Chapter 15 Phoenix
The doctor abruptly stood, literally running out of the room with Faye in tow. I rushed over to Audrey's side, a satisfied sigh leaving my lips once I inhaled a large whiff of her delicious scent.
Pulling her into my lap I buried my nose into the crook of my neck, feeling all my tensed muscles relax and Phoenix retreat.
I didn't know what the doctor said nor did I want to. He must have been talking nonsense, nothing could happen to Audrey.. Nothing. The away of the door caught my attention and I snapped my head to the source of the noise, growling when my eyes landed on Ryker. My eyes shifted from their dark orbs to an even darker mythical abyss.
"Darius calm down" he said, approaching me with his hands in the air, showing he was no threat.
Phoenix didn't register him as my beta. At the moment all his attention was on his mate, our mate, Audrey. He didn't want her taken from him, he was being very possessive and quite frankly I felt the same, I was just better at channeling it in a less violent manner.
Respectfully.
I watched as his eyes darted from me to my unconscious mate that was hoisted up in my arms. "Phoenix, put Audrey down" he commanded in a light tone, the underlining a little stern.
A growl tore through my chest, threatening to rip him to shreds. Phoenix didn't like being told to stay away from our mate. No wolf did.
"Mate belongs to Phoenix"
"I know I know. I won't take her from you" he assured, only now did I register how much closer he was now. "We need to talk. I want to talk to Darius. Darius" he repeated, calling out to me from the back of my mind
Phoenix had thrown me back, I watched everything through his eyes. I felt what he felt more intensely now. He felt scared, insecure... he was afraid we'd lose the gift we had just received. He wanted to protect her from harm, from anyone who wanted to cause her harm or take her away.
"No!" Phoenix growled. "Darius will take mate away" he bared his teeth as Ryker made a move forward.
"I promise I won't take Audrey from you" he spoke, coming closer. "Please let Darius back out"
Phoenix exchanged uncertain looks from Ryker to his outstretched hands. His eyes drifted to Audrey, his gaze softening as he registered her light breathing; the slow rise and fall of her chest, the fraction of her nostrils that would flare every so often.
I used the chance, his moment of weakness to gain control. Forcing Phoenix back I arrived at the forefront of my mind again. Phoenix growled, baring his teeth at me menacingly.
"Sorry" I apologized to both Ryker and Phoenix, neither of them giving a reply.
"You need to learn how to keep him under control" Ryker whispered, according to the sensitive topic with the tenderness it deserved.
"I can't keep him under control" I shook my head, looking black at her beautiful face. I felt the ache in my chest ease up a bit. She made it all better. "You know it's coming" I spoke vaguely, looking back up at Ryker. His peculiar orbs held fear and restraint. He knew what was coming and what he had to do.
It was never easy on him. It was never easy on any of them.
"But she's here. It can be different" he pitched in, invading my mental debate.
I shook my head, looking back at him, "You see what happens? Phoenix is dangerous, he's getting out and when he does.. " I trailed off, taking my eyes back to the only piece of salvation I had right now. Was she meant for this? No, I couldn't risk her like that.
"It's two celestial events away Darius" he reminded me, making my hands go rigid, stopping me from tracing the curve of Audrey's face. Her skin always calmed Phoenix's unsteady movements down.
I sighed deeply, depressed and completely exhausted with this, "I am aware, Ryker. I could never forget " I stared off into space, memories flashing through my open eyelids. "She can't be a part of it" I forced out, every vein, artery and muscle in my body disapproving.
"But-" Ryker moved in to interject but I raised my hand, dismissing his words.
I turned to him, pain, agony and a contradicting determination reflecting my intentions " Promise me" I demanded. "promise me you'll keep her away. Keep me detained till it passes. If I hurt her I'll die" I whispered, my voice a shell of a whisper.
"I-" he hesitated. I could see the wheels behind his eyes turning, processing.
"You know he'll come for her and if he does there's no telling what he'll do. He'll hurt her" saying the words out loud made me physically ache. The thought of me being the reason Audrey got hurt, it sent Phoenix whimpering. He was at a crossroad where he had to keep away, for our mate, for Audrey. We were too dangerous. We had to stay away as much as we could. Perhaps the effects would be less intense if we spent less time in her presence, with her heavenly scent and innocent beauty. My little kitten.
"I promise" he said, his lips set in a firm line as my eyes met his. He told a tale of promise, loyalty and trust. I could trust Ryker with my life and now I was trusting him with my mate's. I was his Alpha, my command came first but now I was putting Audrey before everything else. Everything was at stake here. She was my everything.
~
She had finally woken up. After two agonizing weeks of treatment she woke up. I spent those days watching her from a distance, never getting too close. Phoenix hated me for it, most times he threatened to come out and go to Audrey whether it was permitted or not. I couldn't allow it, I had to force him back in. We had to do this for her safety...The Blood Moon was coming... it could destroy everything, just one wrong move and everything could go up in flames. We couldn't let that happen.
I had tried my hardest to avoid scaring her but the moment her eyes settled on me, big black doe eyes that covered half of her face peered up at me. A mix of curiosity and fear danced within their lighter spectrums. She was frightened, she must have realized who I was but I could tell she didn't know who I was to her. She only saw me as my title, The King of my kind.. Alpha King Darius Lockhart and when she addressed me as king or your highness I had never hated those titles as much as I did at that moment
.