Blamed

Chapter 49

"Come on, Paxton!"

Her hand gripped mine tightly as she led me through the fields. The sky was dark and the smell of a storm brewing was in the air. The dew from the high grass was wetting my legs as we ran. It was time. The time I knew would come sooner or later but dreaded.

"We're not going to make it like this." I breathed out. I glanced back and saw she was getting closer.

"We don't have a choice. I'm not strong enough to fight her."

All of a sudden, we fell to the ground. Dirt caked my bare chest and I quickly got up.  I reached for her hand when suddenly, a sharp object entered my back. I gasped, blood spilling down my lip. The blade twisted in my back, causing me to cough up more blood. My hand dropped and I slowly turned around, eyes going wide.

"I told you before, Paxton. You won't be able to change who I am." Crimson said with a grin. Her brown eyes were almost black and evil shined in her orbs. I glanced back and saw Crimson staring at the replica of herself with wide eyes. My knees buckled and I could feel hands go around my neck.

"NO!"

The dream ended abruptly as I was shaken back into reality. My eyes opened, my eyelashes faintly batting against my lids when I blinked. My muscles felt weak, just like my energy. I let out an exasperated sigh, groaning as I sat up from the hard ground.

It was darker than it was before, and the fire had been put out along with the torches. It made the cave seem more menacing. Images from the dream haunted my mind and I shook my head.

What the hell was that?

"Good. You're awake.''

My back stilled at the voice and I quickly turned around, my body on all fours. I growled, my eyes narrowing. Julio stood a couple of feet away from me with a smug expression. He looked completely different. His brownish-gold hair was cut short and his blue eyes appeared to be darker. I would have not recognized him if it weren't for the familiar scratch on his cheek.

There were two other men standing behind him with Crimson in their arms. Her hands were behind her back and one of the men had a hand over her mouth. There was a cut on her right cheek and I felt myself pushing my body up.

"Relax, Thornhill," Julio warned. One of the men held a knife to her throat, making me stop.

'Kill them now.' Leo snarled.

'We have to be smart about this.'

"Julio. It's been a while since we've spoken." I gritted out. He smirked, rubbing his hands together.

"Indeed. Ever since you left my pack house, I have been keeping tabs on you. How are you enjoying Crimson? Has she been a good girl?" He taunted. I growled.

"Shit!" The man dropped his hand from Crimson's mouth and shook it, a glare on his face. Blood covered her lips and she spat on the ground.

"How about you come over here and ask me if I've been a good girl?" She breathed out. He rolled his eyes, turning around. I looked him up and down, noticing a faint blue light coming from the side of his neck.

"I'm sure you haven't. In fact, I know you've been causing issues." He said, facing me again.

"Tell your mutts to let me go and I'll show you— Ah!"

The black haired man had a hand full of Crimson's hair in his hand and I felt my body trying to charge at him. Before I could even get close to her, the blonde haired man pushed the knife against her throat more. I froze, my hands shaking.