Chapter Two Hundred and Fifty One


    Chapter Two Hundred and Fifty One


    A rock fell inches away from me, and I only managed to dodge it. Axel was losing a lot of blood. I knew what was about to happen, but I didn''t want to think about it. It just couldn''t.


    "Riley, please listen to me." he said, and I turned to him; sweat coated his face and his breathing wasboured. "I can''t make it, Riley. You know that, but if you go, you can save yourself and save Thane."


    "Please, Axel, we can make it alive, the both of us "


    "Look at me, Riley," he pleaded, and I did. "Kiss me."


    Tears rolled down my eyes as I leaned to him and kissed him. I wouldn''t let him go; I just can''t. "I love you, from the very first time I met..." he took a long breath. "But you were never mine, and yet that didn''t stop me from wanting you. Don''t me yourself for this; you, Riley, were the best thing that had ever happened to me."


    "But Thane... he hates me."


    "No, he doesn''t; reason with him; make him.... make him understand." Axel coughed out blood. "Go now, get him, and leave this ce."


    "But you will die." I cried.


    "I''ve lost too much blood; I am only slowing you down."


    "Please Axel..." I said, applying pressure to his abdomen, my hand soaked with his blood. " Please don''t leave me; I beg you."


    "I won''t. I''ll be right behind you. Go, please.


    Tears streamed down my eyes. I couldn''t move; I couldn''t leave him; if he died then it was because he came back for me.


    "Please, do it... for me" he pleaded again, and I turned away from him, sobbing as I ran.


    I could barely see anything, the fire and thick smoke blurred my vision; I had to climb over the copsed rubble, blocking my path.


    "Thane." I cried out, but there was no response. Finally, I saw the light-a way out.


    I spotted Thane; his clothes had been partly burnt; there was also blood-a lot of it. I rushed to him. He was still breathing; I tried pickinf him up and damn was he heavy, u had to put in more effort to lift him up, and then I noticed the dagger just beside the pile of ashes. An elder had been killed.


    I should leave the dagger behind. But I picked it up.


    I was out of the underground building, taking Thane along. I tried letting out my wings; it didn''t work. "Come on." I groaned, trying again and finally iny wings sprung free, with many


    Chapter Two Hundred and Filly One


    injuries marring the once beautiful wings.


    Flying all the way to the pack house, I waspletely numb. I shut off my emotions because if I turned it back on, then I wouldn''t be able to make it back to the Nightshade pack. Inded very ungracefully. Many pack members stood outside the pack house; of course they had all been worried; with the Alpha, Beta, and Luna gone, it left them... defenseless.


    20


    I didn''t bother hiding my wings; there was no use for that. Healers rushed to me.


    "Help him, do whatever the fuck you have to do! Imanded, and Thane was picked up and ced on a litter before he was carried away. Somemanders tried speaking to me, but I walked past them. Many wanted exnations, but I had nothing to give them, so I hurried into my room and let it all out.


    I cried for the loss of my dear friend, a man I loved and one that died saving me. It had been all my fault, if I had tried harder, if I hadn''t been so stupid and power-hungry, he would still be alive. I had so many regrets, but no matter how badly I wished I could turn back the hand of time, I couldn''t, and it was finally dawning on me. Axel was dead, and I would never see him again; Never would I see his beautiful smile. I was still in denial. It felt... impossible, and yet this is the reality.