Page 53 of Bellamy

But I knew when the battle was lost.

“Bellamy,” I said.

He turned to me, agony reflecting in his eyes. It was like his entire body was fighting to follow Pride’s demand and physically hurting him for refusing. His will had always been strong though. Something I admired about him. The stubborn dummy.

“It’s better this way,” I whispered. Alastair was doing what he thought was best for his brothers. Amputating the rotten limb before the infection could spread. He was all about survival too.

A strangled sound left Bellamy’s throat. “When I was ready to die down there, you wouldn’t let me give up. So how can I let you?”

“Remember what I said about one of us needing to change course, otherwise we’ll both be destroyed?” I stepped away from the glass wall. Away from him. “This is me doing exactly that.”

“You’re an idiot,” he said, his voice cracking. “Self-sacrifice isn’t like you at all. Where’s that annoying, cocky-as-fuck demon I love to hate?”

“He died that day on the beach when you held a blade to his throat,” I said. “I still remember the way you looked, covered in blood and sweat. Messy bangs falling into your face. You were beautiful and devastating. I knew right then you’d be my undoing.”

And I had been right.

“Phoenix.” My name was a whimper on his lips.

Fuck if it didn’t shatter me more.

“You should be happy,” I said, throat tight. “You’ll finally be rid of me.”

“How can I be happy when you’ll—” Bellamy’s words cut off as he cried out. Sweat beaded at his temple as he continued fighting the order.

“I rescind my demand,” Alastair suddenly said, taking a step back. “I… I can’t do this.” He regarded Bellamy with what I could only describe as raw grief. “I can’t take your mate from you. I won’t.”

Bellamy dropped to his knees as the hold on him lifted, head down. A single tear fell to the floor in front of him.

“Forgive me,” Alastair whispered before leaving us alone in the basement.

“Bellamy?” I asked after a long stretch of silence passed and he still hadn’t moved.

Slowly, he looked at me. I would’ve rather been shot in the heart—again—than see that haunted look in his eyes.

“He couldn’t kill you because he realized he’d be condemning me to a fate worse than death,” he whispered, his voice so soft I barely heard it. “Which means I’m more fucked than I thought. You and I aren’t even fully mated, but the pull is too strong. I can’t walk away from this. I can’t fight it anymore.”

“Bellamy…”

“I hate you, Phoenix.” Another tear fell. “But I need you.”

“Yeah.” I swallowed hard. “I need you too.”

Because despite us being on opposite sides of this war and butting heads every time we were in the same room, I needed him like I needed air. It had taken the threat of death for me to fully realize it.

Bellamy rose to his feet and turned toward the cage. Without a word, he pulled a key from his back pocket and stuck it in the small opening in the door. The lock disengaged. As the door slid open, I didn’t move. Neither did he. We stared at each other, silent.

My heart thrashed against my ribs.

Was his doing the same?

Then, he stepped across the threshold. Tingles ran over my skin as he approached me, his gaze intense. With the door open, the warding no longer affected me. I could teleport out of there with a single thought.

Instead, I reached for him.

Bellamy gently pushed me against the wall of the cage, his forehead bumping mine before I felt his breath on my lips. “I need you,” he repeated. “I don’t want to. But I do.”

“We’re both screwed, then. Because I feel the same.” I touched his stomach. “How’s the ribs?”