“But you’re twenty-four.” I shrugged.
“Wait, are you a virgin?” I could feel myself blush from head to toe. I had never felt embarrassed about my virginity, but how he said it made me feel inexperienced and naive. Well, technically, that would make me inexperienced, but it still didn’t stop my embarrassment. I awkwardly moved from one foot to the other while he stared at me.
“Can you not stare?” My voice was barely audible.
“Sorry, I am just in shock. The others are convinced you ran off with some man.”
“I told you I didn’t.”
He nodded, and I realized none of them believed me, even after Tobias confirmed I wasn’t lying. As if I could somehow get away with it. He went to say something when the door suddenly burst open, and a frantic Lycus and Darius walked in. I shrieked, ripping Kalen toward me, using him as a shield.Could this get any more embarrassing?I heard their collective sigh of relief.
“Everything alright?” Kalen asked. Neither of them said anything for a few seconds and I was too embarrassed to peek around to see their faces. One of them cleared their throat, and I heard a growl.
“You weren’t in the room,” I heard Darius say.
“Yeah, because I was in the shower,” Kalen said.
“I can see that,” Darius said, and Lycus growled.
“Just showering, nothing else going on, Lycus. No need to be jealous,” Kalen snapped at him, which only made him growl louder before he stormed out.
“Come on, out. You know better.”
“Fuck, why are you being a dick and acting like I am cheating? She is our mate, too,” Kalen snapped, and I looked up at his shoulders as they tensed.
“You know why. Now, out!” Darius snapped.
“Well, at least leave so she can put a towel on.”
“I have already seen her naked, and I wasn’t impressed,” he retorted, and I could hear the anger in his voice. My face heated in embarrassment, and I knew his words shouldn’t have hurt, but they still stung. It was one thing hearing the whispers in school about my burns, but another when you repulsed your own mates. Kalen snarled, and the air chilled significantly, making goosebumps rise on my arms. The tension in the room rose significantly.
“Either you’re blind or jealous because I have seen how every man watches her, including you. Do you think I haven’t invaded your dreams, Darius? Because they say a lot about how you feel about her,” Kalen snapped at him. Darius growled at him while I chewed my lip.
“Out, now!” Darius snapped at him.
“Should we pretend you don’t sneak into her room and watch her while she sleeps?” Kalen said, and I gasped.
“Kalen, one more word, and I will put her in the fucking cells,” Darius snarled before punching the tiled wall.
“And I said get out,” Kalen snapped, and I touched his side. He looked down at me, and I shook my head. He was playing with fire, and the only one that would get burned was me. I knew better. It was sweet he was defending me or whatever he was doing, but it was only going to worsen things.
“No, I am sick of him being a prick,” Kalen said, and he turned back to Darius. The shower screen opened. Tears burned my eyes, and I knew Darius was about to rip him out.
I didn’t want them to fight, and I certainly didn’t want to get caught up in it. So, I bit down on my shame, pushed past Kalen and Darius, and grabbed my towel. I didn’t bother looking at either of them and just walked back to my room so I could die of shame without their prying eyes.
I quickly got dressed and heard them arguing, and for once, I locked my doors, not wanting to be near any of them.
Chapter 43
It was a littleafter midnight before I finally plucked up the courage to unlock the door leading into the hall. Surprisingly, they had once again left it unlocked. The key was still in it, but it hadn’t been turned, trapping me inside. The majority of the night I spent listening to Kalen argue and fight with them over me.
I tried my best to ignore it and not eavesdrop but hearing the hatred spewing from their lips and listening to them warn Kalen away from me bothered me. Though I was a little shocked overhearing Lycus defend Kalen and me because he was furious about finding his mate in the shower with me.
Something went down in there, and I hoped Kalen was alright. If any of them did get hurt, I prayed it was Darius. The asshole needed to know what pain felt like. I would love to be the one to deliver every blow he had shown to me. He sure knew how to ruin someone; there was no doubt about it.
Slipping into the hall, I made my way down to the cells. I carefully opened the door, so it wouldn’t creak before making my way down the steps. Ryze peeked his little head up excitedly before tilting it from side to side as he looked at me. I could swear Ryze looked right into my soul. As soon as I sat down, he bumped hishead against my cheek, making a low cawing sound, and I got the feeling he could sense I was upset.
“I can’t stay for long, but I saved you some sandwich,” I whispered to him before kissing the top of his beak. I held the sandwich out to him, but he nudged my hand away. I tried again, but he did the same thing.