Page 28 of Bond & Protect

‘I love Mila as well,’ Sydney gasps in his head. I can almost hear the joy now riding on his thoughts. ‘Oh my God, I love her so much. So freaking much.’

It takes Elias a few minutes to join us. I think he’s struggling to say this because he’s trying to focus. But we might as well focus on the woman who gives us so much to fight for. On the woman who unites us more than anything else in the world.

‘Yes, I love her.’ Elias nods to himself. ‘I love Mila. I want to get back to her. I want the world to be safe for her. I can’t stand this anymore. I really can’t.’

Together we keep pushing forwards, now with a much more determined attitude. I won’t let this fucking monster take any more of this joy from me. Fuck that!

I sense it. It’s coming much closer now. We’re really getting there. I can feel it a long time before I see it, but as soon as I do, the joy almost whips out of me right away. I try my absolute hardest to cling to my memories of Mila, but it isn’t easy.

Much as I don’t want her here in danger, I think it would be easier to remain happier as I stare at her––to recall everything we’ve been through with her in my eye line.

Just as we planned, we circle around the monster, growling and baring teeth at that asshole. We want him to know first and foremost, that we’re all in this together. Unity shrouds us. If that’s what it takes to take this bastard down, then that’s what we will do.

‘It’s time for you to go back to where you belong.’ Elias announces. We don’t know if the monster can hear our special method of communication, but we’re going to give it a try. ‘You can’t be here anymore. You aren’t welcome here. None of this flesh is for you…’

The monster turns to face Elias, blocking the rest of us out. Fear rushes over me like a powerful wave. I can hardly gather myself up to remain on my feet, but I have to. I need to, for everyone.

‘Pack alpha,’ the monster communicates. Although I can hear the words, me, Sydney, and Liam are kinda blocked out from this. It’s like we’re watching something on the cinema screen. We can’t actually interfere with the action. ‘Pfft, you call yourself an alpha. You are pathetic, Elias. You are utterly ridiculous. Weak, pitiful. Do you not see how the others look at you? None of them have any respect for you. You’re the worst alpha your pack has ever had.’

No, I don’t like this. All I want to do is scream out to let Elias know that isn’t the truth. We all respect him, love him, and want him to be our alpha forever. But there’s something blocking my thoughts. I can’t communicate them however hard I try. It seems like Liam and Sydney are struggling in the same way. We’re being divided. Our unity is being rocked.

‘You should crawl back into the hole that you came from,’ the monster continues to Elias. ‘You are worthless. I can’t even stand to look at you. It’s gross. I’m surprised you have ever made a woman look your way. Everything about you is hideous, Elias.’

Elias sinks down a little. The words are affecting him, stealing the joy from him. We were all prepared for the possibility of having flesh wounds, but I don’t think we were ready for this. This emotional manipulation is killer. I don’t know how we can even fight it.

Every time I open my mouth wide, no sound comes out. I’m stuck in a trap. It’s horrible.

‘Sydney’. Now that Elias’s knees are buckled, the monster twists around to focus on another one of us. Elias isn’t quite on the floor yet, but he isn’t far. He’s been weakened for sure, which sucks especially if it’s going to do this to all of us. ‘You think you have chosen to be quieter and more logical. You assume that’s your choice. That everything is your choice, but that isn’t the case. That hasn’t ever been the case, for your whole life’.

How does it know so much about us? I try to catch Liam’s attention, to see if we can do anything to make this stop. I don’t want to be attacked like this. I’m scared. Much as I’d love to think I can stand up against this beast, I don’t know if I can.

I don't stand a chance if Elias is as weak as he looks. But Liam is too focused on the monster. I can almost sense his deeply empathic nature, struggling with this more than the rest of us. He needs help as well. What the hell can I do? How can I help?

‘But you are a pushover, and that’s who Elias has molded you to be. He has always overpowered you, and made you look small and stupid. He’s always stepped on you and made you feel stupid for your ideas. You know this, deep in your core, you know this.’

No, that isn’t right. There’s no way. Elias loves us all. He is a great alpha. Sydney knows this. He isn’t going to be fooled by this, is he? There’s no way. Sydney is stronger than that.

‘The others in your pack all know about this as well, Sydney, which is why they laugh at you behind your back. The pack elders as well. Everyone thinks of you as an embarrassment. They want you out of the pack, but they feel too sorry for you to actually do it. It’s all pity.’

I shake my head vigorously because I can’t communicate with words any longer, but Sydney isn’t looking my way. I don’t think he can take his eyes off the creature.

‘You humiliated yourself with Mila as well. Admitting that you were a virgin made her laugh. She thinks it’s the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to another person. She was humoring you. Having sex with you was the worst experience of her life. You know that. You felt it. At the time, you could see that she wasn’t enjoying herself because you are no good.’

A tear pricks in the corner of Sydney’s eye. I can see the monster is convincing him that he is speaking the truth. I need to be ready for this to happen to me. I need to be strong and remain in control of my faculties. I won’t let this monster beat me. I have time now. I can prepare myself. I can get ready for what’s going to come my way.

Sydney falls. He collapses on the ground, trying his hardest to get back up, but it seems like he can’t do it. However hard he tries, he can’t quite get up. It’s like trying to watch a baby deer trying to get to its feet all the time. I feel nothing but sadness as I watch him from a distance and I can’t help. I’m starting to think that circling this creature rather than us all standing together was a bad plan. We should have shown unity in every single way, but I can’t change it now. I can’t.

‘Liam… always on the outside, aren’t you, Liam?’ Liam hangs his head low, sinking a little. He’s already been hurt by this, he already hates it, this isn’t going to end well… ‘You haven’t ever been invited in, have you? But you can’t change that because you always want to be at the hospital as well. Helping others… or so you think. You’ve probably caused more damage than you’ve actually helped because you aren’t very good at your job. Just because your wolf nose is good at picking up the scent of diseases doesn’t mean anyone wants you there.’

As the monster continues to talk to Liam, I struggle with all the strength I have to fight against the beast. I thrash and writhe, trying to break free of the wraps around me. They’re invisible though, and so strong… I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I don’t know how to break free.

I have to stop this though. I can’t handle it any longer. I can’t let them take down Liam as well. If I lose Liam, then I really will be all by myself. I’ll be the only one left.

‘Fuck you!’ Wow, Liam has broken free a little too. He’s managed to get his voice. I didn’t know that was possible. ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about…’

The monster lunges towards Liam, knocking him down. A gash appears across Liam’s face, with blood pouring out of it. I didn’t even see the bastard hitting Liam, but he’s hurt him nonetheless. A bit like he hurt me as well a little while ago. I know Liam must be in agony.

The only positive thing that comes out of this is that the monster is so focused on Liam and isn’t thinking about me anymore. The binds around me loosen a little, allowing me to charge. I fight the monster furiously, giving the beast my all. Unfortunately, it only takes one swipe for the monster to knock me sideways. I hit the floor really hard, almost knocking myself out, but I blink rapidly, trying not to collapse completely. I think I’m the only one left… I can’t be knocked out. If I lose myself here, then we will all lose ourselves. The fight is over and I don’t know what will happen. This is our best chance to get the monster back through The Rift.

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