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Aubrey

“Now it’s Aubrey’s turn.”

Is it? Do I actually want this?

I already crave this girl nearly every moment of the day, waking or otherwise. If it turns out that I have some kind of connection with her that neutralizes my curse by touch, what is that going to do to me?

Nope. No, thank you. This is not fucking happening.

“Yes, it is.” Colt’s voice draws my glare, and he just glares right back at me. But there’s no humor on his face, which is abnormal. “You’re going to do this. You have to know. We all do.”

“Don’t force him,” comes Mira’s smooth voice, and for a second, I think she’s defending my honor. But when I look at her, those platinum eyes are sad.

She thinks I don’t want to touch her.

“See what you did, dumbass?” Colt barbs me, and I clench my jaw.

I can’t be swayed. It’s good that she thinks I don’t want her. If I touch her and my curse is neutralized, I’ll never want to be without her again. That is the surest way to get us all killed, either by the GBE or Miranda’s curse.

Yet, if I touch her and my curse remains unaffected, I’ll be disappointed despite myself.

That’s not something I can deal with.

I don’t have much time left here. My instincts have been in overdrive every time a soldier approaches me on campus, just waiting to get the order.

That thing in my chest growls at me, its anger apparent. I know it wants Miranda as much as I do.

But it can be as pissed off as it pleases. I will not change my decision. This is for the best.

“Come on, bro, stop being a selfish prick.” Colt crosses his arms over his chest, eyes narrowed at me.

Is he for real?

I’m the only rational one here, I seethe at him in my mind. You’re both driven by emotion, just like the Alphas of old. And look where that got us all.

“Aubs, listen—”

Have you even considered what will happen when they discover us? Because they will discover us.

“Of course I have—”

Then you are unworthy of her. That gives him pause. You’re willing to endanger her for your selfishness. None of the other Cursed here get a reprieve from their curses. What makes you so special?

His mismatched eyes flare with anger. “Listen here, you shit. I’ve suffered more than half my life, much worse than most. I deserve what little happiness I can find before they ship me off to die at someone else’s whim. So does Rai. And although you are being an absolute douche right now, you deserve happiness, too.”

“ NO!”

At my one roaring word in response, the wall I face beside Colt explodes, shards of stone spraying all around us, one catching me in the corner of my eye, leaving a sting I surely deserve. Colt, Rai, and Miranda all grip their ears and shout, either in surprise or pain, ducking down in reaction.

My rage had built to a boiling point, and although I’m not proud of it, this is for the best.

Let them hate me. I’m willing to be the bad guy to save us all.