Shielding the Beast (discontinued)

Twenty-Seven | Found

A/N:
Well. Guess I'm a liar now. I said I wouldn't post another chapter until I finished the book but here we are. Enjoy :)

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A roar shakes the entire city, reaching out to who knows how many miles. Although it seems impossible, something tells me that the whole world heard it. A powerful, ground shaking omen that's deafening to the ears. It sends vibrations throughout my entire body, shaking me to the core both physically and emotionally.

An aura of dominance. An order to submit and a forewarning of unimaginable consequences if you don't. But above all else, it says one thing: whatever made that sound, it isn't human.

In that single instance every scrap of self control contained within me shatters. Every emotion I've ever smothered down spills out like blood on the ground. The howl long suppressed rips itself from my vocals, a long, drawn out cry. It pierces even my own ears and sends chills down my spine.

If heartbreak had a sound, it would be that.

"Amber, what the hell?!" Cole's distressed yelling is somehow drowned out before it reaches my ears. As if he's screaming from underwater.

My entire body seems to quiver, barely holding itself up. My hands shake as I bring them to my face, staring at them as if they're foreign objects. My vision blurs, like invisible tears in my eyes.

"AMBER," two hands forcefully shake my shoulders, Cole's face staring back at mine, "ANSWER ME, DAMN IT!"

As if finally being lifted from the daze, reality comes surging back. The horrified screams of people in the city registers in my mind, as well as Cole's interrogative stare.

"No time. Go. Now," my words are firm and commanding as he's pushed away hastily.

He laughs bitterly. "You're fucking funny. I just found you after two years and I'm sure as hell not doing it again," he then drops his voice into a mutter, almost to himself, "It was too much work."

My hand reaches for the collar of his shirt, grabbing it rougher than intended due to the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I yank him toward me, our faces threateningly close.

I speak to him in a low and even tone. "If you value your life in even the slightest then get out of my sight. In fact, I'm not giving you a choice," I release his shirt and forcefully shove him back with a snarl, "Go."

Adding fuel to the fire, Cole plants his feet where he was pushed to. An expression so familiar that it's chilling falls over his face, like a mask blotting out the real Cole with a rare instance of seriousness.

Even after two years, I still remember that look...

My mouth opens to yell at him, to spew profanities, to say anything in my power to get him to disappear into the shadows like he always did. But I never get to. The presence behind me turns my body rigid and sends chills down my spine. Fear exploded in my chest, and at the same time, there was happiness that blossomed with it.

As if possessed by some other force, the consciousness of my actions slips through my fingers like sand. I find myself running, eyes locked on a familiar face. Within seconds my body collides with another, strong arms firmly wrapping themselves around me in an immediate embrace. My legs naturally lock around a waist, and my arms around tense shoulders, pressing my face hungrily against the junction of a neck.