Colton

I am on my way to my father's office - I intend on inquiring him about my mother's whereabouts.

He seems to be the only one to take note of her travels these days.

I need to find out if my suspicions were correct, if she really has sided with the rebels over a minor dispute that happened three years ago. I need to do this and quickly. The longer we leave this, the more time she has to uncover our plans on this fake 'truce'.

"Come in," my father calls and I walk in. The usually overcrowded room is quiet and empty. Perfect. "What can I help you with Colton?" he questions, not even looking up from the papers he's scribbling on.

"I want to talk to mother," I get straight to the point, none of us have time to waste. I'm hoping he doesn't question this too much but I already know he will.

"Why? From my knowledge neither of you wanted anything to do with each other," he states and I have to resist the urge to roll my eyes. Deep breathes. He's not wrong but his incessant need to know everything is infuriating.

"Since we will be taking down the rebels in a few days, there's the potential that this could all go south and I'd like to clear things up between us if things do go unexpectedly," the lie rolls off of my tongue effortlessly.

There's no way in hell I want anything to do with that woman or to clear anything up between us and that is never changing. As soon as I figure out what I need to, I plan on never seeing the lady ever again.

"You're not worried about the stability of our plan are you?" my father questions and I scoff.

"You'd be a fool not to be... now can I see mother or will I have to take this matter into my own hands?" it's not intended as a threat but I'll let him interpret it how he sees fit.

Whatever will get him to give up her current location.

"I shall have to discuss it with her," he states and goes back to his paperwork. We do not have time for this. I do not have time.

"That won't do, father, besides... I don't have time, I'm on a tight schedule if you can't tell," I push and he shakes his head with a deep sigh. Aren't we all fed up with the fanatics?

"I will contact her after this and I will get back to you by the end of the day," I nod my head.

Better than nothing.

"For all of our sakes... I hope that you will," I say and leave before he has the chance to even comprehend what I said.

A lot has to be in order if we are going to take down the rebels, I can't be having my mother, of all people, getting in my way and ruining things.

I guess I'm just going to have to take her down along with the rest of them.

***

On my way back to my room I notice Zach in the corridor looking as pissed as ever.

"What are you doing? I thought Rose was training with you," I say, my voice void of any emotion. Zach's face blanches and I know that the next words to come out of his mouth will piss me off beyond compare.

"So about that..." he trails off and I have to ball my hands into fists to stop me from doing something reckless.

"What did you do?" I spit and he hold both hands up in protest.

"Woah, what makes you think I did anything?" Zach says as if I had just accused him of something downright treasonous.

"Did you?" I question and he stays silent - averting his gaze when it meets mine. "So I thought," I scoff. "You're going to tell me what happened or so help me... you're going to regret it," I point an accusing finger.

"There's no need for violence," he says, his voice wavering.

"Why when violence is the easiest and most fun, might I add, option?" I laugh, not trying to hide the sick grin on my face.

"We... we just had a disagreement of sorts," Zach stammers and I have to stop myself from laughing even more.

"Let's hope that's all it was," I clap him on the shoulder and see him flinch a little. He's lucky that I don't have time for this otherwise he would be in the midst of facing my wrath for making Rose leave.

"It was... I promise," Zach rushes out and I cross my arms.

"I have to get going, sort out whatever mess you have made, I'd suggest you watch your back... someone could just randomly gut you with a knife if you're not careful," I smile and continue my way along the corridor.

I already know where Rose is if something has happened between her and Zach. She would have come to me if it was anything deathly serious so I decide on letting her have some time to herself for a while.

A lot has been going on for her recently and I haven't exactly been making things easier for her. But... I plan on making up for said discretions later on tonight.

As soon as I walk through my bedroom door, my phone dings in my pocket. A message from my beloved father.

Your mother has agreed to meet you in the tavern outside of town, tonight.

And just like that all of my plans for tonight go out of the window.

I can't believe she is still living in that crap hole. I thought she would have at least tried to find somewhere more... hygienic.

Tell her I will be bringing company.

Rose will be joining me on this adventure of sorts, she's the only person I can trust and the only person who knows about my suspicions. Besides, she needs a break - even if said 'break' is spent interrogating my mother.

***

Rose

My body is numb from the cold when I decide on returning back to the facility. I took a well needed walk to clear my mind and to think things through.

I just want to crawl back into bed and never get out again. That's what I planned on doing until I found Colton pacing back and forth in his room. The motion making me feel nauseous.

"What's wrong?" I croak, my throat sore from the bitter air.

His head snaps up and those forest eyes meet mine.

"Nothing... everything is fine actually, we'll be meeting with my mother at a tavern just outside of town later tonight," he explains and I process all of this new information.

"A tavern? Why is she at a tavern?" I question. Out of all of the places she could stay... she chose a tavern.

"She has insisted on living there ever since she parted ways with my father and I," he sighs and I furrow my brows.

"So why do you look so worried?" Colton stops his pacing and walks closer to me.

"How was training?" he questions, completely changing the subject. So we're back to this now. Well... if he's going to lie to me then I'll lie straight back.

