Barely Breathing

Chapter 23: You never listen to what I say

Sky ran past trees fast as lightning ever so keen on dodging logs and rocks, determine to conquer its quest - his chosen.

Xyrus hopelessly watched the scene through his wolf's eyes, still determined to get the upper hand but his wolf was persistent. He lost control over his wolf. The legendary wolf is known for its temper, its alpha blood wouldn't allow insults, and the need to punish whoever was it is strong and wicked.

Xyrus always kept Sky, his wolf, at bay. The wolf must have been insulted fairly by Willow's words of not accepting its mark. Its ego was tainted.

'Sky! If u do something to Willow I swear you will regret it!' Xyrus said harshly that his wolf flinched a bit. But it didn't say anything, instead quickened its pace.

The battle of dominance between the two of them treads in a thin line. No one would ever know the consequences fated not until one overthrew the other. He tried to concentrate once again, imagining the transformation from fur to the flesh. He has to do it real fast before his wolf does its wicked deed.

Sky slowed down and howled painfully as its fur turned to flesh that of a man. The soul battled with the spirit. The transformation was beginning but an eerie scream of a woman made the wolf ear's perked and gain the upper hand once more.

The smell of fresh blood mixed in the air. Sky moved faster, finding a dry branch like a torch and covered with blood. Drips of blood-soaked in the snow creating a map for whoever it was who injured herself.

The wolf followed the path of red while sniffing the snow. This time it was not in a hurry, rather it's careful not to frighten more its weakened prey. Soon the search ended as a nearby shadow of a woman laid on the snow. She was breathing hard and her hand clutching her side which blood still leaving her body.

The snow served as a blanket on her, hiding well parts she intended not to be seen. The fate that has befallen her wouldn't take away her dignity. She promised herself. A tear fell on her eye as she gazed at the dim sky above and the littlest of snow descends gracefully on her face.

This was it. She will die tonight. She can't even protect herself and that pained her more than anything else. Of how weak she still is even after all these years. She hates being herself. She hates everything she is. She didn't know one is capable of hating herself too much. She wanted to be anything else she is not.

She heard footsteps coming and saw a shadow of a man. The battle ended as flesh-dominated fur. She averted her eyes when he gazed at her worriedly.

Xyrus' heart constricted when he saw her laying on the snow, blood soaking her left side. He was anxious. He stepped forward afraid she will panic.

"Don't," Willow said painfully. A small piece of wood was still pierced on her flesh, Violet can't heal her not until the piece departs her flesh.

"You're not healing..." He was getting more anxious as seconds passed. He can see the tip of the wood on her exposed side. He took another step.

"You are not going anywhere near me." She lifted her face to meet his.

'The ever-stubborn woman' he thought. He took the last remaining step and kneeled on her side, careful not to touch her wound. He brushed off some snow on her face but she looked to the other side, avoiding meeting his eyes.

"You never listen to what I say." She complained.

He chuckled at her words. True to it, he doesn't. "It's for your good Willow."

"Where's your kindest, gentlest, patient, lovable wolf?" She questioned sarcastically.

He did not reply, just took a deep breath and inspected her wound. Thankful for the pile of snow covering her, his face burned in warm embarrassment. She will be the death of her, he was sure of it.

He carefully brushed off some snow on her wound which she flinched.

"Hold your breath princess, I'm taking the wood off, it's not deep but will cause you pain."

"Okay." She mumbled, closing her eyes.

"Ready?" He whispered.

"R-ready." He covered her lips with his other hand explaining to her, she could bite it to subside the pain. She nodded her head.

A painful moan escaped her lips as he pulled off the thing that stopped her from healing fully. She bit his hand hard as she felt the pain strongly until it subsided to numbness. Violet finally able to heal her.

"It will heal soon." Xyrus brushed off some more snow on her face and she felt something wet fell on her face. She took his hand on her own and sighed guiltily.

"You're bleeding. I think I bit you hard."

"Nothing I can't handle; besides I don't feel it. Don't worry." Xyrus smiled at her as he took her hands and lifted them on his lips and kissed her knuckles one by one, all the way not taking his eyes off her. His lips lingered from one knuckle longer than the last.

A bolt of electricity spread from where his lips touch her hand and made her stomach felt tingly. His intense gaze made its way through her heart as she felt the warmth within filled her being. She blushed at the thought.

"Feeling better?" He smiled knowingly. He knows her growing attraction to him but she was so stubborn to admit it to herself.

"Yes…" She trailed off. "But I still hate you." Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"If you say so, princess." Again, he gave her that annoying knowing smile.

Of how much he wants to kiss her so bad this very moment under the halo of snow throughout the night, he couldn't tell her nor do it. Afraid he might not be able to stop himself from further advances.

Her Willow, unlike any girl. She is a fragile one but brave at heart like the warrior she is. She is beautiful the way she is from her fiery hair to her fiery spirit. She just does not see it the way he does.

A growl escaped from his lips as his wolf Sky once again try to gain control over him. He gripped his hair as he swayed back and forth until he fell on the ground shaking violently. His eyes shifted from sea-blue to red ones. He screamed as the pain renew, traveling to his every limb.