Survivor

Chapter 30

The sound of a phone vibrating woke Nikita up.

She didn't even open her eyes, ignoring it, instead pulling Rubys body closer to her own. But then Ruby stirred, sitting up to reach for the phone. Grumbling Nikita let go of her, before looking up at Rubys illuminated face. Her night vision was excellent, so even when Ruby put the phone down, she could see the frown on her face.

"Jack just texted me. He needs help with something in his trailer." Ruby interrupted herself with a yawn, rubbing over her eyes. "I'll go real quick, I'm sure it's nothing."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

Shaking her head, knowing that Nikita could see her, Ruby stood up.

"No, stay here. I'll be back in just a couple of minutes."

Nikita nodded, watching as Ruby put on her shoes. She closed her eyes, when the door fell shut, listening to Rubys footsteps as she walked over to Jacks trailer. Drifting off again, she suddenly jerked awake. A human would've probably been unable to hear the soft noise, but Nikita wasn't human. Listening intently, she slowly stood up, before walking to the door, opening it.

Her eyes immediately fell on a slumped down figure, besides one of the trailer. Running over to it, she couldn't help the relief coursing through her when she recognized Jack. He was unconscious and had a bleeding head laceration, but he was alive. His phone was next to him the screen still glowing, blood smeared on the display.

Taking a deep breath, Nikita froze. A barely suppressed growl sounded through the night, when she whipped around, following the scent.

Juana.

As soon as she was out of sight from the camp, she tore her clothes off and shifted. Then she ran, fury fuelling her. The trees were a blurry mess as she chased past them, before coming to an abrupt halt when she heard someone yelling.

"How dare you take her from me! She is mine! Nobody else can have her! She. Is. Mine!"

Juanas voice sounded nearly hysterical. When Nikita stepped into the slight opening between the tress, she could see that Juana was standing in front of Ruby who was laying on the ground, tears streaming down her face. With every word Juana kicked Ruby into her stomach, making her groan in pain. A flip switched in Nikitas brain and that familiar, eery calmness clouded her brain. She had suppressed that side of her since she got out of the fights, but witnessing her mate being attacked so brutally, she welcomed it back.

Nikita jumped on Juanas back with a furious growl, but the woman turned to the side in the last second. Landing behind her, Nikita hissed, ears flat against her skull and teeth bared. Her tail was swishing behind her as realized that Juana was now standing between her and Ruby who was rolled up into a ball holding her stomach. A wave of anger rolled through Nikita and the instinct to protect her mate was nearly overwhelming. She growled again, creeping forward and forcing Juana to move back, away from Ruby, if she wanted to avoid being torn apart. The woman was shaking as she stared at Nikita, the sharp, almost metallic scent of anger wafted through the air.

"You belong to me! You love me! I've never stopped looking for you and I should have been the one to find you! It's not my fault that she took that chance away from me. Nobody else can have you, do you understand? I own you! You are MINE!"

She screamed the last word and Nikita took a step back, as the realization hit her. That wasn't love. Juana had never loved her. There was no love in her eyes. Only obsession and madness.

Juana immediately took advantage of Nikitas shock and her clothes tore apart as she shifted. Turning around in an instant, she attacked Ruby, who was still laying on the ground. Rubys scream was cut off abruptly and Nikita could smell the blood before she was able to reach them. Ramming her shoulder against Juana, she shoved her off of Ruby. She wanted to look after her mate, but she couldn't as long as Juana was still here.