Sweet When Not Ripping Throats
SCARLETT
“Go on, Scar. Go talk to him,” Lily gave me a gentle shove toward Saint, who was still standing motionless by the tent, staring at me with those soft blue eyes. He hadn’t moved or spoken since we spotted the names on the flap, and I could tell this was just as awkward for him as it was for me.
I turned back to Lily. “Relax, Lil. We’re not the only ones who got paired with the opposite gender.”
“I know that,” she muttered, arms crossed tightly over her chest. “But he’s part of the Triumvirate… and you guys are kind of close.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, he was the one who saved you. So why are you acting like he’s some kind of disease?”
Lily sighed but didn’t argue. I didn’t really blame her. After everything she’d been through, her distrust of Alphas ran deep. Who could blame her?
I took a deep breath and walked over to Saint.
He straightened up the moment I got close, shoulders squaring, like he was trying to look less intimidating. It didn’t really work, he was still massive but the effort was… sweet.
“So… it seems we got placed together,” I muttered, looking down at my feet before forcing myself to meet his eyes. I couldn’t explain it, but around Saint I felt strangely calm, even if I was also a little shy.
Saint’s lips curved into a small, gentle smile. His voice came out low and rough, like he wasn’t used to speaking much.
“Yeah… I’m glad it’s you.”
My cheeks warmed. He sounded so sincere it made my stomach flutter.
He glanced at the unassembled tent laid out on the ground, then back at me.
“We should start setting it up,” he said quietly. “Before it gets dark. I can do most of it if you want… but maybe we can do it together?”
I nodded, grateful for the normal suggestion. “Yeah. That sounds good. Let’s do it together.”
I beckoned Lily over. She hesitated for a second, then walked up, still looking wary but trying.
Saint gave her a small, careful smile not too wide, not too toothy. “Hi, Lily. Thank you for letting me help.”
Lily blinked, surprised by the politeness. She managed a tiny smile back. “Uh… thanks for saving me the other night. I owe you.”
Saint shook his head. “You don’t owe me anything.”
The three of us started working on the tent. Saint was surprisingly good at it , his big hands moved with surprising gentleness as he fitted poles and staked the corners. Lily and I helped with the fabric, stretching it over the frame.
As we worked, the conversation stayed light but careful.
“So… sleeping arrangements,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual while hammering in a stake. “How do we want to do this?”
Saint paused, glancing at the tent’s interior space. It was bigger than a normal two-person tent but still cozy for three.
“I can sleep near the entrance,” he offered immediately. “That way I’m between you and anything outside. You two can take the back.”
Lily raised an eyebrow. “You sure? You’re the biggest one here.”
He nodded, serious. “I don’t mind. I like knowing you’re safe.”
I felt my face heat again. Saint really was like a giant Labrador, protective, earnest, and somehow both terrifying and adorable at the same time.
Lily softened a little. “Okay… thanks.”
We kept working in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the sounds of other students setting up their own tents filling the clearing.
Saint suddenly spoke again, voice quiet. “I know this is… strange. Being paired with me but I meant what I said earlier. I don’t want to hurt you. Neither does Rhys or Kane… even if they’re bad at showing it.”
He looked at me, blue eyes earnest.
“I’ll sleep on the floor if it makes you more comfortable. Or outside the tent. Whatever you need.”
Lily glanced between us, then muttered under her breath, “He’s actually kind of sweet when he’s not ripping throats out.”
Saint’s ears turned pink.
I couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped me.
“We’ll figure it out,” I said softly. “Together.”
Saint’s smile returned, small, hopeful, and just a little bit shy.
For the first time since the Purge, the knot in my chest loosened… just a fraction.
But as I looked across the clearing and caught sight of Rhys and Kane setting up their own tent with Kaiden, I knew the peace was only temporary.
Because tomorrow, when the real activities started…
The monsters would come out to play.
And this time, I wouldn’t be able to hide behind a bus seat.