Fox Ensnared

Part 11

Chapter 16

The bodies hit the floor one after one. I slash and chop my way through vampires until none are left. I take a moment to look around as I catch my breath. What I see will haunt me forever. Dead children were ripped apart and drained of their blood. They are using them as a food supply.

The SP officers are raiding the warehouse. I need to leave before I am spotted or, worse, arrested. I slip out through the open garage door. I find an old pump house and take cover behind it and just in time too. Three officers round the corner. I can't help but wonder if one of them is Riven's brother. Impossible to tell with all their gear on.

 I wait for the group to enter the warehouse before I run back across the field, keeping myself low to the ground. Although I know that I shouldn't stop, I feel the need to know what has happened to the missing kids. I drop to the ground and watch as the survivors are being brought out and loaded into the medical vans. They look relieved, but it's evident that the experience has left them scarred. I wonder if they'll ever be able to recover from the trauma they've been through.

When I got back, I was greeted by a very infuriated Riven. He is pacing in front of the car, his eyes all wolf. He is trying and failing to fight the change. Black fur ripples across his arms and face.

I can see he hangs on the edge, and any little thing could send him over. Would the wolf take control again? Would he be able to fight his way back?

"Riven," I call his name. At the sound of my voice, his head snaps toward me. Those eyes, all wolf, scorch me where I stand. I freeze, not wanting to set him off.

"I'm fine. Everything is okay." I use a soft voice meant to reassure him.

He closes the space between me and pulls me to his chest. He sniffs my hair, and this seems to calm his wolf down. I take a chance and look up. To my relief, blue eyes look down at me. The wolf is pacified for now.

I go to explain what happened, but strong lips silence me. The kiss is hard and punishing. He takes his frustration out on my body, and I don't complain. In fact, I like it.

When we break apart, he grabs my hair and tilts my head back and to the side, my neck exposed to him.

"You are mine, and soon you will wear my mark." He leans in and swipes his tongue up my throat, starting at my collarbone and ending at my ear.

My whole body shivers, and a part of me wants his mark. It would be so easy to give in.

I push him back, and he releases me. But keeps one hand on my lower back like he is afraid that if he isn't touching me, I might disappear.

"Payton, you don't have to keep anything from me. Show me all the parts you think you need to hide, and I will love every inch of your darkest corners."

"Love? you speak as if you know what it means." I step back his hand falls.

"Of course, I know what it means." Hurt flashes in his eyes. But I keep going.

"Love is sacrifice, real sacrifice. The kind where you give up your life, future, and soul. And all because you loved them." Tears pool in my eyes, hovering but not falling. Riven reaches for me again, but I bat his hand away.

"Payton, let me in; just let me love you. I'm your mate, the person who is perfect for you, chosen by fate. We are meant to be." The tears fall one by one as reality crashes into me like a tidal wave. I fight for air, my soul screams, and my heart shatters.

"I love you. I would die to protect you. I would make you hate me to keep you safe." anger rides his voice.

And there it was, the ugly truth. This can only end in hate and broken hearts. Someone will be betrayed, cut to the center of their bone by the sharp sting that is deception. And I will be the one wielding the blade.