Prologue

“West you need to get some sleep. She isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. It was just too much for her.” Derek says patting my shoulder.

 

I shrug it off. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have held her there. I should have tried something to save her brother. Instead I let her father walk to his death. I wouldn’t be surprised if she leaves and never turns back when she wakes up.”

 

Elizabeth laughs and I turn to glare at her. “It wouldn’t be the first time you made that mistake West. Hurting the ones you care about. I swear it’s like you enjoy pushing the ones you love away.”

 

“Shut up!” I say angrily. “You have no clue what it’s like to lose the person you love. All you care about is watching me suffer.”

 

She glares at me. “How do you think I felt when you left me at the first sign that I wasn’t your perfect image any more huh? When you never turned back. You think that felt great?” She asks.

 

I sigh. “I’m sorry Elizabeth I’m just stressed. I can’t think let alone sleep.”

 

She huff but says nothing else. I look at Anne’s unconscious body solemly.

 

Anne’s been unconscious ever since her father died and her brother was taken away. My heart ached when I heard her cry of pain.  I wanted nothing more than to comfort her. To tell her everything will be ok.

 

I was given instructions by her father to keep her from going to Satan no matter the cost. I tried to argue with him. To reason with him but he wouldn’t hear it. Eventually we all agreed that we would protect her. If I had another choice I would be dead instead of her father. I would have gladly taken my life for her.

 

I sigh and get up from the chair. I place a kiss on her forehead and walk out into the woods. I make sure my sword is handy.

 

Ever since she has been unconscious more evil has come out of hiding. I’ve killed nearly 20 demons this past week.

 

She’s been unconscious for over a month and nothing we’ve tried would bring her back. We ended up getting a doctor to check her out and he said that she has gone into shock. He also said that she’ll come out of it when she’s ready. That we just need to make sure she stays nourished and hydrated.

Me and Derek have made sure to change her bags out when they empty and change the sheets when needed. I just want her to come back to me. I miss seeing her smile. Hell, I’d be happy with her ignoring me and being made. As long as she wakes up.

 

All I can do is pray that she will. Hope that she will open her eyes. I want to hear her voice even if she’s yelling at me. I just want Anne back.

 

Chapter 1

Anne’s POV

 

Blackness.

 

It’s all I see.

 

I can’t feel anything either.

 

It feels like it’s been years but I can’t tell. If I really try I can hear muffled voices. Most of the time I don’t even try. What’s the point?

 

I lost my father again.

 

This time for real, and my brother was taken by that annoying Devil angel. It didn’t help that the one person, or angel if you prefer, that was supposed to help me didn’t. He held me there while I had to watch helplessly as my father was killed.

 

I feel like I’m losing myself every second I let the darkness have me. Is it bad for me to say that I want to lose myself? I want to forget everything so I don’t have to deal with this pain.

 

I try pulling the darkness away a little but hear nothing so I let the darkness completely envelop me again.

 

I see a little light among the darkness and become confused. An image starts to form and I see my father.

 

He smiles sadly. “Baby girl you need to fight. You need to be strong. I did this for you. I made West hold you. It was my choice. I knew the outcome but still had to try. I made the mistake of leaving you and your brother to deal with your mother. I needed to make up for that.”  

 

I feel a wave of anger. “You didn’t have anything to make up for. You should have let me deal with it! I was going to trick him and leave with Jim safely. I am not a helpless little girl anymore!” I yell at him.

 

He nods. “I know your not a little girl anymore. But what would I do if your plan backfired? If you and your brother were gone? I wouldn’t be able to live without you guys. What would you want me to do if I had lost you guys?” He asks.

 

I sigh knowing what he means. “You would want us to live our lives as if you were still here, but I can’t. Life was hard enough when I thought you were dead. Now that you really are and I saw it for myself it’s just to much. I feel empty. My heart aches. I can’t. It hurts.”

 

He hugs me. “Baby I know. You have to. People need you. Your brother needs you. West needs you. I know your angry at him but you must forgive him. He only followed orders like he was trained to do. You need to let go of me baby. You need to fight the darkness. You must live on for me. For West. For Jim. But most importantly. You must live on for you.”

 

I hug him tight. “But I don’t want to let go. I want to stay here with you. Even if it means I stay asleep forever. I love you daddy.”

