Page 50 of Saving Lauren

I will cut them off at one of the first junctions, where I can easily sneak up after them and where they are not too close to help. First, I will kill the Sternotheri, as a trained fighter is the biggest threat and then, I think with a feral grin. Then I will end the Caudata.

When I arrive at the junction, I already smell the foul Sternotheri. I hide myself flat against the wall of the left hallway, knive unsheathed when I hear them coming through the right hall. They are chatting, boasting about the depraved things they did to one of the slaves and my anger rises. These aliens are filth, it only fuels my determination to kill them all. The fuckers are so busy with themselves that they just walk on, and it is easy to sneak up behind them. The Sternotheri is walking next to a heavily embellished Caudata. The Sterno is sucking up to him, so this has to be Yalix.

The lone Caudata walking behind them throws my plans off. There is no other solution, then to kill that one first. This is not my plan, but plans change. I need to do this quickly.

I sneak up behind the male covering his mouth with my hand, at the same time I slit his throat. He sags to the ground with a thump, gurgling and the Sternotheri turns around in his tracks. He sees me and hisses, grabbing for his weapons, but I am faster and within moments there is a knife embedded between his eyes and a second one in his heart. He falls back before the first one totally comprehends what is going on. And I approach, teeth bared.

“Yalix?” I ask, and I see the shock in his eyes as he realizes I am coming for him.

“Not so big anymore now that you are facing somebody of your own size, are you?” I mock him, causing a fire in his eyes.

“So, you know who I am,” he smirks. “Then you also know you will never get out of here alive.” And he spits in front of my feet. “Arracate scum. You have no idea what awaits your future. You think you are so clever, but you can never win. The Sternotheri will kill you all.”

I laugh as I stalk towards him, and he backs away from me.

“We will always be superior,” he shrieks.

I growl throwing the first knife, hitting him in the shoulder and he screeches.

I circle him, tail flicking in anticipation, wanting to draw this out. My second knife hits him in his upper leg, causing him to sag towards the ground. I stalk even closer. He is helpless already. Stupid fucker. Only big and bad when he is preying on the weak.

“You are not going to defend yourself then, Yalix?” I smirk as I grab his hair and pull his head back. “Only strong when it is someone you can control easily? Is that why you have the Sternotheri do your dirty work?”

His beady eyes are darting back and forth, trying to find a way out of the situation, but there is none. He will die and I will make it quick, unfortunately.

“Is that why you are here? Because I work with them? Then heed my warning. This is not over yet, you may kill me, but I will be avenged. And the Sternotheri will kill all of you, scum. The Great Commander has a plan that cannot, will not fail.” I roll my eyes, I have just about enough of this monster, and I feel O’Rec through our bond.

“Make it quick, my friend, I need you.”

I cast the Caudata of my mate’s nightmares one last glance, and then I grab my biggest knife. I whisper in his ear, “This is for L’Ren,” and then I pull on his hair, raise my blade and cut off his head with one swift slice of my blade.

Then, I walk towards O’Rec. Dragging Yalix head behind me.

CHAPTER 28

Lauren

He left me. I don’t understand what just happened. I don’t understand at all. But somewhere deep down I do. I felt it coming. I knew something was brewing inside of him. I knew something was wrong. But I could never in my worst nightmares expect him to leave me.

Somewhere nearby I hear a heartbreaking wail. Like someone just lost everything. It sounds like somebody died. I inhale sharply, my lungs falter. Only then do I realize that agonizing sound comes from me.

I let out my breath in a sharp cry. It hurts, it hurts so much. I am hunched over, my arms wrapped tightly around myself. I am in pain. My breathing is ragged, my body is shaking, sobs tear from deep within me. I have never felt anything like the heartbreak I am feeling right now. I have never felt so alone in my entire life.

Then, I feel arms around me. Warmth, a murmur in my hair and I look up, hoping against hope, but it’s all wrong. It’s not D’Var that has come back to hold me. It’s Kepti, pulling me against her chest like I’m her blood and she can’t help but comfort me.

I hold on to her, because it’s all I can do, while I fall apart.

“He. Left. Me.” I sob as another agonizing wail pulls itself from my chest.

“WHY!”

“Why, Kepti, please. I don’t understand.”

“How could he do this to me?”

Another round of painful cries come from my lips.

“How could he leave me? How could he leave his mate?”

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