Hey!
Thanks for reading! Sorry that it's short! I've been super busy!
~Lissa
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There was ringing in my ears as I slowly clambered to my feet, seeing splinters of glass around me. There were a few cuts on my arms, but nothing too serious - I turned my head, seeing Drew's pack assembling together. I watched as Cole groaned, yanking a shard of glass out of his thigh. He gritted his teeth together with a growl and within seconds, the wound was healed. Katie was curled into Jay's chest, unharmed. Judging by the few splinters of glass in his back, he seemed to have taken the explosion. Eyes wide, Brody rose to his feet, staring at the cabin. Instantly, Cole hurried to his side, grabbing his arm. Then, there was Laura who stood near Katie, a scrap on her cheek that was already healing. "Nora!"
A familiar voice shouted, causing me to whip my head around. Noah was bleeding as he rushed up the porch steps and into the cabin, screaming for his sister.
"What just happened?" Katie screeched, shakily.
"That was amazing," Brody breathed, grinning.
I held up a hand. "I-I don't know - just stay here." They exchanged looks as I hurried up the porch steps and into the cabin after Noah. I wandered through the dark cabin, hearing the wooden boards creak beneath me. Getting close, I heard heavy breathing and a wheeze of pain - oh no. I turned the corner, bursting into the room. My eyes widened at the sight before me. Ryker and his brothers were collapsed around the bed, breathing heavily. Ethen was leaning against the wall, straining to keep his eyes opened. Caine was laying on his back, his eyes closed. And, lastly, Ryker was on his hands and knees, trembling. My eyes shifted to Nora who was groaning on the bed, twisting around.
"Nora, I'm here," Drew said, gripping her hand. "Please, come back to me, sweetheart." I held my breath as I watched, freezing in the entrance. Noah lingered at the end of the bed, gripping a handful of his hair. There was a long moment of silence; a pin could've dropped right then. Drew glanced towards Noah, biting his bottom lip in concern. Then, Nora jerked forward with a small scream and the wooden boards nailed to the windows came flying off. I gasped and ducked, seeing one zoom over my head. Moonlight streamed into the room, stretching across the dusty floorboards. Next thing I knew, Nora was coughing hysterically, pulling roughly at the chains locking her to the bed.
"Hey, I'm right here - everything is going to be okay."
She screamed again, clawing at her chest. Noah turned away and moved towards me, a tear sliding down his cheek. She clawed at her chest, leaving deep scraps in her skin - instantly, Drew grabbed her wrists and pinned her arms to the bed. She continued screaming, kicking her legs wildly. Before I understood what was happening, the cabin was shaking, literally. Clumps of dust started falling from the ceiling and terrified of the place collapsing, I grabbed Noah's wrist in worry. I glanced towards Ryker who fell onto his stomach, weakened. Appearing worried, Drew shook his head. "Nora, stop! Please!"
Noah started approaching the bed with me following closely behind. Nora bent upward, her back rising from the bed. Thinking I was in some exorcist film, I covered my mouth with my hand in disbelief. The door slammed shut behind us and I flinched, gulping loudly. This was unbelievable - was this really happening right now? The dangling light started flickering until it completely exploded, providing us with only the moonlight to see. Then, everything stopped; she stopped. She froze on the bed, her eyes squeezed shut.
"Nora?" Drew whispered, hesitantly releasing her. "Sweetheart?"
An anxious moment passed until her eyes peeled open. And, all of us were greeted with a pair of normal, green eyes. She took a deep breath and sat forward, glancing around in confusion. Her body was trembling and when Drew grabbed her wrist, she jumped, startled. Her eyebrows knitted together as she stared at him, several emotions appearing on her face. Confusion. Relief. Happiness. "D-Drew?"
He smiled. "It's me, sweetheart."
Tears prickled my eyes as he wrapped his arms around her, crushing her petite body into his chest. Overwhelmed with happiness, he continuously pecked the top of her head, murmuring things into her ear. She was okay; they fixed her. Speaking of they, my eyes flickered back to Ryker who was moaning on the floor. Licking my lips, I rushed towards him, rolling him onto his back. I ignored the sparks that shot through my body as I touched him - I wasn't sure how I felt about him at the moment. He rolled his head towards me and his eyelids flickered, before opening. I froze, squinting through the darkness down at him.
"Your eyes," I whispered, shocked. "They're red."
His eyes closed for a few seconds, then reopened, revealing his beautiful, captivating emerald ones. "Only my wolf side," he croaked, looking at me. "I'm w-weak right now, Cherry." He glanced towards Noah who was hovering at Nora's side, relieved. Then, his attention turned back to me. "I-I can't protect myself - don't let them near me." He moaned, rotating his arm and resting it onto his stomach. "Don't let him near me."
I frowned. "I won't let Drew touch you."
His eyes drooped closed. "Not h-him."
"Noah won't hurt you," I promised, forcing a grin. "We've gained his trust by helping his sister."
