Save Me

THIRTYTHREE

"We were running through the forest, I didn't know where we were going. As we got further from the building, 3 wolves came out of nowhere and cornered us. My brother told me to run and not stop until I was safe. I couldn't leave him, there was no way he would survive against 3 wolves... boy was I wrong." I laughed lightly. "He took them all on, I started running then I hid behind a tree trunk when I heard footsteps. My brother came out staggering, he managed to get me to the outskirts of the little village, as I stepped out of the tree line a wolf lunged at him and took him down." I shuddered.

"He screamed at me to run, they wouldn't go into the village so I would be safe. As I ran into the village, I looked back and saw the wolf claw my brother all over his body. I screamed, attracting attention in the village which caused the wolf to drag him away." I choked. "I tried running after him but was caught by a human, they took me to the local police station. My parents came and got me. My mum blamed me, said it was my fault that my brother was dead. But I knew he wasn't because I could still feel our bond." I whispered.

"My dad left me with mum once we were home. He was going to a neighbouring pack for help, my mum lost it. Kept telling me it was my fault, that she didn't want me and I should be dead." I whimpered. "It was that day I found out silver didn't harm me..." I hesitated, "She stabbed me. I was confused, I didn't understand why she would do that. Anyway, she ran. Once my dad got back and saw me, he tried going after her. It was me feeling the bond break with my brother that stopped him from leaving." I cried.

"The pain was excruciating." I sobbed, tears falling down my face. "I...I..." I was trembling, I couldn't see from the tears and I was gasping for air as I was trying to talk. "Goddess, Amaris. You need to calm down." He fretted, I tried taking deep breaths but it was like I couldn't get enough air. I screwed my eyes shut, willing the burning sensation to fade. Rhydian gripped ahold of my shoulders and pulled us both into the water. 

The shock of the cold water brought me back to reality. I forced myself to the surface, gasping for air. Rhydian was eyeing me carefully. "What the hell was that for?" I growled, shivering. He looked terrified and I felt so bad. I relaxed a little and sighed heavily. "You were so stuck in your memories, I thought this was a good idea to bring you out." He replied, worriedly. "I would have appreciated a slap to the face rather than trying to drown me." I rolled my eyes. 

He shrugged at me and edged himself towards me. "I'm so sorry that happened to you and to your brother." He comforted me, removing my hair away from my face. I leaned into his touch and breathed out. "I still need to tell you about Brett and Noah..." I hesitated, "Mainly Brett." I whispered, closing my eyes. "Not now." He responded, stroking his thumb along my cheek.

"My brother was called Alex," I muttered, quietly.  Rhydian jumped back in shock. "Did you just say, Alex?" He asked. I nodded and took a deep breath. "Why?" I shrugged. He looked at me puzzled, then it was light a light went off in his eyes. "That's why Malia and the body we found smelled like my mate." He blurted. "If I had just gone with my dad when he went the first time, it would have avoided all of this." He muttered to himself. "Rhydian, you're not making sense," I grumbled. 

He swam towards the water bank, effortlessly pulled himself out and began pacing back and forth. He was muttering to himself, I focused my hearing as I made my way over to him and I still couldn't hear him or I couldn't work out what he was saying. 

"Rhydian," I called, trying to snap him out of whatever trance he had himself in. "My mate didn't die, she wasn't there." I finally picked up on what he was saying. "It was all a trick for the rogues. I thought the rogues were tricking me like they knew something I didn't." He continued his ranting. I went and stood in front of him, stopping him from pacing. "What is it Rhydian?" I asked, carefully. Hoping not to set him off on his little rant again.

"But why didn't I scent her on him? All of this is confusing." He pulled at his hair, I groaned and grabbed hold of his hands. "Jesus, Rhydian. You're going to hurt yourself." I growled. His eyes snapped to me and a look of horror spread across his face. I was confused as to why he was looking at me like that, surely my eyes weren't red. I wasn't angry or anything. "I'm sorry," He muttered before turning and darting off.

I stood there dumbfounded. What the hell happened?

'Rory?' 

'I couldn't connect with his wolf. He was blocking me out.' She whimpered. 

Ugh! I followed his scent, trying to catch up to him. I saw him a few steps ahead, crouching down, leaning against a tree with his head in his hands. I slowly walked over to him and bent down in front of him. I slowly pried his hands away from his face, his eyes were puffy and red like he'd been crying. I placed my hands on his face and made him look at me. "What's wrong?" I asked, quietly. 

His bottom lip quivered, he was on the verge of crying. Seeing him like this was heartbreaking. "Rhydian." I tried again, stroking my thumbs on his cheeks. He leaned into my touch as he closed his eyes as a single tear fell. I gently swiped the tear away, he fell to his knees, hanging his head low. 

"Rhydian, you're scaring me. What's wrong?" I whispered. 

"I'm sorry I couldn't save him." He choked. My heart broke again, my brother's death must have reminded him of that boy he couldn't save.  "Shush, it's ok. It wasn't your fault." I tried soothing him. 

"I'm sorry I couldn't save Alex." I fell back, startled as he broke down.