 

He pulls me away from him with a stern look on his face. “You have to live your life. I won’t be gone forever. I will eventually be reincarnated. We will see eachother again but you must live you life first. With the lord there is no such thing as being gone forever. My body is gone but not my soul.” He starts to fade, “Live your life. I love you Anne. Do it for me.”

 

I try desperately to hold on to him but he fades away and I’m left to the darkness again.

 

Derek’s POV

 

I watch Anne carefully. Her vital signs had spiked not that long ago.

 

West still isn’t back yet. I don’t blame him. He feels like it’s his fault. I blame myself too. We had no time to plan or even argue. Once her father gave us an order we were on it. I could see it in West’s eyes how much he regretted doing it.

 

I may seem evil to people but I would never have done what Satan just did.  That was a low blow.

 

I sit down in the chair and my sister jumps in my lap. “Is she going to wake up soon?” she asks giving me her little puppy dog eyes.

 

I smile though I know it doesn’t reach my eyes. “Soon Sarah. She is going to wake up soon.”

 

She smiles and hugs me. She jumps off me going off to do her own thing. I watch her go and sigh.

 

A tiny moan catches my attention. I turn to face Anne. She is still motionless. I sigh thinking I was just hearing things but then notice her eyes twitching. Her eyes stop moving and she becomes still again.

 

I close my eyes hope dropping. I lean my head up against the chair and drift off to sleep.

 

Anne’s POV

 

I push past the the darknesses layers. I hear Derek and Derek’s sister clear as if I was in the same room. The voices disappear and I hear a sigh. I try to reach the sound but am stuck in a layer of darkness.

 

I start to feel my eyes move and let out a small moan.

 

I lose what feeling I had for a while and plunge back into darkness. I push harder frustrated. I will do this for my dad. I will do this for Jim. I will do this for me.

Chapter 2

 

I start to see a light and I push towards it. Sounds and smells fill me. I open my eyes and blink rapidly trying to adjust to the light.

 

I try to move but my arms and legs feel stiff as if I haven’t used them in a long time. I turn my head and see Derek asleep on a chair. I hear a gasp and see where it came from.

 

West is standing by the doorway frozen midstep. I smile softly. “Hey.” my voice is cracky and my throat feels dry.

 

I hear Derek wake up with a start the chair flying back. I look at him and frown. “Do you have to be so dramatic?”

 

He smiles. “Welcome back Anne.”

 

I return the smile then turn my attention back to West. He’s still frozen and I see tears in his eyes. He looks like he hasn’t slept in months. I try to get up and Derek immediately is by my side helping me up. I stretch my stiff muscles and look around.

 

“How long was I out?” I ask looking at West.

 

Derek’s the one to respond. “Over a month.”

 

That hits me in the gut. “A month?” I manage to squeak out. A month that my brother had to deal with Satan.

 

Derek pats my shoulder. “It’s ok Anne. All that matters is that your awake.”

 

I shake my head . “It’s not ok. Jim-”

 

He interrupts me. “Anne. It’s not your fault. You went into shock. I’m surprised you even came out so soon. That was a lot to take in at one time.”

 

I shrug. “I didn’t want to. I honestly wanted to let the darkness take over me. To lose myself. I couldn’t even of I wanted to. I have a job to do and I can’t quit because it is hard. There are lives that depend on me.” I say.

 

I look at West. “You going to just stand and stare at me?”

 

He walks up to me. “Anne I’m so sorry. I-”

 

I cut him off. “Don’t. There’s no need to apologize. I’ll admit I was angry at you. I mave have been out but I could still think. But I can’t blame you for doing what you thought was best.” I look him in the eyes. “I would have done the same.”

 

He hugs me tight. I go to hug him back but the IVs in my arm stop me. He chuckles and helps me take them out then wraps me in a hug. I hug him back and look at Derek. “Plus Derek’s the one that held me arms. I blame him.” I smile at Derek to let him know I’m teasing.

 

He rolls his eyes. “And to think I was actually worried about you.” He shakes his head smiling.

 

I let go of West and  back up. Before I have a chance to say anything tiny arms wrap me from behind. I hear Derek laugh and I turn my head to see his sister clinging to me. She smiles. “Got you.” She giggles.

