Stay True

by C B Jean

  Nearby a wolf howls, signaling its pack they have found dinner. Us.

  I jump away from him sheepish and self-conscious at what I was doing.

  “Team, get ready. We have company headed our way.” Jackson states with a strong command in his voice.

  I pull my sword from my back out of its sheath and stand in a ready stance next to him. Luke and Killian arm their weapons as well and stand next to us forming a circle, ready for anything while we scan the tree line.

  We stand there silent, listening for the pack to descend upon us.

  All around us, growls and barks come out of the trees, they have us completely surrounded. Slowly they slink out of the trees into the clearing and I can tell these aren’t your average wolves. They are as large as cars, flipping enormous. Saliva drips from their canines and from the look in their eyes they are very hungry. Hungry animals are the most desperate animals.

  Jackson starts barking out orders. “Take point! Luke go front and draw them to you, Killian head round back If you can to flank them. I’ll stand center and do support. Remi, stay close and let us handle this.”

  Luke pushes me behind him into the middle of the circle, trying to shield me from any possible danger and the other two don’t disagree with him when I try to squeeze out.

  I scoff at them. “I can fight you know! I’m not helpless!”

  Luke looks at me and in his emerald eyes I can see how badly he wants to protect me. His eyes glow with fierce determination mixed with heat and it makes me shiver.

  He pulls me into his chest for a long hard kiss, his tongue exploring mine. Its short but it leaves me breathless when he releases me. Wow.

  “No one shall dare hurt my Cub, or they shall pay with their lives.” He growls out.

  Um hello? This is a game? I can’t really die, but I love the sweet gesture.

  The giant wolves start creeping closer to us, there must be thirty at least! Two brave wolves charge at us first, but they stop short when one of Killian’s arrows pierces his skull, and the other is taken out by a wave of fire from Jacksons staff.

  Then all hell breaks loose.

  Luke gives a fearless war cry and with his two giant double-sided axes, he rushes towards a group of wolves and slices through them swinging every and each way possible, with no concern to his own safety. Now I know why he chose the Brute class, he’s unstoppable!

  I watch in awe as he grabs one by the jaw and rips its mouth open, breaking its jaw and killing it. He stomps another’s head into the ground, the sound of the skull shattering echoes around me while he’s taking out three more with a swing of his axe.

  Holy flip, I never thought I could be turned on by so much gore.

  Killian and Jackson are doing just as well, Kills is nocking arrows like crazy at impossible speeds, sometimes even four or five at a time. Each one hitting his mark in the eye and straight through their heads before they even get close to him. I imagine he served as a marksman or sniper in the army.

  Jackson is using spells swinging his staff, burning some with balls of fire and some being thrown through the air by invisible forces. He chants some mumbo jumbo and a spew of dark vapor crawls from his feet towards some blood thirsty wolves. When it reaches them, they start screaming and try to run away. The mist starts eating away at their bodies and I watch in horror as they get devoured by it.

  They are trying to take away all the fun from me!

  I raise my sword and join the fray, slicing limbs and heads with my sword. I slide underneath one as it tried to snap my head in its jaws, with a short blade raised up in my hand. My dagger impales it and slices its throat all the way to its lower stomach as I slide. I roll out from underneath it just before all its organs fall out onto the ground. I laugh a victory laugh and keep swinging away and throwing knives until I forget to watch my side, and something knocks me to my back knocking my sword away from me. I cry out in pain from the force and hit my head hard on the ground. My skull vibrates from the impact, my ears ringing. Ouch, that’s going to hurt for a while.

  I see tunnel vison and stars while my head is spinning and I try to focus on what knocked me over on my ass. I touch the back of my head and it comes away sticky. My hair turning red with the blood. When I finally get my eyes to focus, I realize I’m in deep trouble.

  On top of me is the biggest wolf of the pack, most likely the alpha. His black coat shines and his red eyes lock onto mine, his snout in a fierce snarl. A growl resonates through his body. He’s dangerous as flip but I’m in awe at his beauty as I stare up at him. His massive paws pin my arms and legs down, so I am helpless to reach my sword or kick him. I can’t do anything besides gape back at him as his eyes trance me.

