Time Will Tell (sequel to HMM)

Chapter 15- Operation Rescue

"You made the wrong decision going up against me. I'm an Alpha who will always protect my people. Anything under my protection is off limits." It came out low, not even a growl, and I think that scared him more. "Now, you will pay the price."

My hand around his throat tightened and the four fingers on one side raked across, digging through deep until they met my thumb. I'd sliced through nearly half of his throat. The warm blood ran across my hand, gleaming in the bright light. The look of horror stuck on his dead face. The last thing he felt before he died. 

I dropped him to the ground, his body flopping limply, the deep gashes showing the inside of his throat as the head lolled to the side. 

I turned toward Jason and the other man and started walking slowly while I saw them fighting. Neither one had the upper hand in the fight and I just wanted to get in that room. I reached behind with my bloody hand and pulled out the gun. I aimed it forward and pulled the trigger. 

I heard the bullet sail through the air and I watched as it entered the man's forehead. The hole went right between the eyes and he fell back. He didn't move again. 

Jason turned around, looking at me with wide eyes, taking in my state. 

"Stand watch. I'm going in there."

He nodded and did exactly as I'd said. 

I tried turning the knob, but when it didn't move, I jerked hard. It broke free from the door and it swung open slowly. 

The room was pitch black except where the light from the other room filtered in. In a corner I could see a foot just at the edge of the light. My eyes adjusted, allowing me to see in the dark and I could see it was Allison cowering in the corner. 

She probably had no idea it was me, the light coming from behind would completely obsure all features. 

I crossed the distance quickly and I heard a sound of panic from her. 

"Hey, hey. It's okay, it's just me." I whispered the words lightly as I crouched down to get on her level. I knew she hadn't been afraid of me, she'd been afraid that she didn't know who it was. But still it had hurt seeing her shy away from me. 

"Alarik?" Her voice was small, hesitant. I'd gotten hints of that when she'd finally made it through to communicate with me. 

Her body shook and I realized it had been a sob. She was crying. All of a sudden her body lurched forward and her arms wrapped around my neck. 

I felt my heart swell with the touch, that same spark flying through me with the contact. I felt my heart break at how broken she was. I hadn't been able to see much in the dim lighting, but it had been enough. She was in bad shape. 

"I knew you would come for me. I-I never doubted it," she whispered. 

I could tell it was a lie, and I think that broke me even more. I'd felt hopeless before, and while I was out there losing hope in myself, Allison was in here, losing hope in me. 

My arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer to me, careful to keep her away from the wound. I could feel the bones in her back through the shirt she had on. Her thin arms wrapped around me. I could feel her ribs as her body was pressed against mine. 

I felt my anger flaring up with each passing second. The war going on within me. I was happy, I had Allison in my arms and I wanted to just get her out of here and go right this second. But I was also pissed beyond belief. I could see the way they'd treated her and I wanted to rip them all apart. 

"Are you ready to go?" I asked her. 

"Beyond ready."

Allison stood up on shaky legs and gripped my hand tightly. I could tell she was weak. She wouldn't be able to do what we could, she wouldn't be able to fight. I didn't say anything about it. I just nodded and we walked out.