Page 52 of The Kill

“Why, Tyson? They’re still going to kill me. The only thing I ever wanted was to keep Noah safe.”

Climbing awkwardly to my feet, I run at Tyson, rage fuelling me as I hit him as hard as I can, pounding his chest, over and over again, as fear floods my body with adrenaline. He lets me, making no effort to defend himself from my blows. As I tire, I wilt, slumping against him, still whacking his chest, but softer as grief washes over me.

I’ve lost my mate before I had him, because there’s no coming back from this.

Big, fat tears flow freely down my face as I cry against him, gut-wrenching sobs racking my body. The last sixteen years on the run were for nothing. My own stupid desire to live a normal life within a pack, to have a happy mating, got us caught.

“Shh, Mandy. It’s going to be okay.” Tyson’s voice soothes me, my body taking comfort from being close to him. In itself, that just makes me furious. He’s my mate. He should be protecting me, us. When his hand brushes against my hair, I flinch.

“No! Don’t you dare touch me!” I shout, pushing away from him, hands balled into fists at my side. “It’s not going to be okay. I hate you.” Turning to Wilson, I swipe at my tears with my filthy hands and lift my chin defiantly. “Take me with you to get him. If you’re bringing Noah back to the pack, take me with you, and let me say goodbye before you kill me. Noah will come willingly if you have me.”

Wilson’s twisted smile tells me he likes the idea of torturing both me and Noah with an emotional goodbye. Maybe it would be kinder to Noah to have Wilson kill me now so he won’t have to witness it, but I need to see him. To apologise and make sure he knows it’s not his fault.

“As you wish.” Wilson steps back and gestures for me to lead the way. I ran here once, terrified I wouldn’t get away. Never did I think I’d voluntarily go back. Except it’s no longer home. Tyson was my new home, but now I can’t even bear to look at him. I keep my head down as I pass, feeling like a broken woman.

At least I know Blake won’t rest until he works out what happened to us. We’re part of his family, and he looks after those under his leadership. Blake and Tyson may have their differences, but Blake understands the mate bond. Tyson would never kill me. The truth will come out eventually, and Blake will get Noah back. Matt and Max and Raiden will take him in, and he’ll have a good life. Even if it is without me.

“Mandy…” Tyson pleads, his hand flashing out to grab my wrist. “Look at me. Please.”

I know what’s going to happen as soon as I walk away, leaving Tyson with Weston and Wilson’s three remaining warriors. He’s going to meet the same fate as me. Weston is a far stronger male than Wilson, still in his prime, and he can’t allow Tyson to live knowing what he does about Jenna.

“I can’t believe you did this…” I let the hurt shine in my eyes as I face him, squaring my shoulders and standing tall, pretending to have more courage than I feel. “We could have run. Or you could have brought me here…”

Looking around at the warriors, that wasn’t realistically an option, either.

My brain sputters out, unable to see any scenario where we didn’t end up here at some point: both dead.

“I am yours Mandy. And Noah’s. I would never hurt you.”

Is he for real? He couldn’t have hurt me more if he’d tried. It’s not his fault Weston captured me, but he should know a mother would gladly die to keep her child safe.

“I love you,” he whispers, and my hard heart cracks a little, because he means it. Even if he has a fucked-up way of showing it.

Maybe this was always meant to be brief, a quick spark of happiness before we both left this earth. Smiling, I squeeze his hand once and let go. “Goodbye, Tyson.”

Tyson growls, eyes wild, his gaze suddenly locking onto mine, and his expression morphing into one of perfect calm.

“Listen.”

That’s it? That’s all he has to say?

I frown at him, wondering what he’s waiting for. The switch in his demeanour has me paying attention, though, so I do tune in to the noises around us. Or rather, to the deafening silence.

I can’t even hear the three warriors who trekked off in search of Noah. There’s nothing but the deathly quiet of a forest that’s holding its breath, waiting to see what happens.

My heart leaps when Tyson nods, lips pressed firmly together, no sign of any emotion on his face. It’s such a tiny movement, but I know what it means: get ready. Through our fragile bond, I feel his composed confidence.

He has a plan. This is all part of a plan.

“Let’s go,” Wilson snaps, yanking my arm and pulling me away.

Growling at him, my anger builds, ready to attack as soon as the opportunity presents itself. I’ll need the element of surprise, but it’s amazing how dangerous an angry mother can become. And this man has really pissed me off.

The wind picks up, leaves rustling in the trees, making it hard to hear or scent anything. All seven of us turn in circles, looking into the surrounding forest to see what’s going on.

Just as suddenly, the wind dies again, and a loud snap to one side has us all pivoting to see what it is.

Gasping, I press a hand to my chest as I see the one person who can help us. Tyson nods, like he’s right on time.

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