 

I smile and pull her off of me. I set her in front of me. “My you have gotten bigger since the last time I saw you.”

 

She smiles. “Yeah I am taller. I also beat Derek in chess. Twice.”

 

“That’s because I let you win.” Derek grumbles.

 

I laugh. I feel the familiar tear on my shoulder blades and feel relieved when my wings come out. I sigh and stretch them. I look to West and Derek. “Wanna race?”

West gives me a look of concern. “You just got out of a coma.”

 

I smile. “Yeah and I’m ready to stretch.”

 

Derek shrugs and smiles. “It’s not like either of you can keep up.”

 

West glares at him and Derek winks at me.

 

West sighs. “Fine. One lap. From here to the edge of the forest and back.” I see his eyes light up and he looks at Derek. “Winner gets a kiss from whoever he or she chooses.”

 

Derek looks at me and smirks. “Deal.”

 

I shake my head and look at them both disapprovingly. “Does everything have to have a reward? Can’t the reward be winning?”

 

They shake their heads in unison. I sigh. “Fine. Let’s start right outside the door.’ I look to Sarah, “Wanna tell us when to start?” She nods enthusiastically. I smile and head out the door with West and Derek following close behind.

 

I let my wings stretch to their maximum length and ready myself to spring at the word go. I look at West  and he looks at me with concern. “Please don’t push yourself. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

 

I pout. “It’s not a party until someone gets hurt.” He rolls his eyes at me and gets in position as well.

 

Derek just stands there with his hands in his pocket look cocky. His sister walks past as and stands to the side.

 

She smiles. “Ready?.......... Set…………..Go!”

 

I take off into the air and fly as fast as my wings will let me. Everything around me blurs as the wind whips through my hair. I smile enjoying it. My golden wing flap in a steady rhythm but my speed is faster. I look down and see Derek gaining speed almost moving past me. I push harder and my muscles tense in protest.

 

Suddenly my wings disappear and I’m free falling. It happens so fast I don’t even have enough time to think of screaming. I hit my head on a branch  and everything becomes a blur as my arm then leg then back hit branch after branch til I hit the ground. I groan black dots swimming in my vision. I wince and gasp as I try to pull myself up but the pain is too much and I fall back to the ground.

 

I listen to the rustling of the leaves hoping that soon one of them would notice me missing soon. It might take a while. The forest is really big. I hear the crunch of leaves and turn my head to the sound. A figure stands behind a tree hiding in the shadows.

 

“Are you ok?” an unfamiliar voice asks.

 

I try to sit up but give up the pain too much. I watch the figure come out of the shadows. It’s a boy not much older than me. His hair is black and his eyes are a silver. He walks over to me. He kneels next to me.

 

“What happened?” He asks. I take in his scent and notice that it smells felinish. He might be a werecat of some kind. I look at him curiously.

 

He scrunches his eyebrows. “Are you mute?”

 

I roll my eyes. “If I was mute I wouldn’t be able to groan in pain.”

 

“Where does it hurt?” he asks

 

“Everywhere. Just help me up. I can walk it off.” I say

 

He shakes his head. “I have to get you checked out. I have a doctor who could get you checked out.” He picks me up carefully.

 

I start to protest but he ignores it and starts walking. “What is a wolf like you doing so close to the feline territory?” he asks.

 

“Your just a bundle of questions aren’t you? I’ll have you know I am not a wolf at all.”  I say a little annoyed.

 

He raises an eyebrow. “You smell like a wolf. What else could you be?”

 

“What do you think?”

 

He shrugs. “I still think your a wolf.”

 

I roll my eyes. “You go ahead and think that then. I’ll let you imagination run wild.”

 

He approaches a house and shifts my weight so he can knock on the door.

 

“You know I don’t even know your name. You could be kidnapping me.” I say.

 

He looks at me. “You know for a girl that needed help you sure are irritating.”

“If you have had to deal with everything I have you would be in a bad mood to.” I mumble. The door opens and a woman looks from him to me.

 

“Damien, what’s the problem? Why is there a wolf on our territory?” She asks.

 

I groan. “I’m not a wolf.” I wince.

 

“I found her hurt in the woods. I was doing my daily patrol when I heard her groaning. I don’t know why she is hurt though. She wouldn’t tell me.” He says.

