Warriors

Chapter Twelve: Blood of a Purebred

The only thing I can feel when I wake up is excruciating pain. My whole body feels as if it's been torn apart. I uncover myself and look over my body. My skin is more black and blue than not, and the cuts and bite I have burn like hell. I try to stretch, but I'm far too sore. I make my way out of bed and put on loose clothes, hoping they won't irritate my broken body. I'm limping even more than yesterday; the bite from Pine is very swollen and red. I open the bedroom door and limp out into the living room. I can't move very quickly at all. Onyx and Fergus are talking on the couch, and Shadow and Zoom are playing on the floor. They all look at me with wide eyes.

"What?"

Fergus is the one to speak first.

"You're hurt, Mallory."

"I'm fine. It'll heal."

Onyx sighs heavily and looks away, a clear sign he's annoyed.

"What now?"

"Anyone with eyes can see that you are not fine, Mallory. Stop putting on a mask. You don't always have to be strong."

I look at Shadow, who moved to play on the floor, and when he looks up at me, there's pain in his eyes. He knows I'm hurt and looks like he's going to cry.

"Yes, I do. For him."

I nod toward Shadow.

"He can see how hurt you are. Pretending you aren't doesn't change the condition your body is in. We should have Doc..."

"Enough, Onyx!"

Shadow and Zoom jump when I yell, and I smile apologetically.

"Sorry, kids. Onyx no. Everyone at home needs Doc more than I do. He isn't my personal doctor, so stop bugging him."

"I told you everyone else is fine. The rest of the pups are all fine and..."

"Ugh!"

I roll my eyes and limp into the kitchen. I don't feel like arguing anymore. Onyx gets up and follows me in, but I ignore him and open the fridge for some iced tea. I want a beer, but my stomach doesn't feel the greatest, and I don't want to tempt fate. I finally turn to face Onyx, and he isn't happy.

"Stop looking at me like that."

"You're being kind of mean."

"No, what's mean is you always treating me like I'm made of glass. Pine was not easy to kill, and I may have some cuts and bruises, but at least I won. Can you please stop feeling so sorry for me all the time? I know you're worried about me and that you care about me but honestly, this is getting excessive. Many people back home are human and don't heal like us; two of the pups are dead. Our brothers Onyx, whom we swore to protect, are dead now—gone like the wind, and their families are grieving. We both know the pain of losing someone like that all too well. By comparison, I'm right as rain. Yeah, I'm banged up and sore, but I'm alive. The pups aren't."

Pity is still plastered to his face, and he isn't even trying to hide it.

"Christ, Onyx, are we going to have a problem? Get it the fuck together."

"I'll tell you what, Mallory. Raise your arms above your head without wincing, and I'll drop it."

"Easy."

I set my tea down and begin lifting my arms, but pain racks my entire body before they're even halfway up. I try to push through it, but Onyx gently stops my arms.

"Please stop. I know how strong you are, but please let me take care of you. I'll be your husband soon, and you have to learn to be vulnerable around me. Alright? I don't want to fight over this anymore. I love you, and I'm allowed to be worried about you. No one here thinks you're even remotely weak. You killed Pine single-handedly. A weak person wouldn't walk away from that fight. I couldn't even do it. Just let me help you, ok?"