Chapter 30
“It feels wrong to be here,” I said as Colt pulled into his parking spot at school.
“We don’t have a choice.” Declan’s voice had a harsh edge to it that had me rearing back.
He didn’t wait for Colt to turn off the SUV; he simply pushed open the door and charged out of the vehicle.
“Shit,” Ronan muttered.
“I’ve got it,” I said, unfastening my seat belt and hurrying after Declan.
None of the guys tried to stop me or warn me off this time. They knew me better than that now.
I jogged to catch up with Declan as he rounded the side of the school. I grabbed hold of his arm, tugging on it. “Wait.”
He snatched it free. “Don’t, Leighton.”
His words and tone stung, but I shoved that down. This wasn’t about my feelings. This was about Declan. He was clearly hurting. He’d gone straight to his room last night and didn’t come out, not even for dinner.
“You’re not going to push me away.”
Declan’s eyes flashed silver. “You don’t want to be around me right now.”
“You’re certainly being an ass—I’ll give you that. But you should know by now that I don’t give up on someone I love just because of that. Look at Trace.”
I hoped for a chuckle, at least a lip twitch, but I got nothing. Declan simply stared daggers at me.
I sighed. “Don’t be a martyr.”
“He’s my fucking father, and he’s trying to kill everyone I love. Just in a quest for more.”
Pain streaked through me. “And my mother was a selfish, abusive egomaniac who would’ve done anything to hurt me and everyone I love. Join the club.”
A muscle in Declan’s jaw fluttered. “The difference is my father could actually succeed.”
I moved in closer, lifting a hand and pressing it to his chest. “We’re going to stop him.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I can’t predict the future or how we’ll get there, but I know that everyone in this bond is going to give their all. We’ve been up against worse challenges than your father and we’ve found our way. Hell, I came back from the dead.”
That had Declan’s arms coming around and pulling me hard against his chest. “Don’t talk about that.”
I nuzzled in deeper, relieved he was letting me in again. “It’s the truth. I don’t think it will be easy, and I’m fucking terrified, but I know we’ll find a way. You just have to believe in the people at your side.”
“I do. But I’ve also seen what my father is capable of. He’s a monster.”
My chest constricted. “I’m so sorry. Sorry you had to live with him for all these years.”
“I’d do it all again if it led me back to you.”
My heart broke at that. At all Declan had endured. At how deeply he loved me.
“We’re going to build a beautiful life. Full of people who are good and kind. None of that darkness and evil is going to penetrate our world.”
Declan’s hand slid into my hair, tugging my head back. “You going to have babies with me one day?”
My heart jerked and picked up speed. “You want that?”
A smile spread across his lips. “What do you think?”
Warmth burned through me, an inferno of hope and joy. “I want it.”
Declan’s lips dropped to mine. “A football team.”
I laughed against his mouth. “Greedy.”
“Always, when it comes to you.”
I kissed him then, relishing in his taste and the comfort of the feel of him. When I pulled back, his eyes were glowing. “Come on, we’re going to be late.”
“I think we should skip class and make out under the bleachers.”
I laughed and tugged him toward the back door of the school. “Maybe tomorrow, Casanova.”
“Holding you to that.” Declan opened the door so I could slip inside, and he quickly followed. He took my hand, and we started down the hallway.
“You both are complete wastes of space. Can you not do a single thing right?” Chloe snapped as Mimi and Grace stared at her in shock.
“Chlo,” Grace started. “You said—”
“I don’t want to hear it,” she barked. “God, I should find people who aren’t complete morons for friends.”
She turned on her heel, storming in our direction. Her eyes flashed in hatred as she passed us, slamming into Declan’s shoulder.
He turned to stare after her, a frown marring his face.
“What is it?” I whispered.
“I’m not sure…”
I waited for more.
“Colt’s right about her smelling wrong.”
Sometimes I forgot that the dragons had the same heightened senses as the wolves.
“Wrong how?” I asked.
Declan turned back to me, his brows drawing together. “Like death.”