Chapter 10: Revelation and Choice.
483 Words
The world spun. The Silver Fang alpha had acted: he desired something, something Axel was keeping from him. I was a pawn, a tool. But when he attacked me, it was Axel, my alpha kidnapper, who stepped into the way.
The knife sliced through him.
I yelled, the scream ripping out of my throat, raw wail of terror and grief. I had steeled myself to be ready to die, but his wound would not give. He flinched, his face contorted in anger and pain.
"You were the one!" I yelled, my voice cracking. "You set me up! You did this!"
The leader of the Silver Fangs growled, his hurt parts tangled in his hair. "He can't save you now."
He struck once more.
Bruised and battered Axel, though, was only just beginning. He was spurred by a primal fury, a compulsion to protect, by old wounds. He sprang up, his eyes ablaze with a hot, wild passion.
He roared.
A scream that tore through the air, of anger and hurt. He attacked the pack leader of the Silver Fangs, the two males fighting for dominance. The fight a blur of movement, of blood and growls.
And yet another corpse from their own side. Kael. He too was fighting, his movements honed, deadly. He was tied to Axel, but he was something else as well. A guardian. My guardian
The Silver Fang leader, realizing he was outmatched, turned about and fled, vanishing into the night.
It was done.
Axel braced himself against a wall, his hand resting on his ribcage, his fingers burning. He breathed shallowly, his face pale, but his eyes fixed on mine.
I had to make the choice.
I could get away, at last. I could leave this nightmare, these lies, this betrayal behind. I could turn to the authorities, expose Axel's secrets, and have my revenge.
Or. I could stay.
I looked at Axel, his body weakened and his eyes locked on mine. I looked at Kael, his face blank, his expression inscrutable.
My gaze had returned to Axel. The weight of grief – the fear, the wrath, the unbearable attraction between us – all upon my shoulders.
I knew then, with an assurance even I was not ready for, that I could not leave.
"He needs help," I stated aloud, to whoever might hear, but knowing they did.
I took a breath and knew what needed to be done.
I stepped toward Axel.
The path before us would be difficult, the path unknown. But for the first time in so many long years, hope returned to me. I had discovered where I belonged, and I was going to fight it.
As Kael struggled to keep him alive, I spoke to Axel, and I knelt beside him. The look in his eyes.
"I will not let you die."
He looked at me, then, close to whispering, he spoke.
"Thank you."
- Writer
