The Rogue's Human Mate

Chapter 23

Lily's POV.

I tried not to let his betrayal sting, but tears welled in my eyes.

"Let. Me. Go." I struggled to breath, my lungs crushing along with my body that was forced beneath Luke's. My attempts at writhing out of his grip were futile, I knew this, but all I wanted to do was get out of his hold and run. Run, run, run.

My shoulder stung painfully and my cheeks became itchy from the sliding sensation of tears. A sob lodged in my throat. "Please, Luke. Let me go!" I screamed.

"I can't do that sweetheart." I felt a nose nestle between my hair and my ear, the sound of his breathing loud and ragged. "You see, I've been in love with you from the very beginning, and if I can't have you, neither can Cole, or anyone else for that matter."

"You don't understand," I cried, "Cole doesn't love me!"

"Oh, I beg to differ, Lily. I. Beg. To differ." He enunciated it with a thrust further into the gravel.

Luke's nose ran the length of my ear, sending a shudder of retched disgust through me. "I feel your attraction for me. It's okay. Embrace those feelings."

I cried into the ground, scratches against my cheeks as I felt his lips linger around my neck. He shuffled his body a touch, as if adjusting it to get comfortable, then ran a hand along the length of my body.

"Lily," He breathed, taking his head away. "This could all-Fuck!" I had thrown my head back, causing it to connect with his nose. I heard a crack and Luke's body loosened.

My elbow shot out, hitting his ribs unsuspectingly and he rolled off of me cradling his nose and groaning. Adreneline allowed me to stand, stumbling a little, and began running.

My body was numb, though a bit sluggish, and all I had set my mind on was escaping. Running down that long narrow road would be pointless. I would be easily caught. My eyes scanned the woods, and without a moments hesitation, I bolted.

I could barely feel my own body move, just wishing to push my body faster and faster, to get away.

I passed the first tree, before becoming enveloped in the forest, branches and trees everywhere. "Somebody help me!" I screamed. "Please! Somebody help me!"

The rumble of thunder answered my call, but I continued my struggle with the trees, my breathing coming out in pants. Branches were beginning to claw at my arms and ankles and tears were falling from the pain.

"Anyone! Please!" I yelled dodging another tree.

Suddenly I heard a distant yell, somewhere from behind me. "Lily, I've lived with Rogue's for ten years, don't think you can hide or run. I will catch you." The growl from Luke had me surging forward faster, my heart pounding rapidly in my ears.

I didn't doubt his threat.

No doubt he acquired some wicked tricks from those deadly beasts, maybe also contracting some kind of disease that effected him metally too.

I dodged a tree, only to get a long gash from a branch in return. I hissed in a breath, biting my lip I had no idea where I was, how far I was from civilization or how far Luke was from my trail.

But it wasn't long until I heard his voice again, closer. Too close. "I know where you are, Lily." His voice sent shivers down my spine and I choked on the sob that thickened in my throat.

I didn't care for the loud movements or the crunching beneath my feet, I just strode forward determinedly, dodging long willowy branches. The adrenaline was beginning to wear out and I felt my bones feel weary and my shoulder began to throb.