CHAPTER TWENTY
TINY'S POV
"Don't say another word," Cyrus says, his voice lingering dangerously low in my ear.
I tense as he wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into a tight grip. My face is shielded from the view of others as he holds me in place. I have no choice but to lean against him. His grip proves to be too much, considering how effortlessly he threw me off balance.
He strains himself with a polished smile, continuing to whisper through clenched canines, "not here, Tiny."
I try to peer over his body, but Cyrus continued to block me. His body towers over mine, and I know I don't stand a chance. Maybe Gahiji realizes his misplaced judgment on what truly matters. Keeping Silvercrest safe. I look up at the man who's been somewhat of a father figure, and for a moment, I almost mistake his behavior for fear.
"Cyrus," my voice falters as the silhouette of a man approaches, "you're scaring me."
Was the message enough to strike fear in Gahiji? Or did Kobay happen to see it? I shake my head at the thought of the possibility. Not only did I hide the message, but I wrote it in code that Cyrus taught me ages ago. There's no way.
"Cyrus," a voice says, breaking the eery silence between us. "May I have a word with your warrior?"
The northern accent is soft and surprises me as I study the man's face. Standing in front of Cyrus is a handsome man who appears to be in his twenties with short brown curls and rich caramel eyes. He captivates the attention of the women nearby as he offers a blinding smile.
Cyrus's fixates his attention on the man, and I notice his smile turn genuine as he releases my shoulder. "Dominic," his voice softens to the young man's oblivion, "this is Tiny."
The young man, Dominic, turns his gaze to me. For the first time, I witness a stranger stare into my eyes with the absence of pity or disgust. Lucas clears his throat as if his nerves palpitated his senses. "Hello Tiny, it's an honor to meet you. I was wondering if you'd help me."
Confusion crosses over me as I stare at him. His composure felt powerful. I can only assume he holds a high rank, considering Cyrus's softened demeanor. How could I help a Redwood member? And more importantly, why would I even bother?
"Tiny," Cyrus steps back to let Dominic approach, "Dominic is Redwood's beta. He's Akila's fated mate."
Bloody hell, I swear to myself. That's why he's here.
Akila would shred this man apart for merely approaching me in an attempt to receive a sliver of information. Hell, I'm terrified she'll rip me apart if I were to share anything with him as well. I squint my eyes as I exchange looks between Cyrus and Dominic. While Dominic appears confused, Cyrus understands my skepticism.
"Give him a chance," he says with a smile, patting my shoulder. "Dominic is a good man. I do not doubt his intentions."
I nod in reply. Cyrus continues, "I'll leave the two of you to talk. I trust Dominic will be a gentleman. After all," he gazes at Dominic with eyes of fire, "she's my daughter. I'd hate for someone to be hurt on her behalf."
I expected a heated response to Cyrus's threat, but Dominic surprises me. Instead, he bows his head in respect, "I'm only interested in finding the woman from the cavern. I'm not looking for trouble."
"It's okay," I say to Cyrus, never taking my eyes off Akila's enemy, "you can leave us be. I can carry my weight."
Cyrus nods, simply stating before he left, "if you need me, I'll be at Gahiji's side."
Dominic watches as Cyrus threads through the thick crowd of others before turning back to me. He tosses his hands into his pockets and offers a smile despite my cold exterior.
How do I tell someone that their mate hated them before knowing of their existence? How could anyone explain that their mate refuses happiness because of something entirely out of their control? I don't think anyone would handle that well.
"So, Tiny," he clears his throat again, "I've heard that you're my mate's sister. Do you know where she is? I'd like to-"
"Look-" I cut him off, trying to save him the embarrassment, "I'm sure you're a great guy. But Akila is..." I trail off, gnawing the inside of my cheek, knowing what I'm about to say will only come back to bite me. "complicated."
He repeats my word in confusion, "complicated?"
I expect him to press forward, but instead, he sulks back in disappointment. He sighs at my suggestive comment, "so she doesn't want a mate?"
I could agree with him. Go with the narrative that Akila has worked so hard to make true. If anyone knows her in this pack, it's me. And Akila might have everyone else fooled, but not me.
"I never said that," I murmur, watching him grasp at the little hope I've offered. "I said she's complicated. There's a difference."
Akila is set in her ways, but she isn't opposed entirely to the idea. Once you peel away the outer layers of her, you'll quickly realize she has many aspirations, like the rest of us. Behind her walls is a woman who wants to be loved but not used. To feel cherished by someone and have nothing expected in return for their loyalty. Akila is a hopeless romantic, just like Serene. She would never show it, though.
"Do you have a pen?" Before I continue, he searches his pockets feverishly until he finds a thin ballpoint pen. Normally, I wouldn't give someone like Dominic another glance. Akila has had many admirers, but something felt different. Maybe it's because I like to believe in the folklore of the moon goddess or the fact that his aura is pure. Either way, I'm grasping at strays as it is for Akila's happily ever after. Because, deep down, I know she doesn't want to live at the orphanage forever, nor raise her son there either.
I take the stencil from him and hold my hand out for him to open his palm. He obliges and I write down the cafe's address, "Akila and I work a shift together tonight. Come by for dinner after seven, but don't come off too strongly. She'll rip your head off if you do."
He examines the writing as his smile grows wider. "Thank you!"
Fresh hell, I say to myself. I hope I don't regret this.