The Alpha's Saviour

Chapter 96 - Worse Than Death

Jaycees POV:

The conviction in Salvator's voice had my eyes instinctively opening to see if he was telling the truth. 

His face and hair still blurred before me, it was a result of a spell he always used that made everyone see only his bright red eyes, the other features morphing and changing the more you tried to unravel the secrets hidden beneath. 

This time seemed different. Successfully wielding illusion magic for the second time, has given me a greater understanding of its complex layers and the way light works with dark to create shades and depths in an image. This meant my powers and understanding of this particular magic were growing. 

As my light blue eyes raised from his strong bare chest, the bottom half of the distorted illusion began to melt away leaving a familiar sharp jaw, plump lips, straight nose and the most beautiful red eyes I had laid eyes on.

To my annoyance anything past his eyebrows was still a mistery. I expected to feel Salvatore's excruciating pain to render me speechless as our gaze connected, however it was as though he focused on stronger emotions emotions even the pain he felt.
Adoration, love, and intense relief hit me, shouting at me as though demanding every ounce of my attention. It was unlike the pain that took a backseat as though whispering in the background. My breath fled me as I gazed into Salvatore's bright red eyes.

"Alpha is she.. okay?" Coal asks noticing I hadn't stopped staring at Salvator. I stood inches away from the man who had saved me more times that I paid attention to, rooted on the spot. I Snapped out of my trance and shock at the depths of his emotions, and the expert way he focused on the ones he needed to, as my father spoke.

"She will be." My father replied, clearing his throat of the worry that quivered in it.

"I know you said not to touch you." I say still pained by his words. "But I have to touch you now."

"No.. your father.. can hold me.. down." He says breathlessly. Intense tearing and burning pain lighting up my back and shoulders at every word. I gasped as the pain stung and burned all at once and I realised the strength he was excreting just to speak and appear okay. He was in no means okay. 

"Wait, he is okay to be touched by dad but not by us?" Frost whispers, hurt and confusion consuming us.

If it wasn't for the guilt, pain and desire jumping around in his eyes I would have taken it personally. It seemed his intentions were not to hurt me but to spare me from something. Something I didn't understand.

Crim, Alessia and Sadie appear with Arial the pack doctor. I could see them in my peripheral vision but ignore them needing to focus.

"I don't need him to hold you down." I say seeing his confusion and curiosity at my words. "And.. I wasn't asking."

"One." My heat jumps as the count down begins. Layla bends down to support the bottom of his legs. I ignore the horrified gasps coming form Sadie and Arial, I guess even Sadie can't see every possible future. She was still young and learning.

"Two." Coal and dad's nails dig deeply into the seared flesh and damaged muscle beneath the moulded iron. The pain excruciating stealing our breath but somehow we both manage to keep our silence.

I knew if Salvator realises I can feel everything he feels, he would put a stop to this. I've seen the protectiveness he has over me, and although I don't understand it, I couldn't allow him to do this alone.

Salvators veins bulge and his muscles tense, vitiating from the pain as he braces himself. Instant tears fill our eyes, the pain increasing each second unbearable and we hadn't even felt the worst of it yet. I wondered if I looked the same, the only difference, I was gritting my teeth so hard I wondered if they would break.