Empathy

15- The "Rescue"

I spent the next however long it was in hell. By the time Milo was finished, I was in excruciating pain and yet still alive. He carted me back to the room and threw me inside, ignoring my insults and comments.

I crumpled to the floor of the room as tears fell down my cheeks. I was going to be the reason for Aiden's death. I couldn't even succeed in getting myself killed. It was the only plan that might have actually worked. And I hadn't managed to succeed.

After a little while, I wasn't sure how much time actually went by, my door was opened again. One of Milo's men grabbed me by my arm and yanked me up, pulling me after him. I was too tired and aching to even protest.

I could feel that Aiden was in the house before I saw him. It was like there was a small buzz in the air; it was indescribable. And it made me feel guilty. There was no way this could work out for the best.

We entered the living room and my eyes fell on Aiden. He looked stressed and tired and worried, but still stunning. When he saw me, a low rumbling sound erupted from his chest. "What the hell did you do to her?" He yelled at Milo. His eyes turned a midnight black.

"Aiden," I forced myself to speak even though it hurt. I was trying to calm him down, but I only made it worse. He started shaking angrily, but Milo looked pleased. Aiden suddenly shifted into his wolf as Milo pulled out a gun, aiming it at Aiden. He growled loudly in response and I knew I had to do something before he got himself killed.

"No, stop!" I shouted, suddenly feeling powerful. I couldn't feel my injuries, just anger at the man with a gun pointed at Aiden. "Leave him alone!" It felt like I was having an out of body experience as I raised my hand, making Milo freeze.

"What are you doing?" He sounded scared now.

I ignored his question, unsure of the answer. "Drop your gun," I commanded in a steely tone. He looked shocked as his fingers uncurled and the weapon fell to the ground. Everyone was staring at me now. "Let go of me," I ordered the man holding my wrists. He did as I said and the other men rushed to stop me.

"Stop," I exclaimed and they all froze. "You're going to let us leave and you're not going to move a muscle until we're off the property," I told them, smiling smugly. I joined Aiden's side.

We walked to the door and I led him outside, fearing that whatever I'd done would suddenly break and they would chase after us. We reached Aiden's car and he shifted back to human form. I would've been embarrassed by his nudity if I wasn't distracted by, well, everything.

He opened the car door and grabbed a set of clothes from the backseat. I climbed into the passenger's seat and had barely closed the door before I fell asleep.

I woke up on a comfortable bed. My stomach rumbled before I opened my eyes. I was starving- and sore, very sore. I groaned and pried open my eyes. I didn't even notice what the room looked like, because my eyes were drawn to Aiden. He was sleeping on a chair next to my bed. Thankfully, he was now clothed.

"Aiden," I tried to get his attention, but my voice was scratchy and my throat felt like it was on fire. I reached over and grabbed the cup of water on the bedside table. I downed it in one gulp. I didn't care if it was Aiden's; I was thirsty.

Once my throat felt better, I tried again. "Aiden," this time I was louder. He wiggled around in the chair for a minute before his eyes shot open.

"Samara," he breathed my name and was by my side in an instant. "How are you feeling? Do you need some more medicine? What hurts?"

"Slow down," I pleaded, he was asking his questions too fast for me to keep up.

He nodded, his silvery eyes glinting. "I'm so sorry about Milo. I'm sorry about everything. I should've insisted someone stayed at your house or in your yard or something."