chapter 20. Changing

[chapter 20. Changing]

Selena immediately laid eyes on a boy standing in the corner, and without hesitation, she marched over to him and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.

"You," she hissed, yanking him closer to match their height. "What are you doing here? It's broad daylight anyone could catch you in here."

"I can't believe you would be so careless," she said, shaking her head in frustration. "If any person here gets a whiff of your presence, you are dead fucking meat," she growled, releasing his collar.

Hayate stood in the middle of the room, his expression tense and troubled. He ran his hand through his messy hair, muttering a curse. Hayate watched her, her anxiety mounting as she waited for him to speak.

Finally, Selena couldn't take the silence any longer. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice laced with caution. "You're acting strange. Did something happen?"

Hayate let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping. "I'm sorry, Hayate," he said, his voice heavy with guilt. "I should have told you earlier, but I didn't want to worry you."

Selena's heart raced as she waited for him to continue. "Last night, I went to the ring to find more of those eagle men," he said, his voice low and tense. "I know I shouldn't have gone alone, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. And I was right."

Her blood ran cold at his words. She could feel the fury boiling inside her, a feeling that she knew all too well. "What did you find?" she demanded, her voice shaking with anger.

Hayate hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting around the room. "I found one of their camps," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "And I saw something that I wish I hadn't. They're planning something, moon. Something big. And I don't think it will be good for any of us."

"I will kill them. I will kill every single one of them."

Hayate was exasperated at her words. "How many will you kill, Tsuki? Ten, hundred, thousand?" His eyes locked into hers. "You alone can't go against an organization. You will die!"

"Then so be it!"

Hayate stood in front of Selena, his eyes blazing with anger. "Selena," he growled, his voice low and menacing. He grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her skin as he pulled her closer to him.

"You are not dying," he said through gritted teeth. "Not on my watch. I won't let it happen."

Selena looked at him, her eyes filled with pain and determination. "I want my revenge, Hayate," she said, her voice quivering with emotions. "I deserve my revenge after everything that happened. All the suffering, all the abuse. I won't rest until I get what I am owed."

Hayate's expression softened slightly at the pain in Selena's voice. He knew she had been through a lot, and he couldn't blame her for wanting revenge. But he also knew that seeking revenge was a dangerous path that could lead to even more suffering and pain.

"And I will help you get your revenge. Our revenge," Hayate's voice softened.

Hayate's eyes were filled with emotions as he thought about everything they had been through- it was time for them to turn the tables on their enemies and make them pay for all the hardships.

They had been robbed of their childhoods and forced to grow up too soon, wielding weapons and learning to hide their emotions behind poker faces. Hayate was determined to take back what had been stolen from them and make the world pay for what it had done.

Selena's hand curled around his waist as she hugged him. Hayate froze at the contact- she was the 'last' person to initiate physical contact. "The Marianos are changing you, huh," he muttered as she buried her face in his cheek.

"In your dreams," she muttered, suddenly feeling emotional.

"It suits you- being in a family. You were the lone wolf always. I know you prefer being alone, but family looks good on you. You look happy now that you are with your family. Give them a chance. They can be the best thing that happens to you," he slowly muttered.

Hayate chuckled as he watched his moon's face light up. He loved seeing the different expressions that crossed her face. The way her eyes sparkled every time they talked about her father. He could see the love and warmth in her eyes as she spoke about her mother. The way they softened at the mention of her name.

But he also saw the fire in her eyes when he mentioned Samuel, and he knew that she had assigned people to keep an eye on him and ensure no one harmed him. Hayate also knew that she was secretly helping Maxim, using her connections and influence to boost his stock prices in the dark.

And the girl called herself cold.

"Do you think they would adore me? All the ugly me?"

"You are for bigger and better things," Hayate said, his voice firm. "Only those loved by the wild can understand chaos, not the weak. Don't doubt yourself, Selena Knight. Remember who you are."

He liked how she was untamed. She is wild. She will come to you like a storm and wash you of your fears. And then, when she leaves, you will wonder how you ever hated the rain.

You never know when someone might leave. Selena said in her mind.

"Ow, that hurts," he laughed when she stomped on his feet. "Cut it out with those eyes," she grumbled. "Aww, the cold front is melting," he teased in a baby voice, which earned him a kick in the shin.

"You're abusive. I'm calling the cops."

"Nah, call PETA instead. I'm committing animal abuse."

"Are you calling me an animal!"

"The one who replied is the animal."

Hayate gasped, pretending to be offended as Selena tried to break out of their hug. "Now let me go," she said, backing away in mock disgust.

An evil smirk formed on Hayate's face as he tightened his grip on Selena. "Nope," he said, chuckling playfully.

Selena's eyes narrowed as she glared at him. "Let go," she hissed, trying to wriggle out of his embrace. But Hayate was too strong, and he held her firmly in place, his hand pinching her cheek affectionately.

"Aww, look at you," he said, his voice dripping with mock adoration. "You're so cute. You want to hug me more, right?" Selena's face darkened at his words.

Then Selena let out a sinister laugh that made Hayate's body tense. She raised her hand, flicking each finger one by one as she counted. "One," she said, pointing out her index finger.

"Two."

Hayate could feel the impending doom.

"Three."

He let her go. What? He would rather be a pussy than a dead man.

"Apologize."

"I won't ever hug you without permission and would let you go when you asked."

"Forgiven."

Hayate let out a sigh of relief. He survived one more day. "You can be scary," he commented. "Be?" she narrowed her eyes at him while smiling sweetly. "You are scary." He stepped back.

Selena sighed and flopped down onto the bed, a small smile on her face. As always, Hayate's antics had managed to calm her down, and his presence made her feel comfortable and at ease.

For Selena, Hayate was like a second family to her. He was someone she felt comfortable with and more important to her than her own family. She was grateful to have him by her side and knew she could always count on him to be there for her, no matter what.

----

"We need to bring Garold over to our side," Hayate said as Selena cocked her head. "He's already suspicious of you. It won't be long before he puts all the pieces together and starts doubting you even more. It would be better for us if he was on our side."

She hummed in response.

"It could be a useful pawn. If my theory is correct, Garold might be more powerful than we think," she smirked.

He raised an eyebrow at her words. "What theory?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out," she winked as he rolled his eyes. Selena and her fucking cryptic words.

"Big brother's men have been 'cleaning' the city since you arrived. I think it's safe for you to venture out," Hayate informed, watching her eyes soften with longing. She missed big brother.

Ahh, enough sappy shit.

"We need people on our side. Powerful people," Selena commented, her eyes flashing with schemes. Hayate shuddered at the cold, calculating tone of Selena's voice. Something was unsettling about the way she spoke- as if she weighed the value of other people's lives against her own goals. He liked it.

He knew that she could do anything for her goals, and he couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking down a dangerous path.

But he also knew that he couldn't back out now. They had already gone too far, and there was no turning back. All he could do was hope they would emerge from the darkness unscathed.

A sinister smile spread across her face as she continued. "How does Rafael Sullivan sounds?"

~~~~

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