The Last Mate on Earth

Part 1 - Chapter 13

* * * Hope’s POV * * *

His name rings in my ears as my voice reverberates around the lift, my throat hoarse from terror as I stare at the closed doors between us. I’m too disoriented to tell which direction we’re moving.

Up, down – it makes no difference as we barely have time to travel anywhere before I see his hand reach out for the emergency stop lever, halting us. We’re suspended between floors.

We’re alone. I cower. Squeeze myself into the lift’s wall and will the metal to absorb me. I shouldn’t be here. I should still be in the meeting, hearing all about the prospect they carefully selected for me. I should still be in that room.

That room.

Lawrence.

Parent Hannah.

My body convulses, jerking me forward as I gag. There is no time to dwell on it. No time to think. Not now. I look at the black boots as they turned in my direction. It’s him.

The guard. The one from before. The one I looked at. The one who looked at me. He grabbed me round the waist. Dragged me out of that room. Pulled me to safety.

Safety. When his hands first found me, I thought that was the case. I thought it was part of another plan I’d not been briefed on, but there was too much going on. Too much commotion, too much confusion. I was veiled, blended.

Some of them might’ve thought she was me, but he knew where I was as he peeled me away from my friend and the bloody horrifying chaos. My eyes slowly travel over his boots, his uniform to his heaving chest. “Remove your veil,” he says, swallowing hard, his fingers clenching. He was breathing heavily.

“No,” I whimpered, my voice barely audible.

His hand reaches up and snatches it away, causing the fabric to rip. I looked up at him then. The relief, delight, pleasure and horror crossing his face told me he wasn’t part of Lawrence’s plan, that he acted spontaneously, but also revealed that it wasn’t part of anyone else’s plan either.

Not Hedley’s or Parent Rita’s, the facility’s or even his own. He looks as surprised and confused as I feel, which frightens me. “What are you going to do to me?” I’m trembling with fear – hoping the imploring look on my face will stop him from spoiling me, stealing the part of me that was not meant for him.

Parent Rita, has told me of men’s natural instincts. It’s their weakness. I used to have special classes with her. I’ve known of our physical differences for quite some time, and of what our bodies will have to do to bring about the rebirth. It’s a sacred act, yet one that men yearn for through no fault of their own. It’s why we’re kept apart once they reach a certain age or if they were to have a wolf, why I’m never put into situations like this. They want the rebirth, but it must be done in the correct way. I stared at the man before me.

He doesn’t look evil or deviant, although right now it’s hard to see any softness. He’s big. He’s strong and solid. I felt the tightness of his grip when he pulled me from the chaos, and I was aware that he could hurt me. I’m not sure I have the power to stop him. He frowns at me as his tongue wets his lips.

Perhaps, I think, he’s still torn between logic, duty and his human desire. His apparent doubt spurs me on. “It’s not worth it,” I say, my voice quiet. I try to remain calm and composed, even though I can feel my heart pounding frantically against my ribs.

“I disagree,” he growls, rocking on the heels of his feet.

“You saw what happened up there.” I wish I could create some distance between us so that I can’t feel his hot breath hitting my face. “You saw what they did to him. They’ll do the same to you. Eventually.”

He gave me a quizzical look. He lifts his hands slowly, his fingertips moving over my clothes. They stop below my throat. For a split second, I think he’s about to complete Lawrence’s mission and throttle me, but instead I hear the pop of a clip and the fabric around my head drops. I stop breathing when his hands move to cup my face and he leans closer, his eyes shutting as he breathes me in, releasing a sound of pleasure.

“Your scent. It’s so …”

“You shouldn’t be doing this,” I interrupted.

“Doing what?”

“This. You shouldn’t be here with me. They forbid it.”

“I was protecting you.”

“Were you?”

“Yes. Of course I was.” His face is ashen as he lowers his head, his hands moving away from my face and down to the uniform of the Parents, which he fingers in distaste.

“You shouldn’t be wearing this.” He releases each button with deep concentration. He sucks in a new lungful of air when the dark khaki material falls away, revealing my dress. I am Hope. I stand a little taller and he bows his head, although I’m uncertain whether he does so out of habit or respect. Maybe it’s a bit of both.

“What’s your name?” I asked. His actions make me feel more confident.

“Whitehead,” he replied, his face seeming kinder than before, the hardness in his eyes dissipating.

“What’s your first name?” I pushed. I know the parents by their given names and it occurs to me that this was probably because it seems more familiar and caring.

Where is the security team? Surely, Hayden called for help when he saw me being dragged away. He would be worried sick.

“Liam.”

“Liam,” I repeated. “How long have you worked here?”

“Years.”

I nodded. “Thank you for keeping me safe during that time. I know …”

“I wouldn’t have hurt you,” he interrupted. His forehead creased in concern as his eyes searched mine. “I swore an oath to protect you. I meant it. I would never, could never … I had to get you out of there.”

My breathing becomes a little easier. For years it’s been drummed into me that this is wrong. That I cannot look. Must not look or interact. They told me nothing good could come of it. They made me fearful of the devil within our ranks … “Thank you,” I breathed, deciding to believe him. “I’m glad you did.”

And there she is in my mind, surrounded by everything that crashed into my life mere moments before I got into this lift. Mother Nina, Lawrence and that room flashed before my eyes. Grief and horror consume me and I feel powerless. “What’s going on?” I whimper. A sob escapes. A cry. A wail.

Liam puts an arm around my shoulders and guides me into his embrace. I don’t feel fearful of the action. I want it. I need it. I’m thankful for it. I gain comfort from it.

One thought echoes through my mind. Mother Nina is gone, and it’s all because of me. I failed her.