by Hana Blue
I destroyed any chance I had being with her as her mate, so keeping the bond did nothing but torture us both. Maybe, just maybe, if I were to break the bond I could set her free. I wouldn’t have to kill her, but I could set her free from me. Give her a chance to be happy somewhere, anywhere without being trapped down to a sick monster.
* * *
Aine~
Tears flooded my vision as I crashed through my bedroom door. I slammed it behind me, cursing into the sky. Furious that this man that I wanted nothing to do with, has yet again caused me pain. Not physical, but mental. Leaving a damn mark behind, dooming me to be alone forever. Taking away yet another chance at joy, at happiness. “Damn you! You son of a bitch!” I screamed wildly, shaking my head like a rabid animal, beating my fists into the solid wood of the door. Bruises forming on the sides of my fists, my pinky fingers feeling as though I broke them. Taking a moment to collect myself, I pulled my hands from the door and looked around the room. It was empty.
The alarm clock on the end table beaming out the time in bright red numbers.
1 a.m
Next to the clock was a note, one I could only assume was left by Caireen with some explanation of where she would be for the night. I was grateful that she wasn’t there to witness my childish outburst, my emotional breakdown.
I tore my jacket off, and my shirt was soon to follow. Frantically I ripped at my jeans, dropping them to the floor, leaving me to stand in front of that tall mirror in nothing but my underwear. Every scar visible. Every burning reminder that I should have died, and that maybe if I had, it could have spared me the hell my life was. I took a step closer to the mirror, my eyes never leaving the ghastly mark on my neck.
I snarled at the sight of it. I extended my claws and viciously ripped at it, tearing into my skin where it was. Slashing at the scarred area until it was nothing but a mangled bloody patch of flesh, but it was still there. Underneath the quickly healing gashes, it remained. Just as visible and daunting as it was before. Tears ran town my face quickly leaving me to feel like I was drowning in the salty liquid. My nostrils flared with every struggled breath, the white of my eyes reddening and becoming puffy from the shed of sorrow that flowed from them freely.
My mind screaming, my chest heaving, a darkness looming over. I couldn’t push it away, I couldn’t block it out. Every ounce of strength in my body pouring out with the tears. Leaving me. I felt all of my walls crashing down around me, leaving nothing but a scared girl in its wake, vulnerable and broken. I collapsed onto the floor, hugging my knees, letting the flood of despair suffocate me until my consciousness slipped, and my body drifted to sleep, unable to withstand the pain any longer.
A soft rapping at my door caused me to wake. I blinked frantically, lifting myself off of the floor a little, scanning the surrounding area, unsure of how long I had been out. The soft knocking sounded again, and I looked to the clock.
1:30 a.m
“Aine, please open the door.” I heard Daniels voice hum from behind the door, the knob slowly turning.
Silently I watched as the door creaked open, and he cautiously peered inside. His eyes glanced over to me, a bloody, half naked heap on the floor, and his gaze dropped. He opened the door fully and entered the room, closing the door behind him, snuffing out the light that beamed in from the hallway. A moment went by, where the darkness surrounded us, but I could hear his footsteps.
With a soft click, the light beside the bed turned on, illuminating the room with a soft glow. Daniel standing next to it silently, looking at me. I watched as his chest rose with a deep breath, and he combed his hair back behind him. “Get off the floor.” He commanded. I squeezed my eyes shut, pushing out one last tear that didn’t escape. “Get up Aine.” He commanded again.
I lifted myself from the floor, rising to my feet slowly, averting my eyes. Unable to look at him. Out of the corner of my eye I watched him slowly reach his hand out to me, beckoning me to come closer, and hesitantly I did.
