Chapter Twenty-Three

“I actually wanted to be chosen for the Running. I’d heard stories about how the shifters treated their women. I wanted to be cherished like that. I’d known nothing but hate and abuse growing up. My parents were alcoholics and would rather spend money on alcohol than food. I had two younger brothers and basically raised them myself. Both of my parents hit me when they were awake. Most of the time they were passed out on the couch when I got home from school. I cooked the meals, and bought the supplies. I worked my ass off at school and my job at the local restaurant. I made a lot in tips because I was good at my job. I’d stash it at the house.

“One day I came home to find my room turned upside down and all the money I’d been saving gone. My mom had been sober enough to realize that I was making money and providing for the family. She stole every last dime I had. I was furious. I confronted her about it, demanding that she give it back. She just laughed and told me she’d already spent it. I went through her purse and found a receipt for a shit-ton of alcohol. She hadn’t been lying.”

“That’s awful,” Blythe moved closer, placing her hand on Shannon’s shoulder. Shannon let her do it, needing the comfort even if she didn’t want to accept it.

“I didn’t even know about the letter until I cleaned up the kitchen and found it on the counter. It hadn’t even been opened. I opened it and felt like it was a godsend. But then I remembered my little brothers. Who was going to take care of them? I started to panic. I went to the authorities and they got social workers involved. Luckily, my brothers were able to stay together when they took them away from my parents. I didn’t have that long until the Running so I stayed with them until then. I had all my stuff packed and was ready to leave them forever and they didn’t even know it. They were both drunk on the couch. I gave all my savings to my brothers and told them goodbye.”

“I’m so glad that they got away from your parents. I’m surprised they didn’t go to jail.”

“Me, too,” Shannon sighed. “Oh well. My brothers will have a decent life and I thought I would too. Looks like some of us are always meant to suffer. Nothing good ever comes my way. I’m scared to death that having this baby will be my death. Leo will probably attack the baby and I’ll have to throw myself between them every time. I don’t know how much this body can take, but it may not be enough.”

“We need to get you away from here,” Blythe got off the bed and walked around to face Shannon. “You can’t stay with him.”

“I’m safe now.”

“But what if he starts hitting you again? He could kill the baby.”

“No,” Shannon snarled, the first signs of her animal coming through. “No one will hurt my baby. This will be the only person alive that truly cares for me and needs me.”

“I care for you,” Blythe murmured but Shannon didn’t seem to hear.

“He’ll kill me if I leave. He’ll come after you for helping me.”

“I don’t care about that! Killian will protect both of us!”

“No one will believe me! I have no proof!” Shannon was shaking.

“Come on! We need to leave now. You can do this! Leave your stuff here! I’ll have Killian or Seth come with us to get it later,” Blythe encouraged. She tugged on Shannon’s hand.

Shannon looked up with tears in her eyes. “I don’t think I can!”

“He won’t hurt me!”

“He will kill you,” Shannon shook her head. “I can’t let that happen.”

“Then let’s hurry and leave before he gets here.”

“I can’t!”

“Shannon, you can! Think of your baby! You have to protect it. You can do this,” Blythe pressed.

Shannon closed her eyes and clenched her fists. “Fine. Let’s go.”

“Hurry,” Blythe pulled her to her feet. Shannon looked around the room.

“He’ll see the dishes. And smell you in the room.”

“Forget about that. If we get to Killian, then we’ll both be fine. Let’s go before he gets here,” Blythe moved toward the door. Shannon reluctantly followed. She knew they were making a mistake.

Blythe turned to make sure Shannon was following and then opened the door. “You ready?”

“Ready for what?” Leo’s voice startled both of them and caused Blythe to shriek. She looked up at Leo’s angry face and took a step back. Shannon grabbed her arm and jerked her behind her.

“Hi, honey. You’re home early,” Shannon smiled. Blythe could tell it was fake and wondered what they were going to do. She hadn’t expected Leo to be on the other side of the door.

Leo pushed his way into the room and shut the door behind him, locking it. He growled and crossed his arms over his chest. “What the fuck is going on here? Why are you here?” he asked Blythe.

“I brought Shannon some late lunch. I figured she was probably bored and I hadn’t eaten myself.”

“Where were you going?” Leo demanded to know.

“We were going to see Seth. He asked for me to bring Shannon there. He wants to check her over and check on the baby,” Blythe smiled. Her heart was racing and she wondered if he could tell she was lying.

“Liar! Tell me the truth! What’s going on here?” Leo took a step forward, flashing his fangs. Blythe gasped and placed her hand over her heart. Shannon’s hands went out and she stepped between them.

“Leo, honey, calm down.”

“Don’t you dare tell me what to do,” Leo snapped. His hand moved too fast for Blythe to keep track of. Shannon gasped and then fell to the side, cupping her face. She looked up at Leo with tears in her eyes.

“Don’t hit her! She’s pregnant,” Blythe yelled. “You monster!”

