34. Blayne

THIRTY-FOUR

BLAYNE

"Hey, brother. How are things?"

I stood in the cemetery, looking down at the tombstone. I squatted down and gently set the flowers on Liam's grave. It was the ten-year anniversary of his death. I came out every year on the date I lost him. I came other times, too, but I always made sure to come on this date in particular. In some ways, it seemed crazy that ten years had gone by. In others, it felt like a lifetime since I'd talked to my brother.

I cleared a few stray leaves off the stone and brushed off some moss sprouting on the base. Then I settled down, sitting on the grass, crossing my legs.

"You'll never believe the shit I've gotten into, bro. You remember all the horror stories we heard about hunters when we were kids? Turns out they're even worse than the stories. We're going to war, man. Shifters are going to war against a billionaire mad man." I grinned. "You'd fucking love this shit. I know it. You'd be the first damn one in line." Tears welled in my eyes, and I wiped them away. "I miss you, Liam. So damned much, but I promise to do my best not to join you too soon. Okay? You'll just have to chill out with your wings and harp and whatever until I get up there. Hopefully, I'll be about ninety-five and have a shitload of stories to tell you."

I sat, letting the chill weather dry my eyes. It was strange when a twin died. I'd done a lot of reading on it when I lost Liam. It seemed to be the same for almost anyone who lost a twin sibling. It really did feel like a piece of you was missing, an integral part that couldn't be easily replaced. Like losing an arm or a leg, it never really got any easier.

I sat in silence, enjoying the quiet, until it was time to go. I patted the tombstone. "All right, brother. I gotta go. I'll see you again soon."

I stood and brushed off my pants, then turned to leave. I froze where I stood, my hands clamping into fists. I was staring into a face I hadn't seen in years. A face I'd hoped to never see again as long as I lived. My breath hissed out in cloudy puffs in the winter air. Ava stood there, clutching a bouquet of flowers. She was looking at me, as surprised as I was to see her.

The most horrifying thing of all, the thing that sent my mind reeling, and filled me with a rage I didn't even know I had, was the feeling in my chest. The pull, the ache, the desire. In my mind, I heard my panther, low and purring and insistent. Mate .

I blinked the thought away, and let the dread and anger fill me. It was all I could do to keep my lip from curling in disgust as I looked at her. At least she looked embarrassed to be there. Of all the people, she had the least right to come to Liam's grave.

"Uh. Blayne. I…I didn't think I'd see you here," she said, stumbling over her words.

"Me?" The words burst out of my mouth with enough venom that she took an involuntary step back. "You didn't think I would be here? You're the one who has no business being here. After what you've done, Ava? Christ," I sneered the last word, hoping it hurt her.

She lowered her eyes and stared at the flowers in her hands. "I only wanted to pay my respects. That's all."

"Pay your respects?" I asked. "Ava, you're the reason Liam is in the ground. If not for you, I'd still have my brother. I think it would be best if you left. Or do I need to go find security?"

My panther squalled at me in anger. It didn't want me to treat her like this, but in some things, I was glad I was in control. I'd treat her however I damn well pleased, curse be damned. I lifted a lip and let a feline growl erupt from my throat.

"Blayne, you can put the cat away. I'll leave, no need to shift and try and scare me." Ava walked around me quickly and laid her bouquet on Liam's grave, then turned and strode away. She didn't look back at me as she went. I watched her go and wanted to scream. I wanted to rip trees out of the ground, to crack boulders with my fists, anything to release the rage I felt.

"Emily, I hope you're rotting in hell for this," I whispered to myself.

How could this be possible? The odds had to be astronomical. How could my fated mate be this woman? Ava? My brother's ex-girlfriend. The woman who got him killed.

Continue reading for Blayne and Ava's story in Enemy Panther Next Door