Hope Is Not Optional — Manuel Flores 60
Chapter 60
Chapter 60
Selene
I looked at the phoenix. “You can’t follow me like this,”
He blinked, the embers around him flickering lazily. “Like this?”
“Like a damn walking bonfire,” I said flatly, meeting his golden eyes. “You have to change.”
“Change?”
“Yes. I know you can take a human form.”
For a moment, he went perfectly still. “You were not really lying when you said you knew me in your past lives, one knows I can change to a human form.”
I sighed, shaking my head. Did he really think I was lying to begin with? Why even agree to help me if he doubted what came out of my mouth in the first place?
He tilted his head, that familiar arrogance slipping back into place. “If you know me so well, then you also know I don’t like changing into a human form.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I can’t have a whole-ass phoenix following me around. You made a spectacular entrance when you came out of the relic. The sky practically exploded. People will be running here to see what that flash of light was. If they realize your seal’s been broken, everything I’ve planned will burn before it even begins.”
He frowned, his expression caught somewhere between defiance and understanding. For a moment, I thought he might argue again, but then he sighed.
“Fine,” he muttered. “You owe me for this, kid.”
I smirked. “Sure, sure. Just hurry up.”
The phoenix’s flames began to flicker lower, his wings folding inward as his body began to shift. I watched, fascinated, as the fire condensed and shaped itself into something human. The heat lessened, but his presence remained the same. When the last flicker of light died away, he stood before me as a man.
And what a man.
Tall, broad-shouldered, skin kissed by sunlight, and hair the color of molten copper that shimmered in the fading glow. His eyes still burned gold, fierce and proud. His features were sharp and perfect. He had the kind of beauty that would make any
woman swoon.
If I were ranking the most handsome men I’d ever seen, he’d be second, right after Alpha Damien. Though, if I was being honest, some people might argue he should be first. He was breathtaking, just not my kind of breathtaking.
Still, I couldn’t help the small, incredulous laugh that escaped my lips. “You’re still as vain as ever.”
He smirked, completely unbothered and naked.
“Of course I am, why hide perfection?” His golden eyes glinting mischievously as he caught me staring for a moment too long. “What’s wrong, girl? Are you that bewildered by my size?” he drawled, his voice deep and taunting. “I’ve heard werewolf women love big sizes like mine.”
For a second, I just blinked at him, then a laugh slipped out before I could stop it. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Phoenix, you’re not the first man I’ve seen naked.”
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Chapter 60
I reached into my bag, pulled out a folded set of men’s clothes I’d taken for him, and held them out. “Put this on before you burn someone’s eyes out with your ego.”
He arched an eyebrow but took the clothes from me with that same smug grin. “You don’t have to sound so ungrateful for
the view.”
I turned around, crossing my arms. There was a rustle behind me as he changed. The faint sound of fabric brushing against his skin made me acutely aware of just how strange this situation was.
“We need to come to an agreement,”
His deep voice rumbled behind me. “What kind of agreement?”
“A pact,” I replied.
A low chuckle escaped him. “A pact? With a weak werewolf?” He paused, clearly savoring the words. “I am the mighty Phoenix-”
I tilted my head slightly, not even bothering to turn around.
He sighed, the sound grudging. “You get the point.”
I smiled faintly. “Yes, I do. And that’s exactly why I want a pact. Because you’re powerful, and I have no guarantee that you won’t decide to betray me or go on some fiery killing spree. You could destroy everything before I even have the chance to stop you.”
He didn’t respond for a while, he finally said. “I understand where you’re coming from, werewolf. Fine, I’ll make a pact that I will never betray you.”
I turned slightly, enough to glimpse his silhouette. “Thank you. I’ll do the same.”
“Perfect, now that we’ve taken care of that, you should turn around and help me.”
“Help you?” I repeated, frowning.
“Yes,” he said, impatient. “Turn around.”
I turned, and instantly pressed my lips together to keep from laughing.
He stood there, proud as ever, but wearing the clothes completely wrong. The shirt was half buttoned, the sleeves uneven, the pants were twisted, and the zipper wasn’t even done properly. It looked like a toddler had tried to dress him while blindfolded.
“Oh… goddess,” I said, trying not to laugh.
He narrowed his eyes. “You have a lot of nerve mocking a mighty Phoenix like me.”
I bit down on my lip, failing miserably to keep a straight face. “I apologize,” I managed, chuckling under my breath. “Truly. Let me help you mighty phoenix.”
He crossed his arms, that usual arrogant stance of his, but this time, he leaned forward slightly, just enough for me to step closer. His golden eyes followed my every movement as I adjusted the shirt collar and began fixing the buttons, pulling the dark fabric into place over his chest.
When I finished, I leaned back and, without thinking, put my thumb to my mouth and bit down. A pinprick of blood welled and fell. I held my hand out.
He straightened instantly, his expression sharpening as he realized what I was doing.
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Chapter 60
I held my hand out to him. “Your turn.”
For a moment, he just stared at me, then, without a word, he lifted his hand and did the same, a single drop of crimson glistening on his fingertip. When he pressed his wound against mine, our blood mingled, warm and bright between us.
“I promise never to betray you either,” I answered. When our blood met I felt a strange, cold thing stir inside me, something that marked the pact.
When the connection faded, I pulled my hand back and exhaled softly. “Thank you.”
He waved a hand carelessly, though I saw the corner of his mouth twitch. “Don’t get sentimental on me.”
I smirked. “Fine, Lucas.”
He froze, blinking at me. “What?”
I tilted my head, trying to hide a smile. “I can’t keep calling you ‘phoenix’ every time. So, I’ll call you Lucas. Like it?”
His eyes narrowed slightly, glowing faintly gold. “Nobody has ever dared to name me before, not because they couldn’t, but because they wouldn’t dare. And yet, you keep doing things that others wouldn’t even think about.”
“So, you don’t like it?” I teased.
He rolled his eyes. “Whatever. It’s not bad. I’ll… deal with it for now. But don’t think I’ve accepted it.”
I grinned. “Sure, sure. Whatever you say, Lucas.”
He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose as if regretting his choices. “Now, I have things to do,” he said. “So I’ll take my leave for now.”
Before he could turn away, I reached out and grabbed his hand. He looked down at my hand, then up at me.
“You’re not running away, are you?”
“I made a pact,” he said. “I keep my word. I’ll come back to you, after I settle what I need to.”
I released his hand slowly. “Alright, I’ll wait for you.”
He lingered for a moment, his eyes still fixed on where my hand had touched his. Then, without another word, he turned and leapt upward, his body moving fast as he vanished into the trees in a flash of red light.
“He’s still as dramatic as ever,” I muttered to myself. “But it’s good to have you back, Lucas.”
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12:55 Tue, Dec 23 G
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