"Why are the Wolves approaching?" Yells AB.
"How am I supposed to know?"
"You're one of them," says Ace.
"I was no longer because of you guys."
" Wow, wow, Zare, what an attitude you got there," AB says with a laugh.
I hate these idiots. Soon Wolf's scent was all around me. I breathe it in. It brings me comfort, especially Chetan's scent. The closer they got, the more my body longed to be next to him. I know he feels this intense feeling. I know it's driving him nuts. I also know Ajay's using that to locate us.
I hear a growl. I know they have us surrounded. I also picked up a new scent. A new wolf.
"We need to talk, AB," I hear Ajay's deep, confident voice.
Finally, the wolves are in view. I want to rush toward Chetan and beg for forgiveness. I want him to take me home. Home with the wolf pack.
Chetan's eyes are fixated on me. He growls, revealing his teeth. He still hates me. I feel like crying.
"Friends, what brings you here today?" AB asks.
"We had an agreement, animals outside the forest and no creatures," Ajay yells.
"Sounds like you're blaming things on us," AB says.
"I know damn well you are responsible for the missing creatures," Ajay hisses.
"Maybe we are, or maybe we're not. If you're not going to do something about it, I suggest you leave," AB snarls.
"I will rip all of you to pieces," Ajay warns.
"If we what?" AB grins.
This now has become a game.
"Hurt another creature, most importantly one of my cubs," he says through his teeth.
"Your pack is safe, or is it?" AB snatched my arm, pulling me forcefully. Soon his hands are around my neck. His hands felt cold, but most importantly, they felt strong.
"I will snap her neck if you don't leave," AB declares.
I whimper in pain as he squeezes harder.
"Zare is yours now, and she's not mine to protect," Ajay says.
He doesn't seem alarmed. Maybe he stopped caring about me. I feel like I'm losing the people I care about most.
I start coughing, and the world starts to spin. I see a vast wolf leap in front of me. Crashing AB and myself onto the ground. AB loses his grip on my neck, and I find the strength to stand up. Chetan is on top of AB, foaming and growling at the mouth.
"Chetan, stand down. We don't want to fight," Ajay orders.
"Nice doggy," says AB, wiping the saliva on his face.
I stand in disbelief. Chetan doesn't hate me. I want to leave with the wolves so bad. I can't abandon Ash.
Chetan jumps off AB, changing into his human form. Chetan stands right in front of me. I want to rush right into his arms.
"I thought you hated me?"
"I do. I couldn't watch him hurt you. It was the mark mate's pull," he tells me.
I look down. "Thanks."
"And so was this," he says, bringing his lips to mine.
I kiss him sweetly. His scent and taste flow through me. Like I just took a puff of the most potent drug.
"Your lips are so cold," he tells me.
"I am sorry."
"Zare, come home. I know I've been angry lately, but I do love you," he tells me.
"I can't. I wish I could, but I can't."
"Why are you scared they will hurt you, because I won't let them," he says.
All the vampires start laughing.
"No, I'm scared of hurting the pack".
Chetan picks me up in his strong arms. "You're coming with me."
Ash lounges in front of him. "Zare is mine now. She stays here."
Vines start to form all over Ash's face. He snarls with his fangs revealed.
"Zare is coming with me. I am not leaving her here with you disgusting bloodsuckers anymore," Chetan yells.
"Have it your way," Ash says, rushing at lightning speed. He returns with Aanya, having her in a chokehold.
She screams and cries as he squeezes her throat. "Ash, stop," I yell.
This set off a strong reaction with Ajay. He leaps in front of us, growling, pacing back and forth in front of me.
"Chetan, give Zare back now," Ajay orders.
"No, Ajay," Chetan hisses.
"That is an order," Ajay yells.
Chetan sits me back down, and I rush to Ash. "Please, Ash."
Ash takes his hand off her neck. I watch Anaya run by Ajay.
"We can't just leave Zare anymore. I can't live without her, Ajay," Chetan says.
"Zare made her choice, and now she must live with it," Ajay replies.
"To protect us, I understand that now," Chetan argues.
"Then I release you from the pack. You can stay here, Zare," Ajay looks him in the eyes.
"Fine, I can't believe you're letting me live without my mark mate," Chetan says.
"There's only so much I can do," Ajay remarks.
"You don't know how bad this hurts," Chetan says.
"We will discuss this later, for right now, tell Zare bye," Ajay says, walking away.
Chetan moves towards me, and Ash hiss. " Ash, it's fine" I rub his arms.
"I will be back for you," Chetan tells me.
I nod. "It has to be this way."
"No, it doesn't," Chetan turns to leave. My heart hurts. It feels like it's been ripped out of my chest. I don't care about Ace or AB. But I feel torn between Ash and my pack.