Page 138 of Red's Beast

He laughs and tightens his grip, cutting off all the air. Claws protrude from his fingertips and dig into my flesh. “This won’t take long.”

Lucian drags his other hand down my side, his claws raking through my skin, causing blood to gush out from my stomach, onto the blouse, then the ground through my mother’s red cloak. I lie there, unmoving and refusing to fight back, but I can feel myself dying.

My wolf screams for me to make him remember, but I know the grip Natalia has is too much. The conversation we had was enough to tell me that much. My scent didn’t even phase him, so my words won’t either.

The pain spreads throughout my body as he continues to drag his claws through me repeatedly, my blood painting the ground red underneath my mother’s cloak. How ironic. The same cloak I wore to the mating ceremony when everything happened is the same one I wear tonight.

We must fight.

I close my eyes, my breath trembling. “Lucian, bite and claim me. At least grant a dying wolf that. Can’t you smell the mating heat? At least ease my pain in one way.”

He stops, looking up at me. “Why would I do that?”

“Let me die in peace and end this already.” It is a last ditch effort to wake him up before it is too late, though I fear it might really be the end.

Memories float through my mind as I close my eyes. All the times he snuck up on me, all those nights I ran because I heard him, and all those times he spoke through my mind. I never gave up on him. My goal was to save him from the other realm so he could live.

And I have finally done it. Though I hoped he would claim me and beat Corbin to it, that isn’t our reality. Natalia has ruined everything, but my blood will set him free.

Lucian opens his mouth and leans in, biting me at the base of my throat. It stings and isn’t pleasant like I was told, but it is a mating bite, regardless. I will take what I can get.

I hear Grandmother’s scream as everyone arrives.

My body feels light as I attempt to claim him in return. But then I remember it may bring him with me. No, I can’t.

I love you, Beast.

My eyes slide close as Lucian wretches back to look at me, his eyes wide with alarm. Blood coats his lips. “My Lily.”

Tears fill his eyes and fall onto my face as everything comes flooding back to him.

I reach up and touch his face lightly. “Don’t cry. You weren’t you. It’s okay. You saved me from a stupid deal I made to save you and I’d rather die by your hands than have to fulfill it. Remember what I asked of you? Forgive yourself. I have already forgiven you for it.”

“No, I would have claimed you before Corbin ever got to. Please, don’t do this. Claim me back and take me with you.” His voice shakes as he speaks.

“You knew?” My breath goes ragged as more blood gushes from my wounds.

He reaches down, caressing the edge of my face as he holds me close. “It doesn’t matter anymore. We can finally be together.”

Together. That sounds nice. How I wish it was possible, but I feel the life literally draining out of me and pooling on the ground below.

Natalia cackles. “Finish her, Lucian. Do as I say, my pet. You’re so close to gaining your freedom. You only have seconds before my magic wears off. So, do it quickly.”

Apparently, she doesn’t know he is back to himself or she’s just delusional. My wolf huffs in agreement.

Lucian shakes as my vision goes dim. I can barely make him out, but I know his arm is around me. His warmth spreads across my cold body. There’s so much I want to say to him, but I can’t find the words. Mostly because my mouth refuses to open anymore.

He smiles down at me, tracing his fingers across my face as he cries. “Lily. Please. Don’t do this. I’m sorry.”

He sobs as I feel everything shutting down. As he lifts my head toward his neck, I’m surprised. What does he think he’s doing? “Please, if you can move your mouth. Return the bite. This way, if you go, we go together, and I’ll see you soon once this is finished.”

I’m not sure how, but my mouth parts and he forces his throat into my bite. My teeth lengthen and sink into his flesh, claiming him as mine forever. I didn’t want to do it, but I guess my wolf had one last surge of energy to do it.

Now he is doomed to die after I do and I feel so guilty, but I can’t even tell him I’m sorry.

They say that the last thing that goes is your hearing. Though my world has gone dark now, the chaos that ensues can be heard for a few seconds after I start to fade.

I wish I had more time. There are so many things I want to do and see, but there is always something in the way.

---