Settling into the overside armchair I pulled my knees to my chest, as the night had grown colder Strawberry and Rocky decided we should move inside, while most of the other and Ash stayed out, their alcohol fueling their warmth. Rocky claimed the loveseat stretching out enjoying the space.  Aurora, alongside a curled up Zeke and Alyia, had claimed the sectional While Berry had taken a spot on the floor behind me using the chair cushion as a pillow. 

"Soo Adrian?" Rocky sung a smirk pulling at her lips I rolled my eyes.


"No. dont even go there Rocky" I stated crossing my arms over my chest.

"You did kiss him... in front, most of the pack" Berry teased looking up at me through he blonde locks.



"first off. Adrian and I barely know each other, and the conversations we've had haven't exactly been the warmest." I insisted gently nudging her.



"So then you do like Mateo" Rocky sassed a Cheshire grin spreading on her lips.

"No!" I demanded slightly annoyed at the comment.


"So who do you like then?" Zeke questioned leaning forward a bit, causing Aliya to nudge him

"None of your nosy beeswax" I stated crossing my arms


"Wait!? you like someone and you didn't tell me!?" Berry scoffed turning fully around her eyes filled with betrayal.

"yes... no..?!? I haven't don't know, maybe. It's complicated and it's not like love is exactly on my priority list right now. when I could be sold off to the strongest bidder." I reminded all of them 


"But you are not denying you have a crush" Rocky smirked.

"Rocky" Aliya warned


"Don't Rocky me. I'm so fingering this out." Rocky stated.


"It's not me, she claims its not Mateo or Adrian," Zeke added, gaining himself a glare from his mate.



"which narrows it down. I mean I could totally see it being Physalis, even if you both deny it... which means..." Zeke started to deduct going down the list.


"oh, would you look at the time? Scirocco, don't you have school in the morning?" Aurora interrupted  giving  Zeke a warning glare,

"yes, yes she does with a math test first thing in the morning.  which bed." Aliya added, catching onto Aurora's hints, Rock let out a groan as her older sister stood up.


"I'm going to figure this out" Rocky warned pointing at me as Aliya nudged her up the stairs.




"I should uh... go to..." Zeke stumbled out as both Berry and Aururor stared him down. 



Aurora smiled giving him a  nod like he had made the right choice. Zeke pushed himself out of the chair rushing after his girlfriend. Berry and I both let out a small giggle as Aurora simply shook her head at him, the three of us sat in silence for a moment  before Berry turned to me


"You'd tell me if it was Physalis right? she questioned her head slightly cocked to one side.


"I'm going to bed" I stated forcing myself out of my spot,  patting Berry's arm as I did.



Berry's mouth dropped at my avoidance as I  waved to both girls heading down the hallway. Berry knew that what Sal and I had was complicated, stuck in a friendzone grey space. She knew that back in high school  I had grown a major crush on him, one that faded into a friendship. there were times however when I felt that familiar tingle of butterflies in my stomach from being around him, that I just couldn't shake, and lately had been stirring more then they had in years.



Walking down the hallway I tried to push the thoughts from my head as I entered the Aurora room. She had declared they while we waited for Mondschlacht if wasn't sleeping at Mames, that she'd share her room with me. It was a nice gesture, one  I appreciated greatly. Snuggling deep into the blankets I closed my eyes letting the much-needed sleep overtake me.

My heart thundered in my chest like a thousand war drums, sharp claws digging into my skin as Is squirmed in the grip of my captors. I could hear the growls of wolves howling in my ears, their golden eyes surrounding me. I struggled in the arms of the men who held me back. Every ounce of me wanting to run to him, save him. Protect his from the claws the ripped through his skin like silken butter. 


 I screamed and begged for them to stop, pleading Id do whatever they wanted if they let him go. They didn't listen, the didn't care as they forced me to watch as Physails stood alone fighting off the strange men. he didn't stand a chance he was outmatched, in numbers and strength. His bloodshot, swollen eyes locked on mine as I watched helplessly as blood poured from his wounds.  his face so severely beaten if I hadn't witnessed it, I wouldn't even recognize him.



