Chapter 7: The Fire That Never Happened

His palm connected with my cheek so hard that my ears rang. He might’ve been an omega, but that slap was all man.

I just stood there, staring at the floor while the sting spread across my face. I could hear my own heartbeat pounding. Then I looked back at him. He was breathing hard, his face twisted with anger.

I raised my hand and slapped him as hard as I could. In the past I never would’ve dared no, but it felt good to finally stand up for myself. Even though he’d probably make my life more difficult.

Kieran's eyes were as wide as an owl. He looked between us like he'd suddenly found himself trapped in the middle of a pack war.

“Oh, shit,” he muttered, taking a step back.

Marcus slowly turned his face toward me. His hand went to his cheek as his eyes widened in disbelief. “You hit me?”

“You hit me first,” I muttered.

His jaw clenched and I thought he was going to hit me again, probably harder this time.

Kieran moved between us. “Okay. No. Absolutely not.” He raised both hands, looking more horrified by the second. “I'm getting you another dress.”

Marcus shot him a furious look. “Kieran.”

“More dresses,” Kieran repeated quickly. “A whole rack if I have to.”

He disappeared toward the back of the store before Marcus could argue. We just stood there glaring at each other. I hoped to the Moon Goddess he wouldn’t slap me again because my hand was still feeling the aftermath of slapping him back.

‘Serves him right,’ Momo murmured with a snort.

“Shut up,” I said it out loud without meaning to.

Marcus furrowed his brows. “I didn’t say anything you man-trapping psycho.”

Kieran returned pushing a rack before I could say anything. I rolled my eyes at Marcus and turned to the dresses. The one at the front caught my attention immediately.

It was deep maroon, made of silk with an off-shoulder neckline and a bodice that looked like it was made to pull the waist in. The skirt fell to the floor, with a slit running high up one side. It was magnificent, and everything I never dared to dream of ever wearing.

I reached for it. “This one.”

Kieran's eyebrows lifted. “That one?”

I looked at him. “Is there something wrong with it?”

“No.” His eyes flicked toward Marcus before returning to me. “Nothing at all.”

********

I fitted the dress at the boutique, but it felt nothing like it did now, in the comfort of my own room. I'd rushed through the fitting because I was afraid Marcus might force his way into the booth with a pair of scissors.

My eyes travelled over the maroon silk, the bare shoulders, the slit running up my thigh, and the way the bodice pulled my waist in. I touched the fabric absently, still trying to get used to the woman staring back at me.

The bedroom door opened behind me. I looked up at the mirror expecting Marcus to badge in, but Trojan walking in instead. His steps slowed when he saw me. He didn't say anything at first. His eyes moved over me, lingering for a moment before meeting mine in the mirror.

Then he walked over and stopped behind me.

My eyes closed for a second the moment his hand touched me and he wrapped his arms around my waist. I could get used to that.

“You look beautiful, Babe.” His lips grazed the side of my neck and I almost whimpered.

I swallowed. Did I always react like that to him?

His gaze stayed locked with mine through the mirror. “Are you sure the headache from last night is gone?”

I frowned slightly. I didn't remember a headache, but it wasn’t like I remembered much of anything anyway.

“Yes.” My voice came out low, and my face was burning up.

His expression relaxed as he pressed a kiss to my neck this time.

My stomach twisted itself into knots. I had no idea what was happening between us, but my body seemed to know exactly what it was doing.

“Are you coming back to our room tonight?” he asked.

Our room. So I didn’t sleep in here anymore? The questions that swam into my mind made me want to turn around and demand answers.

How did we get together? When did Trojan stop being my guardian and become my... whatever he was now? And why did everyone act like I was supposed to remember all of this?

But I decided to start with something that had been bothering me since I woke up.

“Trojan?” I whispered.

“Hmm?” His hands came to my hips and he gave me a squeeze before turning me to face him.

I took a deep breath. “What happened at the academy?”

He rested his forehead against mine, making me blink.

Moon Goddess, what the hell was this man doing?

“Is anyone bothering you?” he asked.

Okay, that meant I still went to the academy. I definitely wasn’t looking forward to Monday.

I cleared my throat and attempted to move, but he held me in place. “No. I meant the fire.”

He moved his face back an inch or two. “What fire?”

“The one at the academy. The old science building.” I turned slightly in his arms. “The fire that happened last year. I got hurt.”

His confusion deepened. Marcus did look just as confused when I mentioned it earlier, and he thought I was putting on a cheap act.

Trojan licked his lower lip. “Billie, the last fire at the academy was in 1970.”