Misery

Chapter Eight

 The howl wasn't familiar to Felix, nor Anubis. But it was as if institutionally as he fight to track down his runaway mate - that he knew it was her. It caused a shiver to run down his spine. Of both joy - then dread at the warning it held. Rogues. The howl was cut off. And that meant one thing to him.

 Atticus had not needed his brother to tell him to follow. Rather as Anubis rocketed like he had the devil on his heels - Atticus also broke into a break neck run. Seeing as his brother had been a f*****g i***t and thrown himself after his mate... over a f*****g waterfall - Atticus wouldn't leave his big brother to get himself killed in a rogue attack cause he was distracted or desperate to protect his mate.

 Didn't help that the whole 'finding her' part had not gone as either planned or expected a mate meeting to go. Most mates ran towards each other. Not away and over a goddamn waterfall. Luckily the rogues attacking hadn't been to numerous. And at the sprint it only took a few minutes to make it to the fight.

 Clearly the golden wolf was not doing well. Bloody wounds, and a wolf on her. But there had been dead about her even as the others tried to descend. Felix arrived first as his wolf showed no mercy in a brutal attack that forced the rogue to let go of his mates neck. Next Atticus crashed with a fury of teeth and snarls with another rogue. Unfortunately dispatching the remaining rogues had not been the end of it as even more arrived. Like two demons the large black wolves fought to protect their Luna.

 It was then that more arrived. Two golden wolves and four different ranges of the usual grey. But they didn't go for the black wolves... But the rogues. Those of the Centurion pack that had been helping trying to track and catch up with his run away mate.

 Moving to Persephone in the bloody heap she was on the ground, Felix shifted. The others arrived and he was going to protect his mate - but also needing to make sure she'd survive. The others could kill the rest of the rogues. Pale - much to pale. Her neck seemed to heal so slowly. Blood weeping from the gore.

 His heart hammered in his chest. He didn't know what he could do. Rather... The only think he could think to do that would help her clearly struggling body to heal might leave her hating him for a long time. Felix did not wish to mark his mate without her consent. But the pack doctor was not here. He was to far. She was bleeding to badly, and wounds healing far to slowly.

 Be it the first or millionth time making the mating mark - it helped heal rapidly. It was a gift from their goddess. A gift between soulmates to help keep the other half of their souls alive. But the marking was permanent. Once he marked her, it would not be reversed. His mark would be displayed on her neck. He would always be able to find her, he would be able to feel her emotions... He'd unfortunately feel the physical pain if she decided to leave him behind and start up with someone else.

 Perhaps there was a hundred reasons he shouldn't have. But the most important reason he had was to keep her alive. He'd suffer whatever rage, wrath or hate... So long as she lived. So canines extended, wincing at wounded neck. Placing his mark upon her before licking at the wound. Anubis whined, hoping it wasn't to late.

 His grip shook as he looked at his beautiful mate. Even bloody and broken she was the most beautiful creature he'd set his eyes upon. Holding his breath as he watched the wounds start to heal much faster. The blood slowing and eventually the flow completely stopped. Pooling along that beautiful, pale freckled flesh of hers.

 Still she didn't wake. Gathering her healing form careful against his chest as the fighting stopped, "I hope you'll forgive me my little love." His voice a pained murmur before he headed back towards the Centurion pack to bring her to their medical center with haste. Her wounds healed. But still her heart beat was weak. The blood loss was enough to ensure her life was still in danger...

~~ One day later ~~

  The small form hadn't gained her consciousness back that night, Felix remained by the bedside as her body recuperate from everything. While healed - her energy had clearly been dangerously drained by everything. He did not want his little mate to wake alone. He didn't want anyone to harm his little mate.

 Perhaps he had no right yet, but Felix could not help but keep guard, protectively snarling at anyone that tried to get him to leave. He had questions for Alpha Ragnar and his brother. Had a million things he needed to find out. But until his mate was awake - he would be where he felt he needed to be. Beside his mate.

 As he was now, watching almost in a trance at the pale contrast of her small hand, he held in his own darker one. Even the top of her hand was speckled in light freckling. Everything about her was perfect. Resting, there was a peacefulness to that exquisite face of hers. Still - anxiety ate at him. He wanted her to wake...

