Page 142 of The Oath We Give

We are all laughing. Different tones, some chuckles, other giggles. Male and female. Pure human emotion in the dark of the night that buzzes louder than the cicadas in the trees. It's a laughter that makes my stomach hurt, causing my ribs to ache and for a hand to reach out to steady myself against Silas.

Thatcher shakes his head, kissing the top of Lyra’s head softly, muttering under his breath, “What am I going to do with you, Little miss death?”

They were an unlikely pair but something about them just kinda, worked? Like ice cream and French fries. One was very sweat, and the other was very salty. But they balanced each other out.

It was similar to how Alistair gave off a veryfuck you don't speak to mevibe in his leather jacket and Briar was veryI'm super nice, but my scary boyfriend will hit you. He was a shadow, and she was the light. One without the other felt wrong.

Any of them without each other, felt wrong. Out of place and I guess, that went for me to now.

I look at Briar, Sage, and Lyra, knowing in this moment that I hate Stephen Sinclair, but a part of me is grateful for where I ended up. They don't make me want to relive the basement, but they make it worth it.

We weren't friends since high school or siblings forced to care for one another. Blood and time spent together had nothing to do with our bond.

It was this trauma. A horrible, nasty evil that would live with us forever, but also brought us together.

Along the road of pain, we stumbled across one another, clung to each other, and refused to let go.

We wouldn't have met without the pain. Wouldn't have loved as deeply as we do without the fear.

We hold on tight to one another because we refuse to lose it.

We know it's rare and breakable and entirely ours.

My eyes turn to Silas, finding him already looking at me. This pain also led me to him. Forced our paths to cross, weave, and lock. Until we stood here, sown into each other's souls like two torn pieces of fabric.

We didn't fit together seamlessly, but we fit together like us.

His thumb swipes across my bruised bottom lip, "Ask me what my favorite color is,

Never once since we met has, he given up on me. Never seen me as this unlovable, damaged thing. I plan to spend the rest of my life returning the favor. Not matter how cold he keeps it in the apartment.

"What's so funny?"

The foreign yet familiar voice cruelly reminds us that Ponderosa Springs is a hydra. With every head you cut off…

Two grow back.

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THIRTY-FOUR

LIMITLESS

SILAS

I turn first,putting Coraline behind me, but she's quick to move to my side. I love her, but I'm not the mood for her hardheadedness.

I'm not in the mood to lose her.

"Stay behind me." I seethe in a low whisper, her brown eyes narrowing prepared to shake her head, but I stop her, "Please, hex."

I'm not being an asshole alpha male. I'm not telling her she can't protect herself.

I'm terrified of losing her.

A familiar taste fills my mouth, leaks between my teeth, and makes my stomach roll.

Fear, icy cold fear.