The Hand That Beats You

Chapter 7

HAPPY PRIDE BITCHES AND BROS AND NON-BINARY HOES!!!! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

(sorry if the chapter is anti-climatic I had to push through a slump)

-----------

• Azrael •

The glass in my hand falls to the ground and shatters. Several people around me flinch and gasp, but I am deaf to their complaints. Panic roars like a wildfire in my chest. Screams rise in my head, terrified shrieks that deafen me.

My mate's screams.

I jerk my head to the air and desperately search for his scent. Unable to find it, terror runs wild. My heart blares all warnings, my legs working of their own accord as I run out of the store. Every thought I had vanishes as my instincts overcome me.

Where is my mate!?

Outside is no different from indoors. His scent is not anywhere nearby. Sweat beads at my skin as I run as fast as I can. My soul tugs frantically in one direction. All air cuts off as I shift and pelt down the roads, snarling at anyone who gets in my way. Many people call for my attention and fail to grab it.

It's horrible. A gut-wrenching deep in my stomach like a knife as I panic further.

Where is he!?

A migraine explodes in my head, a supernova blinding me. I howl from the pain, alerting the other members of the pack. Those nearest to me snap their heads in my direction. They immediately understand my distress and begin searching for my mate, shifting and spreading in all directions. They listen to my subconscious orders even though they have no notion who my mate is.

WHERE IS HE!?

A hint of winter brushes past my nose. I snap my head in its direction. Before I can even think, I am rushing in that direction, paws slamming into the ground. The wind whips at my fur and scathes my skin. I am forced to dart around several people in my way. With every snarl, less obstruct my path.

Grayson's scent amplifies. I track it, my mind sealing itself from all outside distractions. Eventually I come to a small home with my mate's scent imbed into its walls. My senses sharpen and lock upon the small whimpering coming from one of the outer rooms. I shift and pound my fist into the door, uncaring about the soft cracking I hear.

It rips open with a Who the fuck—

I snarl at Thomas's tone. The color of my eyes deepen to a raging black. A red haze coats my vision. He isn't worth my time. I shove past him and run to my mate's door. Just as I am about to attempt entry, Thomas pushes me to the side. His flesh narrowly misses my sharp snap.

"What are you doing?" I growl, shifting my stance defensively.

"What the fuck are you doing in my house?"

Lia and I both bristle. "I am here to check on my mate."

"Why?" he demands.

I snarl at him. "He is in the middle of a severe panic attack if I am correct. Move, Thomas."

He shoves me backwards. "Hell no! You have no right to be—"

I slam him into the wall, shoving my arm against his throat. My eyes flash a tar color. "I dare you to finish that sentence," I spit.

He bares his teeth. They are nowhere near as sharp as mine, and he realizes this as I flash my fangs at him. The Alpha in me demands that he submits, and he does, lowering his neck in submission. My pheromones are strong and ordering him to back down. I shove him away and turn back to the door. "Grayson!" I shout, fear pulsing in my heart.