44 Iris
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It all happened in an instant. Before I could fully register the claws coming at me, something hit me hard, sending me flying across the room. I hit the wall with a thud, blood spluttering out of my mouth as I hacked a cough. Pain radiated through my body.
As I looked up, dazed and in agony, my eyes widened as I saw another large wolf standing between me and Vorax. Amber eyes, dark fur like her black hair from what I could see. Because this particular wolf was wearing armour. It was lone that had turned. She had pushed me out of the way before Vorax could strike. She saved my life. She was large, larger than any wolf that I had ever seen back in my old pack. Yet, Vorax was a giant compared to her. It would not take a genius to know that she stood no chance against the beast.
Vorax’s red eyes burned with fury as he lunged at Ione. He touched her, and to my utter shock, she did not succumb to his cursed touch because of the armour. She fought against him as much as she could, claw for claw, bite for bite, but he was too powerful. With each swipe of his massive claws, lone was battered and thrown around like a rag doll. Her yelps of pain echoed in the room, tearing at my heart. Soon, she was whining like an injured puppy. He was slowly killing her. Blood dripped through the silver armour. The amount of blood was alarming. If they continued at the rate they were going, she would not survive. Though her armour was strong, it had begun to give under the brutal onslaught. The armour would not last too long.
Guards rushed in suddenly, each transforming into their wolves, each with armour, only for a single strike from Vorax to render them helpless. Cassian’s mother had been right; no one could actually inflict any damage.
He faced Ione again, his claw raised. If he struck her again, it would be over. He would break through her armour.
“No!” I screamed, struggling to get up despite the pain. “Ione!”
Desperation surged through me, giving me the much–needed strength to stand. I had to do something. I couldn’t let Ione die.
Ignoring the searing pain in my ribs, I staggered forward, my vision blurred with tears of agony. “Cassian!” I cried out, hoping to reach the man within the beast. “Cassian, please! Fight him!”
Vorax’s attention snapped to me, his eyes glowing with rage and slight confusion. For a moment, I could have sworn on my life that I saw a flicker of Cassian’s consciousness. It was enough. I had to reach him.
“Iris, run!” Cassian’s voice, strained and desperate, broke through the growls. “Save Ione and run.” He struggled against Vorax’s hold.
I glanced at Ione, who had gone limp in a corner, still bleeding through her wolf’s armour. The whole room was filled with injured guards‘ wolves. And I knew no help was coming. I had been the one that had asked for the doors to be opened, I had put them all in harm’s way.
But I didn’t run. I couldn’t. I had to save Ione and bring Cassian back. With all the courage I could muster, I stepped further from Vorax, my hands trembling as I retrieved the blade that I always had hidden. I felt its weight in my hand and took a deep breath. I hoped that my intuition was
correct.
“Vorax,” I said, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through my veins.
I could see the recognition in its face as it glared at me. It knew who I was. He knew I was his mate, but it did not stop him from approaching me, each step menacing. He would attack me too.
“Yield!” I commanded. “Or I will…” I showed him the blade.
It did not stop. He just seemed even more enraged.
“Vorax, yield!” I screamed, but it did nothing to deter him. More fear crept into my veins, but I could not afford to panic. I needed to keep my head in the game if this was going to have the slightest chance of working. “Yield now, or I will…” I brought the blade to my neck, poised to slit my throat. “I will end myself before you can end me.”
The beast hesitated, his eyes flickering between red and Cassian’s dark eyes.”
“Don’t make me do this!” I shouted, tears streaming down my face. “Please, Vorax, don’t make me hurt myself.” I was not speaking to him as my
mate.
I could feel Cassian’s gaze through the beast’s eyes. He saw what I was doing. I hoped he realised the gravity of the situation and fought harder. I hoped he could feel the desperation in my actions. I wanted to believe that he wouldn’t let me get hurt. With every ounce of his strength, I hoped that he was fighting harder to seize control from Vorax.
Vorax tried to lunge again, but I pressed the blade against my skin, a thin line of blood appearing. “I will do it!” I screamed. But Vorax only growled. I slashed more, pain blossoming on my neck, but I forced myself to continue. “I will end this!” Then I pulled the blade closer to my throat and pulled. The agony brought tears to my eyes as I bled.
The sight of my blood, the scent of it, seemed to drive Vorax back.
“Cassian, please fight!” I begged, refusing to take the knife away from my bleeding neck.
“Iris!” Cassian’s voice broke through again and he fought Vorax with a renewed ferocity. The two, beast and man, fought hard for dominance.
Finally, with a guttural roar, Cassian gained the upper hand, pushing Vorax back. He broke free, taking his human form again just in time to catch me as I fell, the blade clattering to the floor. He pressed his hand to my neck, trying to stem the flow of blood.
“Help!” Cassian screamed. “Deltas! Healers! Get them!” The maids that had finally made an appearance after Vorax had been beaten, rushed to obey.
I could feel my consciousness slipping away as blood loss took its toll. But before the darkness claimed me, I looked up at Cassian, his face a mask of agony, his long dark hair clinging to his skin.
Setting
21:03
44 – Iris
“See? I whispered, my voice barely audible as blood filled my mouth. “I knew you… could do it.”
Cassian’s tears fell onto my face as he held me close. ‘Stay with me, Iris,” he begged. “Stay with me.” His hand was still on my wound, trying to staunch the flow of blood but to no avail. The edges of my vision began to darken
Cassian looked at me, so grief–stricken that he almost looked completely human and not at all like the Lycan king that he was. He stroked my face. “Iris, please keep your eyes open. For Abel. For me…
But could not do what he asked.
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