The Pauper's Dream [boyxboy]

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight (Gavin's POV)

We prepared some hot chamomile tea before sitting on the bed together, but Kasper sat far the end away from me, as if he were afraid he was too close.

It was silent at first, and I accepted it. He wanted to take his time and I understood. I kept my phone off, because Kasper told me Kyler would call the moment I turned it on. I believed him and kept it off, hidden under the pillow behind me as I watched Kasper clasp his hot mug tightly, his fingers looking small and frail against the large green glass.

He looked smaller, having changed into a pair of my plaid pajama pants and a matching t-shirt that hung far below his waist. He also looked ashamed, scared, and small. I wanted to just reach over and hug him, but I had to take my time now.

I was just moments away from figuring out everything and I wasn't going to let anything, including my arrogance, stand in the way of finding out why my mate looked so broken.

"I don't know where to start." Kasper spoke at last, his voice sounding small and far away. I wanted to encourage him, but I didn't want to sound pushy either, so I smiled faintly in comforting.

"Take your time. I don't want to rush you... Maybe there's a beginning? Where are you really from, Kasper?" I asked. Kasper blinked, looking surprised at my questions before he shifted uncomfortably.

"Maine. I lived with my parents, two older brothers, and my twin sister," He began carefully, pausing to take a sip of his tea before sighing heavily, "Kailie is my twin, but everyone always liked her better. I'm not jealous or anything. I'm proud to be a man. I let Kailie take the spotlight as much as she wanted. When my family came together to eat, she would sing and everyone would shower her with affection. I was also outshown by my older brothers, Talon and Urian. They were both stronger and braver. My parents sort of ignored me, but I was fine with that."

"Were you?" I heard myself say. Kasper hesitated, studying the silk sheets for a while before averting his eyes.

"Maybe. I don't know. Sitting in my room alone with nothing, but my bed and books was enough to keep me comfortable. Maybe I got used to it and forgot all about being alone. It didn't last long, though," Kasper sighed, looking into his mug of tea, "My parents were burying themselves in debt to pay for Kailie's things. They loved spoiling her. Kailie ended up getting sick. There was no way to help her... Except one. There was a doctor there. His name was Jack Runningwolf. He was a werewolf and he seemed so nice. He even paid attention to me at the hospital when we went to visit my sister. He offered to heal my sister, but for a price."

"He wanted to take her away. At the time, I didn't know why. He just told my parents he needed company and my parents refused, so Jack didn't help her. She was going to die and my parents were panicking, so they offered me instead. Jack waited a while before agreeing to their terms. I didn't know what being sold meant. I just thought they were going to let me live with Jack for a while, then come pick me up. I was only eleven and very stupid. Jack helped my sister and I went to live with Jack. The first week was wonderful. He was so nice to me and he bought me things. He told me we were meant to be together. I just didn't know what he meant by that. He kept saying mate, so I was positive he was telling the truth."

My stomach sank as Kasper paused, then closed his eyes and took a sip, but kept his eyes shut tightly as if he were reliving the whole thing over again.

"I woke up one morning and I was in the dark. I thought I'd gone blind and I was scared. I kept calling out for Jack, but he never answered me. I couldn't find the door. I couldn't move. Something had me tied... Jack finally came, but he wasn't going to let me go. Jack was a scentist, not a doctor. He was a psychotic scentist experimenting on our kind, different species. I met Kyler after Jack moved me from my room to a cell in his laboratory. He made sure my arms were always restrained, my eyes always covered, my body always beaten so I couldn't run away. The only times I saw Kyler was when Jack sent his assistant in to take care of me."