Finally a glimpse into Holden's mind. Get ready for a ride.

I wish I could say I was the forgiving type. I was not. If I had to, I'd hold a grudge to the grave. Even if I pretended that I was completely fine. And as I stomped through the woods, surrounded by his hidden guards I was planning on doing exactly that.

Once we reached the palace I angrily rushed to my room, my mind in a whirl, hoping that Kaya would be awake. I froze as I stepped into our hall. Holden had his tongue down the throat of the one and only: Kat. My fists clenched and my feet felt frozen to the ground. All the warmth of his hand, his lips, it was gone. Kat giggled and I cleared my throat. Holden turned but his face was empty, expressionless. It didn't make any sense. I stomped up to him.

" You're an asshole."

" Aw, is the fake Three upset?" Cat coed. I glared at her, smirking.

" I wouldn't be talking, fake boobs." She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. Like I knew if she had gotten plastic surgery. But I was good at finding where it hurt. No one said I was a nice person. Especially not when I was angry. I turned to Holden.

" I don't know what your game is but I sure ain't going to play it." He didn't reply, he just stared at me. His silence agitated me. I sighed, I didn't know what was going on anymore. The confusion felt suffocating. I shook my head and fast-walked into my room, slamming the door I fell onto. I thought there had been something there, but I was more confused than I had been before. And how could he kiss someone right after he kissed me? I could ask for an explanation. Or, I smirked as an idea popped into my head. There was something more fun I could try. I could steal something from Gran's playbook.

Holden better watch out.

Holden POV:

I gently pushed Kat away from me.

" You should get to bed."

" Do you want to come with me," she asked, placing a delicate hand on my chest. I glared down at her.

" No." I shouldn't be angry at her. It was my choice. My choice to push Eve away. Kat winked at me.

" See you tomorrow, then." I ran my hands through my hair then jogged to my office. Lifting up the plate of food I trekked up to the highest floor of the palace. To a room in a far corner. I kept replaying the events as I walked. The kiss. I had kissed girls before but never like that. It never felt like that. She looked past things. Like she was superhuman. And she was astoundingly beautiful and confident. Annoyingly stubborn and wonderfully sarcastic. Pop was always right. Eve was...

Eve was someone I couldn't have. I pushed open the door, plastering a smile on my face. My sister's face looked up at me, her eyes glistened.

" Brother," she grinned, jumping up from the bed and coming around to hug me. I chuckled. " How's Alex?"

" She's good." Lily nodded. Lily was my younger sister. She was normal but headstrong. The Queen had grounded her before the start of the Selection for wearing ripped jeans in public. And grounded meant no food. And Father would say nothing. And we would never, ever let Pop know. Hidden abuse was the Queen's well-kept secret. But I never let any harm come to her. I would never allow it.

Lily looked at me, her brown eyes narrowing. " Have you eaten?"

" Yes. Today."

" Before today."

" Yes."

" All three meals? Last time..."

" Lily…" I said in warning. She rolled her eyes and turned away from me. She sat cross-legged on her bed and dug into her meal. I sat across from her, running my hand through my hair.

" What's wrong?"

" What?"

" You do that when something's wrong. Plus you look exhausted." Lily could be obnoxious sometimes. But she was also the only one who knew everything. But that also meant it was harder to hide things. I didn't bother trying.

" She slapped one of the Selected."

" That bitch."

" Lily!"

" It's true." He chuckled. It was true. He never understood why his father married her. She was nothing like his mother. And how that vile woman could produce something as sweet as Alexandria.

" Which one?"

" Eve."

" Oh no." Lily knew everything. " What did you do?" I grew silent. I pushed Eve away. Lily would try to convince me there was another way. But I wasn't stupid. Eve wasn't safe here. Not when she had now become a target of his stepmother.

" Holden," Lily said sharply, punching his shoulder. " Did you do something stupid."

He grinned at her, " No. Of course not." She stared at his face, chewing slowly.

" You look terrible."

" Thanks," I laughed, standing up off her bed.

" I'm telling you the truth. I really want to meet them, the Selected." She wiggled her eyebrows, " I want to meet the girl who finally tamed my brother." This time I rolled my eyes and walked around the bed to grab her plate. I hate that I had to leave her alone in this lonely room. But if the Queen ever found out she'd have both of our heads.

I kiss Lily's forehead, " See you tomorrow, sis."

" Holden?"

" Yes?" I turned my hand on the doorknob.

" You would tell me if something was wrong, right?"

" Of course." I turned, opened the door, and left. No, I wouldn't tell her what was happening. What I had to do to protect the few people in this world who deserved protection. The memory of this kiss made me smile. I couldn't have her but I'd have that one perfect night. That one glimmer of happiness. And I would do what was right on my own. That was a burden I had to carry all on my own, for the protection of all those I cared for.

Short chapter, I know, but I hoped you liked it! Sorry if it left more questions thatn answers. Is there something happening that Eve doesn't know about? Favorite and comment for faster chapter. Thank you for reading!

Fae