Shadow Pride

Chapter 16 Margo Gabriel's Wounds and My Rage

Dragging my feet back to the alpha's house, my mind swirls with half-formed plans and unanswered questions. Then it hits me—the smell. Metallic, tangy, unmistakably the scent of blood. It halts me mid-step, a visceral punch to the gut. Not just any blood—his blood.

Panic surges through me like wildfire as time slows down. My heart races, pounding against my ribcage with primal urgency. My mountain lion snarls within, ready to tear the world apart for our mate. I need to find him, need to see Gabriel with my own eyes.

I move, propelled by an unseen force, my senses heightened to a razor's edge. The scent leads me, guides me through the labyrinthine corridors of the alpha's domain. Closer. Closer still.

The scent of iron and pain tugs me forward, every fiber in my being straining toward Gabriel. My breaths come quick, shallow, my footsteps silent on the cold floor. The house is quiet, too quiet, with shadows lurking like silent spectators.

A door, slightly ajar. His scent seeps from the gap like a cry for help. I push it open, my heart in my throat, and there he is—Gabriel, the rugged embodiment of strength, now so small in the dark confines of a closet.

"Gabriel," I whisper, my voice breaking as I drop to my knees. His head lifts, eyes meeting mine, glazed with pain yet filled with an unspoken plea.

His eyes fly open meeting mine and I curse internally at the pain I find in them. He opens his mouth to say something but nothing but a pain-filled moan comes out.

"Shh, don't talk," I say, my hands trembling above him. Where can I touch? Where does the pain end? His blood—our life force—matted in his hair, streaked across his chest, speaks of unspeakable cruelty.

Rage boils within me, a tempest threatening to break free. Alpha Aiden—this was his work, his mark upon my mate. Every instinct screams for retribution, to storm through this house and tear down the world until justice is served.

I move to go get a bucket and rag to clean out his wounds, but Gabriel’s hand catches mine.

"Please, stay." Gabriel's voice is weak but urgent, reaching through the tempest inside me.

I look into his eyes, those deep wells of sorrow and resilience, and something shifts. My mountain lion retreats, ceding control to the human side that knows vengeance is not what he needs right now.

"Okay," I reply, my voice steady despite the storm raging within. "I'm here. I've got you."

And so I stay, rage smoldering, heart aching, by the side of the man fate has woven into my soul. I rip off a strip of my shirt, softly wiping the blood away and curse each time I do. The wounds across Gabriel’s chest are deep, closing slowly but definitely caused by a shifted lion’s claws, bruises covering the rest.

I run my hands over his bruised skin, careful not to cause any more pain. Gabriel flinches at my touch, but he doesn't pull away. The vulnerability in his eyes tears through me, a silent plea for understanding and solace.

As I clean the blood from his wounds with a gentle touch, I sense his body relaxing under my touch. Each swipe of the cloth feels like a promise of healing, a silent vow that I won't let anyone hurt him again. Gabriel's muscles gradually unwind, his breathing deepening as if finding refuge in my presence.

The air in the cramped closet shifts, charged with an unseen energy that binds us together. Gabriel's fingers graze mine as he reaches out weakly, seeking an anchor in the storm of pain and betrayal. Our eyes lock, and in that moment, words become unnecessary.

Leaning closer, our breaths mingle in a shared rhythm of understanding and unspoken desires. His lips brush against mine tentatively, igniting a spark that blazes into a wildfire of longing and connection. Gabriel's touch is hesitant, as if unsure of the tenderness he craves, but I respond with a fierce gentleness, pouring all my unspoken emotions into the kiss.

His taste is a mixture of salt and iron, a reminder of the battle he has faced, yet underneath lingers a sweetness that speaks of hope and resilience. Our bodies mold together in an unspoken dance, fitting like two pieces of a broken puzzle seeking wholeness in each other.

The world outside fades away, leaving only the echo of our shared breaths and the symphony of our hearts beating as one. Gabriel's scars, both physical and emotional, become invisible as our souls intertwine in a dance older than time itself.

As the kiss deepens, a whirlwind of emotions sweeps through me - desire, love, longing, and a fierce protectiveness that ignites like an inferno. Gabriel responds in kind, his touch pleading. I pin his wrists above his head. My body hovers over him, a predator about to claim its prize. A low growl reverberates in my throat as I trace the curve of his jaw with my free hand.

"Margo," he whispers, his voice thick with desire. His eyes are dark pools of longing that draw me in, making it impossible to resist the pull between us.

I lean down, brushing my lips against his in a feather-light kiss. My tongue darts out, tracing the outline of his bottom lip before I deepen the kiss once more. He responds eagerly, meeting my passion with an intensity that sets my blood on fire.

Gabriel arches beneath me, his body responding to my touch like a well-tuned instrument. My fingers trail down his chest, tracing the lines of his muscles and the contours of his scars. Each one tells a story of pain endured, battles fought, and resilience displayed. I honor them with a soft touch, a reverent caress that speaks volumes without words.

His hands roam over my back, igniting sparks of electricity wherever they touch. The contrast between his rough exterior and the tenderness in his gestures is a reflection of the intricate layers that make up Gabriel. I feel every heartbeat, every tremor that runs through him like a current of desire.

“Gabriel, you’re hurt.” I tell him, moving back, chest heaving.

“I’m well enough for this.” He responds, putting his hand around the back of my head and pulling my face toward his once more.

Our bodies move in perfect harmony, a dance of raw emotion and unspoken promises. Each kiss, each touch builds a bridge between us, spanning the chasm of our pasts and leading us to a place where only we exist.