Shapeshifter

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Temporary Alpha

Blood. All I smelt was blood. And lots of it.

"Cj."

Pain devoured my entire body. Muscles ached from extreme exhaustion and other parts of my body I didn't know the reason.

"Cj."

Darkness was all I could see. But whirling inside me like a vicious storm was hatred and pure fury. I was blinded. My sides heaved with every rapid inhale and exhale and a low, threatening growl escaped my jaws when I felt a hand on my back. My teeth were clamped on something, but I didn't know what it was. My mind registered nothing. Nothing but the blood and something soft between my jaws. I tasted blood too, the metallic flavour was sour but also intriguing.

"Cj! Release him! Enough!" The voice calling my name, it summoned me back. Slowly, I started to see light again, I started to see what was around me; hear everything, smell everything. Zac's terrified eyes stared back at me, my jaws tight on his throat. His grey pelt was mattered, covered with crimson blood - both mine and his. Realisation dawning on me, I snapped back into reality, releasing him and jumping back. He rolled to the side, whimpering in terrible pain, blood leaking from many injuries.

My body felt sticky and I looked down at myself. I was covered in blood too and for a moment, I was frozen, then the wave of tears attacked me. Trembling violently, I couldn't stop the flood of tears. I'd hurt him. There was so much blood. My hands flew to my mouth when my hideous hyperventilating began, a panic attack in full swing. My heart worked overtime, drumming away inside my chest like a ferocious storm that raged through the night.

I'd hurt him. I could have killed him.

Arms wrapped around me, pulling me close and I buried my head in their shirt, enjoying the warmth that enveloped my body. "It's okay. Shh." Sam's voice whispered in my ear and he rested his head against mine. I closed my eyes and tried to stop crying. Sam was patient. He held me until I fell silent, everything calming down. I was picked up and Sam started walking. Putting my arms around his neck, I rested my head on my arm, but looked up when I heard Zac groan. He was standing and a cloth was pressed against his neck.

"You'll be okay, Zac." Marley said.

"I underestimated her." He said, looking at the floor.

"We all did." Marley confirmed. Zac must have felt my eyes on him because he looked up then quickly averted his gaze.

"He's scared of me now." I said and Sam kissed my shoulder.

"You made him submit, Cj. You showed him who was more powerful - you. But we still can't take any chances."

"He won't hurt us again." I said and Sam halted. I knew he was going to ask how I could be sure. "His fear is genuine," I looked Sam in the eyes. "He won't hurt us."

"I hope you're right. I'm sick of all this. I just want it to end." He said, walking again. "I just want to move on with my life with you, become Alpha... and if what you say is true about Zac... then I want my best friends back too."

I smiled and kissed his cheek. "They'll be your best friends again, don't worry. No matter how tough they act and how many times they've tried to hurt you, they still miss you."

"I hope you're right." I frowned and looked back at Zac. His mother hugged him tightly, obviously all was forgiven, and it made me smile. Sam put me down inside and I reached up and kissed him. "I don't want you to leave me again. Please don't ever run away."

"I wo-"

"Cj!" Mia ran towards us, looking panicked. "Mark. Hurry!"

"Get Marley." I let go of Sam and bolted back down the stairs, to the hall, pushing the doors open and hurrying to Mark. He looked deathly pale, sick. Checking his pulse, it was weak. "What the hell happened?" His eyes were closed and he made no intention of opening them, or even speaking. "Mark?" I grabbed his hand. "If you can hear me, squeeze my hand once for yes and twice for no, okay?" One faint squeeze. "Do you know what's happening?"