 

The woman comes to me and starts checking me. She touches sensitive spots and I wince. She looks at me. “Did you get into some sort of fight?”

 

I shake my head. “Unless you count branches as my competitors.”

 

She gives me a stern look. “This is why wolves don’t climb trees.”

 

I glare at her. “I am not a wolf and I wasn’t climbing a tree. I fell into the tree.”

 

“How did you fall without climbing the tree?” she asks.

 

“I can’t say. Put me down please. I need to leave before one of you gets harmed. My friends should be done with their race now.”

 

A growl rumbles in her throat. “Did you just threaten me?”

 

“No my mate is very protective of me. Of course he has good reason since I seem to be a magnet for danger. I would never threaten someone.” I say.

 

Damien shakes his head. “We need to make sure nothing’s broken first.”

 

I sigh. “Fine.” I feel my shoulder blades itch and I ignore it. He takes me inside and people look at us and my cheeks flush. He takes me into a room and sets me down on the bed. He leaves the room and closes the door.

 

I sigh. “Why did my wings disappear? I’ve never dealt with that before.” I wonder out loud.

 

The door opens and I feel the power of an alpha. I look and see a man looking at me like I came from mars. “Wings?”

 

Crap. “Uhhhhh……….”

Chapter 3

 

I try to think of something to say to change the subject about the fact that I have wings but nothing hit.

 

The alpha comes toward me. “Did you hit your head at all?”

 

I sigh. “Yeah I did. I may be suffering some brain damage. Just ignore what I said.”

 

He frowns at me. “Maybe we should keep you here for a little while.”

 

I shake my head. “No I’d rather get back to my home.”

 

“You mean back to your wolf pack?” he asks.

 

I growl. “ I am not a wolf. How many time do I have to say that before it finally clicks. I am not a wolf.” I feel my wings pushing to come out.

 

“Your a wolf I can smell it on you.” he insists.

 

I get up gritting my teeth at the pain. He puts his hands on my shoulders. “You should be lying down.” he says.

 

I swat at his hands and get up. I look at him angrily and let myself shift into cougar form. His eyes widen as he watches my transformation.

 

I glare at him my tail moving back and forth in irritation. I collapse on the ground in pain and shift back breathing heavily.

 

I hear commotion outside and recognize West and Derek’s voices. I look at the alpha. “Please don’t hurt my mate. The vamp and my mate are protective of me.”

 

He picks me up. “Then I think it’s best we return you to them. I’m sorry for causing you pain. Your kind is almost extinct. It’s very rare to find any in our area. I meant no disrespect to you.”

 

I shrug. “I’m the rarest of them all so I guess it’s ok.” an idea forms in my head, “Might I ask for your help on something?”

 

He stops walking and looks at me. “What would you like help with?”

 

“First I need you to have trust in me. So I am going to tell you and show you what I am.” I say.

 

I feel my wings come out and my body starts to glow. He looks at me his features full of shock. “My name is Anne. I’m Alter. I was recently in a coma and just got out. I need your help because my brother was taken by the Devil angel after my father was killed. In fact I need more than just your help.”

 

A plan continues forming in my head. He recovers from his shock and tells someone to get Derek and West. He sets me in a sitting position on the couch and everyone stares at me like I’m some sort of goddess.

 

West and Derek come in and see me on the couch. West glares at me. “Anne why are you here? And why are you wings out for everyone to see?”

 

I open my mouth but before I can speak Damien does. “She was on the ground in pain. I brought her here to get  checked out. She is a very stubborn girl.”

 

West instantly becomes concerned. “What happened?”

 

“My wings retracted on their own and I fell. I hit a lot of branches on the way to the ground. It hurt a lot.” I say. I can feel my bones mending already.

 

“How did I not notice?” he asks himself.

 

My bones finish mending and I get up. “It’s over and done with now. Right now I have a plan. I will be right back. Stay here.”

 

I walk out the door and head toward Tom’s pack house. My wings disappear and I imagine my bracelet turning into a bow and arrow.  

 

I knock on the door and put the bow around me letting it rest across my shoulder. The door opens and I see Josh. He growls at me. “Your on Tom’s territory. Leave or there will be consequences.”

