Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Damien poy
down the man “Run. Damien Run and don’t look back, no matter what” My mother’s frantic voice cuts through the chaos as she struggles to hold down wielding a bloody sword. But I don’t move. I stand there, frozen, staring in horror at the devastation unfolding before me.
I can’t move not when my father’s blood pools on the floor, his body sprawled out in an unnatural way. His eyes are wide, filled with shock and pain, and his hands clutch desperately at his chest as life slips from him. His face is contorted in agony, but it’s the blood–soaked into his robes, staining the marble floor–that makes it all feel unreal
I can’t breathe
My legs threaten to give out beneath me as I stand there, helpless, staring at him. At the lifeless body of the man who has always been so strong, so untouchable.
“Damien!!” Mother yells again, her voice raw with desperation. This time, I shakily tear my eyes from Father’s lifeless body, only to be met with the horrifying sight of the man plunging the sword into her chea. Yet, despite the blood pouring from the wound, she doesn’t let go. She clings to him. refusing to release her grip.
“Mother Lery, taking a step forward, but she shakes her head, tears streaming down her cheeks as they mix with the blood surrounding the sword. She’s begging me to stay away.
“No, no, no?” I cover my head with my hands, sobbing uncontrollably, gasping for air. Everything is closing in–suffocating me. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.
voice barely audible before muttering three words in her last
“Damien, please, run, run away and don’t look back,” my mother whispers, fier vol breath. I love you.”
The man pulls the sword from her chest, and she collapses to the ground with a sickening thad. Her eyes remain wide, her chest sull, her body
“No!!” I scream, wanting to run to her, to beg her not to leave me to say it, to tell her I love her back. But then, arms wrap around me from behind, pulling me away. Everything else turns into a blur as I watch the warriors barge in, trying to restrain the man who swings his sword at anyone who dares get close
1 thrash, yell, and cry, struggling to break free, desperate to reach them. I need to get to them. I need to
“Cyrus” 1 scream, and a growl rips through me, an immense strength from my wolf coursing through my veins. I break free from the grip and run toward them
“Mom Dad, please wake up. Please wake up, Mom. I love you too, so please.” Itus there’s no response.
“No, no, this isn’t real,” I mutter under my breath, tears streaming down my fire. “This, this isn’t real. Please wake up, Dad, Mom More tears fall as I call out to them, but they… they don’t move
Their bodies are cold—too cold, lifeless.
My throat arm as I scream, holding onto them. I plead, I yell. I pray, but all I hear is the broken silence. The silence that is too agonizing–it drives The insane. And then, I hear it again–the pounding. It’s in my chest, my head, as though my heart itself is being torn apart
“Haha! I killed them all. I did it all the inan taunts, his laughter grating against my ears. I turn toward the voice and watch as he struggles to break free from the warriors holding him down. My band tightens into a list as I charge at him, but I’m held back, unable to reach hin
He smirks, tilting his head to the side, his red eyes gleaming as he watches me. His gaze is maddening–eyes that don’t belong to a sane person. For a brief moment. I freeze when his eyes flicker, changing color for just a second. He looks confused as he stares at the corpses of my parents in shock. But it’s only for a moment. The next instant, he laughs again and muters to me.
“You’re next, kiddu“
I open my eyes and stare at the ceiling. The study is quiet, save for the stealy ticking of the clock. With a groan, I close my eyes again and rub my temples, trying to ease the throbbing in my head, Stretching lazily, I prop my feet up on the desk
“How long did I even sleep for?” I sitter, glancing at the clock.
1 pm? Four hours. Nice. “Well, we’ve got a new record, don’t we, Curus?” I chuckle, and Cairos rolls his eyes dramatically. You’d think one of the forrest wolves in the world wouldn’t act like a sulty teenager, but here we are,
Chapter 22
“When are we going to see our mate, Damien he growls, low and menacing. “It’s been a week, and you’re bloody avoiding her.”
1 shrug, spinning in my chair like a kid pretending 1 don’t have responsibilities. “Lucas is going to kill me when he realizes I haven’t touched a single one of these files, I say, gesturing at the towering stack at my desk. Then, with a smirk, I add, “But hey, perks of being Alpha.”
Cairos growls again, clearly unimpressed, but I ignore him. “Maybe 11 tackle the paperwork tomorrow. Or, you know, never.”
“Damien stop ignoring me and face it.”
“Face what!” Lask, rolling my eyes.
“The reason you haven’t gone back to the packhouse in a week. You’re crashing here and avoiding her because you’re jealous? |
“What? Me! Jealous! Absolutely not.” I scoff, sitting up straighter. “Why the hell would I be jealous!”
“Maybe because she called Lucian’s name when she woke up, Cairos draws, his cone laced with smug amusement. “Or maybe because you still think she’s in love with Lucian”
My eyes narrow dangerously, my jaw ni
rightening “Cairos, don’t push me
“Admit it, Damien,” he taunts, undeterred. “You’re acting like a sulking pup. It’s pathetic. Even for you”
“Fuck you, dude. I’m not jealous, and I’m definitely not avoiding her. Tru just busy with these-“I gesture vaguely to the mountain of files on my desk bun stop midway, realizing I haven’t touched them. I quickly redirect, waving dramatically at the entire study. “I’m taking care of this place! My presence alone is work enough
Calros sorts. “You’re such a lost cause.”
Il my eyes for what feels like the millionth time today and shrug. “Whatever
*If you’re not jealous, then go see her,” he challenges, his tone dripping with stagness. “Spend time with her. She needs us right now. We’re her mate, and you know this place feels unfamiliar to her
scoff and muster under my breath, “You’re forgetting she wanted to reject us”
“Damien=”
“Fine, fine! I’m going, okay! Just stop nagging like an man.” I snap, pushing myself up from the chair
As I head toward the door, my heart pounds uncontrollably at the mere thought of seeing her again
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