Lost control

Ryder

Tears flowed down my face, making silent tracks through the dust on my cheeks. Coal had just left, and I could no longer hold my eyes open. My fingertips trembled as I tried to apply pressure to the saturated rag against my throat to slow down the crimson liquid dribbling out.

The scent of blood was intense, metallic and iron. It caused my Wolf’s nose to wrinkle. I focused on breathing and calming my heart rate so the blood wouldn’t come out as fast. Maybe I could last long enough for him to kill our father and return in time to save me. Even as I thought the words, I knew how foolish they were. I had already lost a lot of blood. The flow was not as steady now, but it was only a matter of time. Not enough time.

Abruptly, another overpowering scent hit my nose—Aatos!

My eyes flew open, darting around wildly. I didn’t see him. Still, my sensitive Wolf nose didn’t lie...Aatos was close. How?! How had he found me?

In another second, Aatos came into view, instantly crouching by my side, cursing, “What the fuck happened?”

I couldn’t answer, still too shocked and stunned that he was there, but I didn’t think he was looking for a response—because he bit into his wrist, opening up the vein, and slammed it to my mouth.

I recoiled in horror, trying to get away from him. But in my weakened state, I barely moved. I choked and gurgled on the metallic tang of the liquid sliding down my throat. Aatos didn’t relent, gripping me even tighter. “Stop fighting me and swallow!”

I met his piercing gaze. His pupils dilated fully, making his azure eyes appear almost black. I was caught in their depths, lost to him, floating on unending waves, unable to feel my own weight inside my body. My brain was powerless to function as he captivated my absolute attention. It was without conscious thought that I did as he commanded—I swallowed, repeatedly.

“That’s it...good boy,” he crooned and slid his free hand under my head for support, his long fingers curling into my hair. “Just a little bit more, and you’ll be good as new.”

His words bit through the haze in my mind, and I suddenly realized what he meant. My body was healing—at a shockingly accelerated rate! The skin at my neck pulled back together, the rough edges of flesh sealing tight. The deep claw marks on my chest closed of their own accord, leaving the tissue smooth and supple once again.

I took a slow breath through my nose since my mouth was still engaged sucking at his wrist. I let the air fill and expand my lungs completely. I’d heard of the healing properties of vampire blood but was entirely amazed to actually feel it happen. I felt strong again, incredibly strong. So strong, that the compulsion to kill the nearby rogue rose up in me again, fierce and deadly. A deadly growl released from my throat. I had to kill the rogue!

Aatos pulled his arm away, his expression wary as he watched me, undoubtedly wondering what caused my distinct change in demeanor. My hands twitched as I fought the powerful urge.

No, I wouldn’t do it!

I wouldn’t hunt down the rogue—my brother!

“Tell me who did this to you,” Aatos commanded, interrupting my murderous planning, his eyes darting around the scene of three other powerless and broken wolves. Amber moaned softly in pain, while Langdon glared, and Jax remained unconscious. Shit. Coal must have hit him hard.

“It doesn’t matter,” I replied through my teeth, pushing myself into a sitting position. I was losing the battle quickly. I needed to get out of there. Coal couldn’t have gotten far. I could still catch him. Even as the thought cause anticipation to race through my mind, my stomach churned.

Aatos placed a restraining hand on my shoulder to keep me from standing. His deep blue eyes flashed dangerously. “It sure as fuck matters.”

“No, the fuck it doesn’t...” I snarled back, pushing hard against his restraint. “...because I’m going to end the threat right now!”

My shove caused Aatos to tilt off balance. He placed a hand on the ground behind him to stop from falling back and steadied himself. His anger spilled out as he snapped, “Right...because you did such a fantastic job when you faced him the first time!”

I ground my teeth together. “I don’t have a choice. I have to hunt him down. You need to let me go. If you don’t, I’ll take you out first and then do what I need to.”

Aatos eyebrows rose. His lips curled up slightly at my threat. “You’ll take me out?”

I didn’t appreciate the humor dancing in his eyes. My Wolf let out a low growl.

Aatos ignored the warning entirely. “Judging by your wounds, another wolf did this to you. Where is your brother?”

A much louder growl slipped from my throat as I was reminded of my target. I was unable to focus on anything other than the overwhelming compulsion radiating through me. I’d tried to tell Aatos to let me go, but he didn’t listen. Without warning, I shoved him back with both hands and shot to my feet.

I didn’t get even a step in Coal’s direction, before I found myself wrestled down to the ground, flat on my back, the wind knocked out of me. Aatos straddled my hips as he restrained my arms. “Oh, fuck no. You’re not leaving until you tell me exactly what the fuck is going on.”

I panted and struggled to get out from underneath him, but his hold was too tight. Aatos brought his mouth down to my neck and scraped his fangs along his mark, causing shocking arousal to fill my body. My cock stood stiff and painful right beneath him. My chest heaved as I stared up at him with wide eyes.

“That’s it,” he purred. “Now that you’re no longer hell-bent on getting away from me answer my question!”

But I was only delayed for a moment. Because the next thing I knew, my Wolf forcibly ripped through my skin, forcing me to shift. I no longer had control.

Aatos was so shocked by my abrupt change that my Wolf was able to buck him off his body and scrambled to his feet. My freedom didn’t last more than another second as Aatos attacked again, this time wrestling my Wolf down to the ground cursing, “Fucking hell.”

My Wolf yelped and struggled, snapping his powerful jaws toward the vampire’s throat.