  He leans his head towards me, I close my eyes and whimper, expecting to get my head bitten off, but he just sniffs me. My eyes startle open and watch him as he gazes over my body. I expected to smell his rancid breath on my face, but he smells like pine and sap like the forest. I see desire pool into his eyes, and I can see how aroused he is.

  What the fuck?! A flipping wolf is attracted to me?

  He seems to notice what I’m thinking and laughs. It’s a weird, grinding noise, half man half wolf.

  “You don’t know who I am, but I know who you are sweet Remi.”

  My eyes bulge out of my head. How does this fucker know my name and how can he talk?

  He sniffs me again long and hard and lets out a groan or a growl, I can’t tell, as I jostle my injured head to the side away from him making me go dizzy again.

  “Ah, soon darling, but first I have a message.”

  What. The. Fuck.

  “Soon he is coming to claim what is rightfully his, and we will all partake. Hes coming for you, he has escaped to find you! You think you are unable to log out of this game because it’s a glitch? This is no accident, this was all carefully planned to get to you darling Remi. Soon we will find your real body and take you, while your mind is trapped here. Once we have you in our grasp, we will have no other need for this game. Nothing can save you. You soon will face a choice, give yourself up willingly and save thousands or make this hard for us and you will face the consequences, and everyone here will die. He is coming and you will be ours. Run if you want Doll, I love a good chase.” He lets out a barky laugh as I stare at him in despair.

  Suddenly he shifts into a gorgeous man, fur replaced by skin, claws turn into hands and he grabs a fistful of my hair and I can’t turn my head. He slams his lips onto mine and takes me with such a force I gag. I try to kick and struggle, but it only urges him on more. He grinds his extremely hard cock against my pelvis. I bite his lip drawing blood, surprised when I taste the metallic tang in my mouth and he bites me back as hard, mixing our blood. He is struggling to control his breathing, its overridden with desire. I spit the blood out of my mouth. Panic flares in me with his weight pressed on me and before I can scream, he covers my mouth with his hand.

  He laughs and I take in his body, the battle still raging on around us.

  He is wearing nothing but trousers, his chest shirtless and bulging with defined muscles and abs. He is extremely handsome, the kind that makes millions in modeling. His giant arms pin me underneath him and I can’t move one bit. His black shaggy hair sweeps across his forehead, his eyes still red, either from the sinister feeling coming off him in waves, or from the lust. His lip is bleeding from my bite, and he licks it clean, groaning and rolling his eyes into the back of his head as he tastes it. Flipping psychopath.

  “Who is this ‘he’ you speak of.” I snarl at him finding my voice.

  He kisses me again and I spit in his face when he releases me.

  He smirks disapproving at me

  “I like you feisty, but remember your manners Doll, soon we will return, Aiden is coming for you.” My eyes go wide, and I feel my heart stop for a moment. Everything freezes and I can’t think.

  Just then I catch a glimpse of Luke running toward us, fire in his eyes, he’s roaring like a madman.

  �
��CUB!”

  The wolf shifter licks me up my cheek in one fluid motion, and jumps off me, shifting mid lunge. He barks out a command towards the remaining mad wolves and they all stop and turn to retreat back into the woods. He gives me one last glance with a snarl on his muzzle and I realize he’s smiling at me.

  He howls up into the sky, a sound that echoes loudly then bounds into the woods. I watch as arrows and balls of flame chase him away sent from Jackson’s magic. I had sat up dazed and clutching the back of my head when he got off my tiny body and watched him retreat back into the shadows until all traces of them had left, my mind in meltdown.

  Luke reached me first pulling me into a bear hug onto his lap, hanging on for dear life. I was too dazed to do anything besides endure it, my mind blank.

  Jackson and Killian reach us next and pulled me from Luke’s tight grip checking me for injuries.

