Chapter 35: Between Life and Death

I nodded as my arms tightened around his neck, not willing to let go.

"Okay, let's get back home," I replied, my voice filling with exhaustion.

To my response, he nodded before tightening his arms around my body.

Then he spoke calmly, "Alright, hold on tight." And instinctively, I tightened my hold around his neck.

Having him with me eased my anxiety, yet I still had something on my mind.

*What if another evil force stops us from leaving? How would we endure more hurt?* I pondered as my body started becoming limp, as though I couldn't move.

Before I knew it, we were running at the speed of light.

The floor underneath us crackled, disturbing his footsteps. But that didn't stop him from picking up speed.

As we continued our way towards the door to the outside world, the people in this stranger's pack observed us with curiosity. The more I looked at them, I noticed their eyes beginning to take on an otherworldly glow.

*How is that possible? I never saw that happen before, and I'm perplexed by it.* I thought while I scanned them, and their words echoed in my ear.

"What the heck? Who are they? And why are they running like that?" One of them whispered to another person.

The way they spoke, I shivered at their words, unease flowing through my veins. It was like their words spewed malice and venom. But why? Did they have some anger toward us? We aren't a part of this world, but another.

"Come on, babe, don't let their words get to you. They only say those things because of their jealousy." Gabriel whispered into my ear, trying to ease my concerns and worries.

A sigh escaped my lips as I listened to him continue speaking to me. I was ready and willing to let him comfort me, even though I didn't want to. But, being wanted and needed by someone was always at the back of my mind.

For so many years, I was known to be strong-hearted, yet today was a different story, one in which I won't let it get in the way of my success and love.

*I don't want them to see me as a weak person who can't hold onto her strength. Although I can't help but wonder if those who see me as that since the day I stepped into here?*

Exhaustion filled my body, yet I wasn't willing to fall asleep in his arms, although I was extremely comfortable.

This was one heck of an adventure. I couldn't believe how I went from being with my two mates to being alone with a stranger in a different world. But then, when I saw Gabriel, I knew that he truly held my heart and would do anything to save me from my situation. I was grateful to have him there with me, because if I didn't, then I don't know how I could've coped with it all.

Before I knew it, Gabriel stepped into a purple and green portal with me still in his arms. I looked up for a moment, and my eyes widened in awe. *Wow, it's beautiful. Who knew something like this ever existed?* I wondered as it began spinning faster and faster.

The two colors swirled together, creating a whole new color. Then it stopped, and we were back home, on our pack land. The smell of the grass underneath our feet caused my eyes to flutter open.

"We're back home," Gabriel spoke into my ear, then placed a kiss on my cheek.

Meanwhile, Elias stood in front of us, his eyes scanning my injured body. Elias's eyes widened the more he observed us.

"What the f*ck happened to her?" He growled, his teeth bared with every word he spoke. Subconsciously, I shook as his words rang in my ear.

Gabriel shifted from one foot to the other, and the wind blew my hair as it continued blowing faster. Despite the blood pouring from my body, he still held onto me tighter, just enough for me not to die.

*Doesn't he think the blood is icky? Why does he have to allow it to appear on his hands? Couldn't he mindlink one of the pack members to get a stretcher and place me on there instead of leaving me in his arms?* I wondered as my eyes fluttered between being open and closed.

I desperately tried to keep them open just enough to understand what was happening around me.

"Ack!" I screamed as the pain in my body worsened.

***Dear Moon Goddess, can you help me stay awake? I can't die just yet! They need me! Hell, the pack needs me!*** I pleaded silently, hoping that she would hear me.

But there was nothing but silence on my end. In the meantime, Gabriel's frustration grew by the second, not letting me die. He spoke into my ear, every spoken word filled with disdain.

"I know. Baby, hold on for me, Elias, and the pack!" He stated, his words filled with frustration. Listening to his pleading, I knew that there was something I had to do, yet I didn't know if it would work.

*Come on, body, do fail me now. My mates need me with them. If we don't stay strong, I don't know how they would cope with my death.* I wondered as I hoped it would deter me from the path of death.

But uncertainty stepped into its path as those words were uttered in my mind.

"Elias, we need to get her inside so it doesn't worsen," I heard Gabriel say, his voice wrought with worry and exhaustion.

*I despise leaving them like this. They need me just like I need them.* I thought as I gained whatever strengths I had left to keep myself from falling asleep.

Before I could get a good look at him, my eyes closed once again. And this time, I fell into an unconscious state of mind. I had tried my hardest to stay awake since I needed to see their faces, yet my body had a different idea.