Talons

Chapter 155: The Heart

Rhea’s POV

I didn’t expect to be able to go back to bed so easily, especially after the day's events, but I didn’t have a problem. However, as soon as I closed my eyes, I saw Colton again, only we were both children, and he was crying.

I look down at the bear I’m holding, wondering if he misses it. He gave it to me on one of the times he visited, but I’m sure he doesn’t remember. 

Instead of introducing myself to him again, I try showing him that we already know each other, but he seems confused, and tries talking with his hands which makes me laugh. He’s dumb but I like the way he looks, so I accept it. 

When he sits down in frustration, I feel bad and cuddle beside him, holding his hand because I could tell he isn’t happy, and, like always, I want to cheer him up. 

I’m startled when the boy starts crying and using the teddy as a pillow, I make him lay down so I can play with his hair. I hate when he is sad, and I want to calm him. 

I don’t know what it is about Colton, but he has literally captured my attention from the moment I first saw him, and no matter how hard I try to ignore him, I can’t.

Colton has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen, and not just because they are my favorite color. It’s almost like they glow, so every time I see him, I’m reminded of a sunny day; it shouldn’t rain on sunny days...

“Don’t you know that crying means the heart is working?” I ask, but I know he can’t understand. He says nothing in response, but when I peek at his face, I see that he has fallen asleep.

I don’t want to get caught outside after dark, otherwise, my mother will lock me in the Packhouse again, but I can’t leave my friend when he clearly needs me.

Closing my eyes, I put all my thought and energy into sprinting, and I get to my mother long before the sun sets. 

“Mami, ayudame.” (Mommy, help me.) My mother starts inspecting my body, but I quickly tell her it’s not me who needs help.

I pull her toward my secret spot, and when she sees Colton asleep on the ground, she releases my hand to go to the boy. I tell her that he’s sleeping, and she nods before asking me if he said anything. 

I remind my mother that I don’t speak English, and she winces as she remembers. She tells me that she will call Colton’s mother, but I become startled by her words. 

“But he’s hungry. We should let him eat dinner first.”

“That’s a good idea,” my mother says as she gently scoops Colton into her arms.

He wakes and starts talking to my mother, but I tune them out. I don’t like not being able to communicate, and although I’m working hard, I can only pick up a few words here and there.

At the table, I want to sit next to Colton, but my mother says it isn’t safe or appropriate. I don’t know what ‘appropriate’ means, even in Spanish, and she tells me that it means ‘not right.’ 

“Okay, but do I have to sit in that chair? It’s for babies.”

“You are a baby,” My mother replies, and knowing that I won’t win against her, I climb into the highchair feeling completely wronged. I hear someone giggle, and I’m shocked to see my friend is laughing at me. I want to be angry, but his smile distracts me until my sisters walk in. 

Gibberish starts being spewed around the table, and before I know it, it's time for Colton to leave. 

I don’t like Alpha Stone. He scares me, and my expression is mirrored on Colton’s, so I know he feels the same way. 

Colton is going to forget me again, I know it, but because I want him to remember, I shove the last of my candy stash into his pocket and run.

Colton’s POV

I’m still in the dungeons, and the warlock who's been locked in with me looks exhausted. I’m fighting him with all my strength because I truly do not want to be fated to either one of the twins. 

I don’t know why my father hates… 

“What is her name?” I say aloud, and the warlock stands to start chanting again.

“Please little alpha, let go. She is your mate’s little sister and not worth this punishment.”

“I don't even know who you're talking about,” I shout, and the man sighs deeply.

“If I fail this time, I’m dead; do you understand that?”

“Who is she?” I question again, but the man starts chanting in response, and slowly the image of the girl in my mind disappears. 

My entire body goes slack as deep depression courses through me. Silent tears are falling, and the warlock crawls to my side, pulling me into a hug.

“We are both exhausted now, but I have to do this for my sister.” He starts chanting again, but this time, it doesn’t hurt.

“Sleep little alpha; remember that the mate bond is sacred. You will thank us one day.”

When I awake, I’m in my mother’s arms, her eye is bruised, and I know that it means my father never found Dolton. 