 The hand twitched as if surprised, and he'd tightened his light grip only slightly. Dark brown eyes flickering up to find those beautiful rust brown eyes boring into his soul. Felix forgot to breath for a few seconds. "Thank the goddess, you're awake," breathing out with relief. Free hand moving to brush a curl behind her ear. Wincing as she flinched away from the touch.

 Dragging her hand from his and raising both to feel her neck. Breathing out as she felt smooth skin. It had healed very well. But that relief seemed to fade the moment her fingers brushed over raised flesh. It wasn't a wound. A moment of confusion mixed with surprise. Then it bled into anger. "You marked me! Against my will!"

 Anubis whined in his mind, fighting for control wanting to explain as desperately as his human. Only the fight for control only caused more time to pass as she scurried away further from him in the bed. He could swear he saw betrayal play in her features. Guilt set into him. But he'd known it was all he could think of to save her life. "My precious one, I would have given anything to be able to have had the luxury of waiting for you to be ready for my mark... But you weren't healing well... You'd bled to much already..." pain etched his features.

 "You had no... No right to mark me! I should have had a say! I'm... I'm not property!" A nurse had come to the door. Looking hesitant to come in. Looking wearily towards Felix, he was, after all, was an Alpha. Alpha of an outside pack that was known for its power and strength, and that of this man sitting beside the bed.

 "Alpha Graves... Perhaps you should leave so I can check on your mate..." despite being conflicted the nurse wanted to ensure the patient was well. They did need to check her upon waking.

But she winced as the wolf in Felix growled warning the nurse, "give me a few minutes please - to talk to my mate. I need to explain what happened. I will then step out to allow you to check her if she wishes. But I need a few minutes."

  Angry eyes focused on Felix, her own rumbling snarl leaving her lips. The nurse nodded and backed out of the room. Clearly intimidated by the power that Felix had flexed. But Persephone only met his. "My sweet..."

"Stop calling me by stupid little pet names! I have a name!" she yelled, her and her beasts still angry at being claimed without permission. Even if they wanted their mate - the idea he had given his mark while they had been unconscious enraged them.

 Hesitating "what is your name - no one seemed to give a straight answer..." Not that he seemed to focus on that while she lay unconscious.

"Persephone," the moment she realized she said her actual full first name her face twisted into a scowl, "shit."

 It was clear her name had caused more wheels to turn in that pretty head of his, "Persephone - I was afraid if I didn't give my mark you would die. I'd rather you hate me then you be dead. The last thing I wanted was to mark you without your permission," her angry eyes bore into him, but the pleading tone caused them to soften. It would seem her beasts had been placated. Even if the human side wasn't wanting to let it go. 

 Growling once more, "I never wanted a mate," her tone not holding as much anger and harshness to it.

"And I have waited for a long time to find mine. If I felt there was any other way to save you Persephone... I would have done so. You are not property to me. Not a possession. I'd never cheapen you to such. I give my word. And I know you do not know me, and words are cheap. But I plead you give us a chance..." his tone held trepidation... and yet a tone of hope.

 Sighing and shaking her head, "the goddess must truly have wished you cursed to have given me as your mate..."

"Why would you ever think you'd be a curse?"

"Because mate or not, I have things I need to do. The sort I doubt I'll walk out alive. So yes. A curse," hard gaze meeting his softer one.

 Anubis let out a vicious snarl at the idea of anyone hurting his mate, tension entering Felix body, "more survivable if you have someone at your side, wouldn't you think?"

 A scoff left the redhead as she gripped the hospital sheets, "and what? Without even knowing what my battle is you're going to declare yourself at my side to fight with me? What if I'm the devil that needs to be stopped?"

 Blind dedication seemed silly to her, "the moon goddess would not place me with someone I would not agree with. I trust this. I was created for you, as much as you for me. If you have a battle to fight. I want to be there to help..." Hesitation, thoughts seeming to roll through his mind. As if weighing options, deciding what might be best to say next.

"And we'll have your back as well, little princess. I have a feeling it's more a war then a battle..." that wasn't Felix. It wasn't Atticus. It was Alpha Ragnar... With a wolfish grin on his lips.