Fang

Burn

Sleep refused to come to me. 

Even with my window open and the cold breeze brushing in, I couldn't get comfortable. Rain pattered on the roof, creating a rhythm. The cold air chilled my lungs as I breathed in before letting out a defeated sigh. 

Sitting up, I tossed the sheets to the side, moving my legs to the edge of the bed, feet dangling off. Lohr's face refused to stop appearing behind my eyelids whenever I closed my eyes. Widened eyes full of fear, a gaping hole in his throat, bloodied lips parted as if he had something to say. 

Leaning forward, I rubbed my eyes with the backs of my hands. I was so tired. 

Hearing my door open, I lifted my head and squinted through the darkness to see. His smell struck my nose before I could see him. The door closed quietly behind Forrest. He stood silently beside the door for a moment before walking over, standing so close to me I could feel the heat from his body. 

"Why are you awake?" His deep voice broke the silence. 

"Because I couldn't sleep." I casted my eyes down to my hands in my lap. 

His hand came up slowly, lifting my face by my chin to look up at him. His hand now cupped the left side of my face, firmly but gently keeping my face there. His thumb swiped across my cheek in a comforting motion. "I asked why." 

Butterflies erupted in my stomach. "I don't think that it matters. Why are you in my room? Did someone see you come in?"

"Because I knew you were still awake and I wanted to check on you. Do you think I care if someone sees me walk into the room of my Gamma?" 

"Yes, I think you do care if someone sees you walk into the room of your unannounced mate." 

Forrest paused, sucking a breath in. His thumb stopped its motion and he hesitantly pulled his hand away from my face. My face immediately missed his contact. His hand still hovered near my cheek, as if he were unsure what to do with his hand now. 

"You did not answer my question." 

"I don't think you care for the answer." I lowered my face again, somewhat hurt by his pause at the mention of being his mate. 

He did not pull my face to look up at him again. Instead, he lowered himself until he was squatting and his face was level with mine. My skin felt uncomfortable without his touch. 

"I wouldn't ask if I didn't care, Samantha." I trembled at my name coming from his lips. The tension between us thickened. The rain began to pour harder, ramming against the roof and drowning out the silence. 

"I can't stop thinking about my parents," I mumbled. "And my uncle. I hate that he gets to live and sit on his fucking throne, pretending nothing is wrong while everyone else does his dirty work." I closed my eyes, forcing myself to stare at Lohr's last moments. "When I close my eyes, I still see Lohr. That was the first wolf I've ever truly killed."

"Open your eyes. He is not here, I am." His voice deepened with an emotion I couldn't recognize. Slowly I opened my eyes again, dragging them up over his lips then nose, finally looking into his icy blue eyes. Lightning struck outside my window, illuminating the room for a moment. Thunder rumbled above in response. 

"I want him to burn. Everyone that dares support my uncle can rot above the earth, they deserve nothing for supporting a monster." 

Forrest's lips pulled into a smile. "We are both monsters, your uncle and I. Thousands will die with this war coming, and we may not win. Would you say the same for me and those who support me?" 

"No, I would not. Innocents have died at the hands of my uncle. Hundreds, maybe thousands. You are nothing like my uncle. I was always naïve, and I wish I could have seen him for what he was when I had the chance to kill him myself."