"It was fine," I shrug and head towards the bathroom but am stopped by his hand closing around my wrist. I take a deep breath before turning to face him. His eyebrows are furrowed and I can't for the life of me read what is going on behind those evergreen eyes.

"Fine?" he presses and I nod.

Maybe I would have told him if he wouldn't act like such a dick and would just tell me things. He needs to learn that you can't avoid every question and expect people not to do the same. You get what you give.

"Riveting really," I add with a sarcastic lilt before pushing his hand away.

"So nothing happened?" he adds and I know that he knows something otherwise he wouldn't be pushing this so much.

"What did you torture out of Zach then?" I huff and he rolls his eyes.

"I never did such a thing... maybe a threat or two but I didn't lay a finger on him," Colton says with a smile before moving closer to me. Both of his hands resting on my waist.

"You deserve an award," I say with mock proudness. I'll believe that he didn't do anything when I see Zach myself. His definition of not doing anything, I am sure, is a lot different to mine.

"Are you not happy with my efforts, my love?" he leans down so he is whispering in my ear, his grip on my waist tightening.

My breath gets caught in my throat and I feel him chuckle against my neck as he leaves a trail of kisses in his lips wake. Colton's hands find their way underneath my shirt and begin roaming my body.

"Colton," I whisper but he just hums against my neck.

The cold that once filled my veins now dissipates and is replaced by Colton's warmth. Electricity and fire are all I feel rushing through me. Nothing but pure ecstasy.

I tangle my fingers in his soft brown hair, tugging at the roots as he bites at my neck - sure to leave marks. I push myself against him, eliciting a groan from him. His hot breath fanning against my skin. Everything about this is euphoric.

It's moments like these that I wish to live in for the rest of my existence. I'd never bore of living this moment on repeat until the end of time.

I reach down to unzip his flies but he stops me. "Are you sure?" he asks, those green eyes boring into mine.

"Yes," I whisper, meaning it with my whole heart.

He tugs at the hem of my shirt before removing it, my scarred torso on display for him. His fingers trace the scars that cover me, the large gashes permanently etched into my skin.

"Beautiful, you are so beautiful," he whispers as his hands trace more of them. His eyes turns glassy as he says "I will never let anyone hurt you ever again,".

I don't say anything but press a kiss to his lips - afraid that if I open my mouth to speak, I will break down. Colton deepens the kiss as his lips move expertly with mine, the faint taste of mint encompassing my senses.

He breaks away from the kiss to remove his shirt but quickly attaches his lips back to mine. The same rush of heat flooding through me. My body aches for him and I need more contact.

My hands run over his bare chest, my fingers feeling at the same scars that cover him. Both of us scarred visibly but no one talks about the ones that you aren't able to see. The ones that have tainted our minds and our souls.

I pull away and look at the several scars that are shockingly similar to mine. I touch my lips to one that strikes across his chest and I hear him release a shaky breath.

"No one will hurt either of us ever again," I whisper as his hands thread through my hair.

"I love you," he says, his voice as smooth as the midnight sky.

"I love you," I repeat. And I'll never stop.

My legs hit the back of the bed before he pushes me down, climbing on top of me - nestled perfectly in between my thighs. The contact of his hardness against me makes me moan in delight.

His hands wrap around the waistband of my leggings, pulling them down along with my underwear. Colton's eyes rake up and down my body as if it's the last time he will ever see me.

I can't help but shiver beneath his gaze.

His lips meet mine again as I tug at the waistband on his trousers, he hastily pulls them and his underwear off - now nothing is between us. I feel him thrust into me with such a force it makes me gasp.

"Are you okay?" he breathes as he continues to thrust into me. I wrap my arms around his biceps as the pleasure takes its course on my body. The feeling is indescribable.

I can't help but moan in response as his hand kneads my breast. Colton pounds into me and I have to bite down on my lip to suppress a scream.

Those beautiful emerald eyes meet mine and I feel something that I never have before.

I can't describe it but my chest aches in a good way, the most amazing way. As if my heart knows who I am looking at. Like my heart knows that he is the only one for me. As if it is signalling that he is it for me.

My legs wrap around his waist in order to push him deeper. I arch my back in pure bliss as I feel myself getting closer to the edge.

Colton drives even deeper, his thrusts quickening. "Fuck," he breathes as his hand runs up and down my side. Our breathing is erratic, our bodies colliding in a beautiful state. Colton's skin glistens with perspire underneath the soft light.

He is all I need for the rest of time, this is all I need.

If the only happiness I ever get to experience is when I am with him then I am more than okay with that. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Colton's pace quickens before he tenses and pulls out, spilling onto my stomach. I am pushed over the edge and I relish in the pleasure that runs through my body. Colton leans down into the crook of my neck, both of us catching our breath.

This is all I need.

***

A/N Thank you guys for all of the love!!!! Whether you're a new reader or you've been here since the start, I am still so thankful for you all. Watching my story grow is one of the best feelings I have ever experienced and I am so glad to see that so many of you are enjoying it. The comments make me more happy than words can describe. This story is almost coming to an end but we still have a lot to get through and I have a lot to write. Once again, thank you so much.