Page 44 of Hunted By Wraith

Before the silence has time to stretch, Lily’s voice cuts in, sharp.

“This is all great, but we’ve got a masquerade to attend.”

Selene slips from my hold, earning a low growl from me. She turns back, that smile on her face.

Her fucking smile—it lights me up from the inside out.

“Don’t worry, big guy,” her voice is sultry, laced with tease. “I won’t be long.”

My cock jumps in my slacks, like it’s trying to chase after her.

She winks, then disappears down the hall with Lily.

“This is great news, Kaz,” Keir says behind me, but his tone doesn’t match the words.

I glance his way—his eyes are still on the hall where Selene vanished.

He’s not wrong. It is good news. Maybe the best we’ve had in years.

But we all know leaving her is going to fucking hurt.

I know it’s crazy, this connection to her. I barely know her.

But I do know that my soul recognized her instantly.

That my heart only beats for her.

That she’s imprinted on every part of me.

“That means leaving Selene, doesn’t it?” Dario’s voice is quiet, heavy with emotion.

I nod. She wouldn’t leave this place. Not with her father’s legacy to take care of.

Keir has his. I guess I have mine.

“Unfortunately.”

Keir’s voice makes both Dario, and I snap our heads toward him.

“Unfortunately?” Dario bristles. “Man, you’re the one who said all those things.”

Keir scoffs and drags a hand through his hair. “I know. Fuck, I know. I just don’t know how to handle this.”

His voice rises with each word until it’s nearly a shout.

I see it in his eyes—the war he’s waging inside himself.

“What do you mean?” Dario asks.

I stay silent. I already know. I just want to see if I’m right.

“These fucking feelings, man. I feel like I’m going insane.”

Keir gets up and starts pacing. “I’m thirty-eight and I’m feeling things I’ve never felt before. For a woman I barely fucking know.”

Yep. Nailed it.

None of us ever had girlfriends. Except Dario, briefly, back in high school.