Wren's Pov

Kilian and I head toward the Control Platform. He’s leading me down the many stone bridges of this suspended city with an iron fist. Steely is the word. And it’s nowhere near releasing me. I play the game, clutching even harder because I think somewhere down the line, we’re the same.
I’ve been beating Space with rockets and jets, never knowing my end goal. Running from myself all my life, firmly convinced I belonged where I was.
In Space’s darkness...
And Kilian... This ebony-haired man is changing how I feel, my mind twisting and turning from an awkward reboot.
After following me for so long, he’s outrunning my fears, chasing my memories.
Yes, we’re the same.
Because if we ever had to lose ourselves again...
... we would lose it all.
Even so, my insecure self chuckles. “Hey, Pimpollo, I’m not going to run away.”
Blood shoots up my brain from a harsh twirl, that shoulder grip of his making me spike a breath.
Just what the fuck?!
“What did you say?!” Orange wolf eyes stab me right in the brains, their glow a proper chokehold. Where have my lungs gone?!
That is some shifter mastery I’m unaware of...
At this very moment, words can’t describe my stupefied state.
“I didn’t say anything... I-I just said I’m not going to run away.” Of course, the stuttering, Wren. Because, hey, why work for your words when you can just in a jiffy retract in your comments.
“No, before that?” Kilian’s worried irises jitter from left to right. Did I insult him? I have a doubt now... This kind of shit happens to me a lot.
“Starboy?” I did say Starboy, right?!
The embrace that follows is mindboggling, giving me a mental fog.
I hug him back, spreading my fingers over his nape, waving them in this birthing hair I love so much. “Where else can I go, Kilian?..”
Yeah... now it’s a certainty. We’re indeed the same. The man’s as damaged as me...
“I got you,” he whispers. And as his hold strengthens, something breaks in me. “I got you, girl. I got you...”
“Yes, you got me,” I murmur softly. “You got me, Kilian... It’s ok, I’m here.” What’s the meltdown for?.. The man could do with some chamomile tea, a pinch or two of Prozac swirling in it.
He shivers at my whisper, and only a “Hey, guys! What’s up?” from a top-shaped Hataro wakes us from this strange exchange.
I missed him... Hataro is the best ensnarer ever when it comes to rounding enemies up. He’s got that swift dodge, his jet a flexible blade.
I exhale, liberated to find him strolling up a bridge on solid legs. It will never be known to these two, but Hataro was mere breaths away from death...
“Kid!” Kilian picks him up, disheveling his thin strands with a mushy pat.
“Alpha, I’m back in the game.”
There’s no Beta here. It’s just a little brother...
In other words, I fear Kilian’s goal is to keep him close to him, just as he wants me to be with him.
“Mind if I join?”
“Parojan Station, Hataro. The little wolf wants to call her daddy.”
Both Hataro and my eyes spear.
“Wren, don’t.” Again, he’s fussing, munching on his nails, his fingers not much more than slimmed out potato heads. He always fusses. Hataro’s ability to cope with stress is the lowest I’ve ever seen. He was admitted to the Chimera solely because of his piloting skills. Everything else mental about him stinks.
“Telling me what to do, now!?..”
“Hey!”
“Hey, what!? Remember who you’re talking to. So quit it!” I snap.
“You’re not my team leader anymore, Wren.”
A frosty gaze forms on Hataro’s face; Jinx is at my door, scratching like a feral mutt.
I always say: don’t let anyone ruin your day. Be that strong woman. Ruin it yourself.
...
I’ll ruin it for you!
“Go play in the sandpit, kiddo! Let the adults handle it!” This little man-boy has been toying with me since day one. He’s nothing but the weakest link!
“Spades, calm down. We’re all on the same side.”
Alpha what-not wants to play mediator... My fur briskens, softly plucking through Wren’s pores... “Tell me, what side is this, Alpha Shit!”
This big billy gruff takes a step back, hiding a snarl.
“Am I saying something I shouldn’t?” I nicker, feeling so damn good to be back in the outside world... I’ll take him down here. Yes... It does sound like a plan. “You are not my commander. You’re nothing!” Wren’s nails give way to my claws, assassin, thirsting for an Alpha’s blood.
“Hataro, I think I spotted one of your Chimeras near zone 3... Joy, I think. She’s fiddling with some rusted Space jet. Go help her.” The Stray orders, if an order can be called that.
“Yes, go and play elsewhere!”
Hataro takes off on his heels, not forgetting to bare his white gnashers at me. Pest!
Wren’s puppy swoons over me like I’m his mate. This soft dipstick can hope until the end of time because it will never happen.
“Spades, breathe.” He’s muttering his sweetness at me. It’s so concentrated that it sickens me.
“I’m breathing fine!” Never felt so good, as a matter of fact.
“Boton de rosa*...my sweet one. Breathe.”
The f---.
“Pimpollo...mi aliento es solo tuyo...”
What did I just say?!

*Rosebud (Spanish)
