Page 67 of Of Blackened Blood (The Blackened Blade #3)

MICAI

I slowly creep downstairs, wrapping Mallyn’s hoodie over the white vest top and black leggings the boys had left in the room for me. Apparently, each of them had a couple of outfits placed in their rooms just in case I decided to stay over.

I pull the hoodie tighter against me, taking in Mallyn’s warm woodsy scent, letting it surround me as it fills my lungs.

The air was a little chillier the further downstairs I got, but it had been too hot between them all.

Ezra was flush to my right side, Annex wrapped himself around my left side, and Mallyn had somehow snuggled up between my legs, his head resting on my stomach when I woke.

It was a wonder how I ever managed to pull myself away from each of their holds.

I guess all the training I’ve been doing has its uses.

I fiddle with the hem of the hoodie as I head for the kitchen, my stomach grumbling a symphony and begging me to replenish the calories I burnt last night.

My cheeks flush with the memory. I never thought I would have three partners, let alone three Mates . How had I become so lucky in this life?

I open the kitchen door, a smile stretching my lips as a deep amber gaze turns to meet my own. Creed.

He stands in front of the fridge door, his hand gripping one of his gross protein shakes as small glistening drops of sweat trickle down his bare chest.

My eyes follow the small droplets flowing down his sculpted chest and abs before trailing lower to his low-strung grey joggers—I quickly avert my gaze, feeling a strange heat prickle my skin.

I shake my head before making my way toward the press with the cereals inside it and grab a bowl and spoon. I pour myself some Cocoa Krispies before heading toward the fridge. And to where Creed is still standing.

His eyes watch me, amusement in his gaze as I quirk a brow and hold my bowl up, clearly telling him to move without having to say it aloud.

But the dickhead doesn’t budge.

I roll my eyes. My stomach isn’t in the mood for playing these games with him. Another few minutes and I’ll be chewing on his arm and biting at his abs.

Another beat passes and I’m about to shoulder him out of my way and grab the creamy milk he’s blocking me from getting, and then the dickhead’s lips part.

“Had a fun night?” He raises a brow, a smirk tracing his lips as he watches my patience grow thin. “It certainly sounded like you did.”

His words have me freezing, my eyes widening as heat rushes to my cheeks. He heard us last night?

My face flushing is probably the reaction the dick wants as his smirk only grows wider.

Annoyance pricks at me with the smug expression he’s now wearing.

But I won’t let it show. Last night was something special between me, Annex, Ezra, and Mallyn. My Mates.

It’s also something I plan to do with them more from now on.

He’ll just have to get used to it. I won’t be holding back for anyone. Especially Creed.

I take a deep breath, a wave of calm taking over my thoughts as a grin tugs at my lips. I won’t let Creed get the better of me.

“Why?” I lean in closer, my hand slipping past him, my eyes never leaving his as I take the milk from behind him. “Did you feel a little left out?”

I pour the milk on top of my cereal then hand it to him before shrugging. “But I’m not really into being watched, so ... get used to it.” I give him a small smirk. “You’ll be hearing a lot more of it from now on.”

I move to the table and take a spoonful of Krispies into my mouth as he watches me, a slow smirk growing on his lips. “Is that so?”

I swallow my cereal and nod. “I’d also be careful of where you sit from now on too.

I plan to christen the whole place ...

” I wave my spoon around, gesturing to the whole room and outside.

“The gym, the weapons room, the garage, every room ...” I glance toward the kitchen’s open door. “The staircase looks good too.”

I take another spoonful of cereal, swallowing it before pointing toward the marble countertop he’s now standing beside and raising a brow. “The counter looks sturdy as well. How many people do you think it could take?”

I wait and watch, chewing my cereal with a smirk, hoping my words will pull the reaction I know Mr. Control Freak will give me.

How could he not blow up when I’ve just stated I plan to fuck his friends all over his precious kitchen? That I’d make a mess of every inch of his beloved home while he listens?

But the reaction I hoped for never comes. Instead, his grin grows wider, a playful, boyish gleam softening his features as a small chuckle tumbles from his lips.

The sound catches me off guard, making me drop my spoon as my lips part a fraction. I don’t even understand what’s happening anymore.

A soft look takes over his features as he continues to laugh—and for a brief moment it washes away the usual arrogant and pompous words that I always connect with Creed.

He looks genuinely ... happy . Almost as if something had been weighing him down all this time and he’s finally set it free.

He wipes at the sides of his eyes before his gaze meets mine, something more serious filtering into it as his smile slowly fades. He exhales, his eyes falling to the marble countertop before turning to meet my gaze again.

“I was wrong.” His voice sounds heavy and low, his amber eyes boring into mine with each word.

“You are good for them. For my brothers ... and for this family.” His expression looks more genuine than I’ve ever seen on Creed before, his words slowly echoing throughout the room.

“I only wanted the best for them ... but I was blind to see that they had already found it themselves.” His hand falls on the countertop as his eyes flick between me and the table.

“Family ... it’s not something I say or take lightly.

I only use that word for the people I trust implicitly.

For the people I would live and die for, would kill and be killed for.

I would do anything for those I call my own. ”

His amber eyes brighten slightly as he watches me, a softer look in them.

“And you’ve protected each of the people I love with every inch of yourself too, Micai.

What you did for Morgan ...” Creed lifts his head, his gaze turning up toward the ceiling as he takes a moment for himself.

