Scar

Sylas

The taste of Lake’s blood is something I’ve never had before. The soft texture clumps together in my mouth as it mixes with my saliva. It slowly runs down the back of my throat and allows my veins to expand.

Lake shifts closer to me as I deepen my bite. Her whimpers of ecstasy encourage me to drink my fill.

I can feel something bind inside of my soul. Lake’s DNA is wrapping around mine like a snake, but I revel in this feeling. It’s a comfort that I haven’t had the privilege of knowing in my 300-year existence.

I breathe out as I release Lake from my hold. Her eyes are glowing a bright red as she breathes heavily. I mirror her actions. Although, I’m sure my eyes are a golden color as they should be when the Essence Bond is created between two Vampyres.

Just as I’m overjoyed, the realization of how Lake was pushed into this by my doing crushes all of my positive emotions.

“I’m sorry.” I wipe the blood from my mouth.

Lake raises an eyebrow, “Why are you sorry?”

“I wanted this to be more special.” I sigh and bring Lake into my arms.

‘Are you serious, Sylas?” She asks almost in a laugh, “You’re such a serial romantic but this isn’t the time nor the place for that wishy-washy stuff.”

“But, Kjarni…”

“C’mon.” Lake taps my shoulder and stands, “Get your ass in gear, Boleanov. We got a damsel to save.”

A rush of resentment comes through me. I completely forgot about the situation we’re in and the fact that Lake has another male besides me.

Pushing my selfish feelings aside, I push off the floor, “Let’s go.”

Lake smiles and takes my hand. Shots of electricity travel up my arm as she leads us out the doors.

Derrick

The sky is dark as I sit with my mate on the concrete floor of the Arena. The shewolf shifts uncomfortably in her sleep underneath my chin. Her small whimpers are painful for me to hear.

My mate’s dark hair is short and dirty. Multiple mattes sit on her scalp and prevent me from running my hand through her locks. The old nightgown from before is covered by one of the guard’s heavy jackets. I practically ripped it from him in order to cover my mate from their wandering eyes.

“..out here!”

I look up to see Alpha and his guards burst through the doors of the surveying area. He’s shouting orders and barking something about a Hybrid and Vampyre?

Alpha’s wearing an expensive-looking suit and a pair of sunglasses are sitting on top of his head. His shoes probably cost more than my entire month’s supplies of food.

“I don’t care how many we’ve lost!” He growls, “Most of you will go back in there and contain the situation before it gets out here in the open!”

The guards nod their heads and quickly run back inside. Only about 10 or so are left to be here with the Alpha. I’m sure I’m his most trustful defense, but I couldn’t care about anything else than my mate right now.

“247.” Alpha looks down at me, “Good, you’ve calmed her. Be sure to make sure she and I are protected. You’re aware of what will happen if you don’t.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

He smiles and ruffles my hair, “Good boy.”

Alpha steps away to talk strategy with his men. My mate tucks her head into my chest deeper and a sudden ache comes over me. Specifically where my female is lying.

“Firefly,” I say in a hushed tone, “Get up for a moment.”

In a very sleepy way, my mate gets up and walks over to our Alpha. She holds her head low as she should and waits for her orders.

This gives me the opportunity to look underneath my shirt. A faded scar in the shape of canines is throbbing over my heart. I can barely make out the shape if it weren’t for my fingers feeling the grooves of raised skin.

~What is this?~

I rip my shirt open and begin scratching at the scar as the throbbing turns into a very intense itch.

“Go,” Alpha instructs my mate to come back over and calm me.

She does so very hesitantly. The female shifts herself into my arms and moves my hands to either side of her face before nestling into my neck. I breathe in her scent deeply, expecting to be comforted by the presence, but it only makes me more anxious.

~What’s happening?~

Lake

Sylas and I are hurtling ourselves through the hallways. Lefts, rights, and loops. I’m on high alert from Derrick’s scent getting heavier in the air the closer we get to him. My crystal is practically burning my chest at this point.

I come around a corner and go straight into Lucy’s body. We both hit the ground and growl at each other before noticing who it was.

“God damnit!” I rub my head, “Can you try to watch where you’re going?”

“Me?!” Lucy argues as we both stand, “You’re the one running around corners full speed!”

“Not now, girls!” Coal interrupts.

Lucy and I look each other up and down before nodding. Both knowing that this isn’t over yet.

“I guess you can smell him, too?” Lucy asks as she rubs her head more.

“He’s right through those doors…” I point to an entrance leading outside, “I can sense him. The crystal won’t stop burning.”

‘Kjarni..” Sylas grabs my hand, “Please stay close… I can’t protect you against the Ferals if you’re off on your own.”

I smirk, “Do you really need to tell me what to do? We’ve gotten this far, haven’t we?”

Sylas doesn’t find the laughter in my joke, “Lake, I’m being serious. Derrick might not be in the right mindset to see you again.”

“Okay.” I sigh, “I’ll stay close.”

All four of us look around us for potential threats before walking slowly to the sliding doors. We open the doors to a stench of blood and rot. Concrete meets the tile as we step outside.

Lynne is anxious in the front of my mind. She knows her mate is near. Probably more so than I can, she senses his presence.

“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” Evin stands to the side of Derrick’s sitting form.

A feeling of betrayal washes over my happiness as I see my mate holding a small woman in his arms. She’s an Omega from the scent emanating from her disgusting body.

“Lake…” Lucy warns, but it’s too late.

Lynne emerges in the forefront of my mind. She forces a shift, something I thought she would never do.

My bones crack sideways and inwards. I scream in pain as my flesh becomes fur. Lynne licks her muzzle and shakes her fur free.

~Lynne!~

But it’s too late. My wolf is too involved in her jealousy and pain to see what she’s doing. She begins running towards our mate.

Derrick

The female shifts painfully in front of me. Her beautiful wolf shines brightly underneath the bright lights overhead. I would be mesmerized if the wolf didn’t launch herself towards me.

My mate’s breathing becomes uneven as she clings to my arm. I growl loudly and guard her. Alpha moves to the side as the female wolf’s intention is not for him.

The female wolf lands just three feet in front of me and I give her a final growl as a warning not to come closer. She ignores me.

I attempt to throw my mate behind me. She yelps as she trips over a raised crack in the concrete. My mate’s face hits the ground just before the wolf seizes the opportunity and attacks.

My mate screams in pain and agony as the female wolf rips off her arm… then her leg…

The female absolutely shreds my mate to pieces and enjoys the entire process. My mate’s screams are finally silenced as the wolf crushes her skull in her mouth.

I sink to my knees in front of what remains of my mate. Tears stream down my cheeks.

A throb of pain courses through my entire body as I fix my eyes on the wolf. She gladly licks the blood from her mouth before locking gazes with me.