it through. Without considering the impact on Stella. It’s too much, too fast. We need to pull the brakes.”
“Yeah,” he steps away, pushing his fingers through his hair. “Whatever you want, right?”
“Mason, don’t ...” I stop talking when he shifts and runs away.
“Dammit,” I mumble, biting back my tears. I never meant to hurt him, but this is the best for all of us. Things will be so much worse and painful if we continue.
With a heavy heart, I shift and run home.