“How dare you,” Leo ran forward. He backhanded Blythe, sending her flying and slamming into the wall. Shannon jumped to her feet and placed herself between them once more.

“Leo, stop this! Let her leave,” Shannon begged. Leo turned from Blythe and grabbed Shannon by the throat. He lifted her off the ground and growled in her face. Then he threw her on the bed and turned back to Blythe. Blythe was getting to her feet, holding her burning cheek.

Leo growled and lashed out with claws. Blythe’s eyes widened as they hit her in the arm and spun her around. She crumpled to the ground again, blood running down her arm. She stared in horror at the gash made by Leo’s claws and looked up in time to see his other hand coming toward her. This time he caught her on the opposite cheek. She screamed as pain ripped through her.

Blythe felt tears in her eyes and then spilling over onto her cheeks. Her cheek was throbbing from the trauma and the salt from her tears burned. She tried to move, but it was impossible. Leo brought his leg back and then his boot was slamming into her nose. She heard it break and then blood gushed out. She screamed in pain and heard Shannon echo her scream.

“Blythe!”

A kick to her stomach had the breath leaving her. Another kick sent her rolling over and over. A weight settled on her back and then her hair was jerked and her head flew backward. She cried out, her mouth filling with blood from her nose. A fist pummeled her cheek and then her eyes. Pain was all she knew as her face fell to the ground once Leo released her hair. She felt her face hit the ground and then knew nothing else.

***

Shannon screamed Blythe’s name and then jumped to her feet. She was no match for Leo. She knew that she honestly couldn’t beat him. The only thing to do to save Blythe was to get help. She had to find Killian.

She ran toward her door, wondering if Leo would see her. Apparently, he was too busy beating Blythe to a pulp to notice. Shannon’s heart ached and every instinct she had said to stay and save Blythe. She fought them, throwing the door open and running into the hall.

“Help me! Someone help me, please!” Shannon screamed. The hall seemed to be empty. Where was everyone? “Killian! Seth! Someone!”

A door opened and a sleepy shirtless guy opened it.

“What are you screaming about?” His voice was deep and husky from sleep.

“Please help me! He’s going to kill her! He’s killing her,” Shannon screamed, grabbing his hand and jerking him out into the hallway. He seemed to come awake all at once.

“Who? Where?”

Shannon turned and fled back toward her room. She only hoped that he was really following. She came to a jerking halt in her room. She covered her mouth with her hands and screamed. The sound had Leo turning toward her. He was splattered with blood. It coated his face, his arms, and dripped from his hands.

“What?” The sleepy man came flying in behind her and then roared as he took in the scene. He threw himself at Leo, taking the man to the ground. They fought, but all Shannon could see was Blythe’s motionless form lying on the ground. She turned from the sight, knowing she needed to find Seth. Tears flowed from her eyes and she fought off the sobs that threatened to send her to her knees. She moved quickly down the hallway, hoping to run into Killian or Seth.

“Shannon? What’s wrong?” She turned, catching Seth coming out of a room. She threw herself into his arms and sobbed.

“It’s Blythe! She’s dead! Leo killed her! It’s all my fault!”

“What?” Killian’s paralyzed voice hit her ears. She looked over Seth’s shoulder to find Killian standing there.

“Go. They’re in my room,” Shannon pointed back down the hall. “Seth, they need you.”

“Stay here. Lock the door and don’t leave. Don’t open the door unless it’s me or Killian.”

Shannon nodded and watched them race back down the hall. A guard came out of the cafeteria and shouted at them to slow down. Shannon saw him look at her and she quickly locked herself in the room. She leaned against it, sinking to the floor and letting the tears come and the sobs rack her body. She’d killed her only friend. She was a monster.

***

Killian dropped to his knees in the doorway. He could see his mate lying motionless on the floor. Blood was everywhere. It filled his senses and it was all his eyes could see. His beautiful mate. Leo would die for this!

With a snarl, Killian shifted into his tiger form. He jumped into the fight, pushing the innocent guy out of the way. He clawed Leo’s chest and went for his throat. Leo jerked away and shifted into his own lean form. He was solid black like his hair. His panther form was no match for the tiger though. They went at it ferociously. They had no sense of when to stop or hold back. This was life or death. Nothing would stop Killian from ending Leo’s life.

“Killian!” that voice sounded familiar.

Killian dodged a blow to the face, nipping Leo’s leg. Leo hissed and jerked free.

“Killian, stop!”

Who was talking? Who dared interfere in this fight?

“Blythe needs you.”

The world seemed to come to a halt. If she needed him, she was still alive, right? He stopped, freezing in mid-motion. Leo took advantage, going for his throat. But then someone else was there. A lion met Leo and tackled him to the ground.

Killian shifted, crawling toward Seth and Blythe.

“Is she…” he couldn’t finish.

“She’s still alive but she needs you to turn her right now. I’m not kidding, Killian. Right now. No thinking it over. Bite her,” Seth commanded.

He could only barely make out the sound of her heart as it thumped in her chest. Then it stopped and Killian tilted his head back and screamed. “Blythe!”