“A simple ‘Thank you’ will never be enough. No words exist that can express the depth of my gratitude for you saving her that night. Had I known then, I never would have ...”

He shakes his head, turning toward me, another beat of silence passing between us before he continues.

“We all came together broken, Micai. Pieces too sharp and fractured to properly repair again. And we were all fine with that. We had each other and could survive together. What one lacked, another made up for. We’re seen as strong and powerful, people who shouldn’t be messed with.

But that never stopped some from trying to use us to benefit themselves . .. women were no different.”

His brows pinch together. “You need to understand that people will try to use you or hurt you to get to us . That you’ll be constantly fighting to survive beside us.

That there will be enemies lurking around every corner in the future.

Are you able to accept that type of life?

To stand beside us even if the world casts us out and condemns us?

” He drags a hand down the back of his neck.

And I see a slight bit of worry enter his gaze as he continues.

“It’s not something I would want for Morgan, so .

..” A deep sigh leaves his lips. “Sometimes we have to do things that may not always be seen as ‘good’ and make decisions that others couldn’t even imagine.

It’s what we do to protect each other and what we believe in.

Are you willing to join us, Micai? No matter how hard or difficult it becomes . .. will you stay here with us?”

I thought we had already been through this before, and I had given my answer. But as I watch and listen to him, I can feel it’s different. He seems to genuinely be asking me to join them. Not for the guys, but for them as a whole, as a family and for a future together.

Creed takes a step closer, his gaze growing firmer with something unreadable forming in it.

“And it is us . Because as much as you might hate me, and as much as I deserve it ... I won’t ever leave or abandon my family.

I will always be around, in one form or another to protect it, even if that’s lurking in the shadows myself. ”

He takes another slow step, his amber gaze fully focused on mine.

“I’m apparently controlling and stubborn , which means I don’t give up easily or walk away from the things I want.

Or from my family.” He reaches the table, standing a couple of feet away as he continues.

“And now you’re a part of that, Micai. You can hate me as much as you want, but I promise .

.. I’ll protect you like you’ve protected them from now on.

I’ll have your back like I should have from the start.

And nobody will hurt you like you’ve been hurt again. ”

A small breath catches in my throat with the look etched across Creed’s face; it says he has seen more than he should have, and it is filled with a genuine resolve to keep each and every word just spoken.

He is also telling me that he fully accepts me as one of them. And for some reason, that seems to mean more to me than I thought it would.

I clear my throat of the lump growing there and meet Creed’s gaze again. “I never said I hated you, Creed.”

I pull myself up from the table, leaving my half-eaten bowl of cereal as I take a step toward him.

“I hate that what you said hurt me. I hate that some of your actions have affected me in some way or another. And I hate that you thought I wasn’t good enough for your family.

But most of all, I hate that I can’t properly hate you for all the shit you’ve done and said to me .

.. and trust me, I’ve tried.” A sigh leaves my lips as Creed watches me.

“But I don’t hate you , Creed ...” A small smirk lifts my lips.

“I just want to punch that pretty little face of yours every time it grins ... or breathes.” I shrug.

“But I’m sure we can work that out with a few dozen rounds in the ring, a couple of black eyes, and a few broken ribs . .. for you that is.”

My grin widens as Creed raises a dark brow, trying to hold back the grin wanting to stretch his lips. “You think I’m pretty, Micai?”

I roll my eyes as a scoff leaves my lips. “That’s all you heard?”

“Oh, I heard the rest too ...” A smug smirk spreads across his lips as he takes a slow step closer, mere inches separating us now. “It seems like you’re also making plans to spend a lot of time with me in the ring. It’s a very cute threat. One I think I’ll enjoy more than you plan it to.”

Cute?

And there it is ... his normal asshole-self is back again.

I shake my head. “I’ll have no problem?—”

Creeds raises a hand, cutting my words short as his brows furrow, his gaze narrowing toward the kitchen door. He straightens himself, a small scowl pulling at his features. “Someone’s here.”

I glance toward the door, following his gaze but don’t see anything. I heighten my senses, listening for anyone around but don’t pick up anything in the hallway or upstairs.

I turn back toward Creed, his gaze meeting mine as the creases around his eyes smooth out.

“I’ve had the abattoir spelled. I’ll have to get you added to the permanent link.

You’ll be able to sense with the spell when someone has entered the abattoir’s space.

” He turns back toward the door, his eyes narrowing.

“I had it set up after the last attack when the place was being restored and rebuilt. Nobody can enter the abattoir if they don’t have the proper rune or without our joint approval.

Isaiah and that teacher have temporary passes but are restricted to the large abattoir training space. ”

Before I can question him further, he grabs a granola bar from the counter and begins moving toward the kitchen door. “I’ll go check whether it’s Isaiah or the blond one while you get dressed.”

My brows pinch together as I glance down at my clothes. “I am dressed.”

I look toward him and gesture toward the hoodie and leggings I’m wearing.

The leggings may be a little lighter than my gym gear, but what is wrong with them?

Creed stops at the door, twisting around before shaking his head and throwing me the granola bar. “Eat that and grab the work-out set Ezra bought you that’s in the gym. You’ll be able to move better in them than those.”

He heads through the door without another word or glance back. Same old Creed.

A scoff leaves my lips as I rip open the bar in my hands and take a bite before leaving the kitchen and heading toward the gym.

Maybe I could convince Isaiah to let me spar with Creed today? And get a head start on those black eyes.