Chapter 8

Silent tears immediately stream down Sage's cheeks finishing off at River's hand. River's heart shattered at Sage's painful expressions. 

"I was beaten to death, covered in red and blue bruises from head to toe, is that any different from not black mailing, do you think I had a choice? It's either I sleep with you as you demanded or I die every day."

"Sage," River said quietly, his voice low and hushed, his breath tripping over Sage's face, his hand tightening, making Sage wince in pain. "Again. It's not my fault; I gave you the option. And you clearly understand that everyone here has to fend for themselves, so you can't blame me for getting something in return for favouring you."

"Then why stop now. Why don't you fuck me anymore, why don't you take out your aggression on me anymore? What, do you think I'm not fuckable anymore, that I'm useless and full of scars and that's why you're always looking for someone new," Sage cried and River rolled his eyes in frustration. 

"You're using your mouth a lot lately on spouting nonsense, don't forget that I could give you a better reason to shut it up," River pushed him into the bed, Sage groaned heavily but before he could understand anything his distressed eyes met with furious ones as River hovered over him trapping his smaller but stubborn body. "And the reason I stopped fucking you is because I don't want to hurt you anymore. I can't see you in pain and crying every night you go to sleep after we're done."

And he meant it. River couldn't see how tired Sage became after they finished their deed. River soon realised that Sage wasn't built for roughness and how rough River likes to treat him in bed. Sage was supposed to be treated gently and softly, as he deserved, but River couldn't give him that.

"And it's none of your business whether I fucking want to help someone or not; you're not my boss, so don't push your luck too far just because I go easy with you," River gave him a warning look. 

Sage shuddered and felt his heart aching at the heartless look in his eyes.

River pressed his finger into Sage's chest and pushed him flat on the bed, the heat of his angry body sending shivers up Sage's spine, making him hear the only sound of his own heartbeats. He looked away when he couldn't take River's alluring eyes staring at him with a lewd look. 

"I hate you," Sage whined, glaring at him. 

River laughed at his tantrum, he pecked his cheek and nose before rising and leaving Sage and his bed. He started to walk towards the door. 

"W-Wait! Where are you going?!" Sage got up on his elbow with a terrified and pitiful expression. 

River, who was only intending to go to the bathroom to change into his pyjamas, stopped dead in his tracks, he turned around and his heartbeats raced as he saw Sage's frightened expression, fear overshadowing his beautiful features. He appeared to be on the verge of breaking down. 

River sighed and dismissed his plan to change his clothes.

"I'm not going anywhere," He went back to Sage's bed. River bent down and ducked his arms under Sage's legs and back, and shifted him to the other side of the bed to make space. Sage watched him dumbfounded as River plopped beside him. River raised a brow and chuckled at his bewildered expression, he threw his arms and scooped the smaller body closer to him. "Now, take long breaths and sleep."    

DING! 

A loud sound of the bell and the lights went off almost immediately following the bell. Sharp at nine. 

And then silence. 

Just like that another day ends in Sunford. 

                                ***

The morning arrives, the sunlight penetrates through the parted curtains into the room welcoming a new day at Sunford with brand new troubles.

Eve jerked in his sleep, face twisting he drifted out of his deep slumber, his small and thin eyelashes fluttered and he awoke before he profusely tried to blink out the sleep. Darting his sleepy eyes across the room he shifted to the other side and winced because his whole body was paining, probably from exhaustion. 

As he sat up, he let out a pained gasp as he felt an immense pain in his neck, his hands immediately reached up to touch his throat, it felt dry and sore. He wanted to drink water but glancing around the empty room and bed across from him, he didn't find the water. His eyes landed on the small kitchen area, his swollen eyes lit up a little but the brightness of his eyes instantly went away when he heard the knock on his doors. 

The noxious sound made him flinch, and he began to tremble in fear, as if his brain instinctively remembered the catastrophe from the previous night. Dread swept over him as he clutched the blanket to his chest, as if it could save him.

"Eve?!" He heard his name and immediately felt his heart calming down, returning to his normal rate. The familiar voice filled with playfulness but full of assurance had him throwing his blankets away and excitedly running towards the door in relief. 

Upon unlocking the door, Eve met with a fresh smiling face and a scowling face behind him. 

"Thank god you survived the night, I thought you would be dead," River chuckled. Eve felt a relieving warmth from his smile which tucked his own lips into a small smile. "Good morning, Luna."

Eve nodded but frowned when he tried to speak, River took in his pained expression, he wanted to ask what's the matter with him but before he could do so, his eyes landed on the red bruises and fingerprints on his neck. 

River's worriedness turned into a huge grin and he clapped his hands. 

"So the Alpha already marked his territory!" River laughed.