 

I roll my eyes. “I’m here to talk to him. I need to ask him something.”

 

He glares at me. “I said leave!”

 

I growl at him. “I’m not in the mood for you too let you emotions judge. My father is dead for good this time, my brothers been kidnapped, and I just got out of a fucking coma. So if you don’t let me talk to your Alpha and stop being such a baby about me hurting your poor little feelings. You will not like the fucking out come.” my voice is flat with anger.

 

I hear movement then see Tom’s face. “Anne? I’m sorry for my betta's inability to grow up. Come inside to my office.”

I nod and walk around Josh heading inside. Tom walks toward his office and I follow.  He closes the door and sits in his chair. I stand leaning against the wall.

 

“I need to ask you what you know on Satan and God.” I say.

 

He turns to where his back is facing me and his finger traces his books. He grabs one and puts it on his desk. “There are many different theories or categories for that religion. The main thing is that Satan is evil because he craves the power to control and torment. God is a holy being and he is part of the holy trinity. The father, the son, and the holy spirit. Jesus is said to be the gate to heaven. There are theories that if you destroy the gate you destroy heaven but there is said to be a protector or Alter. Which alter is the most powerful angel of them all. The religion also theorisises the end of the world. It is said that if you go to heaven you become an angel. Is that what you were looking for?”

 

I raise an eyebrow. “What’s your opinion on the religion?”

 

He shrugs. “I don’t really believe in that kind of stuff.”

 

I smile. “You should. Hell and heaven are realms as well as earth. Angels are born. The whole you become an angel when you go into heaven isn’t true. You travel to a different part of heaven then the angels. Each Angel has a purpose whether it’s to be a guardian or a soldier. The devil is just as real and he is evil. Your description of him fit perfectly. His realm is very depressing. Demons everywhere and you can hear the screams of the tortured souls. He looks like an angel but his wings are black. Alter is very powerful but still doesn’t know the limitations of the power Alter posses.”

He looks at me like I’ve grown another head. “Your saying this like you’ve been to hell and heaven. Like you know the Alter personally.”

 

My smile widens. “I happen to know Alter the best actually. Considering I am Alter.”

 

He laughs. “That’s a good one Anne. Now come one. Why did you want to know about God and Satan?”

 

I let my wings appear and my body glows gold. “Because I needed to know how much you knew. You know a substantial amount for someone who has no belief in the religion. Maybe these will spark your belief?”

 

He looks at me shocked.

 

“Tom I know you heard everything I told Josh and it’s true. My father is dead and my brother had been taken. I have also just come out of a coma. I need you to be aware of the danger your pack could be in. I also need you to alert other packs.”

 

I turn around and walk out letting my wings fold so I can get through the door. The disappear as soon as I head outside.

 

I start walking to my mom’s house but my friend sees me and stops me. “Anne. Where have you been? It’s been forever since I last saw you.” She says.

 

I sigh. “I’ve been kind of busy. I need to head to my mom’s house real quick. I’ll see you soon I promise. I just really need to go.”

 

She nods. “Ok.”

 

“Yeah I have to talk to her. I need to finally tell her everything.” I say and walk towards my mother’s house.

Chapter 4

 

I knock on the door and wait for her to open it. I hear her footsteps as she comes to the door. She opens it and her face turns to disgust when she sees me.  “What do you want?” she asks.

 

“It’s time we talk. You need to know what happened to your son.” I say.

 

She glares at me. “What did you do?”

 

“Nothing. He was kidnapped and you need to know everything. Your going to go sit on the couch and let me speak without interruption. I am in a bad mood. I just got out of a coma. I’m fine though I know you don’t care. So go sit down. Now.”

 

She growls. “You can’t…”

 

I cut her off. “I can and will. Get your ass on the couch. Now.”

 

She huffs and goes to sit on the couch. I walk in and stand not that far from her. “Your son has been kidnapped by the Devil Angel. Your husband was alive but he died trying to save Jim. I was pinned down and kept from doing anything to help either of them. Dad was not human like you thought he was. He was an Angel. I am Alter. It’s my job to take Satan down. Along the way I have been kidnapped, tortured, beaten, bruised, broken, cut, and so much more. I lost my memory, had an angel possessing my body, and I lost my father for the second time. You have done nothing but sit your ass here complaining about me. Telling me how worthless I am. Now I’m on top living my life while trying to save the world. What have you done?”I ask.

