Page 32 of Beta Lies and Cursed Lives

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 theywilldiscover 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.

Miranda

My ears are screeching as I huddle down, eyes closed tight against the pain in my head.

That was Aubrey’s curse. That’s why he doesn’t speak. He must not be able to control it, just like the rest of us.

I pry one eye open a sliver to find Aubrey’s back as he walks away from us, right through the hole he created in the coliseum wall.

He’s hurting.

My head ticks at the strange whisper inside me. It’s feminine but wild, in a way.

That’s when that thing in my chest moves behind my sternum, shifting in its place like an animal finding its comfort before slumber.

What the fuck?

A hand grips my shoulder, and I find Rai beside me. He beckons me to stand, which I do on wobbling legs, as I take my hands from my ears.

“Are you all right, Mira?”

His question is more loaded than it should be. Am I? The ringing in my ears is now a quiet, constant tone. I’m physically unharmed, at least I think. I could hear his voice, so my eardrums have to be okay.

But my heart?

I blink up at Rai’s covered face and want to see his eyes so badly, to find comfort in those dark depths. Before I realize what I’m doing, I grab his hand in my gloved one and yank the blindfold from his eyes, sending his white hair swirling in a flurry before it settles again. His beautiful eyes are wide as they stare down at me.

“Mira…” His voice cracks.

What does he see in my own eyes? What emotions does my gaze elicit in him that cause his to pool with unshed tears?

All I want is to wrap my arms around him, press my lips to his forehead as I hold him close.

But I can’t.

“How do you know?” Colt asks as he approaches Rai’s side.

“What?” My voice is raw.

“How do you know that this connection, whatever it is, doesn’t go both ways?”