Page 130 of Her Cold-Hearted Alpha: Part 2

Just then, I saw two of the creatures come rushing towards us. I turned to the girl who was staring at them, bending down and scooping her up. My heart skipped a beat when her eyes met mine, pure shock clear in them. But we didn’t have time to stop, I broke into a run. She was as light as a feather. She didn’t touch me. Her arms were wrapped around herself.

"How the hell did they get here?!" I growled, glancing back at them.

"To make sure I never speak."

"Then why- Fuck!" I hit the ground when a Manangal lunged at us, slashing through my back, its disgusting scent filling my nose.

Delsanra went tumbling and I looked at the large cliff ahead. Panic filled me, but she stopped rolling a few feet from the edge. We had nowhere to go. There was the river far below, but that would do us no good… I stood up, lunging at the first of the Manangals.

It lurched towards me, its claws raised. I glanced back at her, seeing another two rushing towards her. I shifted, ripping it apart before I growled, leaping through the air and knocking them away from her. One fell over the edge and I tore the other one to bits.

The taste of their blood in my mouth, I looked at the last one as it rushed towards her. I jumped forward and bit down on its neck, ripping it apart. Blood splattered everywhere and I shifted back.

"Where will they attack?" I asked. "Only tell me, if you're able to…"

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with confusion and curiosity.

"The Pack of the Deimos Prince." She mumbled, gripping her hair, as she screamed in agony. The runes on her body were now turning a burning red.

"The Blood Moon Pack…" I looked at her sharply, reaching to help her up. "Look, I know someone who can help."

She recoiled from my touch and crawled to the edge of the cliff. Her eyes filled with fear as she looked at me.

"I gave you the answers you wanted..." She staggered to her feet as she neared the edge.

"Delsanra… If you jump, you will die."

"And if I stay here… I die." She countered.

I saw the trickle of blood from her nose and realised she was dying anyway. With the state she was in, there was no guarantee I’d get her back to Kiara in time.

I looked at her. Her dirty white hair was blowing in the sharp wind, the setting sun made her hair glow. Mixed with the blood and dirt were fresh tears. Her plump lips quivered as she looked over the cliff.

She was scared…but she felt it was the best option. That hurt.

Why did it hurt?

"Why did you help if you knew it would kill you?" I asked softly, watching her chest rise and fall as she looked down below. I moved closer, wanting to pull her away from the edge.

"Because you have those you love…I have no one." She said, looking at me through her tear-filled eyes.

I swallowed, feeling her pain myself. I didn’t get it, but something about this farewell was messing with my head. I had to stop her, surely there was somewhere she could go.

"The daughters of Hecate always ask for something in return for helping. I know… I am darkness…but even then, may I ask for a favour?" She whispered, her soft voice carried on the wind. I nodded, thinking no, she was not darkness. The setting sun burned behind her and at that moment she looked… as if she didn’t belong to this world…

"Don’t stop me."

My eyes widened as her words sunk in, just as she jumped.

"No!" I shouted, rushing to the end as I looked over the deep ravine.

All I could see below were clusters of trees and the narrow river filled with rocks far below. I scanned the area but could see her nowhere. There was no way she could have survived that fall… My heart was thudding and although I knew she was a witch… she had been innocent, another victim.

I stood up, my heart pounding and knew I’d never forget that tear-stained face. I closed my eyes, not knowing why this felt so painful.

Pull yourself together, Rayhan.

I shifted and ran back the way I had come. I needed to tell everyone what I had learned…

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