  They started hammering a million questions to me, my mind not registering any of them until Jackson yells at them to give me some space. I touch the back of my head again, my hand is bloody and I can’t take my eyes off it. I feel…. nothing. No fear, no pain, just nothing.

  I just look at them, my eyes wide and my mouth still open in shock.

  “Sweetness?” Jackson askes me kneeing in front of me taking my hands in his large ones. I stare back at his worried face.

  “He’s coming for me.” I whisper softly, finding my voice.

  “Who is coming honey?”

  “Aiden is coming for me, he plans to kidnap my body in the real world. He’s the reason why we can’t log out of here. Why no one can. I’m the reason we are stuck here.” I say quietly again. I explain what he said to me and how I’ll have to make a choice eventually to give myself up to save everyone. To have a chance to save these men protecting me.

  Shock registers on their faces and Killian pulls me into his arms rubbing my back as I start to break down and cry.

  He rocks me back and forth as I bawl onto his shoulder, he’s mumbling sweet words in my ear and stroking my long hair then stops when he realizes its covered in my blood. He makes a gesture to Jackson that I can’t see, but know he’s telling him I’m hurt. I hear Jackson swear.

  “Hush now Baby Blue, you’re okay, you’re okay.”

  “We will never let them get you Cub, not in a million years.”

  “Tell me your address so I can send a team to watch over your house until we get out of here Doll, you can trust me. I have a friend who works at Gamomatix, he will help us send the message securely.” Jackson murmurs to me still by my side.

  I cringe at the mention of the name Doll, the same one the mysterious shifter called me, but I tell him my information and how to contact my Dad as well, so he knows I’m okay. Jackson stands up and walks away, already on his game bracelet and starts sending messages to his close contact.

  “We need a place to heal your injuries and rest from that fight, we also need to contact a game admin to let them know what is going on. There is no way in hell another player could have been out here with us, we need to notify them of the situation and the glitch they have.” Killian states eyes narrowed, his hands fisting.

  They have all entered ‘army mode’, getting things sorted out.

  “There is a cave nearby we can rest for the night, we need to head there ASAP before more trouble arrives.” Jackson declares as he walks back.

  I nod back, still to stunned to say anything else, sick and dizzy from the events and blood loss.

  Luke picks me off from the ground, his hunky arms supporting my back and under my legs, holding me to his large chest. He’s being extra careful with me and I feel weak all over again. I can’t do anything about it right now, so I lean my head onto him as we walk towards the location of the cave, my other guys gathering our weapons and packs.

  We reach the cave in short time, all of it gone by in a blur in my mind.

  All I kept thinking about was how the shifter was on top of me and I was too helpless to do anything, he could have taken me if he wanted. Memories of my past arise. His heavy body pressing on top of me, how I was unable to get away or fight back. How he took what he wanted from me and left me broken. The aftereffects from my sobbing fest still coming out from me in short gasps and hiccups. I need to stay calm, so I don’t induce a panic attack and send my brain into a seizure with the XR helmet on, but I’m freaking out and my anxiety is at an all-time high.

  “Calm down Cub, it’s okay, it’s okay, stay with me now. Don’t fall asleep yet, please stay awake Cub.”

  I cry silent tears against Luke’s warm body as he carries me into the cave, my body shaking. He sits down with me in his lap, refusing to let go of me till I’m okay. My vision darkens and I hear Luke yelling at someone. I just need a moment to get over the shock then I can focus on the issues again.

  All I can think is “Aiden is coming, he’s coming to get me.” It plays over and over in my head as I struggle to stay awake.

  Chapter 10

  KILLIAN

  How could I let this happen?! I let her get hurt because I wasn’t watching her, and that shifter was on top of her kissing her! Hurting her. I watch her warily as Luke holds her carrying her into the cave. She’s a broken mess, but so strong and my heart fills with pride. She’s silently sobbing and struggling against his chest and I feel a part of me splinter as she struggles to fight her blood loss. Never have I been in a situation like this. I’ve had close brothers in my unit die in my arms and I held them as I watched their last breath leave their lips, but never have I been pained like this. A roar of rage leave my lips and I punch the wall of the cave. I can feel the bones in my hand break, the pain and blood that follows, but none of it matters right now. Only Remi matters and I can’t do anything to help her right now. Jackson rushes to my side and grabs my shoulders in his grip.