Taking my hand into his own, he pulled me into his chest, enveloping his arms around me, engulfing me. I pressed my tear-streaked face into his bare chest, the heat of his skin warming my cheek. He stroked my hair slowly. His breathing was slow and steady. And for the longest, most comforting moment, we stayed like this. Feeling as though this was bitter sweet goodbye. The way our hearts would beat together in unison made it very clear, neither of us wanted it to be goodbye, that neither of us were ready for the door to finally close. The door we both knew would come to a close one day.
“I’m sorry Aine.” He whispered before kissing the top of my head.
I felt another flood of tears burst forth like water from a broken dam. I wrapped my arms up under his own, desperately holding onto his shoulders for dear life. “Don’t” I muttered against his chest. Placing a small kiss.
He pulled me in tighter to him. Letting out a long-held breath. “He doesn’t want you, he wants you dead?”
I nodded against him. Sniffling softly. Daniel sighed again, his chest rising against my face, then he pushed me back, taking my face into his hands. His eyes connecting with mine with an intense stare. Burning straight into my soul. Unable to look away, I helplessly remained in his grasp.
“He is a damn fool then. He doesn’t deserve to be mated to you.” His words came out cold, hollow and full of hate.
I bit back another stream of tears so I watched his eyes glance down to the mark on my neck, his jaw tightening. I swallowed hard.
“It makes me sick.” He muttered, cringing as he looked away from it. “I always thought if I ever saw you with a mark, it would be mine. Foolish as that sounds.”
I took a deep breath and sniffled again, pulling my hand from behind him to wipe my nose with my wrist. Daniel took his fingers and gently ran them up my arm, dancing over my skin softly causing goosebumps to cover my skin. I sighed in relief.
“I want you.” A voice coursed in my mind. Catching me off guard. It was Dominic’s, I knew. I just knew.
But the tone was one I hadn’t heard from him ever before. It was pained, and hurt. His wicked voice cracking with despair. My eyes widened as my gut twisted with sadness and betrayal. I squeezed my eyes closed, gritting my teeth, trying to force it back. I nuzzled my face against Daniel, trying to push Dominic’s voice away. I couldn’t feel bad for him. I couldn’t. The feeling grew stronger; I felt his sadness change to fury, and I winced.
Taking my chin in his hand gently, Daniel searched my eyes, no doubt noticing my sudden discomfort.
“Kiss me.” I muttered, looking up to him pleadingly.
Without another word, he did as I asked, pulling my face to kiss, pressing his lips firmly to mine. I felt the mirrored emotions in my gut get stronger, fuming with rage, and internally I smiled. He can feel it too. I thought to myself.
I grabbed Daniels sides, pulling him into me, deepening the kiss, my passion being heightened by the overwhelming rage building in my stomach. I let my hands explore over his chest and in return he grabbed my hips, holding me firm against him. As he did the mimicked emotions in the back of my conscious now running wild and murderous. I smiled against Daniel’s lips, understanding that I was causing it. That my building desire and need for another man was torturing my mate beyond measure.
And I liked it.
Daniel spun us around, pushing us both down onto the bed, his hands now playing with the clasp of my bra. I arched my back up at him, giving him easier access to the clasp, my skin alight with anticipation. The intensity of my desire being equally matched by the outrage of Dominic. Finally, the clasp came undone, leaving my chest bare. Daniel took no time to explore the exposed flesh. Then the burning came. That damned spot on my neck burned like the blazing heat of a branding iron on my skin. I cried out in pain, grabbing the area.
“You. Are. Mine.” I heard the familiar murderous tone echo in my ears.
“Are you ok?” Daniel murmured against my stomach, looking up at me gently. I swallowed and nodded that I was, fakin
g my best smile. Gently Daniel kissed above my navel before returning to exploration, my fingers tangling themselves in his hair urging him on. With every kiss the excruciating pain amplified, the voice in my head growling in disapproval. My mind filled with excitement and fear. Enjoying the fact I had the ability to toy with this asshole, even if it costed me some pain. Daniel nipped at my inner thigh and it jolted me back into the feeling of him. Pushing the pain back just enough to enjoy the feeling of his hands teasing my sensitive skin. I let a soft moan escape from my lips,
“Mine!” The voice called out again, dark and haunting. A stabbing pain coursed through my neck.
