I tried to tell myself what I was doing was for the pack but truthfully it was completely selfish. When I realised that she had hurt him I ran to him. I felt it the fear. What if next time was worse. She was trained her whole life to kill. When she first came back as Raine I'd snuck into the records room. I had to see what kind of person she really was. What I saw was horrible, it had everything she had done. All the blood she had spilled, the lives she had taken. I couldn't let her hurt my pack. They had taken me in given me a family again. I couldn't take the chance that she would take that away from me.
So I decided I'd make her leave our pack alone. I didn't know if it would work and I knew it was a risk. She would most likely kill me but I had to do it. If Slo continued to try save her it would only be a matter of time before she killed him. I couldn't let that happen not after we were finally together. So when her teeth pierced my skin I was prepared to die. If it meant everyone else would be safe, that he would be safe I would gladly give my own life.
I closed my eyes waiting for death to take me, but it never came. Instead I heard a voice, it was kind, gentle.
"Cora I'm sorry but this was the only way."
"Kandra?"
There was only darkness and it was like time stood still.
"Yes and no. I am Kandra and I am Raine."
"But I don't understand."
"There's not much time. Listen tell me what forms you wish to keep and I will protect them. I won't let her take your powers completely but you must hurry."
I told her what forms I use the most. Suddenly a light broke through the darkness. As the light died down I saw a locked box as Kandra appeared in the same blue dress she had worn the day she was taken. She offered me the gold box, my own form materialising to take it from her.
"This box will keep them safe."
There was sadness in her eyes as she covered my hands with hers.
"Tell Slo not to follow me he can not save me. Driak has trapped me inside Raines mind. The impulse to hate is too strong he'll only be killed if he tries to stop me."
Suddenly she grabbed at her head screaming in pain.
"Kandra!"
She started to disappear.
"Promise me, promise me you'll keep them safe?!"
I tried to grab her hand but it just passed right through. The fear in her eyes was impossible to describe. Panicked she asked again.
"Cora please promise me!"
I nodded holding onto the box my fingers going white from the pain I saw in her.
"I promise."
She sighed relaxing her body almost completely gone.
"Tell Vericus my curse was never his to bare."
Her words were a whisper as she disappeared completely. I sank to my knees tears in my eyes. What had I done? I saw a glimpse of what Slo saw when he befriended Kandra. Kandra was just a manifestation of Raine, Kandra was Raine without the hate that turned her into a monster. I see it now, I understand what Slo saw when he looked at Raine. Someone who needed saving yet would never ask for it. Especially if it meant those she cared about got hurt.
I could never hope to be like her. I only did what I did out of my own selfishness. Didn't even consider what Raine was going through or had gone through to become what she was. I was acting like a child. Jealous of Raine and of Kandra. Jealous that Slo cared so much to help her. I heard Slos words that he would kill her. I couldn't let him do it. I felt him start to go after her and I had to stop him had to keep my promise.
I grabbed him just in time, telling him everything. What I'd done and what I'd seen when Raine attacked me. All of them listened without a word til I was finished.
"Her curse?"
Slo was the first one to break the silence.
"What curse is she taking about?"
I shrugged.
"She didn't say but you have to let her go. She made me promise. It sounded like she was going to do something that she might not survive."
"She's going after Driak."
All of us turned towards Owen.
"Why would she do that? even as strong as she is he's immortal."
Owens eyes met Slos a sadness in them worse then I've ever seen.
"After everything he's down to her her hatred for him trumps everything else. It's likely she believes since he raised her she has the only chance of defeating him."
"She knows she can't win I think that's why she said not to follow her."
Slo wrapped his arms around me pulling me close. I could feel his indecision. He was at a loss for what to do. Why did Vericus have to run off? He was the king not Slo he shouldn't have to bare this burden.
"I'll go."
All eyes turned to Malix's.
"Malix-"
"Please Sloane you asked the lycans here for a reason. I'm the best tracker if anyone can find her it'll be me. I won't get close or engage but I can at least keep track of her movements until Vericus comes back. As his mate it's his decision what to do with her from this point."