"No," he breathed, sleepily. "Father." I stared at him for a long moment, knowing he was asleep. His Dad? I thought, grabbing his hand. I gave it a small squeeze, before stumbling to my feet. There were things about Ryker that I didn't know and I had a feeling none of them were good. Glancing towards Nora who was hugging her brother, I moved passed Caine who was unconscious, laying on the floor. I crouched down in front of Ethen, grabbing his attention. His emerald eyes squinted at me, before a grin came onto his face. "I knew my plan would work," he whispered, followed by a yawn. "I expect something in r-return."
"From me?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow.
Slowly, he nodded. "Yes, you."
"Ethen, I can't give you anything," I said, shaking my head. "I don't have a lot of money and I don't -"
"No," he muttered, his eyes heavy. "Not money."
"What?"
"Fix my brother," he said, quietly. "You n-need to fix him." Shakily, he lifted a hand, his finger connecting against my chest, right on my collarbone. "Fix him." His hand dropped, leaving me with my stomach twisting. "I'm tired." I nodded in understanding as he closed his eyes, settling into a deep sleep, like his brothers. There were many things running through my head as I straightened, rising to my feet. I ran my fingers through my hair, looking out the window at the dark trees. What was with Ryker and his father? Ethen wanted me to fix Ryker? How was I supposed to do that?
"You," an unfamiliar voice came, catching my attention. I whipped around, finding myself staring at Nora. Her red hair was matted to her forehead and dark circles rested underneath her eyes. She waved me towards her and hesitantly, I approached the bed. Noah forced an assuring grin and Drew simply kept his attention focused on his mate. I stopped beside the bed, seeing how pale she was up close. "Thank you."
I cleared my throat. "Yeah, sure thing."
"Where is everybody else?" Nora blurted, glancing towards Drew.
"Outside," he answered, grinning. He looked at Noah who nodded and hurried out of the room to retrieve the others. Nora glanced at me again, though didn't say anything. She already thanked me; what else was she supposed to say? For the next thirty minutes, it was all about her reuniting with everybody. I flopped down next to Ryker and held his hand, watching everybody greet her. First, it was Brody who hugged her, blabbering about jokes and the bond between homies. Following, both Katie and Jay greeted her, asking about how she felt. Honestly, I felt left out, considering I wasn't close with any of these people, especially Nora. Cole patted her on the shoulder and grinned, complimenting her bravery. And, lastly, Laura fist-pounded with her, chatting about how kicka*s the two were.
I looked down at Ryker, nodding. "I'm here."
* * *
Three hours later, everybody was passed out. Drew was curled beside Nora on the bed, holding her close to his chest. Noah was sprawled out on the floor at the end of the bed, quietly snoring. Caine and Ethen remained in their same places, still in their deep sleep. Jay and Katie were in a corner, holding each other - Katie had her face pressed against Jay's chest. Laura was asleep near the door, laying uncomfortably on her stomach. And, Brody and Cole were next to each other with Brody snoring into Cole's ear. Every once in a while, Cole nudged him with his leg, stopping his snoring for about twenty minutes. As for me, I was lying next to Ryker, struggling to fall asleep. How was I supposed to after witnessing everything that just happened? After everything that I had learned?
"You need to sleep," Ryker whispered, peeking at me.
My eyes widened. "You're awake."
"So are you," he countered, quietly. "What's on your mind?" I pinched my lips together, wondering if it was a smart idea to ask him about his father. But, the last thing I wanted was to start some argument, so I decided not to.
"Nothing."
"I know when you're lying," he murmured, looking at me. My heart skipped a beat and I forced myself to seem unfazed by his words. Taking a deep breath, he licked his bottom lip. "I've never felt this weak before - I can hardly move."
"You've been drained," I muttered, forcing a grin. He nodded, his dark hair hanging in his eyes. My mind flashed back to the conversation with Jay and I cleared my throat, shifting closer ot him. "Uh, I spoke with Jay earlier and he told me something interesting." There wasn't any response from him nor any sign that he was listening. "He was able to read your thoughts, Ryker. He said that you m-marked me because you wanted to; it had nothing to do with your urges being amplified." Hesitantly, he turned his head, looking at me with his emerald eyes.
"And, you believe him?"
"Well, you're able to fight off this murderous urge you have now," I responded, hearing somebody shift in the room. "I think you could fight off the urge to mark me." Silence stretched between us and I held my breath, hoping I wasn't going to have to hear my heart shatter again.
"When I want something, I intend to have it," he replied, his eyes closed. "I wanted you - and I got you."
"By marking me?"
"By claiming you," he whispered, creating butterflies in my stomach. He moaned, his fingers twitching. "There's something you should know, Emma. That night, I didn't send your car to the junkyard because it was dangerous - I just didn't want you to leave me." I fought back the tears threatening to spill as I stared at the man in front of me, accepting his words. He was blurting out everything; maybe it was because he was weak and tired? He was one of the most dangerous creatures on earth, yet as I watched him, I saw through him. I saw through the cold exterior. I saw through his attitude. I saw through his cruel actions. I saw him, a broken and lonely man who was seeking for hope.
"I won't leave you."
"I wouldn't let you," he responded, glancing at me. "We should probably go to sleep." I nodded my head in agreement and watched as his eyes drooped closed. His face relaxed and I curled into a ball, comfortably. Five minutes later, I fell asleep, knowing he was right next to me, safe. . .