\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 60\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 60\u00a0<\/p>\n
Selene\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked at the phoenix. \u201cYou can\u2019t follow me like this,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He blinked, the embers around him flickering lazily. \u201cLike this?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLike a damn walking bonfire,\u201d I said flatly, meeting his golden eyes. \u201cYou have to change.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cChange?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. I know you can take a human form.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, he went perfectly still. \u201cYou were not really lying when you said you knew me in your past lives, one knows I can change to a human form.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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?\u00a0<\/p>\n
He tilted his head, that familiar arrogance slipping back into place. \u201cIf you know me so well, then you also know I don\u2019t like changing into a human form.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I raised an eyebrow. \u201cI can\u2019t 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\u2019s been broken, everything I\u2019ve planned will burn before it even begins.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He frowned, his expression caught somewhere between defiance and understanding. For a moment, I thought he might argue again, but then he sighed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFine,\u201d he muttered. \u201cYou owe me for this, kid.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smirked. \u201cSure, sure. Just hurry up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The phoenix\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And what a man.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/p>\n
woman swoon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If I were ranking the most handsome men I\u2019d ever seen, he\u2019d 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still, I couldn\u2019t help the small, incredulous laugh that escaped my lips. \u201cYou\u2019re still as vain as ever.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He smirked, completely unbothered and naked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I am, why hide perfection?\u201d His golden eyes glinting mischievously as he caught me staring for a moment too long. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, girl? Are you that bewildered by my size?\u201d he drawled, his voice deep and taunting. \u201cI\u2019ve heard werewolf women love big sizes like mine.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a second, I just blinked at him, then a laugh slipped out before I could stop it. \u201cDon\u2019t get ahead of yourself, Phoenix, you\u2019re not the first man I\u2019ve seen naked.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
12:55 Tue, Dec 23 M\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 60\u00a0<\/p>\n
I reached into my bag, pulled out a folded set of men\u2019s clothes I\u2019d taken for him, and held them out. \u201cPut this on before you burn someone\u2019s eyes out with your ego.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He arched an eyebrow but took the clothes from me with that same smug grin. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to sound so ungrateful for\u00a0<\/p>\n
the view.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to come to an agreement,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His deep voice rumbled behind me. \u201cWhat kind of agreement?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cA pact,\u201d I replied.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A low chuckle escaped him. \u201cA pact? With a weak werewolf?\u201d He paused, clearly savoring the words. \u201cI am the mighty Phoenix-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I tilted my head slightly, not even bothering to turn around.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He sighed, the sound grudging. \u201cYou get the point.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled faintly. \u201cYes, I do. And that\u2019s exactly why I want a pact. Because you\u2019re powerful, and I have no guarantee that you won\u2019t decide to betray me or go on some fiery killing spree. You could destroy everything before I even have the chance to stop you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t respond for a while, he finally said. \u201cI understand where you\u2019re coming from, werewolf. Fine, I\u2019ll make a pact that I will never betray you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned slightly, enough to glimpse his silhouette. \u201cThank you. I\u2019ll do the same.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPerfect, now that we\u2019ve taken care of that, you should turn around and help me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHelp you?\u201d I repeated, frowning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d he said, impatient. \u201cTurn around.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned, and instantly pressed my lips together to keep from laughing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\u2019t even done properly. It looked like a toddler had tried to dress him while blindfolded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh\u2026 goddess,\u201d I said, trying not to laugh.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He narrowed his eyes. \u201cYou have a lot of nerve mocking a mighty Phoenix like me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I bit down on my lip, failing miserably to keep a straight face. \u201cI apologize,\u201d I managed, chuckling under my breath. \u201cTruly. Let me help you mighty phoenix.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He straightened instantly, his expression sharpening as he realized what I was doing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
12:55 Tue, Dec 23 MG.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 60\u00a0<\/p>\n
I held my hand out to him. \u201cYour turn.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI promise never to betray you either,\u201d I answered. When our blood met I felt a strange, cold thing stir inside me, something that marked the pact.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When the connection faded, I pulled my hand back and exhaled softly. \u201cThank you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He waved a hand carelessly, though I saw the corner of his mouth twitch. \u201cDon\u2019t get sentimental on me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smirked. \u201cFine, Lucas.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He froze, blinking at me. \u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I tilted my head, trying to hide a smile. \u201cI can\u2019t keep calling you \u2018phoenix\u2019 every time. So, I\u2019ll call you Lucas. Like it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His eyes narrowed slightly, glowing faintly gold. \u201cNobody has ever dared to name me before, not because they couldn\u2019t, but because they wouldn\u2019t dare. And yet, you keep doing things that others wouldn\u2019t even think about.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, you don\u2019t like it?\u201d I teased.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He rolled his eyes. \u201cWhatever. It\u2019s not bad. I\u2019ll\u2026 deal with it for now. But don\u2019t think I\u2019ve accepted it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I grinned. \u201cSure, sure. Whatever you say, Lucas.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose as if regretting his choices. \u201cNow, I have things to do,\u201d he said. \u201cSo I\u2019ll take my leave for now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before he could turn away, I reached out and grabbed his hand. He looked down at my hand, then up at me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not running away, are you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI made a pact,\u201d he said. \u201cI keep my word. I\u2019ll come back to you, after I settle what I need to.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I released his hand slowly. \u201cAlright, I\u2019ll wait for you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s still as dramatic as ever,\u201d I muttered to myself. \u201cBut it\u2019s good to have you back, Lucas.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Hope Is Not Optional \u2014 Manuel Flores 60 \u00a0 Chapter 60\u00a0 Chapter 60\u00a0 Selene\u00a0 I looked at the phoenix. \u201cYou […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27854","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-ruthless-tycoons-obsession-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27854","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27854"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27854\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27854"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27854"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27854"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}