Ashes and Scales: Remember Us, Mate

Chapter 14: Hell

MAIA

Keir and I stumbled out of the car, laughter bubbling between us before a squeal tore through my lips as he suddenly scooped me up, my arms instinctively wrapping around his neck.

I could not stop myself from closing the gap between us, and our lips locked in a feverish kiss that made me barely breathe, but I didn't care. I didn’t want to stop. I didn’t want the night to end. Keir held me tightly, as if he could never let go—and I did not want him to as we pressed against each other, my heart racing as we approached the door.

We had a great time at the bar, with me trying to win every game and trying everything. Before I knew it, the night was over and we needed to leave. The drive felt like a blur, with our hands tightly linked and the tension between us increasing with each mile closer to Timbercross.

We stopped at the door, and Keir fumbled with the keys, his lips still brushing against mine, soft and urgent. I giggled as he finally managed to unlock it, and we practically fell inside, our mouths crashing together again.

We barely made it past the threshold before his hands were in my hair, and I was desperately pulling him closer—as if every touch, every kiss was my last breath.

We stumbled toward his bedroom, clinging to each other, his hands around my waist. By the time we fell onto the bed, my pulse was wild, and my body was completely at its mercy. With a dark gaze that mirrored my inner hunger, Keir climbed on top of me, his breath scorching against my skin. It was as if nothing else mattered—just the two of us, in this moment.

He kissed me as if his life depended on it, and perhaps mine did, too. I could feel every inch of him against me, our bodies moving in unison as the room spun around us, but all I could think about was him—his warmth, his scent, the way his hands explored my body with a desire that matched mine.

It was late, and I knew I needed to go home. It was after 9 p.m. when I last checked, and we were still at Luxor Heights. I had told my parents that I had to work late because there was a function at the Buscos', and I felt bad about it, but I did not know what else to say.

I knew they would not be okay with Keir and me staying in town this late, especially given what had happened recently. My father had even spoken with Lira after I informed them that she and I were both working, and she assured them that the Buscos would have their driver bring us home.

So, from Keir's car, I should have gone home. Plus, even without my parents' concerns, I had work in the morning. But I didn’t care. I didn’t want to go home. I didn’t want to leave this—leave him. I wanted to stay in his arms forever.

The sparks between us were electric as if every touch lit a fire that grew hotter with each passing second. "Mm," soft moans escaped my parted lips as his kisses trailed heat down my neck and collarbone, tingling my skin wherever he touched.

I was completely lost in him, and I was ready to give myself to him even though we had only been together for a few hours. But I knew him. I didn’t need to wait. I could feel his heartbeat against mine, whispering my name.

My hands trailed to the hem of his shirt, gently tugging it, and our lips met again—hard and hungry as I tossed his shirt aside. But just then, the shrill sound of Keir’s phone cut through the air.

A desperate “Don’t answer it,” tore from my swollen lips, but Keir hesitated, pulling back slightly. "It could be your parents," he whispered, his voice full of apology as he kissed my forehead. I groaned, frustrated, as he slid off me and went to the sofa where he had dropped his phone when we first stumbled inside.

I lay there for a moment, my chest rising and falling rapidly, trying to catch my breath, my skin flushed from the heat between us. But as soon as I saw Keir frown at his phone, I quickly sat up.

“What is it?” I asked, my heart still pounding—this time for a different reason.

"It is Ethan," Keir said, his brow furrowed as he looked at the screen. I asked who Ethan was, the name familiar but not quite clicking.

"Ethan from the hospital," he said. "The doctor who saved my life."

Oh, right, Ethan. I remembered him. By this point, the phone had stopped ringing, and my curiosity had taken over. I looked at the time—nearly midnight—and, despite not caring a second before, I cared now that the flames between us had been extinguished.

“What do you think he wants at this hour?” I asked, pulling my knees up to my chest and Keir looked just as puzzled as I was.

“I don’t know… I have an appointment to see him in two days, so maybe it’s about that,” he said before dialing Ethan back. The phone barely rang before Ethan picked up as if he had been waiting for Keir's call. Keir put the phone on speaker while I adjusted my top and pulled down my skirt, which had ridden up from our passionate moment.

“Hey, man, sorry for calling so late,” Ethan said, his tone apologetic. “Are you busy tomorrow? Lukas and I were hoping to swing by and see you.”

Keir's eyes widened, and I could feel his panic. Outsiders were not welcome in our village, especially those who could be wolves, no matter how friendly they appeared. It was too risky. So I leaned in and whispered urgently, "Suggest you go see them in town."

