AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The thought triggered exactly what it always did, the world slowing down as I watched my surroundings shift.
And there I was,in the middle of the ring.
The world was silent while my fists that were pulverizing my opponent finally came to a stop. The cheers I'd once heard had faded away, just like the excitement victory always delivered when it was a few punches away.
It was stolen from me - replaced with nothing but intense dread.
My clenched fists shook with intensity as I looked to their shining surface and noticed the intense orange glow that wrapped around my fingers like flames. The pulsating force was nothing compared to the red liquid that soaked my large hands. From my fingertips to my wrists, they were cloaked in nothing but blood.
Not my blood.
I hesitated to look down at my victim because of the heavy, unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach. My eyes didn't need to register to feel the thrumming agony coursing through me. The pain that was once absent was now familiar as it rushed through the funnel of the connection I shared with one person.
My mate...
Fear rattled through me as my hands slowly lowered to reveal the individual who lay upon the floor of the ring. A pool of dark rich blood continued to ooze out of the multiple openings, some bursting open from the repetitive punches I delivered to vital organs, while the others were from the burns I'd imparted with how fierce my energy was.
The person was unrecognizable. Their face, body, entire being was smashed in, burned, or flattened entirely.
I could feel the build-up of bile that began to rise in my throat as my sinking dread expanded. The realization of what I'd done began to sink in, but I tried to pretend it wasn't true. That this individual wasn't who I thought they were.
My wolf knew better.
He howled within my head, the sound crippling me and triggering my knees to buckle. I fell into the pool of thick red, tears overflowing while my heart hammered against my chest. I could feel the connection begin to slip away.
Feel the one person I loved begin to drift to a place far, far away.
I had to do something. I couldn't stay still and watch this end like this, but how? How could I possibly stop the inevitable that was caused by no other but me?
I did this.
No one could interfere. The shock was just too much. They were frozen at this horrific sight and probably didn't want to move to ensure they weren't next.
My lips trembled as I fought to get words out. I needed help. Someone had to help me save her, but the words wouldn't come out.
That connection I'd gotten so used to, the place within myself that brought me so much comfort and helped me feel invincible on the battlefield was closing, and it was the most painful thing I'd ever endured.
I had to say something...to apologize. To beg for forgiveness for what I'd done, but my body wasn't capable of thinking anymore. The shock was just too much.
"It's okay."
The weak set of words echoed through my consciousness, and the room was dark once more as her tender words continued.
"It wasn't you, mate. Don't beat yourself up for this. I don't feel the pain anymore. I don't hold it against you. You know I love you, always and forever, right?"
Her words made a muffled sob leave me as I closed my eyes to block the sight. I didn't want to remember her that way. She was the one woman who understood me in this desolate world of chaos.
She'd cut through the anger, ignored the dangers, and managed to love me enough to take me as her husband. Tonight was going to be the final fight. The last battle to get enough money to settle down and start a family.
To have a baby together...raise children together...spend the rest of our lives together. I took that all away. Cloaked these hands with the blood of my mate...my love who's fading away.
"I have to go now, Jayce. Mother Moon is taking me home."
No. She couldn't abandon me. I wouldn't be able to move on without her. No one would love me like her. No one would understand me like she did. She'd helped me get out into the world and find an outlet to release my anger.
How could that very outlet steal her from me?
Couldn't I beg Mother Moon not to take her? Was there no way out of this turmoil?