“No.” I whispered under my breath, a wicked smile crossing over.
Eleven
Eat Your Words
Dominic~
“Get the fuck up, NOW!” I screamed into the hallway.
“Go fuck yourself Dom!!” Allea screamed from her room.
Briskly, I walked down the hallway, busting the door open. Allea pulled the sheet up over herself and Ethan groggily rolled over, grunting as he covered his eyes with his arm, blocking out the light of the open door.
“Are you drunk?” He groaned at me and I rolled my eyes.
“Get the fuck up, we are taking a trip.”
I exited the room, not being bothered to close the door. Entering the hallway again Dylan lazily pulled a shirt over his head, Ciri sleepily following behind. “What’s going on?” She asked with a yawn.
“Ciri, can you use the mate bond to track your mate?” I asked her, my voice serious but panicked.
She yawned again with a nod. Forcing her eyes wide as though it would keep them from closing again. “Yeah.” She replied with a shrug.
“Good,” Turning around, I continued to roust the other pack members that lived in the house as I made my way downstairs to the kitchen.
“What do you think you’re doing Dom?” I heard my mother ask gruffly from the other side of the kitchen.
Exasperated, I let a low chuckle leave my lips. I spun, shooting daggers at her face, stepping to her slowly, clenching my jaw as I watched her smug face look back. I stopped once I was toe to toe with the small woman that was my mother. My blood boiling as I looked at her, hearing every word she had ever spoken against my mate bouncing off the inside of my skull, lighting every fiber of my being on fire with rage.
All rational thought and respect for her gone. My only thoughts being that despite what she had thought, I needed to follow my gut, and even if it was ruled by jealousy and anger, my gut was telling me I needed to find my mate, and I needed to do it now.
“You ever lay a finger on my mate, I will kill you myself.” I spoke with a low growl, narrowing my gaze on her. Remembering her threat to kill her clear as day.
“So, your pack means nothing to you?” She spat at me.
I huffed, grinning widely, letting my fangs peak out. “So your son means nothing to you?” My words escaping from the smile with cruel intent.
She shook her head, unfazed by the remark. Keeping her same smug expression plastered on her face.
Pushing past her with my shoulder, I joined my pack that stood in the doorway watching carefully.
“Where are we going?” Allea asked, hands on her hips.
“We are going to hunt down my mate.” I replied sharply, heading past them towards the font door.
“I will take no parts in killing her Dominic!” Allea screamed out behind me.
She chased me down out the font door, stopping next to me as I mounted my bike. Tapping her foot in irritation, she crossed her arms in front of her chest. Glaring me down. A vicious look in her eyes, waiting for my response. Ethan called out to her as he mounted his bike, but she remained still. Completely ignoring his command to back off.
“She’s not who we are killing.” I answered, irritated. She flared her nose at me, refusing to take my answer at face value.
I fired up the engine and took a deep breath, forcing the aching feeling in my chest forward. I slowed my breaths, focusing on the pull for the first time. Like a map glowed deep in my chest, I felt the pull to her like an invisible chord tying us together. Relieved that I could pick it out from the rest of the emotional chaos that built in my mind, I took off down the road, the rest of the pack following behind. The roar of our bikes flooding the early morning silence.
* * *
Aine ~
The sun gently peaked through the sheer black curtains that hung over the window. I rolled over, snuggling into the warmth that laid beside me. Daniels long red hair sprawled out around him. His chest slowly rising and falling with every breath. Guilt filled me a little as I looked at him. My mark still burning with the heat of an inferno.
“Good morning, beautiful.” He grumbled, snaking his arm around my waist, pulling me in to kiss my forehead.
