Bound by Love

21. Which Path to Take?

Ian bursts into his wolf, his clothes shredding and scattering across the meadow like a ticker tape parade. He growls at anyone who steps near, pacing himself back and forth at Wren's head.

Van covers Wren with his body, knees and arms on either side but not resting any of his weight on her. His wings down, covering any area his body misses. His face is up, eyes glowing, expression feral.

Gray has both Patricia and Walter's throats in his hands, squeezing tightly, the bones in their necks creaking in the cool evening air. His bright red eyes are burning into them.

Atticus takes a step closer, pausing when Ian growls at him. Under the wolf's watchful eye, he raises his hands in 'surrender'. "Just wait Gray. Don't act rashly. We need them alive to answer questions. Don't you want to know why they are doing this?"

Gray glares at him, hands tightening. "We only need one alive to answer our questions." He returns his gaze to the two pieces of shit in his hands. "Now to decide, which one should it be. Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Mo..." he tightens and releases each of their throats in turn.

"What if one of them knows how to remove the Devil's Splinter without harming Wren?"

Gray hisses as he releases their throats, pushing them back against the forcefield, causing their skin to burn. "We get the answers, and then they die." He snarls.

Atticus nods and Gray sits down by Wren, cool hands caressing her feverish face. He kisses her forehead while Van shifts to her side so Ian can lay down on her other side. Van mutters the healing chant under his breath while softly running his hands up and down her arm. Ian curls up beside her, the fur on his back touching her while his eyes keep watch over those in the meadow.

Gold, silver and red eyes watch as Atticus nears Walter and Patricia. Those eyes are filled with righteous anger, and a hint of fear. What if there is no hope? Do they need to reveal that she is a hybrid?

Walters screams can be heard, echoing against the trees, as Atticus slowly burns him with an ignis blade. It's an ancient knife made by the Fallen. It causes acid like burns that creep slowly through the skin and delving deep into the muscles.

A particularly loud scream causes Wren to twitch, and her mates to turn to her, giving her their undivided attention. Ian shifts back to his human form, uncaring that he is unclothed. Her lids flutter, as if she's fighting to open them. The sound of Walter's blubbering cries, and murmurs of 'I don't know' can be heard in the backdrop. But the soft sound of Wren, whimpering in pain blasts out like a shot in the night. Her mates sooth her with gentle hands, eyes caressing her face, mentally begging for her to open her eyes, to show them that she is still with them.

Seconds that feel like hours go by and then her eyelids lift. For a moment, her eyes are unfocused, seemingly staring at nothing. But then they sharpen, and fill with relief. "Y-you're okay." She raises her hand to caress their faces, but it shakes with weakness then falls to her side.

"We're fine Angel. It's you that was injured. How do you feel?" Van's worry is clear in his face and tone.

"Little Bird, why? Why did you step in? It's our job to protect you, not the other way around." Ian's voice wavers, tears building in his eyes.

"Love, please... please tell me that you are alright?" The desperation and need in Gray's words are felt in Wren's heart.

She gives them a sad smile. "I saw it."

"What?" they ask in unison.

"I saw him stab Ian with something, and then Ian turned and attacked Van. E-everyone was bloodied, no one was moving. Only Patricia, and Walter, and Ian. Then I returned to the present. And it was all still, everyone frozen in place. I thought, what if I call out Ian's name? Then, it played again, only this time it was Gray that was pierced, Gray that attacked.