Page 35 of Whiteout

We are in the woods, in the middle of a clearing. Ivy lies beneath me, the cold snow-covered ground at her back. My hands are tight around her delicate throat, and I can feel her struggling to breathe as I fuck her. Pounding into her with a primal urgency.

Who am I?But I know deep down exactly who and what I am.

With a roar of denial, I tear the mask from my face, the leather straps cutting into my flesh. The cold night air bites at my skin, but I hardly notice as I battle with the monster within me. The dark, twisted part of me that is fighting for control.

The nightbefore comes back to me in flashes. The carnival, the fucker who disrespected Ivy, and then... nothing. How did we both get here? The last thing I remember, I was in my bed, Ivy by my side. Now, here we are, my hands on Ivy's throat, as I fight the monster urging me to punish her, to kill her.

You know you want to punish her. She's a naughty girl.

My mind feels fractured, like two opposing forces are waging a war within me. I hear Ivy's pleas, but the voice inside is louder, urging me to finish what I started. It promises release and satisfaction if I just squeeze a little tighter. But something holds me back.

Ivy is mine, and I would never hurt her. But the Huntsman, he's a part of me too, and he's not going away. We're at war with each other, fighting for control over my body, my actions, and Ivy.

The voice of the Huntsman whispers in my ear, taunting and goading me to continue, to make her pay for her betrayal. The urge to squeeze, to feel her throat crush beneath my fingers, it's so strong.

The realization hits me like a punch to the gut. I don't know who I am. It's like I'm meeting myself for the first time, and I don't know which man is real.

My movements slow, but my dick is still hard inside of Ivy. I know I should stop, but I can't. The line between Krisand the monster inside of me is blurring, and I'm not sure which one of us is truly in control.

I let go of Ivy's throat, my breath ragged, my body still vibrating with conflicting desires. I see the fear and confusion in her eyes. It mirrors my own internal chaos. I want to explain, but how can I when I barely understand myself? I've been trying to protect her, but from what? From myself?

I lean over, my forehead resting against hers, our bodies still entangled. "I—" The words catch in my throat, stuck between apologies and confessions. I don't know how to make sense of this moment, but one thing is clear: neither side of me will ever let her go.

You can't let go of her, she's yours.

She's caught in the middle of a battle of two halves of one man. He won't leave me, not without taking what he wants. I know I can't ever let her walk away, but I won't let him have her either.

I can't explain, so I don't. Instead, I kiss her, desperately trying to convey my conflicting emotions. The struggle within me is evident in my kiss, and I pull her close, not wanting to let go, but I know I have to.

"Cherry, forgive me," I beg, my voice raw. "I thoughtI could protect you from the monster, but I was wrong. So wrong."

I slowly begin to slide my cock in and out of her, feeling the sweet pleasure and the bitter taste of impending loss. With each thrust, I know I'm losing her. I want to keep her here with me, but the voice whispers in my ear, reminding me of the only way out for Ivy.

"One last time," I whisper, my lips brushing against hers. "I need to feel you." My voice is gruff. I barely recognize it as my own.

My hand slides down her body, finding her sensitive clit, and I rub it gently, wanting to bring her pleasure even as I know I'm sealing her fate.

As she arches beneath me, and I feel her body tighten around me. My hands slide up her throat, my grip tightening with each slow thrust. I watch her face, the pleasure and the fear mixing in her beautiful green eyes. When she comes, I hold her close, feeling the warmth of her release. My hands gently caress her throat, wanting to soothe the marks I know I'm leaving.

"I'm sorry, Cherry," I whisper, leaning in to capture her lips in a desperate kiss. "I'm so fucking sorry."

My lips claim hers, tasting her, memorizing the feel of her soft mouth on mine. I want to imprint this moment in my memory, to rememberthe feel of her lips, the taste of her breath, and the way her body responds to mine.

I deepen our kiss, my thrusts becoming more urgent, driven by the need to make this last. I want to brand myself into her memory, to leave an indelible mark on her body and soul. To become a part of her that she'll never forget, even as I know I'll soon be taking her life.

I can feel her struggling, but I can't stop.

"I'm sorry, I can't let you go, but I can't let him keep you either."

I feel her body go limp and I lean over, kissing her cold lips, cradling her close as if she's sleeping. I know I should feel horrified, but instead, a dark sense of satisfaction washes over me. I've claimed her, and now no one can take her away.

Chapter 17

Ivy

My heart pounds in my chest as I lie here, feeling the snow beginning to melt beneath my back. His breath forming clouds of frost in the air. The moon reflecting off the snow makes his face almost glow above me.

I can see the conflict raging within him, the battle between his desire to possess and protect me, and the urge to unleash the darkness that threatens to consume him. Kris's hands tight around my neck, his cock moving inside of me. I can see the pain in his eyes as he watches the life drain from me.

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