I smiled softly and nuzzled into his chest. But I couldn’t shake the increasing intensity of the pain in my neck. I squinted, trying to block it out, but I couldn’t. Daniel sat up with a sigh, pushing his hair back into place.
“Come on Scar, let’s get some breakfast.”
I smiled up at him and nodded in agreement. My stomach growling in agreement.
I rolled out of the bed, wandering my way into the bathroom to shower. Stepping under the water, I lifted my face, letting the warmth wash over my face. I quickly cleaned myself up, then exited the shower. When I left the bathroom Daniel was already gone, no doubt gone to clean up and get dressed. I opened the wardrobe and pulled out a shirt that could easily hide the burning mark on my neck and a pair of jeans. I combed through my hair and took one last look in the mirror to make sure I looked presentable.
* * *
“Good morning, kiddo.” Micheal’s voice boomed as I entered the dining room.
Everyone turned to face me, bright smiles on their faces. I returned their cheer and found a seat next to Daniel. Under the table, he grabbed my thigh, giving it a squeeze as he smiled at me. “Good morning.” He breathed, and I blushed.
Remembering all the mornings after we had snuck off as teenagers, only to sit next to each other at breakfast the next morning glowing in our own little secret together. I reached to the middle of the table and started loading my plate up with an array of breakfast foods while Daniel filled my glass with orange juice. I smiled in return as a thank you.
I looked down to the end of the table where Caireen already sat with her friends laughing and chatting, shoving large bits of pancake into their faces.“Have fun last night.” I called down to her.
She beamed, shrugging playfully. “I stayed with Alice.” She replied wiping the syrup from her face.
“So, today is a very important day. Today is the day miss Caireen finally gets to harness her beast form.” Micheal said with a toast of his milk.
Caireen’s face morphed with shock as the pack clapped with excitement for her. She looked to me appalled, and I shrugged at her, taking another bite of my food. She shook her head in disgust, her gaze lingering on me for a moment longer. I chuckled to myself, knowing full well she was pissed. But it was too late, there was nothing that she could do. We were already here.
We all continued to eat, Caireen looking over to me periodically with a disappointed look, but I ignored her. Keeping myself busy with conversation with the very curious pack members, looking for the story why we came back, and if we were planning to stay.
The chatter and clanking of dishes filled the dining room. Everyone enjoying each other’s company. Then a knock at the door silenced the room. Micheal pushed his chair back and stood, plopping his napkin down on the table after wiping his hands.
“If you will excuse me.” He said with a cheery tone before leaving the room.
The rest of the pack murmured amongst themselves, questioning and speculating who could be at the door. The mark on my neck burned far worse than it had been a moment before. Almost like it was about to melt right off of my skin. I clutched my neck, fighting to remain calm and not draw any attention t
o myself, but both Daniel and Caireen noticed something was wrong. I gasped silently, my eyes widening.
“Everyone, we have a surprise guest.” Micheal called out with a warm tone.
“Alpha Echo from the Sitka pack graces us with his presence this morning.” Micheal’s eyes nervously darted around the room, searching the faces for answers.
* * *
Dominic~
I swallowed hard as I approached the enormous mansion that it pulled me to. The smell of other wolves was overpowering, leaving me to believe this was a pack house. I straightened my jacket, and combed back my hair with my fingers, preparing to put on the respectable Alpha act. I knocked on the door loudly, rapping my knuckles against the wood forcefully. I felt a wave of uncertainty fill me as I waited there.
“Stay out here.” I called out to the rest of them, who all nodded, accepting my command.
The large double doors opened slowly, and what I saw made my blood run cold. An older man with bright red eyes and coppery skin opened the door. Long black hair parted on either side of his face laying bone straight. I blinked a few times, taken aback by his sight.
“What can I do for you?” The man spoke up. His voice came out genuine and friendly, startling me.
I cleared my throat for a minute, quickly rushing over all the things that I could say in my mind. I extended my left hand for him to shake and he gladly took it. “My name is Dominic Echo,”