Page 61 of Collar Me Crazy
"Nowhere is safe right now, thanks to your little disappearing act." She settled onto a rock across from him, close enough to talk but far enough that he couldn't escape without her noticing. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
"Saved everyone from the disaster our bond would have caused."
"You've doomed everyone." Her voice turned sharp with frustration. "The Void isn't afraid of our completed bond, Ryker.It's afraid of our connection, period. By breaking what we had, you've given it exactly what it needs to attack."
"The visions?—"
"Were lies." She leaned forward, forcing him to meet her eyes. "False images designed to trigger your worst fears. The Void has been watching us for weeks, learning what would break you. And guess what? You fell for it completely."
"How do you know they were false?"
"Because I've seen the real future. Multiple times, in perfect detail. And I’m the seer, not you." She closed her eyes, calling up the true visions and projecting them outward where he could see them too. "This is what actually happens when we claim each other."
The images flowed between them—their successful bonding during the sunset blessing, the eight couples creating a web of protective energy, the Void being banished back to emptiness between worlds. Love conquering fear, connection defeating isolation, community triumphing over ancient hunger.
"That's what you're running from," she said as the visions faded. "Not death and destruction, but happiness. Success. The possibility that you might actually deserve love."
Ryker stared at her, conflict warring across his features. "What if my visions were the true ones?"
"Then explain this." She gestured toward the forest around them, where shadows moved independently of the weak sunlight. "The attack has already started, Ryker. The moment you broke our bond, the Void began its assault. Look with your wolf's senses. Tell me what you feel."
He went still, extending his supernatural awareness beyond their immediate area. When he spoke again, his voice was hollow with dawning horror.
"The Veil is tearing. All along the boundary lines, reality is coming apart."
"Because our separation created exactly the kind of chaotic energy it feeds on." She stood, extending her hand toward him. "The question is, are you going to keep running from responsibility, or are you going to help me fix this?"
"I can't." But even as he said it, she could see the doubt creeping into his expression. "If I was wrong about the visions, if I caused this by leaving?—"
"Then you can fix it by coming back." She took a step closer, her hand still outstretched. "The bond isn't completely broken, Ryker. Damaged, but not destroyed. We can repair it, complete the claiming, and still save everyone."
"And if I hurt you? If the marking goes wrong and I lose control?"
"Then at least we'll have tried together instead of letting fear make our choices." Her voice softened, carrying all the love she felt despite his betrayal. "I'm not asking you to stop being afraid. I'm asking you to be afraid with me instead of alone."
A sound echoed across the mountains—distant but unmistakable. The alarm bells of Hollow Oak, calling all residents to emergency stations. The final battle had begun.
"They need us," she said urgently. "Both of us, working together, or everyone we care about dies today."
Ryker looked toward the sound, then back at her face. When he spoke, his voice cracked with self-recrimination.
"I'm such an idiot."
"Yes, you are." She took another step closer. "But you're my idiot, and I'm not giving up on you. Even when you give up on yourself."
"The bond is damaged. I can feel the tears where it broke."
"Then we'll mend it. Together. Right now." She finally reached him, her fingers brushing against his cold cheek. "But only if you choose to trust me over your fears."
The moment their skin connected, she felt the ragged edges of their bond spark with renewed life. Not healed, not complete, but possible. Still possible.
"I choose you," he said quietly, leaning into her touch.
"It won't kill you." She helped him to his feet, their damaged bond already beginning to knit itself back together. "But staying apart might kill everyone else."
They ran back down the mountain together, hand in hand. Behind them, the sound of reality tearing apart followed like thunder, the Void's assault intensifying with each moment they delayed.
"Can we make it in time?" Ryker asked as they reached their vehicles.