 

She laughs. “I knew you were a troubled child but this. This is funny. What proof do you have that your an angel? I see no wings. Your father has been dead and I still blame you. Your brother is probably with that Vampire. Your words don’t shake me child. That’s all they are. Words.”

 

I take off my bow. “Proof? That’s an easy one.” I let my wings out and smile at her.

 

Her eyes widen and she sits there in silence.

 

Now it’s my turn to laugh. “Proof enough for you?”

 

She sits there completely silent. I grab my bow. “You know, I think it’s good that you know. One more thing before I leave. Dad knew what you did to  me before he died. He saw it. Now he died knowing who you truly are.” I turn and walk out.

 

I let my wings disappear and head back to West and Derek. My nose starts to burn at the smell of vampires. I turn my head to the direction and see a group of vampires staring at me. I raise an eyebrow. “Can I help you?”

 

The one in the front smiles. “Yeah mutt. You could come here and let me suck all the blood from your body.”

 

I smile. “Not going to happen. I don’t like leeches touching me.” I turn but they surround me.

 

I sigh. “You guys might want to walk away. I don’t think anyone of you wants to be harmed. Plus I don’t think you guys are at an advantage. I actually find it unfair to you guys.” I say.

 

They laugh at me. “What can one little mutt do against all of us?”

 

“A mutt? I’m so offended. Though this little mutt is more powerful than all of you put together.”

 

The vampire steps toward me grinning. I smile right back. I hear the ripping of my wings to come out my shoulder blades. The vamps steps falter as he takes in my wings.

 

“Let’s see if you can catch up.” I take to the air and make my way toward the forest.

 

I hear them yelling some distance behind me.  I go above the trees to keep myself better hidden as I continue to fly. I find a good open field and hover waiting for them to catch up.

 

“I have a warning to your master. Satan. Tell him that I’m back and that I’m going to kill him. That I’ve never felt better in my life.” I say as the reach the open field.

“And why would we do that?” The vamp asks.

 

I appear behind him. “Because if not I will kill you. Your a plague that needs to be destroyed. “

 

He jumps and turns to face me. “How did you..?”

 

I smile. “I’m Alter. I can easily kill you. I told you I was more powerful than all of you combined.”

 

He backs up and I take a step forward. “Now be a good dog and tell your master.”

 

He disappears and I head to West and Derek. I knock on the door and it opens to reveal the Alpha. He looks at me surprised. “Hello. Come on in so we can discuss what help you need.”

 

I nod and walk inside. West hugs me. “What were you doing? We were starting to get worried.”

 

I hug him back. “Sorry I was taking care of a few things. My mother needed to know what was going on. I ran into trouble on the way here. Don’t worry though I took care of it easily. They were a bunch of wimps.”

 

He pulls me away and looks at me. “Them?”

 

I nod. “A group of vamps who thought I was a weak wolf. Showed them.”

 

He sighs. “You just got out of a coma and you already manage to find trouble.”

 

I shrug. “That’s my life for you. Anyway, I have a plan I need to discuss with you guys.”

 

I sit down and everyone else takes a seat as well.

 

“Ok so I need help with this plan to work. Alpha I am Alter. My brother was taken by Satan and I need someone to go in and get him and a bunch of us to distract Satan and his Devils. I am going to have to be the main distraction. He won’t fall for it otherwise. I’ll need someone to divert his attention once I get him out of the cave. I no where he would most likely have my brother and how I can easily get out. I need your help because your feline. That seems to be the type of animal he seems to like best to toy with. This could be dangerous and I understand if you decline. Your colony comes first.” I say.

 

He nods. “Ok. Give me some time to think it over. I will get back to you when I’ve made a decision. Your right about putting my colony first. If I can’t then I wish you the best of luck.”

 

I nod. “I completely understand. I’ll give you as much time as possible to think about it. My brothers been taken for a month and I don’t want him there for much longer.”

 

He nods and goes to his office. He comes back out and hands me a piece of paper and a pen. “Here. So I can contact you when I’ve decided.”

