Hate Me (Black Mountain Academy)

by Ashley Jade

Leo killed my father. And then he looked me in the eye and told me he loved me and that he would always take care of me. He killed my father. Yet he had the nerve to console me and make me feel safe and protected. To take my virginity while we were at his funeral. All while knowing he was the one responsible for ripping the most important man in my life away from me.

All the torture he’s inflicted. All the pain he’s caused. He’s going to die without experiencing any of it.

“I need to torture him,” he rasps, the anguish in his voice imploring me to understand. “I need to slowly drain the life out of him bit by bit and make him suffer…just like he did to her.”

“He doesn’t get to go peacefully.” His tone darkens. “He doesn’t get to escape his punishment.”

“Because I choose you.” And maybe that makes me crazy, but I don’t care.

Knox’s bloody face splits into a chilling grin as he takes a step back, taking in his father’s corpse. It might not have been what he wanted, and it sure as hell wasn’t what the bastard deserved But in the end… He chose me, too.

She’s in my head—like a whisper in the dark I can’t ignore. She’s in my soul—like a siren I can’t run away from. She’s the feeling in my chest I’ve never experienced before, but would kill to hold on to forever. She’s the home I never had.

They won’t care that he was a lying, abusive piece of murdering shit. They won’t care…because no one will ever know the truth. Because every action has a consequence… And silence is still mine.

I thought love ended the day my dad died. That I’d never be capable of feeling that emotion for someone ever again. But I was wrong. Because it’s here between us—entangled in all our lies and ugly secrets. It grew, despite our hatred—because it was stronger than we were. And it will stay with us forever…like a scar that won’t ever heal.

Point is, I want you to live, Aspen. More than live. I want you to grab life by the goddamn balls and fucking fly.

And no, I don’t expect you to wait for me. But I’ll sure as fuck be waiting for you. Because you were the only person who ever helped me. And you’ll own every part of my fucked-up soul until they put me in the ground. They say strays always come back... But this time, I’ll be the one coming back to you. I don’t know when...but I will.

I was poison. And maybe Aspen was the antidote, but neither of us would know for sure until it was too late. I wouldn’t take that chance.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’m so messed up. I’m sorry you saw me. I’m sorry I had to make you hate me…

“I’m yours, Stray. For however long you want me.” I’ll want him forever.

Because every action has a consequence… And he’s mine.