Absolute Obedience

Chapter Thirty-Three

Was it shock I felt?

No.

I wasn't shocked anymore. I felt numb, but wasn't this how it was supposed to happen? The moon set the stage and simply hired the cast while allowing me to play the part.

Kain continued ranting, the rage in his voice increasing as Pierce merely stood there. His eyes were looking at the ground, was it shame? Or maybe annoyance at being caught before the ending scene?

"Thank you." My voice didn't shake, but the volume was low. No matter what Pierce had planned, there was one thing that was certain. He had helped me. I would show him my gratitude for that.

My—no, he wasn't mine. He wasn't my cat. That small moment I had lived in, it was gone.

I felt a throb but ignored the pain in my chest. I disregarded the constricting feeling that was attempting to squeeze my throat. Memories of his arms, his smirks, our talks, his guidance all flooded my mind. It was memories that I didn't want to let go, they were lies I wanted to believe in but I need to walk away from him.

Pierce didn't look up at my words. Instead, his hands fisted at his side. His knuckles turned white, and I felt my heart crush within his grasp and had to force myself to look away from him before the tears finally spilled.

Kain had stopped and looked at me when he heard my words of gratitude. I didn't meet his gaze either. He was defending me, I could make out that much. I knew he had been trying, I knew he felt guilty but he had no reason to. We werewolves, we had customs and I had been disobedient. I accepted my brand and everything that happened, but it didn't eliminate the fear I held for the Werewolf.

"Don't thank him." I winced at the lash his voice brought. Though, only verbal I still felt the reprimand.

Ben moved behind me, his fur slightly brushing my naked side, the slight tickle causing a few sparks of pain. I knew my wounds had reopened, I could feel the angry cuts ooze, but I refused to look down. I just needed to get through this moment and deal with the rest later.

I needed to getaway.

"Leave, I'm—," my voice was unsteady. The tightness in my chest, the throbbing of my heart, the thick feeling I had grasping my throat, was all just seconds away from drowning me. I couldn't sound meek, I needed to be strong.

I could do this, I could be strong. I could break away and find my place. If that place was back with my Alpha where my days were simple, where the rules brought me stability, where I knew what to expect, if that's where I was meant to be I would find my way. My place wasn't here, at least not anymore.

Clearing my throat, I tried to find that small shred of confidence I knew was superficial but hoped it would be clear. "I'm leaving."

"No, you—,"

"I'm leaving!" I was shocked that my wolf surfaced. I felt him with me as we interrupted Kain. He was over it, over Kain, Pierce, this whole situation. He hurt. I felt my wolf's pain, felt the betrayal, felt his heartbreak, the grief. For a while now, he'd been so focused on keeping the truth hidden but hasn't yet had time to deal with his own emotions. Emotions we shared and emotions we kept from each other. He had felt safe with Pierce as well, now he looked at the Cat with anger.

I heard Kain growl as I turned away from him. The slight burn on my neck almost made me turn back but instead, I shifted.

"Toby." I was grateful I was already in my wolf's skin, Pierce's voice would have been my undoing otherwise. I didn't look at him, only showed him my back, that last shred of trust I had to give. I trusted that he wouldn't stab me, that he wouldn't force me to stay any longer.