Chapter 6

ANASTASIA 

“I sent the message two weeks ago. How are you just seeing it?” Skylar panicked, “You're a notorious workaholic and you leave your office the one time I needed you not to?”

I sucked in a breath, “I took a week off to take care of my heat…” And find the Alpha I marked, “Viktor forgot to hand it over.”

I lay curled on my side, on the bed, phone pressed to my ear, and my best friend on the other side of it.

I couldn't sleep through the night, and I didn't even try to, drowning in my despair, memories I thought I blocked out of my mind cascading over.

At exactly 2am, the sound of revving engine dragged me from the bed up to the window.

Just in time to see Hermes, light feet climbed into a black sedan, and together with a fleet of other cars drove off into the night.

I'd been sprawled like this since then, wondering what was going on. It was 11.

“Anastasia? Are you there? Can you hear me?”

“Yeah yeah,” I answered too quickly, “Zoned off a bit.”

“You said you're all right? I'm worried he might have hurt you.”

“I got out just in time I promise.” I whispered, “Now I'm in this…” I looked at the beautiful walls, the regal curtains, “...old hotel room. I'll get out when everything calms down.”

This was the first time I'd lied to Skylar and it was doing something painful to me. I swallowed shame.

I couldn't tell her I was with her brother. Couldn't tell her I marked her baby brother.

Skylar sighed with relief. “I'm glad.” Shuffling sheets in the background told me she'd also just climbed out of bed. “So what's up with the Alpha you marked? Found him yet?”

If I'd known it'd turn up like this, I would have kept my mouth shut. But gossiping and updating each other on every little shit in our life was our thing.

So I had spilled everything to her as soon as I got home, hearing her scream into her hands and call me a force of nature and hoping he was at least a little good-looking.

I shut my eyes, parted my lips to lie yet again, when the door creaked open, “Ana?”

I shot up so fast my head ached. There he was by the door, in a black long-sleeved shirt and grey sweatpants. I hated that it felt less even though he was fully covered.

Maybe not decently, I thought as my eyes grazed the patch on his neck. 

I placed a finger over my lips.

Hermes raised a brow, shut the door, and walked further in. Then, sprawled on my bed in a way, he was staring into my face.

“Anastasia? Is that a man's voice I hear….”

“No.” I stuttered quickly, “It's…just…it's just room service.” I laughed nervously. “Complimentary wine for new guests, you know.”

Hermes grinned amused.

I hated that my wolf stirred in response.

“I mean I'm not judging.” Skylar teased, “You do like the Betas. What's one rebound night with the room service guy?”

Hermes scowled. I ignored him. He picked my free hand and pressed my knuckles to his lips.

I snatched my hand glaring.

“Room service” he drawled out, so loud, my eyes widened as I clamped my hand over his lips.

With another smug smile, Hermes continued to kiss my fingers.

Goddess, he was so petty.

Weary, I let him, shivering uncontrollably as Skylar laughed in the background. “Okay, if he's that close, and drawl that low, he wanna be your rebound guy.”

“Goddess Sky, I said no rebound guy.” My gaze dropped to the top of Hermes' head, “No matter how pretty he thinks he is.”

The bastard chuckled into my hand.

“Whatever you say, girl.” I could hear the snicker in her tone, “Call me back when you're alone.”

“I'm alone.”

“Your Alpha mate doesn't know what he's in for, huh?” She giggled, “Don't moan too loud, they get cocky…”

“Goddess Skylar!”

The call went dead, the phone dropped to the bed and for seconds, there was silence.

I tried to pull my hand from his grip, Hermes didn't budge.

“Hermes?” I warned.

“Give me a minute.” He grumbled inhaling my hands, “You're so cold.”

“What are you doing?”

“Skylar can hold your hands but I can't?”

“You're grown up now, so quit acting like a kid.”

“Does that mean you're taking responsibility?”

I snatched my hand from his, successfully this time. “Of course not!” I walked to the centre of the room and stopped. “I didn't know what I was doing. There was my heart, and I couldn't think.”

That lazy grin again, “Were you? From what I remembered you seemed to like me very much. I mean, you should, we're mates.”

“You aren't listening to me.”

“No, you aren't listening to me.” He stretched like a wild cat and crossed his legs. “You know what I think? I think you're mad. It's me, Skylar's younger brother. If it were another Alpha, you'd be falling straight into his arms like a damsel in distress.”

“That's not true.”

“Betas? You've always preferred Betas. Are you scared of me?”

“No!”

“Then why won't you ask why I became like this?” Hermes’ grin faded.

I flinched like he slapped me. My throat felt heavy. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair how he kept twisting the knife so calmly.

He stood quietly and the distance between us faded in a few steps. 

I backed up. “What are you doing?”

“Why won't you ask Ana? Is it because you know?”

He towered over me, not even touching but the heat and the guilt and shame burned so hot. My wolf purred, my cheeks burned.

“You know you made me like this. This devil who tears down packs and makes Alphas tremble.” 

His eyes were different, yes still grey, still sparkled when he was excited, but there was this void emptiness in them, one that sent a shiver down my spine. 

“I didn't die, I went rogue.” He tucked a loose hair behind my ears. “All to get to you, Peaches. You made me this.”

Running off eleven years ago, I had thought my distance was going to be all they needed, but even in my absence I still wrecked a family that did nothing wrong but love me.

There was silence for seconds, then finally,

A sob slipped past my lips. “What do you want from me? Revenge? Is that what you want? I'll let you. You could just kill me now and be done with it.”

But Hermes panicked, instead cradling my face, “No, Peaches, I don't want revenge or your guilt.” He searched my

face then silently wrapped his arms around me, breathing in my hair.

“I just want—you to take responsibility.” 

That damn word…