Lizard brains.

Alpha Hades

"Nero?" Zeno calls my name behind me, and my body instantly tenses.

I don't have it in me to turn around and face him now, especially after what I did.

I know Damon thinks Zeno won't be angry at me, but I can't help but think he will rip my head off for being so thoughtless and taking his choices. This was a decision we were supposed to make together, but instead, I took his voice, I took his life, and though I'm happy he's mine for good, I still feel like shit. I had no right to do this, husband or not, but I still had no right.

"Nero, please look at me," Zeno whispers as his hand slowly slides up my arm and stops on my shoulder.

I suck in a sharp, deep breath and shake my head. "I'm sorry, baby," I whisper, doubting my own voice.

If I turn around, I have no idea how Zeno might react and look at me after his newfound scar.

If I were a little bit smarter, I would have done as much as voiced the need to mark him. In that case, Zeno would know what to expect or at leas