The Last Black Wolf

Chapter 22

"Why did you attack them?" I ask my dark self.

"I thought Lover Boy was a trick or something, but even I felt that pain. It's really him." I give myself a knowing look, "Hey, I'm not going to hurt them. So stop giving me a death glare."

"You're not being mean." I point out, slightly confused.

"Because you're not being a big ass crybaby anymore."

I tsk at the comment. While true, it's only because I haven't actually done any real thinking. I was distracted making my way through the wolves. Liam's voice pulls me from my head, however.

"Kiara!"

I look at Liam, and I feel like myself again. My emotions for him rush me. What's going on?

"What are you doing here?"

He doesn't answer with words. He takes two steps forward and presses his lips against mine. For the first time, I let him take control of the kiss. His passion and hunger meld into me. I can feel his worry and anxiety all over me.

A tear slips down my cheek as he pulls away, "Don't ever do that again." He wipes the tear from my face and I instinctively press into his palm.

"I have to go." I keep my eyes lowered as I reach up to hold his face, "I have to finish what I started. I need you to stay safe, ok?" I finally look into his forest eyes, scanning and memorizing...just in case.

"Don't look at me like that," he grabs my wrists as he stares back into my dark eyes, "Don't look at me like this is goodbye." His tone is rough and he's fighting for control.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I-I just missed you." I mean, it's not really a lie. And from the look he's giving me, I can tell he doesn't fully believe me. But I can't let that change anything, I have to find Hunter.

As if seeing my thoughts, Liam places my wrists to my side and slowly releases them. His sigh nearly breaks my resolve and I almost decide to stay and let Hunter run loose.

"We have a job to do. We have to go or we'll lose his scent."

"Go. And promise to come back to me again. I'll be waiting. We'll take care of everything here. Now, go before I change my mind and never let you go."

"I love you, Liam." I turn quickly and shift. I run a few meters before sending the worst thing I can say to him through our link, "But, I can't promise that. I'm sorry." I sprint off faster than before towards the scent of Hunter. I can hear Liam yell behind me, but I drown him out.

"Are you going to explain why you let me take control?" I ask my dark self.

"I didn't. You did. Remember I said that we are one? I meant that. You believe me to be a dark curse that turns you into a monster. But I am simply the part of you, that you locked away that day. Don't you remember what we were like before Hunter? We were skilled, ruthless, a fighter who never backed down. We were strong, not like you are now. You blame yourself for everything that isn't even your fault-"

"But weren't you adamant that it was all my fault?"

"I just said that so you would let me help you. You not having emotions is not a curse and if you remember, you used to be able to switch them on and off like a switch when you would fight. I am not a curse, despite what you believe. But, I had to get you to wake up somehow. If I got you to fear me, to focus on me, then maybe you'd find some sort of inner strength, but damn you- we- are so stubborn!"

I let the words sink in. It makes sense. And now that she mentions it, I can remember, but barely. Hunter's scent grows stronger.

"We're getting closer to him."