The Dark One

The Dark One: Chapter 24

{~~Chapter 24~~}

I rushed out of the room, following her. "Addie, stop." She didn't. My chest hurt from moving faster than I have in the past few days. I growled deeply, getting frustrated. "Adeline, let me explain."

She whipped around, electricity crackling at her fingertips and sparked in her blue eyes. I remembered the happiness that sparked in them in my near-death experience. I remembered how happy I had been just being with her and having her in my arms. Now, I hurt her. I hurt her by saying that I had wanted to die instead of staying with her here. "How can you explain how unhappy you are about being alive?" She growled, her eyes shining with tears. My heart clenched in my chest. I hurt her, the woman I love the most. "How can you explain to me about wanting to die?" Her voice cracked.

I looked down at her in dismay. I felt my wolf stir and whimper. I didn't ever want to hurt her, and I tried to keep her away so it wouldn't happen, but I couldn't help it. I couldn't avoid hurting her because that's who I am. I hurt the ones I love, regardless if it's my choice. I took a step back, crossing my arms over my chest. "It's not because of you."

Tears fell down her white cheeks, making my wolf whimper. "I should be the reason why you don't want to die." She responded and looked down. "What am I doing so wrong that it makes you want to die? I need you to tell me because I don't know." I grabbed her small, delicate shoulders, leaning down so she had to look at me. My throat felt constricted and I wasn't sure if I would be able to speak. I never wanted to hurt her, but I couldn't avoid it. "Adeline, what I saw... What I felt was something I had never felt before." I said softly, speaking around the lump in my throat. "You were there, in my arms, and I wasn't afraid of hurting you. I wasn't afraid of anything. When I'm here..." I trailed off, releasing her shoulders.

I took a step away from her, looking down. "When I'm here, I am constantly afraid of hurting the people around me. And here I am, hurting you by just opening my mouth and letting myself be laid bare." My chest ached and I turned away from her, wiping my eyes quickly. The pain in her eyes was burned into my mind, and I could only see that every time I blinked. The pain that I caused.

I felt her small hand grasp my shoulder, but I refused to face her. "Dante, I'm only hurt because you haven't told me any of this." Her voice is soft, soothing. I closed my eyes, only listening to the feather-like brush of her voice. "I want to be able to witness your vulnerability when you lay yourself out like this. I don't want you to hide anything from me regardless." She said, her hand sliding off my shoulder. She kept her hand on my bicep, her fingers still staticky. I wanted nothing more than to turn to her and hold her. I wanted to make her pain go away, but was it going to go away? Would my arms wrapped around her make her pain fade?

"Dante, look at me." Addie pleaded softly. I gritted my teeth to resist to urge to cave in. She is the only one who has ever, and who will ever, have me completely wrapped around her finger. I'm hers, and she's mine. "Look at me and tell me that you don't want to die, that you don't want to leave me. I'm here because you wanted me here."

I couldn't hold back anymore. Turning around, I grabbed her hips and pushed her roughly against the wall. At some point, we had started kissing. It was filled with the desperation and need to engulf each other. I wanted her now more than I have ever wanted her. The kiss consumed me, clearing my head of what happened just days ago. Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as my hands flew under her shirt. I growled low in my throat when I felt her shiver from my touch.

"Dante, when you're done making out with your mate, I need you to help me with something." We broke apart and I glared at Derrick, who looked anxious. Looking down at Addie, I kissed her before limping after my Beta. "What's so important that you had to—" I didn't finish my sentence.

There was blood staining the grass in the yard. No bodies could be seen as they were probably removed. I sighed, running my hands through my hair. "I almost died just days ago, Derrick. Can I please just spend time with Adeline for a few hours?" I grumbled. He nodded quickly. "Yeah, of course. Your dad just wanted me to let you know." He said and I rolled my eyes. "He's still the Alpha, he can handle it for now." Derrick looked shocked. I don't normally like when I'm not told everything, but I need to be with Addie. I turned away. "I just need a break for awhile. Give me a break." I said, going back into the house.

I went back upstairs, struggling every step from the constant ache in my body. When I finally got to the top of the stairs, Mom ran up to me and wrapped her arms around me. I winced in pain, but hugged her back. She looked up at me and held my face in her hands, her eyes dancing with worry. "You're okay? Do you need anything?" Her voice trembled like her hands and I shook my head. "I'm okay, Mom. I need to rest, but I'm okay." I said and she nodded, blinking away tears in her eyes. She kissed my cheek. "I love you, Dante." She said softly. I hugged her and kissed her cheek too. "I love you too, Mom."

I find Addie standing outside my room with glassy eyes. I rushed up to her, taking her in my arms. "Hey, I'm okay, baby. It's going to be okay." I lead her into the room, closing and locking the door. She laid down on the bed and curled up, wiping her eyes. "It doesn't stop, Dante. I can't stop thinking about how many times your heart stopped. Every time, I felt like I was dying with you." She sobbed and I took off my shirt, taking off hers and putting mine on her. I laid down beside her, pulling her against my chest. "I'm here, I'm here for you. I'm not going anywhere, I promise." I held her close to me, closing my eyes. "I promise, Adeline."