Sacred Flame: His Enemy, His Mate (BL)-Chapter 40: What are you doing with him?

Kain Locke

"Didn’t anyone teach you it’s rude to leave before the fun even starts?"

My face burned, my stomach twisting in knots I didn’t want to untangle.

Damn it. Why was I reacting like this? Why did he have to be the one I saw like this?

I had no right to feel anything. We hated each other. That was the one thing I was sure of.

And yet,

My jaw clenched as I forced my eyes away from them.

He could do whatever he wanted. He could screw around with some random omega and end up getting eaten by beasts for all I cared. I wasn’t his keeper. I wasn’t anything to him.

So why was I still standing here?

My hands curled into fists. My chest ached with something I refused to name.

I should leave. I should.

And yet...

My feet wouldn’t move.

Screw this. I exhaled sharply through my nose, forcing my body to turn.

"Yeah? Well, didn’t anyone teach you it’s pathetic to put on a show just to get people to join you?" My voice came out steadier than I felt. On any normal day I wouldn’t be irked by his words or anything, but maybe I was just too annoyed to care what I say.

I didn’t wait for his response. I didn’t want to hear whatever smug bullshit he had left to say.

My legs finally obeyed, carrying me away from the scene, but I refused to run. That would mean something. That would mean he mattered.

And he didn’t. What the actual heck does he take me for? We might’ve had a one night stand, and it’s nothing more than that.

I’m not his call boy, and I would never bend in front of him or for him.

I didn’t return to look for some crystal crap they wanted us to find, and now I don’t even care whether I found it or not, I just want to get back to the room and... do something that had nothing to do with that damned bastard.

Yeah, I was going to get punished for it, but finding ’a crystal that is not likely to be found’ is not a great job for someone with as much luck as mine.

The touch was now put into good use and with its help I returned to the base, even though none of the members had returned.

They’re likely somewhere on the hill searching for what’s not lost.

I reached the hallway in no time, my footsteps echoing in the quiet space. I was still trying to shake off the twisted mess of emotions when I heard movement behind me.

My body tensed out of habit.

I didn’t stop walking, but I was at alert nevertheless. As far as I know, no one should be in here by now unless they’re instructors.

Now, such rotten luck I have, leaving the hills only to be caught by the instructor.

"Kain, can you wait for a minute?" The person called behind me and I stopped on my heels, turning back to see it was Alec so I waited for him to come closer.

Alec hesitated for a moment before stepping closer, his hands buried in his pockets. "Hey... uh, Kain. Can we talk?"

I turned around, already prepared to brush him off, but the look on his face made me pause. He seemed nervous, which was unlike him. Alec was usually confident, like the mini version of Kael but nicer, however, right now, he looked...i don’t know, guilty?

"I just...umm... " He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I wanted to apologize."

I blinked, caught off guard by what he said , but I wasn’t about to show it, "For what?"

"For what happened the other day. During the pheromone attack." His shoulders tensed as he spoke, like the words were hard to get out. "I don’t know what came over me, and I was too ashamed to say anything sooner. I should’ve been better than that."

I opened my mouth to say it was fine, that he didn’t have to make a big deal out of it, after all, everyone was out of control, but he cut me off before I could get a word in.

"I know you’ll say it doesn’t matter, but it does..."

"It’s not your fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault."

"I saw the footage yesterday, it was really scary, what if I’d hurt you? What if I’d..." his fingers were trembling.

"Alec." I called grabbing his shoulders and shaking him, "Look at me. It’s okay, it’s not your fault really... you saw that person walk in and smash that damned thing on the ground, so if anything, it’s their fault." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

He pursed his lips for a brief second before saying, "You got locked up for it, I heard them say it."

"It was everywhere... weren’t you there? They took me to the cell?"

"I just came back yesterday,"

"Oh."

"Yeah.." he muttered, looking me straight in the eye. "Then can I make it up to you?"

I sighed. "You really don’t have to—"

"Let me at least treat you to dinner when we get back to the previous base," he insisted. "It’s the least I can do."

Dinner? I almost scoffed. It wasn’t like I was holding a grudge or waiting for an apology. But the way he was looking at me earnestly, and determined like he had to, I knew he wouldn’t let it go.

"...Fine." I finally agreed, albeit reluctantly.

Alec’s face lit up with relief, his usual easy grin making a return as all earlier traces of nervousness disappeared. "Great. I’ll see you tomorrow then."

He gave a small wave before turning to leave. I watched him walk away, unsure why I was even standing there, staring at his back like an idiot.

Then, a throat cleared behind me.

I stiffened.

Slowly, I turned my head, already knowing who it was before I even saw him.

Kael leaned against the wall, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

I scowled. "Shouldn’t you be busy with your Omega?"

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Kael raised a brow questionably at me

Shit.

Why did I say that? Why the hell did I care?

His lips curled slightly, like he found my reaction amusing. That only made me more annoyed for some unknown reason.

I clenched my fists, waiting for him to spit out what he knew how to go best.

But surprisingly, Kael didn’t shoot back like he usually would. No smug remark, no teasing smirk. He just stood there, arms still crossed, staring at the spot where Alec had just walked away.

Then, with a straight face, he asked, "What are you doing with him?"