Keir nodded slightly, then cleared his throat. “I’ll actually be in town tomorrow. How about we meet there instead?” he suggested. Ethan agreed without hesitation and suggested they meet at a café two streets away from Keir's former workplace.

"That works," Keir said, despite the tension in his voice. They ended the call, and Keir walked over to me as I got up from the bed. He drew me into his arms, and I held him tight.

As we embraced, he spoke softly, “Ethan probably just wants to check up on me. I thought it was your parents calling, that maybe they saw us getting out of the car.” He pulled back slightly from the hug, glancing at me, and I looked at the time, realizing it was late once more. "I really should go," I said with a playful smile, "or the second call could come from my parents."

Thinking of my parents, I told Keir that we would eventually have to tell them about us, and I noticed something flicker in his eyes—worry, perhaps. So I quickly cupped his face and told him, "My parents love you." You have nothing to worry about. Plus, there’s no pressure. We can tell them when you are ready."

He smiled softly and leaned in to kiss me again. “I love you,” I said as our lips parted.

"I love you, too," he said softly, pulling me into another tight hug.

When we finally pulled away, I grabbed my phone from the bed and told him I really needed to leave. He put on his shirt, and we headed out the door. My place was only five minutes away.

•••

AUTHOR’S POV

“Are you sure about this?” Ethan asked Lukas, returning his gaze to the phone in his hand after hanging up with Keir.

“I’m not sure,” Lukas admitted. “We can’t be sure about anyone, but if we’re taking a chance on someone, I’d bet on Keir.” Ethan nodded, silently praying Lukas wasn’t wrong.

They had debated for a long time before deciding to contact Keir, and Ethan reminded Lukas that Keir was not human. But Lukas dismissed it, saying it didn't matter and that he wouldn’t be the first wolf they worked with... or whatever he was.

Sighing, Ethan relented. “Okay,” he said, and they gathered the medical supplies and food before heading out the door. They looked both ways before slipping into the street to make sure the coast was clear. Lukas was not supposed to be down here, and Ethan should have finished his rounds long ago.

They also weren’t supposed to be carrying food. So they had to be cautious because they were risking their lives. They dashed across the street, blending into the shadows, before disappearing inside another tall, looming structure.

Their footsteps echoed down the long corridor as they moved quickly, the tension increasing with each step. When they reached the door at the end, Ethan swiftly punched in the code, the first lock clicking open. He entered another code, and this time, the guards on the other side opened the heavy door for them.

“Need help with anything?” one of the guards asked, and Lukas replied, “We’re good.”

They continued down the narrow hallway, and soon the stench of blood and sweat overwhelmed their senses. Lukas gagged slightly, instinctively raising his hand to cover his nose. No matter how many times he came down here, he could never get used to the overwhelming smell of pain, suffering, and death.

The second guard opened the final door for them. This one was heavily reinforced with steel and multiple layers of security, making it impenetrable from the outside. As it groaned open, the low sound of pained groans reached their ears and Lukas glanced at Ethan, his eyes dark with understanding. It had to be a new batch of fighters—new prisoners thrust into this nightmare, still unbroken by the horrors of this place.

The moment they stepped into the room, Evander, a thin, wiry man in a wheelchair, wheeled toward them. His face brightened with the same familiar offer. “Let me help carry.”

Lukas handed him a portion of the supplies while Evander nodded toward the far end of the room. “I’ve already made the list,” he said, and Ethan thanked him. His eyes drifted toward the corner where the groans were coming from, confirming what he and Lukas had feared—a new group of fighters.

The sight was brutal. Traumatized men, some still teenagers, others old and frail, huddled together in the corner, trembling in fear. Their bodies were bruised and broken, blood staining their skin, their clothes torn. The look in their eyes was vacant like they’d already seen too much. They had been ripped from their homes and pitted against one another, forced to fight to the death for the entertainment of others. The collars around their necks prevented their bodies from healing, trapping them in their misery.

As Ethan moved closer, the men instinctively recoiled, pressing tighter against the wall, trying to escape his approach. He raised his hands slowly, his voice soft and calming. “It’s okay. I’m a doctor. Mr. Diakos sent me to help you.”

One of the younger men flinched at his words, his swollen eyes filled with doubt and terror, but he did not back away because he needed the assistance. Ethan stepped closer, his tone gentle as he continued. “I’m here to take care of your wounds. Let me help.”

His heart ached from the sight, as it did every night. He had seen this too many times, but it never got easier. Each of these men, young or old, had been pulled into a hell from which there was no escape, and the only thing he could offer them now was a shred of mercy in the form of medical aid.