  “Look at me Kills. Look at me!”

  I comply and raise my eyes to meet his. I see pain blaze behind his eyes, and I know he’s hurting as much as I am.

  “You can not afford to break down like this solider, you must pull yourself together. For your sake, for Remi. I know she wouldn’t want to see you hurt yourself anymore. Be strong brother and we will get through this. Do you understand me?” He shakes me roughly.

  I nod and lower my head in shame for falling apart like this.

  “Good, now she needs a hot meal and her injuries tended to. Can you help and find a source of water for her? I need you to help me Kills.” His voice breaks at the end.

  “Yes sir.” Gaining strength through his words.

  He claps me on the back approving of my words. “How bad is your hand hurt?” He asks suspiciously.

  “Nothing I can’t manage.” I lie. God does it hurt. But it’s my fault for being an ass and I must deal with it.

  I find two containers which I can hold water in in the back of the dim cave. Jackson has started a small fire and is frantically searching through packs to find supplies. I can tell he’s angry and losing the fight, feeling helpless as I. My eyes flicker to Luke still holding Remi in his arms. Her eyes are now closed, and I watch for a few moments to make sure she’s breathing. I know she’s safe with him and he will refuse to let her go until she’s okay. I don’t blame him. This woman in our clan has changed us, in just a short time.

  I leave the safety of the cave and spot a stream nearby. Just our luck.

  Feelings of guilt and shame brush over me, but I shrug it off and focus on the task at hand. I revert back to my training, to push past the pain and do my duty.

  My hand is throbbing, but I mustn’t let it show.

  It’s a struggle to carry the water containers back to our makeshift camp with my hurt hand, but I manage to do it, nonetheless.

  I set them next to Jackson and he shakes his head signaling to Luke, so I bring one over to him as he gets his medical supplies in order. I rip a clean part of my shirt into a strip, grimacing as I do so he can have something to wash the blood out of her snowy hair. Its crusted with dried blood
, the bleeding stopped for now.

  Her beautiful hair is knotted, and it distresses me. No woman should have been through what she has.

  Luke nods appreciative at me. I wish I could be the one to clean her, but I know Luke must be the one, he is the most composed at the moment and has had medic training.

  He motions to me to help lift her up so he can use both his hands for this task. I hold her small body to mine, she isn’t moving, her head resting on my shoulder as he carefully cleans the blood from her head and out of her hair. I rub her small back with my callused hand feeling her shiver.

  She is mewling softly, but I doubt she realizes what is going on around her. Her eyes have a distant look in them when she manages to open them.

  Whoever this Aiden guy is he is going to fucking pay for what he’s done to my girl. Yes, mine.

  She winces when Luke starts stitching her gash and I start to hum quietly to distract us, something I haven’t done since I was in my teens. She has weaseled her way into all of our hearts unknowingly.

  He finishes bandaging her other injuries, her wrists from where that fucking shifter held her down, her bruised lips where he kissed her against her will.

  He signals once he’s done and I situate her back into his arms carefully.

  “She’s shivering. I’ll start on cooking a meal for her.” I tell Jackson. God forbid if anyone besides me cooks, they will fucking ruin it.

  I sit by the fire while I work, thinking about the hundred ways I’m going to murder that shifter fuck and ‘Aiden.’

  Oh, how I’ll watch as they beg for their pitiful lives on their fucking knees as I end their lives.

  You mess with our girl, you mess with the fucking legion from hell.

  Chapter 11

  REMI

  The other guys start setting camp up while I’m silently freaking out, Jackson made a fire with his magic and Kills found some water from a stream nearby. Luke has very carefully bandaged my head and washed out my bloody hair, so it was white and clean again, seems it needed no more then a few stiches luckily. It felt like my head got bruised in. He also bandaged my bruised wrists and kissed them gently as he did.