“Good morning my sweet boy.” My mother strokes my hair, and I get the feeling of DeJa’Vu, but I’m not sure why. “Go freshen up so we can make you look presentable for breakfast.” I stand, feeling dizzy as I do, but I make my way into my room, and start the shower as told. 

As I’m removing my pants, candy falls out of my pocket, and a ghost of a face pushes forward, making me scream in pain.

“What’s-” My mother barges into the bathroom, but doesn’t speak when she sees what’s on the ground. “Listen to me please. Don’t tell your father a word of this.” I’m not allowed to have candy, so I nod at my mother who flushes the pieces down the toilet. “Hurry so that we aren’t late.”

Rhea’s POV

I woke early to make breakfast, and while I was surprised that Colton was still asleep, I didn’t wake him. I assumed the sound of me working in the kitchen would be enough to pull him out of sleep, but I was wrong.

Eventually, I get impatient, and stand over his body, but just as I reach up, he snatches my arm and pulls me closer.

“What if I were dead?” he questions, and I pull away in annoyance.

“Last I heard; dead people don’t snore.” Colton chuckles and I go back to the table where I’ve served us both. “Are you going to eat?” The man stretches exaggeratedly as he yawns loudly, and I can’t help but to shake my head at him. “The couch is too small for you.”

“I know, but I wanted to be close to you.” Startled, I remain silent as Colton pulls out a chair. 

“Did you have a nightmare last night?”

“What did you dream about?” he and I speak at the same time, and neither knows who should go first, so we chuckle awkwardly.

“You used to have a stuffed bear, right?” I nod.

“You gave it to me, but then you forgot.”

“What happened to it?”

“You ripped the head off and threw it at me as you told me that my mate would reject me.” Colton’s shoulder slump and he covers his face in shame.

“You could have spared me that memory,” he says, but I can only giggle. 

“Why did you ask about it?”

“I remember something.” Colton tells me about his dream, and I end up frozen with the spoon in front of my face.

“I dreamed about the same meeting.”

Colton’s POV

Rhea and I had the same dream, and while I left out the parts about the warlock, the details of what she and I dreamed only differ in perspective.

“What did you say to me before I fell asleep?”

“I told you that crying means the heart works.” My chest spasms as Rhea’s words register with me.

Aught of a sudden, all the times I’ve cried in my life no longer feel like embarrassing failures.

“Rhea, I have to go somewhere this morning, but when I come back, can we do something together?”

“Sure, “she replies. “What did you have in mind?” Stumped, I say the first thing to come to mind, but my mate doesn’t seem to notice I blurted out a random suggestion. “Okay, I haven’t been to the gym since I got here; I would like that.”

After eating, I get ready for my day. I got Rhea’s permission to take her car before leaving, so my drive will be comfortable, and give me a confidence boost. 

Trey’s parents should be heading back soon, and my father is set to come back in two weeks, meaning I have only that amount of time to really get things moving, but my mate takes priority right now.

Pulling up to the address Mike texted my mate, I stepped out of the car, looking around for the man, but not for long. He’s where he said he would be, only he’s talking to a waitress and based on their body language alone, I can tell they’re flirting.

I sit across from the man, clearing my throat loudly, as his face bunches in confusion.

“I think you already know who I am.” Mike’s eyes go wide, and he leans forward, trying to be intimidating as the waitress leaves the table.

“Where is B?”

“She’s at home, which is a good thing because I’m sure she wouldn’t have liked to have seen you flirting with another woman while you were supposedly ‘waiting’ on her.

“She-”

“Don’t you dare try to make excuses, because room 1607, isn’t a drink on the menu.” 

“Whatever, why are you here?”

“No real reason, I just wanted to size you up.”

“I guess you wanted to see who was there first. Don’t be deceived,” Mike says, “I’m much bigger than I look.” I can’t help but to chuckle, knowing the man is a desperate liar, and part of me doesn’t blame him.

“I’m not here to measure d*cks with you. I’m here to warn you in person. She may have reached out to you first, but don’t call my m… girlfriend again.”

“Girlfriend?” The man scoffs, and he leans back. “How long have you two been together? I bet you don’t even know what she has been through.”

“And you do?”

“I do, because before you, she only had me!”