Hunter's Choice Chapter 13
2022 Words
Chapter 13: Unraveling
------Cassie's Perspective------
"You killed my Father. You ripped out his throat and left him to bleed to death. You took my Father from me. Stole the one person I loved the most." Mal wipes the tears from his eyes.
"I know. There is no apology that can encompass what I have done to you. You are the woman I care for most and I have caused you unimaginable pain. I do not know what to do or say. I only hope with time, you can forgive me." This is why I didn't want to talk. I can't take this.
"Stop it. Stop being so understanding. Stop being so damn kind! You're a monster! Act like it, dammit!!" I see the hurt in his eyes. I hurt him. The man who has taken care of me all this time. No! He killed him. He took my Father from me. He deserves this.
"Cassandra. Feel free to yell at me. I understand. Punish me as you see fit." He puts his arms out. Dammit!!! Why can't he be the monster who took my Father's life? Why can't he just be a monster?
"Where is the heartless son of a b***h who took my Father's life? Where is the monster?"
"He died a long time ago. I used to be like you. I used to think the only good hunter was a dead one. I did not understand the other side. I only saw myself as right and them as evil. But, the world is full of so many different views. With age and time, I discovered this. You have too. Otherwise you would not be here."
"You're right. Not all non-humans are monsters. I know that now. But, that doesn't change the fact that you killed him. You're the reason he's not here. You're the reason I'm here. He wouldn't have let my Mother and Julian do that to me. He would've stepped in. He would've protected me."
"I thought you did not need protecting? That you are an independent woman who can fight her own battles?"
"Of course I am. I'm a hunter. My Dad would've intervened, he would've kept the laws and traditions from hurting me. I can't fight the law or tradition."
"And yet, I have seen you do just that."
"We're getting off topic. You killed my Father. My Dad. You took him from me. You're a monster."
"And you kill monsters. So, are you going to kill me?" I look into his eyes, I see his eyes are dead serious. He really thinks I'd try?
"That would be suicidal."
"I would let you do it." Wait, what?
"What do you mean?"
"I will allow you to kill me. You have every right to do so. You are my mate. I cannot live without you. Yet, I know you will never be with me now. It is better for me to leave this world if I cannot walk it with you. Go ahead." He sticks his arms out again. He really means it. He's going to let me kill him. I should do it. I should end this. It's what my Dad would've done. My Dad would've killed him.
If he had lived. Mal would already be dead. He would be gone. I never would've met him. I would have my Father. I would have the one person who loves me.
"I am waiting, love." No, I need to kill him. I need to do this. To avenge my Father.
But, Mal will die. He will no longer share his smile or his laugh with me. He will no longer be there for me. He will no longer take care of me. I don't need anyone. I'm independent. Besides, I have Dani now. Yeah, it's not like I'll be alone. But, where will we go? I can't go back to the hunters. Not after what my Mother and Julian put me through. Not after what my Mother said. The way she looked at me. No kindness, no remorse, no emotion at all.
Not at all the way Mal looks at me. No matter what I might've done, he always looks at me with kindness. Well, there was that one time. But, I really hurt him. I led him on, and caused him pain. I didn't mean to. And now, I can kill him. I can cause him pain for what he did to my Father. I can make him bleed, just like my Dad did.
"I need to know. What did my Dad look like before he died?" Mal looks taken aback.
"He was trying to kill me at the time. After I bit him, he looked shocked. As if he never imagined that he would die. He fell and I left. I did not look back." Didn't even spare a second thought to the man he killed. The man who wanted him dead. No! No, I don't want to see both sides. I don't want to look at both sides. I don't want this. I never wanted this. I was getting close to Mal before all of this. We were making progress. I was moving forward.
I was beginning to see him as a man and not just a vampire. But then, it shattered. It all shattered. And the thing is, I don't blame him for it. I blame her. That's it! I blame my Mother for shattering my world. For taking the one person I cared about from me. Wait....the one person I cared about? That's my Dad. But, he's gone. He isn't here. And Mal is responsible. I should end it. I should end him.
"I should kill you."
"Then do it."
I go to my coat. I look at the sword in its sheathe. I could so easily end this. So, why don't I? Why don't I just end it? Because there's something I'm missing. Like always. I care about someone, someone who is here. Who is that? Dani? I haven't known her that long. She seems like a good kid, reminds me a lot of myself. No, it's not her. Julian? No, that ended when he turned on me. All he does is keep making things harder. No, not him. My Mother. Hell no! If anything, she's my enemy. Then....who's left? I turn towards Mal.
