I Dare You... Reject Me!

Chapter 2

Klive Brion's Narrative.

I found myself shivering violently, silently begging the Moon Goddess for more time with my mate. I yearned to know her name, to taste the sweetness of her lips, to feel the softness of her skin, so I could carry those precious memories with me to the afterlife.

As I was lost in my prayers and fantasies, my mate took a few hesitant steps towards me, kneeling beside my battered, naked body, her face etched with disbelief.

"What happened to you?" She whispered, probably to herself, but I heard her clearly.

Much to my frustration, I couldn't answer. The pain was too intense, forcing me to keep my lips sealed.

"You're in pain," she exclaimed, placing her hand on my bare chest near the wound.

Instant sparks erupted from where she touched. She quickly withdrew her hand and looked into my eyes, searching for an explanation I couldn't give.

Her expression changed suddenly, as if she'd been struck by a bolt of lightning.

"I'm a doctor. I'll do everything I can to help you."

She touched my chest again, trying her best to ignore the palpable energy between us.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of my lips. I was beyond saving, but at least I could spend my final moments with my mate, even though she had no idea how much she meant to me.

"I need to get you to my cabin. It's just beyond these woods." She pointed towards the light forest ahead of us. I wasn't sure I could make it that far, but she was insistent.

"Help me a little," she murmured, struggling to help me sit up. But I was too large and heavy for her to handle. I gathered enough strength to take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, relishing the delightful sensation that coursed through our connected fingers. She looked into my eyes and immediately understood my silent plea for her to stop.

"I won't let you die!" Her angry declaration took me by surprise, and despite the crippling pain, I smiled at her. Her determination was admirable.

"Can you turn back into a dog?" She asked, checking my pulse with her delicate fingers, her gaze locked onto mine. I was losing myself in her beautiful green eyes, but my wolf reasserted himself, reminding me that she'd just referred to one of the fiercest werewolves alive as a dog.

A low growl rumbled in my chest, startling her, and I rolled my eyes at Rhett, who continued to grumble in my head. For some reason, we were feeling a bit better, but I couldn't figure out why. Maybe the thrill of meeting our mate gave us the will to live a little longer.

"Wolf," I corrected her hoarsely, chuckling at her terrified expression.

"My apologies, wolf," she quickly corrected herself, her expression strained. "Can you?" She asked again, her voice laced with desperation.

What do you think? Rhett was the one who asked. He was silent for a few moments, but I could sense his thoughts. She couldn't help us, despite her best efforts. And we had a better chance if he took the lead rather than if I tried to stand up.

The knife didn't hit our heart, I realized, my eyebrows shooting up in surprise. My mate looked at me with a puzzled expression, but I disregarded her as I pondered over what my wolf was implying. Were we going to survive this?

What does that mean? Are we still going to die? This confused me. Silver was in our bloodstream; we couldn't just get rid of it.

Yes, but it will take longer. I want to spend that time with her. He suggested a shift, ready to take control. I agreed with him. However, he would need all his strength just to take a step.

Alright, I'll endure the pain, you do the walking, I added, and he readily agreed. He was eager to meet his mate.

Our conversation with Rhett had only lasted a few minutes, but she had noticed. She didn't say anything, but I could read her expression. She was mostly surprised and scared, with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"I will shift," I murmured softly, "but don't freak out."

She simply nodded and stepped away from my side. I felt instantly alone, and I craved her presence. No matter what the future held, she was already mine.

I shifted in an instant. I hadn't felt pain during a transformation since my first shift, but this time, I nearly passed out. Only her beautiful, terror-filled eyes kept me conscious.

Miraculously, Rhett managed to stand on his shaky legs and even walk.

My heart danced with joy. We had a good chance of reaching her cabin and getting to know more about our intriguing mate.

"Who did this to you?" Her voice sounded choked, as if she was fighting back tears. I nudged my wolf closer to her to show her that it wasn't all that bad. Rhett nudged his muzzle against her palm, and tears welled up in her green eyes. She flinched and quickly moved away from us.

A soft whimper escaped his lips, and despair washed over him instantly. He mistook her reaction for rejection, but she was just nervous and confused about the whole situation. She hesitated for a long minute before she approached him again and gently stroked the fur on his neck.

"You're so beautiful," she whispered softly. A warm sensation settled in my chest, and I felt a surge of energy.

What's happening? I asked, taken aback by the sudden change. The pain was bearable, the intense itching manageable, but not as excruciating as before.

While cautiously following her into the sparse forest, Rhett replied, "Her presence is helping us."

I hope she never leaves us.~

We were in agreement as usual. We'd found our mate in the worst of circumstances. Life couldn't get any better.

___________

Rhett collapsed on the wooden floor of a modest living room, completely spent.

I was in excruciating pain again. He gave up control almost immediately, and I shifted back into my human form. With a bit of help and a lot of groaning, I managed to lie down on the brown couch.

My mate stroked my forehead, as if checking my temperature. She left the room after giving me a glass of water. She was gone for about three minutes and returned with a first aid kit, IV fluids, and syringes.

"It won't help," I mumbled sleepily. I couldn't muster the strength to open my eyes. My whole body felt like it was on fire, and all I wanted was to rest for a while.

"Why?" She asked from my left side. I felt her hand again on my feverish skin, followed by the sting of a needle. A strange sensation started to spread from my arm throughout my body, calming me down.

"Silver," I managed to whisper, "it's like poison."

That was the last thing I said. I couldn't tell if I was awake or dead. Everything was dark. But then something changed. I needed to fight now that I had a glimmer of light in my dark world. I had to see her once more.