Page 5 of His Curse
Not now.
No.
Gods no, not now.
But I can't stop it. I learned long ago I can't stop the shift or reason with theother. I can't get through to it at all, and if I don't get my mate out of here she is going to fall victim to gods only knows what theotheris capable of doing right now. Especially since Lark has clearly piqued his interest.
My skin itches and burns, pulling tightly over my muscles as those needles turn to knives that stab and slice my bones.
Sweat forms along my forehead and my temples, dripping down the back of my neck in a steady stream.
My vision turns white then red before it finally settles into silver, the eerie film veiling my eyes and dividing me from whatever it is that’s about to happen.
She needs to leave. Lark has to leave.
If theotherwants out now then it won't be good for either one of us but it’ll be especially terrible for her.
My mate is in danger; a danger I unintentionally put her in and I can't have that. Not now, not ever.
"Colton?" Lark steps a little closer, those gray and gold eyes filling with concern. "Are you ok? What's—"
She reaches for me but I stagger back, trying to loosen my collar as I fight the shift, holding it off as long as I possibly can. Lark tries to move forward again but my hand shoots out to stop her, to keep her in place and far away from me. “Don't."
"Colton... are you alright? Should I go get someone?"
I shake my head and stagger back further, trying in vain to put more distance between us.
Why now?
Oh gods, why now?
Why did I have to find my mate at all when I know that there is no way we can truly be together. Why did I have to be given a mate when I know there is no future for us while theotherlives inside me.
"Colton..."
"No!" I bark as she reaches for me, sweat pouring down my body, my muscles shaking as I continue to fight. "Donotcome any closer!"
Lark stops, her hurt evident, the pain so obvious but it still doesn't overpower the concern I see on her pretty face.
The fucking concern andloveI see marked there already.
"Don't come any closer.” My chest heaves, pumping fast and hard then stills completely as the bones in my legs break, and I drop to my knees. “Leave! Run!"
Lark looks at me in confusion, her hurt growing but not consuming the love I know she feels. "I don't understand. I thought... I thought you were my mate.”
My heart cracks right down the fucking middle as I lurch forward and plant my hands on the ground. "Which is why you have to run.”
"Let me help you. Just let me go get—”
"No!" My fingers dig into the earth as claws burst through my skin, shredding it seconds before the bones in my arms break as well. "Run. Now!"
She stares at me for a beat, an agonizing one or two seconds before I feel Lark strengthen her resolve. Something that both fills me with pride and terrifies me. "No. I will not run. I will not leave. You are my mate, I know it. I feel our bond, and I heard your wolf. Whatever is happening right now is something we can face together, something I can help with. I'm your mate and we are stronger together."
So fucking fierce, so goddamn brave and strong.
Qualities I respect, traits I love, but they are going to get her killed and I cannot allow that to fucking happen.
So, I decide to do the one thing I can; do the only thing that will save her.