 

I write my number and hand it back to him. “I would be grateful for the help. I’ll go ahead and leave of your territory for right now. I think I need to head back to my home.” I look at West smiling as I say it.

 

He smiles back. The Alpha nods and I grab West’s hands. He squeezes my hand.

 

Derek rolls his eyes and walks out. Me and West walk out after him.

 

Derek turns to look at me. “So I’m guessing you guys are going to go bathe in luxury while waiting for them to decide whether they want to save your brother? Your trusting complete strangers! What happens if they decide not to? Decide they want to work with Satan instead? Anne. Are you even thinking?”

 

I let go of West hand. “Yes I am thinking Derek! I’m thinking I have to at least try something to save my brother. Did you think of a plan for the month I was in a coma?”

 

He glares at me. “How could I when all I got from your boyfriend was him blaming himself? When I couldn’t get your opinion? Or the fact that I might have actually been worried the whole time you were in a coma? Not everything is about you Anne!”

 

I jab my finger into his chest. “You think I make everything about me? I don’t. You think that I don’t know the risk of trusting people I have never met? I do. But unlike you I’m willing to risk it if it gives me the chance to save my brother. If I had it my way I wouldn’t be here! I would have taken his place! I would have killed myself if it meant my brother would be safe. He’s the only person I have left that I care about. I’m here not for me. I learned that in my coma. It’s not about me. I’m here to save people. You could think before you open that hole you call a mouth.”

 

He shoves me. “Ever since I met you, you have been nothing but trouble. Life was so much less complicated without you in it. All my life so far has been about saving your ass because YOU don’t think. You jump in without testing the water. Maybe all of this is happening because you exist. Maybe if you did die the world would be better off.” He turns and starts to walk away.

 

West starts to walk toward him but I put a hand to his chest. “Go home. I’ll be right behind you.” I say.

 

He gives me a look of conflict. I glare at him. “Now. I’m not in the mood for you to be over caring right now.” He sighs and I can tell he doesn’t want to leave me. He spreads his wings and takes off.

 

Once he’s out of view I start running not able to hide the pain any more. It may have come from Derek but it still felt like a knife slicing me. I change into my cougar and continue to run. The smell of freshly cut meat hits my nose exciting my cougar but confusing me.  I follow the smell cautiously.

 

I find a neatly cut piece of meat. Cut and skinned to cleanly to be animal. I look around and listen carefully. I feel eyes on me somewhere. I sniff the air and smell a human it’s faint as if they scent is being covered by something. I catch sight of something in the bushes and my ears flatten. I let out a growl. There’s no movement so I go closer slowly. That’s when I hear a heart beating rapidly. I extend my claws.

 

I hear slight movement in the bushes and A guy comes up from the bushes with a tranq gun pointed at me. I look at the gun and crouch. The guy smiles. “Bet you would be worth a lot alive.”

 

His finger moves to the trigger and I know I have only seconds to stop him. I lunge and he pulls the trigger. I don’t have enough time to doge and a dart sinks into my skin. In my head I’m cursing. I land on top of him and knock the gun from his hands. I feel myself starting to get drowsy. What Derek said came into my head. “Maybe the world would be better off if you didn’t exist.”

 

Maybe he’s right. I get off the man feeling the tranq kicking in. My legs collapse and I don’t fight it. My cougar whimpers trying to encourage me to fight. I close my eyes and let darkness once again take control of me.

Chapter 5

Derek’s POV

 

I kick a tree in frustration. Why can’t Anne just stop and think for a second? She is so uuggh.

 

I sigh and and flop down on the ground leaning against the tree. The smell of a fresh kill hitting my nose. Stupid hunters. They have to choose this forest to hunt. I close my eyes and try to come myself down.  I take deep breaths and finally relax when I hear a growl a little ways away. I open my eyes and look around. I don’t see anything and shrug.

 

Another growl comes and I turn my head in the direction of the noise. The sound of a gunshot rings in my ears. Curious to what the hunter had caught I walk toward the sound. The smell of meat gets stronger and I know I’m going in the right direction. I see a man get up and a big clump of fur next to him. I see the look of triumph in his eyes. The color of the fur is familiar.

 

Wait. That’s cougar fur. I watch the clump of fur move up and down and realise he just used a tranq dart. I step out and look at cougar. The scent comes off as familiar. The man catches sight of me and he picks up his gun. I put my hands up. “I’m not here to take your prize I heard a gunshot and was curious.”

