Confessions of a Killer

7 Insults

Damien:

Beatrix-Joys voice shook me from my self-deprecating stupor. Natalia had always been so full of life, and I'd snuffed it out so easily. Granted she hadn't been herself when... would she have come back?

"Hold on baby-girl, you're going to be fine." Declan promised with a sniff, the stiff edges of his shoulders hiding his desolation. The smell of salt in the air the only indication he'd shed tears. Beatrix-Joy mewled in discomfort as her father's larger body shielded from view as he pulled her into his lap.

Jedrek, bald head shiny with exertion, wiped away the sweat beads rolling down his forehead as he knelt next to them. Daphne a few paces away asked weakly what happened. Ember answered quietly enough that I barely registered the break in Declan's voice when he addressed Jedrek by last name, a pleading note startling. Not something I'd ever thought to hear from the domineering old man.

"Raye... please..."

I'd always respected the man, even given how he and Arden had mated. Not in the usual way, but then who is lately? The man may be old but has a sense of power, a prestige unmatched by anyone I'd met. Declan Harper is not a man who breaks easily. He'd been more of a father to me than my own after.... I may have fought with him, he may have conceded to my younger self for Arden's sake, but I will always hold respect for the man.

No one deserves this.

Kade pulled Natalia onto his lap, as his wife, Ayame, leaned against him as she stroked the hair from their daughter's face. Using a cloth to gently wipe the blood away, she sung softly, an old Japanese tune of mourning. The sorrow in her shattering tone a wrench in my gut as her grief filled eyes meet mine. A slight pull at the corner of her eyes, elongating epicanthal folds, arranged her expression with understanding. Her head bowed, near blue-black pin straight hair falling forward with the gesture. She graced me with a watery smile as she upturned her head, resuming her task with gentle hands.

I take a moment to take in the carnage around us. So many had been injured before we'd made it inside, the events of the morning catching up as fatigue seeped into my shoulder blades. Grace hadn't made it. She still lay on the floor, blood amalgamating with the somewhat dirty floor. She'd been a part of Jaspers pack. I look around for the man, disgust swirling through me as I spot him.

Are you fucking kidding me?!

Jasper had repeatedly rejected the proposed betrothal of joining packs with the Wrathbornes. He'd dated Aries before going into the military but had dropped her like a hot potato when he'd met Charlotte. It had insulted every fiber of my being that he would do such a thing. Yet, here I am, mated to the women. While it seems from the scent of them, they are mated now too.

I thought He'd wanted Charlotte. He'd never treated Aries right, like she'd been less than worthy. He'd made it clear before that he didn't want the raven haired, gorgeous as a fucking model, woman who'd followed him like a lost puppy since childhood. It's what had made her so volatile growing up, only ceasing to be that way when Jasper had finally given in and dated her as teens. Now they're making out and mated?!

What the fuck is going on? Didn't Char-!

Fuck!

My whole body froze, staring at the woman quietly crying while leaning against the doorway. My t-shirt riding up slightly as her arms banded under her breasts. Jax's worried gaze has me running to them.

My mate is in pain. I can feel it in my bones. I'd been too preoccupied with Natalia to notice what Jasper had done, the hole in me not nearly as visceral as the pain lancing through Charlotte. The anger is sudden, whipping, my power licked along the bodies of those around us, causing their head to bow in submission. Even the Alphas.