11.

MAVERICK.

'A bastard. That is who you are. Nothing but an unfeeling, worthless bastard unworthy of love.'

I awoke with a pounding headache, the words still ringing in my brain despite drinking myself to a stupor. A glimmer of sunlight filtered through the little opening created by the curtains. I shut my eyes again, grateful for the dark curtains I had chosen. Grateful for the darkness in the room. If my bladder wasn't full, I wouldn't mind spending the entire day in bed, wallowing in my depths of misery.

Well, a pounding headache and a sour mood are never a good combination. Which certainly means that this is going to be a very long, exhausting day. Oh well, what does a bastard like me deserve? Definitely lots of pain, in batches.

I dragged myself to the bathroom, refusing to give an opening to any of the thoughts gnawing at my mind. A quick shower and a bowl of soup should work its magic on this hangover and headache. At least that is what I wish for.

Not like that would actually happen, just because it is something I want.

I pulled on my cream colored trousers lying on the floor of my bedroom after the shower. I didn't bother with a shirt or to ransack my wardrobe for a clean pair of trousers and not one I had used to fu…

I shook my head quickly, to clear the thoughts from taking any more space than they already did in my brain. I feel like shit, which shouldn't be a surprise considering how much I drank last night at the bar.

I stepped out of my room, praying silently that no one was home, because I'm not sure I have enough energy to deal with anyone this morning.

"Look who's finally awake," a bright voice said from behind as I downed a glass of water by the dining table.

A groan escaped my parted lips as I set the glass down. Just who I needed to start my morning. Tabitha.

"I thought you'd be spending the entire day in bed, curled up in your sad, miserable life. A surprise to see you did manage to get yourself out."

I tsked, sliding into one of the chairs. "Back off, Tabby. I'm not in the mood to indulge you this early in the morning."

"Who said it is still morning?" She rolled her eyes and took the seat beside me. "It is past 1pm."

My head shot up quickly, as the thinking wheels took over my icy mind.

"Don't worry. We took care of it. Her flight took off an hour ago."

I nodded, working around the tightening in my chest as the images of what I had done yesterday flooded back in. The way I had treated my mate floated through my head. I was the most stupid person alive on earth. That much is obvious.

"Khalil and Abeel?"

"Right here, prick," A deep voice said from beside me.

Abeel. "Finally out of your daze?"

"Knock it off." I grumbled again, downing another glass of water.

"You look like shit." Khalil finally spoke.

I winced.

"That is one polite way to put it. He looks miserable besides looking like shit." Tabby said from the side.

"Are you guys hellbent on getting on my nerves today?"

"No. Just trying to make you feel a little less miserable over what you did to your mate." Abeel grinned.

My eyes widened and I looked from one person to another, waiting for them to say something else. But as none of them did, I began to wonder just how much I had spilled to them while being drunk.

Shit.

"It's none of your goddamned business!" I snapped, getting all defensive.

"No one is trying to pry. Who wants your shitty life to be theirs? Not me!" Tabby raised her hands, her lips curled to one side in the sinister smile of hers that always gets on my nerves.

Today, however, I chose to ignore it. Because I don't have enough sanity to focus on anything else besides how much I messed up last night.

"Any progress from your side?" I asked, directing my question to the two men leaning against the table by my side.

"Nothing from my side. Same old story, no luck," Abeel Khair, a lycan and my third-in-command of this small agency I managed to set up when I came to the human realm ten years ago.

"Neither from mine," Khalil replied. The dragon in our midst. And not just any dragon, but a sand dragon.

I nodded. "We'll take a break for the next two weeks. Block off our escort accounts for the time being," I inclined my head towards Tabitha, my closest friend of the three and my second-in-command. A hybrid fae witch. A very dangerous combination, if I dare say.

"Are you that messed up after seeing your mate?" Abeel asked, drumming his fingers on the table.

A snarl tore through me, because those images of how I had allowed myself to take her, then just toss her aside like she meant nothing gripped me. So much so that I nearly choked on my breath. It felt like a tractor had plowed through my middle, turning over my insides. Amadi popped in before vanishing a few seconds later.