Lunging myself forward I tried to rip myself away from the captors, their long claws ripping my skin as they pulled me back. I watched as Physalis tried his hardness to take the men down, to save me, but as his body tensed and eyes grew large like saucers. My heart dropped, watching his mouth attempting to speak, but no words escaping only blood pooling from the sides.

 I could feel my heart sink in my chest, my stomach turning as tears stung my eyes. A gurgled gasp escaped his lips as he dropped to his knees, his eyes never leaving mine as fell to his side, lifeless.  A pained screamed escaped my lips as defeat filled me, bringing me to my knees.

Gasping I shot up in bed, panting heavily as I tried to catch my breath, panic still lingering in my bones. gripping on the soft material of Aurora comforter  I could feel the vibrations in my body, still rattled from the horrendous nightmare that had plagued my sleep. 

 I could feel Aurora shift on the bed next to me. I froze for a moment letting her settle before sliding out of the bed. I didn't want to wake her, bother her with the nightmares I had been having all week. She had so much on her plate already she didn't need anything else.



Carefully making my way out of the room I headed down the hallway to the living room, letting my self sink down along the side of the sectional pulling myself into a ball before letting the tears finally break free. Whimpering I held myself like  I had most nights. I didn't want to bother anyone, I knew they were just nightmares, but they still shook me to my core,  night after night losing someone I loved, because of my own stubbornness, because like my father I wouldn't just give in. 



Guilt overtook me as I buried my knees into my chest. I wallowed in myself guilt and pitty until the sound of the creaky bottom step caught my attention. I whimpered in a breath, hoping whoever had come downstairs hadn't heard me and wouldn't notice me curled in the corner.

"Micah?"  Luciano's calm voice was barely above a  whisper as he spoke.

 I mentally cursed to myself as I forced my self to look up at him. Stepping down off the last step, his dark locks dishevelled from sleep, one of the sleeves of his shit pushed up to his elbow. It was clear he had awoken from his sleep.  Ducking my head for a moment I wiped my tears away before looking back up at him.


"I'm sorry.. I didn' mean to wake you..." I muttered avoiding his gaze.


"don't be,  I've heard you the past couple night... I should have come earlier... are you okay?" he questioned, I could feel guilt welling up inside me.


"yeah...yeah I'm fine.. just some stupid nightmare" I forced a smile trying to play it off, I knew he didn't believe it. 

"It's okay Micah, your safe. you know that right? I won't let anything happen to you. I promise." He stated calmly walking closer.



I shook my head at him, tears welling up once more as my lip began to quiver. I knew he was trying to comfort me and I could see in his moss flecked eyes that he meant it... However, instead of comfort, all it brought was pain, knowing he could get hurt because of me. Shaking my head I wept.


"don't... don't say that." I whimpered still shaking my head 

Luciano's long fingers wrapped delicately around my wrists carefully pulling them from my face as if he was scared to hurt me.  Kneeling in front of me he tilted his head slightly to look into my eyes, searching them for something. I sniffled trying to force back my tears, the self-pity mixed with fear overpowering the embarrassment I had for crying in front of him like this, he was always so strong, like a brick wall...

"I am going to say it and I will continue to say it. Do you want to know why? because it's true." his voice was stern as he spoke yet it still held a tenderness to pulled at my heartstrings.


"You... you cant. you can't say that. I can't let you get hurt... any of you" I whimpered, my lip quivering. 

"Well.. unfortunately, Tesoro mio that is not your choice." He stated dropping beside me.



"You don't understand Lucinao.. I can't let you.. any of you... I've watched  You,  and Roman and Sal, Zeke, Aurora, Ash and even Mateo be slaughtered in front of me every night... while I'm forced to stand there and do nothing but watch.  I... can't do anything.. I cant help you... I can't stop it... I just watch as the life is drained from you because of me..." I wept to let the tears fall freely once more. 

His large arms engulfed me pulling me into his chest, this time he didn't speak he just held me close. nuzzling my head into his neck entangling his long muscular arms around me as he pulled onto his lap.  I felt so small in his arms and in that moment the safest I had felt in a long time.   The sound of his heartbeat steady in my ears he gently brushed his fingers through my hair attempting to soothe me. I felt myself melting under his warmth leaning into him I couldn't find the calming aura he infused onto me. for a moment it felt as if their world didn't exist... just us. 

Beautiful ship banner of Luciano and Micah from the talented