Veiled In Darkness

Chapter 12

WARNING: This chapter will have explicit descriptions of death and violence. Anyone who isn't comfortable with reading this is advised to skip this chapter. It won't hurt, it's just written to give more depth to Sapphire's character and explain the reasons for her actions.

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The pungent scent of blood coated the environment, its strong metallic scent enveloped and threatened to make Sapphire throw up the contents of her stomach. Her hands were sweaty as her eyes scrutinize the environment, taking in the bodies of wolves strewn around.

Males, females. All were lying lifeless on the ground with either a slit throat or a cavity where their heart should have been.

Sapphire could feel a stinging pain in her chest, her heart constructing against her as she stared at the lifeless forms of the people scattered roughly on the ground.

Bile rose in her throat, tears pricking her eyes as she felt the pain from the loss of her park members. Sapphire knew the blame for their deaths was on her hands, and she couldn't help but feel guilty over it If only she could turn back the hands of time and stopped the events that led to this from happening, she would, but it was already too late.

As if being propelled by an unknown force, Sapphire found herself moving further into the chaos. Her subconsciousness fought against her as she delved deeper, it was silently warning her of the tragedy she would find ahead and that it was going to be much worse than the dead bodies of her pack members, but she ignored it and resumed walking.

Soon, she got to a clearing and what she saw there caused her to release an ear-piercing scream. Sapphire's gaze landed on a male and female tied to a pole with silver wires burning through their skin.

"Mom! Dad!" She screamed as she attempted to move closer to where they had been trapped, but her attempt proved futile as she felt a searing pain course through her and paralyzing her, making her unable to move from her position. Tears burst from her eyes as she fell on her knees, staring at the helpless forms of her parents.

Sapphire loathed herself for being so weak, she disliked the fact that she wasn't able to be of help to her parents at the time they needed her the most and she especially detested herself for being the reason they were put in such circumstance.

Her heart constricted as she whispered in between breaths "G-goddess." Hot, urgent streamed down her face as she struggled to form words. "Please, save them."

Her parent's screams and cries from pain and agony were eating her alive, she couldn't bear their hurt.

Almost immediately, Sapphire could hear a loud crunch of gravel behind her, the heavy sound of someone's footsteps as she felt his hot gaze through her neck. Sapphire fought the urge to turn around and check who the mysterious stranger was as she heard yet another crunch, but this time much closer to where she was.

Sapphire could feel her breath hitch as chilly air blew across her face and the stranger moved, till he was crouched in front of her.

"I see our guest of honor finally decided to show up," A devilish smirk spread across his face as his menacing, red eyes pierced through her skin in a way that had Sapphire shivering in dread.

"P-please, " Sapphire choked in between sobs as she struggled to form coherent words. "Let them go!" Her hands were folded as she sobbed harder.

With shaking hands, she pointed an index finger to her chest, "I wronged you didn't I? Hurt me instead. Please." She pleaded, even as tears spiraled down her cheeks.

A thin smile spread across his lips as he stood and let out a peal of laughter that echoed through the woods. "But you are wrong, dear Sapphire. I don't want to harm you, because that would be too easy on you."