 

He throws the gun over his shoulder. “Well she’s a big one. If you help me drag her to my truck I’ll pay ya.”

 

She? My mind drifts to Anne but I shake my head. She wouldn’t have come after me. She’s probably with her boyfriend enjoying herself. I can’t help but question myself. “Ok I’ll help.” I go toward the big ball of fur and stop when I notice a very familiar bow and arrow on the ground. I curse in my head.  

 

I use my speed and get behind the guy. I hit him hard on top of the head easily knocking him out. I go to Anne and try to wake her up.

 

“Anne.” I shake her. I hear her even breathing. I shake her again and she slowly starts to stir. I watch her eyes slowly start to open. She sees me and her eyes close again. She turns back to human form her eyes still come. “Come here to say I told you so? Gloat?” she asks defeat in her voice.

 

I flinch realising that I had gone to far. I open my mouth to speak but she covers it with her hand. “I’ll find another way to die. Don’t worry. The world will be rid of me.” She says then gets up she sways slightly and I put my hands up to steady her. She starts walking away before I even have the chance.

 

I follow her. “Anne. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. I was just angry. People say things when there angry.”

 

She stops and turns to me. “People tend to let out how they truly feel when they are angry. That was the truth. I have been causing nothing but problems. I am a magnet for trouble. Destroy the magnet and the trouble will go away.” I see in her eyes that she’s given up. For some reason it makes me angry.

 

“So your just going to give up just like that? After everything you’ve been put through everything you have accomplished?” I ask.

 

She lets out an emotionless laugh. “Accomplished? I have accomplished getting my father killed and my brother taken away. I have accomplished being stupid and getting myself kidnapped more than 3 times. I have accomplished almost hurting my mate.” She turns away.

 

I grab her and push her up against a tree facing me. “You can’t give up when things get rough Anne. You can’t give up because someone told you too.”

 

She glares at me. “And why not?” She pushes me away. I push her back against the tree.

 

“Because you wouldn’t just be hurting yourself. Think about your brother. West.” I say she shoves me again and I hear the ripping sound of her wings. I wait for her to start glowing but she doesn’t.

 

“They would be better off with me gone.” She says her eyes tinged silver.

 

I look to her wings and star at them in horrified shock. They are no longer a brilliant white. They’ve turned a muky grey. Like a rain cloud right before it pours. She sees the expression on my face. “What?”

 

I can’t speak so I just point. She looks at her wings and I hear her breath catch in her throat. She moves them around and closer inspect them. “H-h how?”

 

“Your letting the darkness win. Anne you’ve got to fight it.” I say stepping toward her.

 

She looks at me tears in her eyes. “But I can’t.” her voice comes out as a whisper.

 

My eyes soften. “Yes you can. All you have to do is not give up. I haven’t given up on you.” I move her wings and move closer to her.

 

“You said the world would be better off if I was dead.” a tear slips from her eyes.

 

“I never meant it. The world would be boring without you here. There hasn’t been this much excitement for a while.” I say smiling.

 

Her wings brighten to a very light grey then go almost black. “Your just saying that because you feel bad for hurting my feelings. I don’t want anymore lies. I want the truth.” She backs up, “And the truth is the ones I let close to me always pay the price. It’s better if I leave so no one else can get hurt.”

 

Her hair turns black and her eyes glow silver. We both hear wing beats and turn our attention to the sound. I see West looking around and he catches sight of us. His eyes look at Anne but I know he doesn’t recognise her. She backs up. “West, I’m leaving. I can’t keep hurting the people I love.”

 

He gasps and takes a step back. “Anne? What happened?” he turns to me and glares, “What the hell did you do?”

 

She sighs. “West it’s not his fault. He just helped me realise that you and my brother are better off without me.”

 

He turns to her angrily. “What happened to saving him? You want him to just sit there?”

 

She glares. “Of course not. I want my brother safe more than anything. You don’t understand. I’ve got to go. I need some time to think.” She walks away. Her almost black wings twitching.

 

“Anne. Don’t give up.” West pleads.

 

She keeps walking away not looking back.

 

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 23.02.2018

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To those who have lost a loved one