Slo glanced at each of us only to rest back on Malix.
"Very well thank you Malix the red eye pack will provide what ever you need including a phone so that you can keep us updated."
Malix nodded as Owen stood to help him get ready. Roake stayed behind his eriee yellow eyes trained on us.
"Don't worry my son won't let you down."
Slo nodded watching him leave. Turning back to me his mouth crashing down on my lips. His kisses making their way to my neck.
"I'm sorry Slo I shouldn't have let her out I know that now."
His hands pulled me close as he stroked my hair.
"It's alright Cora you did what you thought was best. I'm not mad."
I clung to his bare skin the feel of it comforting but I knew he was just sparing me my feelings. Even so I was glad I could still hold him like this. When she first attacked me I thought I'd never feel his skin against me again.
"Come on let's get you to bed, you need some rest after what you've been through."
I nodded letting him carry me up to my room. Sitting me down on the bed he leaned in to give me a kiss. It was strange how fast we had gone from hiding our fated bond to openly expressing or love. Despite what had just happened I needed to feel him. To be with him if only to push away the ugly feelings that had lead me to release Raine in the first place.
He started to pull away but I stopped him.
"Stay."
His brow creased in concern.
"Cora you've been through a lot-"
"Please Slo I just want to forget. I just want to feel something good."
He smiled nodding. He hadn't put anything on yet since shifting form wolf so I could already tell that he was more then happy to comply. He slowly removed the much larger shirt that I'd thrown on downstairs. His mouth taking mine, I plunged my tongue in between his lips a low grow escaping his throat. His hand cupped my breast as he gently pushed me back till he was on top. Pulling away I saw that his eyes were glowing with desire making my core drip with anticipation. Dipping his head he kissed his slow way down my neck, across my collar bone til he reached the sensitive peak of my nipple.
I moaned as he sucked at the bud his tongue teasing. His hands moved to the hem of my pants pulling them off. Resuming his progress down he kissed his way to my thigh. His hands grabbing at my legs caressing firmly down the inside of my thighs. His kisses finally leading in between my legs to my waiting core that was waiting anxiously. The movement his tongue connected a purring moan over took me. My hand tangled in the sheets his tongue sending me wild. As his mouth worked my core his hand caressed it's way from my breast to my entrance. His fingers plunging inside me I gasped at the sensation. His tongue and fingers working in unison causing my back to arch in pleasure. I grabbed at his hair as I edged so close to the point of orgasm til finally I was thrown over the edge my legs feeling like jelly as shivers ran through me. Slo lifted his head smiling as my eyes started to close.
"Oh we're not done yet."
I giggled as he took my lips once more hand hand on his arousal as he guided his way to my still wet opening. He entered only the tip teasing me making me beg for more. I wanted him, wanted all of him. Nothing less would do. My eyes glowed as they sprang open.
"I want you now!"
He chuckled.
"As my lady demands."
He plunged inside me all the way to the hilt. I gasped a loud moan. My hips gyrating in time to his strokes. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he picked me up holding me in place as he plunged deeper inside me. The feel of my body stretching to accommodate him made me moan louder. His strokes quickened sending us on a whirlwind of pleasure and desire. His growl mixing with my moans as we both hit that all consuming chasm of pure bliss.
Both panting we fell to the bed both panting with our efforts as he held me close nuzzling into my neck.
This is exactly what I needed to feel him, my mate love. I could tell by the look in his eyes he felt the same. We stayed like that for awhile just him holding me in his arms.
Of course after awhile reality set in and Slo frowned.
"Im sorry Cora-"
"It's alright Slo I understand. Go I'll be fine."
He leaned in to kiss me on the forehead.
"Get some rest I'll come back later and we can have the night to ourselves."
I nodded watching him grab the pair of shear pants that I had just abandoned and head for the door. Looking back he smiled.
"I love you."
Propping myself up I smiled back.
"I love you too."
Then he was gone. Sighing I fell back on the bed. I hope Vericus comes back soon. Slo needed him. Well we all needed him to be honest, even Kandra. Well I guess I mean Raine since that's her real name. If anyone can save her it Vericus.