Bleeding devil
1327 Words
Chapter Seven: The Bleeding Devil
She told herself she wasn’t waiting.
She had been telling herself that for the last hour.
She wasn’t waiting for him to return.
She wasn’t sitting by the window because she was listening for footsteps.
She wasn’t staring into the darkness because every shadow between the trees made her wonder if it was him.
No.
She was simply awake.
That was all.
Her fingers tightened around the warm mug in her hands as she stared at the flames.
It was ridiculous.
Absolutely ridiculous.
After everything that had happened, after the secrets and the unanswered questions, after the way he had looked at her and chosen not to tell her the truth…
Why was she worried?
She should be angry.
She was angry.
At least, she wanted to be.
But anger was much easier than admitting the truth.
That somewhere along the way, he had stopped being just the arrogant, impossible man who irritated her.
Somewhere along the way, his silence had started bothering her because she cared what was behind it.
Somewhere along the way, his absence had started feeling wrong.
She frowned at herself.
“Why do I even care?”
The words left her mouth before she could stop them.
The room offered no answer.
Only silence.
She looked away.
“He lied to you,” she whispered.
And yet…
She still found herself looking toward the door.
The sound of footsteps outside made her freeze.
Her heart reacted before her mind did.
She hated that.
She hated that she was already standing before she had even decided to move.
The door opened.
And then she saw him.
For one second, relief filled her.
He was back.
But that relief vanished almost immediately.
Because something was wrong.
Very wrong.
His clothes were torn.
His expression was colder than usual.
And the blood.
There was blood everywhere.
The mug slipped from her hand.
It crashed against the floor, shattering into pieces.
She didn’t even hear it.
All she saw was him.
“You’re hurt.”
The words came out in a whisper.
Then louder.
“Oh my God.”
She crossed the room before she could think.
“You’re bleeding.”
His eyes softened slightly as he watched the panic appear on her face.
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.”
Her voice was sharper than she intended.
She reached for him, grabbing his arm, searching for an injury.
A wound.
Anything.
“Where are you hurt?”
“I’m not.”
“Don’t lie to me.”
The words came out so quickly that both of them went still.
Because she wasn’t talking about the blood.
She was talking about everything.
The secrets.
The distance.
The walls.
His gaze lowered to where her hand was wrapped around his arm.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then he gently caught her wrist.
“I said I’m fine.”
She looked up at him.
“You’re covered in blood.”
A pause.
Then his voice lowered.
“It’s not my blood.”
Everything stopped.
She blinked.
“What?”
“It’s not mine.”
The relief that hit her was immediate.
Too immediate.
She hated that he saw it.
Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
Her fingers loosened around his arm.
And for a brief moment, she looked exactly like what she had been trying not to be.
Worried.
He noticed.
Of course he noticed.
His eyes stayed on her face.
“You were afraid I was hurt.”
She immediately looked away.
“No.”
A small silence.
“No?”
“I was just surprised.”
“Surprised?”
“Yes.”
“Because I came back covered in blood?”
“Yes.”
“Not because you thought something happened to me?”
She folded her arms.
“You are unbelievably annoying.”
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
It was barely there.
But she saw it.
And somehow that annoyed her even more.
“You’re smiling.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“I assure you, I’m not.”
“You’re terrible at lying.”
The amusement disappeared from his expression.
The irony wasn’t lost on either of them.
The reminder sat between them.
His lies.
Her hurt.
The things they hadn’t talked about.
The room became quieter.
“I’m sorry.”
She froze.
Because she hadn’t expected that.
Not from him.
His eyes stayed on hers.
“I know you don’t believe me.”
She didn’t answer.
“But I am.”
Her chest tightened slightly.
The man standing in front of her was the same man who could make everyone else tremble.
The same man who carried himself like nothing in the world could touch him.
Yet here he was.
Apologizing.
To her.
“I don’t understand you,” she admitted.
“I know.”
“No, you don’t.”
She stepped closer.
“You disappear when things get serious. You shut me out. You act like pushing me away is somehow protecting me.”
His jaw tightened.
“Because it is.”
“No.”
Her voice softened.
“It isn’t.”
He looked at her.
“You don’t know what I am.”
The words were quiet.
Not threatening.
Almost sad.
She studied him.
“Then tell me.”
Silence.
She waited.
And for a second, she thought he might.
But then the walls returned.
“I can’t.”
Her expression fell.
There it was again.
The distance.
She stepped back.
“Right.”
He noticed the disappointment.
And he hated that he caused it.
More than he wanted to admit.
“I came back because I knew you would be here.”
The words surprised even him.
Her eyes lifted.
“What?”
He looked away.
Almost as if he regretted saying it.
But it was too late.
“I knew you would be here.”
She stared at him.
“You came back… because of me?”
His silence answered.
Her heart did something strange.
Something she immediately ignored.
“You’re unbelievable.”
His brow lifted.
“That’s not the reaction I expected.”
“What did you expect?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s the first honest thing you’ve said tonight.”
A faint smile appeared again.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“I’m really not.”
“You are.”
She rolled her eyes.
“You’re covered in someone else’s blood and somehow you still find a way to annoy me.”
“I have a talent.”
“You have a problem.”
“Maybe.”
The answer caught her off guard.
Because he didn’t argue.
He didn’t pretend.
For once, he simply accepted it.
The softness between them lasted only a moment.
Then a cold wind moved through the room.
His expression changed.
She noticed immediately.
“What?”
He looked toward the window.
His entire body became alert.
The man she knew disappeared.
The warrior returned.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“You are the worst liar.”
His gaze returned to hers.
And despite everything…
Despite the danger.
Despite the secrets.
He looked almost reluctant to leave.
“Stay inside.”
She crossed her arms.
“You know demanding things from me has never worked.”
“I know.”
“Then why say it?”
“Because this time I need you to listen.”
Something in his voice made her stop.
Not because he commanded her.
Because he asked.
Not as an alpha.
As him.
She swallowed.
“Come back.”
The words escaped before she could stop them.
His expression softened.
Just slightly.
“I will.”
And this time…
She believed him.
Even though she knew she probably shouldn’t.
Deep within herself, she knew whatever this feeling was, it was going to get her in a whole lot of trouble. Maybe more trouble than she was already in.
- Writer
