CHAPTER 102: FRACTURED BONDS...

Charis

Kael’s shoulders sagged as he seemed to snap out of his drunken state, blinking in confusion as if realising what had just happened.

"I—" Kael started, running his hands through his hair. "I don’t know what came over me."

"What came over you?" Slater scoffed. "You go on and on about discipline and integrity and those annoying things you do, yet you wanted to take advantage of him. I’m disappointed, Kael. I didn’t take you for that kind of person."

Kael opened his mouth several times, looking from me to Slater and then back to me.

"That was a little too harsh," I sent a mindlink to Slater, already feeling guilty and humiliated from almost losing control. "It’s not their fault, my heat..."

"That’s not an excuse," Slater interrupted me, speaking out, "You’re in h—" he trailed off, casting a wary glance at Kael, who was at the edge of the bed, cradling his head with his hands.

"Eamon," Kael said suddenly from where he was. "I’m sorry. I couldn’t control myself, the way you smell..." he took in a shaky breath. "I took advantage of you when you couldn’t consent properly..."

"No, Kael," I shook my head and tried to go to him, but one look from Slater stilled me.. "I wasn’t drunk, and you didn’t force me. If I didn’t want it, I would have walked away."

"Stop sugarcoating it," Slater said again. "They’re supposed to be your friends and Rhett," he turned to Rhett, who just stood there watching him quietly without a single remorse. "I can understand Kael, but you, after everything you know..."

"What do I know, Slater?" Rhett challenged, moving up to stand in front of him. "Can you tell the room what I know?"

Both boys glared at each other for a few minutes until Slater reached out for me on the bed and pulled me up gently. Immediately, Rhett stepped forward and grabbed where our hands were connected.

"Let her go," Rhett said quietly.

Slaterr scoffed. "Why? Don’t you have any shame? Are you hoping you two can finish what I walked in on?"

"Isn’t that what you wanted to do, too?" Rhett fired back, staring at him pointedly. "You want him all for yourself, don’t you?"

Slater’s expression hardened. "Don’t even start with me."

"Start what?" Rhett challenged, closing the space between them. Both boys were staring at each other eye to eye now. I also noticed that Rhett was taller than Slater, at least by three or four inches.

"You act like some noble protector when all you’ve ever done is lie, too. You want him to yourself, Riggs. Admit it like a man."

My heart pounded as their grips on me grew tighter. "Stop it," I whispered, trying to tug my hand free, but they won’t budge. "Both of you, please."

Still, nothing. They weren’t even looking at me. They were staring at each other.

With one final yank and with all the strength I could muster, I pushed their hands away, yanking mine back. "Enough!" I raised my voice, getting to my feet. "I don’t need this. I don’t want this. Don’t fight because of me."

"You think this is about you?" Slater asked, raising his voice. "This is about them taking advantage of someone who couldn’t think clearly."

"We weren’t taking advantage," Rhett protested. "We were responding to what he wanted—"

"What his body wanted," Slater corrected sharply. "There’s a difference, and what you and Kael tried to do this night was assault."

"Can you guys just stop!" I cried out again, inserting myself between them. "Both of you, just stop. Kael?" I looked at Kael, who was still sitting on the edge of the bed, still cradling his head.

Why wasn’t he helping out? I’ve seen Kael and Rhett brawl, but Rhett and Slater —they were always all laughs and hugs. Seeing them like this frightened me.

Kael looked up when I called his name. His gaze was clouded, and his lips were parted as if he was about to say something. Instead, he just stared at me blankly.

Slater and Rhett reluctantly separated, but the tension in the room was still thick enough to cut with a knife. I sighed heavily, feeling exhausted by the drama.

"I’m sorry this happened," I said quietly. "I’ll just go to my room now and figure out how to handle this better."

I turned toward the door, but Slater moved to follow me.

"I’ll come with you to make sure you’re okay," he said.

"No," Rhett stepped forward, blocking his path and leaning in close to whisper, "You’ve had chemistry with had, too. I can’t trust you to be alone with her right now. Nice try, Riggs."

"She is my mate," Slater fired back, through gritted teeth.

"Was!" Rhett said with a cold smile. "She doesn’t belong to you anymore, Riggs. The only advantage you have over us is knowing her before either of us. So, chill and let the girl go."

Slater shoved him lightly. "Are you kidding me right now?"

"Slater," I shouted, "don’t touch him."

But I might as well be talking to a wall on non-living things because Rhett shoved Slater back and before I could blink, both boys had grabbed each other, readying their fists to throw punches.

Kael suddenly stood, then walked towards them.

"Can you guys stop fighting?" he asked quietly, prying them away from each other. When the boys were finally apart, Kael turned to Slater and said it in the same gentle tone he had used earlier.

"I’m sorry for what happened between me and your brother. I have no excuse for acting that way, and I won’t blame it on alcohol either. The truth is, I’ve been growing feelings for Eamon for a while now, and I finally let it cloud my sense of judgement. I’m sorry."

Then he took a deep breath and turned to me.

"Eamon, I’m sorry, and I know you feel wronged and offended so much that no amount of my apology will make it better. I’m willing to submit myself to whatever action you want to take."

"Kael," I tried to reach for him, but he took a step backwards, folding his arms behind his back. His gesture hurt me so much that for a few seconds, I was disoriented and didn’t know what to do.

"Kael," I said quietly, finally, "you didn’t do anything wrong. I wanted it just as much as you did. I’m not angry with either you or Rhett..."

"Should I take your word for it that you gave your consent?" he asked quietly.

I nodded. "Yes!"

"C’mon," Slater growled. "He literally just confessed..."

"Stay out of this," I interrupted him. "This is between me and them; you have no right to interfere as if you’re any better."

Then I turned back to Kael, who was still watching me quietly. "Everything’s fine, Kael. I didn’t feel abused or forced, I promise."

"Then choose, Eamon," Rhett said, "choose one of us to spend the night with. Someone you trust to keep you safe."

I looked at all three of them—Slater with his protectiveness, Rhett with his hurt and desires for me and Kael, who still didn’t know my true identity and who right now was thinking the worst of himself.

"You’re insane, Rhett," I said, shaking my head. "I’m not choosing anyone. I’ll sleep alone and deal with this myself."

"That’s not safe," Slater protested.

"Neither is this," I replied, gesturing at the three of them. "At least alone, I only have to worry about my own decisions."

"Charis—" Rhett started.

"No," I said firmly. "I need space to think, and you all need to figure out what this means for our friendships. Good night."

I walked out of the room, leaving them to deal with the aftermath of what had happened.