“Wait! Killian, she’s still alive,” Seth’s voice sounded excited. Killian quieted and listened. Sure enough her heart beat again and then again.

Killian did as his brother commanded. He sunk his fangs into his mate’s neck, trying not to pay attention to the bloody mess that was supposed to be her face. His fangs found the mark he’d given her that first day and he let the venom flow into her blood. He hoped he wasn’t too late. His mate had to survive.

“That’s enough.”

“Is she going to make it?” Killian asked as he pulled back.

“We need to get her to the infirmary. We can wash this blood off and check her over,” Seth informed him.

“I’ve got her,” Killian whispered. He knew that moving her was going to hurt her. He couldn’t believe that she was still alive. She looked worse than he’d ever been. He slid his arms under her legs and then behind her shoulders. He lifted her up and she winced, though she made no sound.

They walked down the hall and past the guards who looked like they wanted to throw up. Killian passed one that he knew and the man’s eyes widened. Then he gripped the wall and covered his mouth.

“Who is that?” he asked. “What’s going on?”

“It’s Blythe,” Killian told him, not stopping.

“Blythe?” the guard followed.

“Yes.”

“Who did this to her?” Derek growled. “Where’s the bastard at? We’ll put him down.”

“He will be dealt with. This doesn’t concern you.”

“This is my floor,” Derek snapped. “Who did it?”

“Back off,” Killian snapped, flashing his fangs. Derek stopped following them and let Killian carry Blythe off. Killian pushed through the doors that led into the infirmary and went straight to one of the clean beds. He set Blythe down as gently as he could and turned to Seth. He had no idea what to do and felt completely helpless.

“Grab some towels and put some warm water in a container. We’re going to wash the blood off as much we can. If the transition takes root, we’ll see most of her wounds start healing almost immediately,” Seth informed him.

Killian turned to grab towels out of one of the cabinets and then put some warm water in a container. He tossed the towels over his shoulder and carefully carried the container over to the bedside table Seth had pulled over. He saw Seth grab a towel and growled at him, shoving his brother backward and away from Blythe.

“Don’t touch her,” he snarled, his tiger riding him hard. He had to do this on his own. Seth studied him in shock and then seemed to realize what was going on. He nodded and moved to sit on the bed next to him. He would be there if Killian or Blythe needed him. He averted his eyes as Killian pulled off her bloodstained clothes.

Killian looked around for somewhere to put the clothes, but saw Seth get up and come toward him. “Let me take those,” Seth coaxed. Killian handed him the clothes. Dipping the towel into the water, he began cleaning his mate off.

***

Shannon was scared. Where was everyone? She paced the room, glancing constantly at the door. Had they forgotten her? Was Blythe okay? Surely she was dead. She’d been turned into a bloody pulp.

Trying to push the image out of her mind, Shannon couldn’t help but feel responsible. Blythe had begged her to leave and she should’ve said no. But what if that happened to her? What if something else she’d done finally snapped Leo and he attacked her like he did Blythe? She’d be dead and so would her baby. At least she’d been there and had been able to go get help.

A knock sounded on the door. Shannon swallowed.

“Who is it?” she called softly, knowing shifter ears would pick it up.

“Open up, female,” a stranger’s voice called. Yet it sounded familiar. Who was it?

“Who are you?” Shannon replied.

“Open this door. You have some explaining to do,” the male growled. Then Shannon placed his voice. This was the man that attacked Leo. He’d been the sleepy one she’d woken up. Could she trust him?

“What do you want?”

“I need some answers. I’m a member of the Council. Open the door, female,” he growled back. Did this man ever talk normal? Or was his only voice a growl?

“Is my friend alive?”

“She was when they carried her out of the room. Now it’s up for the transition to flow through her and save her life. If she accepts it, then she’ll live. If she fights it, she’ll die.”

“I’m not supposed to open the door unless it’s Seth or Killian,” Shannon admitted, a sense of relief and hope flowing through her. Maybe Blythe wasn’t dead.

“I said open the fucking door!” a fist slammed against the door, causing Shannon to cry out and back up.

“Is my mate dead?”

Silence met her question. Had he left?

“He… He was your mate?” the man asked.

“Yes. Unfortunately. I’ve looked like Blythe a couple of times. Last time he had to bite me to heal me. Just as Killian must have done to Blythe,” Shannon told him. Why she was telling a complete stranger her story, she didn’t know. But he did work for the Council and could possibly get her a new mate, or out of this place. The last thing she wanted was a mate right now, though.

“Open up. We need to talk. Leo is still alive and locked up as we speak. He can’t hurt you. But I need to talk to you. Please open the door,” the man sighed.

Shannon stared at the door. Should she do it? Should she open the door? She took a step forward and reached her hand out. Then she lowered it. “How can I trust you?”

“I protected you and your friend. If I meant you harm, would I have done that?” he replied reasonably. Shannon shrugged. He had a point. Wiping her eyes, she reached forward and rested her hand on the door. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door.