There he is, all disheveled still. He's normally so put together. It's weird seeing him unkempt. And his eyes, waiting for death. For me to kill him. He's the one. The one I care about. The one I can't stop caring about.
"I should kill you. But, I can't. And I hate that. I hate that I can't kill you. I hate that you killed my Dad. That you took him from me. I hate how kind you're being. I hate that you aren't a monster. I hate that I've come to rely on you more than anyone. I hate that all I wanted to do was have you hold me. Even though your arms are the very ones who took my Dad from me. I hate how much I cried. I hate how weak I am. I absolutely f*****g hate my Mother. I don't know what to do. Tell me what to do, Mal. Please. It won't stop hurting."
I collapse and he catches me. He places me on the bed and I curl into him. The tears fall in tidal waves. I can't do this. I shouldn't be doing this. I can't lean on him. I can't depend on him. I can't. I can't.
"Hush, love. I am here. I will always be here." He takes one arm and pats me on the head. Hmm, that feels so good.
"I can't do this. I need to kill you." Mal cups my chin and looks into my eyes.
"No, love, you don't. You can change. There is a cycle of vengeance. Perhaps you are the one to break it." He's right. Hunters kill monsters, Monsters kill hunters. Round and round it goes. But, Mal isn't a monster. He's a man. Hunters kill people, innocent people. And then those people seek vengeance. And then those hunters seek their own vengeance. The cycle continues. I wipe the tears from my eyes.
"Maybe you're right. It needs to stop. I don't want to kill you. I know you did it to save yourself. To save your people. It doesn't stop the hurt. It doesn't ease the pain. But, I won't kill you. Because I can't imagine a life without you in it." His eyes are neon blue shocked. I lean up to his lips and lay a gentle kiss on them.
He keeps completely still as I do so. I pull back.
"You kissed me."
"Yeah, I did. Because I felt like it. I'm done living inside of my grief. I've been holding onto my Dad for years. I could never talk about it and I never knew who killed him. Now, I know. And I know why. Also, he lives on in me. In my memories of him. And that, just might be enough."
"I am glad, love. I promise you I will do whatever I can to help ease the hurt and pain that I have caused you."
"That's the thing, though. I blamed you for my pain cause that was easier than admitting the truth. It's my Mother who really hurt me that night. She called me a monster and was prepared to kill me. She had no remorse in her eyes, none. Even when she was offering me a pardon, she didn't feel a damn thing. If anyone is monstrous, it's her."
"I am sorry, love. No one should have to endure what you have."
"No, which is why I took Dani under my wing."
"Yes, that was lovely."
"You don't object, do you? Cause it's kind of too late to do so." I smirk up at him. He kisses me hard. Hmm, his tongue goes around mine. I've really missed this. I've missed him. I need him. I cup his head and pull him in closer. He pulls back and I groan.
"Miss me, did you love?"
"Damn you, you cocky bastard." He laughs and it's like a kitten curling up on my chest. So good.
"And yes, I missed you."
"I missed you too, love." I move onto my side. Damn, it's late. I feel like I've been hit with a monster truck.
"I'm tired. Need sleep." He looks at me with warmth in his deep sea eyes.
"Of course, love." He pulls out the blanket and tucks me in. Lays a kiss on my forehead.
"Good night, love. Sleep well." Wait, no. Don't leave.
"Hmm, don't go." He stops.
"Are you sure?" I fully open my sleep hazy eyes.
"Yes, I'm sure. I need you here. I mean, if it's not a problem for you."
"No, love. Not a problem at all." He climbs into the bed, he starts taking off his shirt.
"Um, what are you doing?"
"Getting comfortable." He removes the shirt and pulls out his ponytail. God. Damn. His chest is so perfectly wonderful. He unbuttons his pants. Wait, what?
"Um...what are...um" I can't finish my sentence. He strips out of his pants and he is only in his underwear. I can see the bulge between his legs. So, damn, yummy. Lord help me.
"Like I said, love. I am getting comfortable." He pulls the covers over his manliness. Hot damn, how the hell am I supposed to sleep next to that?
"Okay." I turn away from him. Yeah, just don't look. He puts his arms around me and pulls me to him. Hmm, this feels so good. I can feel his erection at my back. Hmm, I'm so dead.
"Good night, love. Sleep well." I can feel his breath on my neck. And yet, I'm so damn tired. I can't deal with this. No, I'll just ignore it.
"Good night." I close my eyes. Just picture something else. Anything else. Man, I'm tired. I can feel the darkness pull at me and I fall.
End of Chapter 13
- Writer
