Laurel

2:13 Brydel

Cole continued to tantrum far longer than any stable person would have. Eventually he stilled, and while he was still swearing and muttering under his breath, the crazed look in his eyes was at least diminishing now. "You, Brydel" he pointed at me, "Run ahead with the hounds, surround them, stop them, just slow them down. I am going to get her tonight." There was a very dangerous look in his eyes, even for a demon.

I had no idea what I was supposed to do. I needed to keep Laurel safe from him, and I needed her mate alive too or else I would be trapped and collared forever. I also had no choice but to obey his command, so I shifted and started running. The hellhounds were faster than I was and quickly overtook me running towards Laurel. Their orders were specific to keep them in place, not harm anyone until Cole arrived. I could at least trust them to follow their instructions to the letter. I still didn't have enough time to think or plan anything.

I came upon their camp, and was immediately enraged, I saw the dark elf lying on his side, and the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my existence was nestled inside his intended to be protective arms. I sniffed the air, Mate. My wolf was thrashing in my mind. So alive. After waiting centuries to find the one made for us, he was eager to finally have her. To touch her, taste her. It was true, it had never been Passion. She had just been the prettiest girl I had met as a child. These feelings were new. Powerful.

The elf wasn't even stirring as I approached. I grew angry. He was doing a terrible job of protecting her. I could sense the hounds circling the area, and Cole approaching from behind. Too close now. Fuck everything was a mess.

I didn't have time to think of something to do. I wanted to warn them. To help her get away, but I didn't know how I could do that without explaining far more than we had time for. How could I build enough trust quickly enough? Or get her past the hounds who had created a perimeter and were circling like endless vultures now.

I tried to start approaching them. To just try something, at least wake him up. Everything devolved into chaos around me. The dark elf sprung to his feet fast as lightning, two scimitars immediately in his hands as he fell into a practiced fighting stance. He was significantly larger than any of his kind I had ever met before. The Sunless were typically short people having been removed from the sun and trapped in caves their whole lives. Not this one though, he was easily seven feet tall, all bulk and muscle. Laurel was clinging behind his back, shaking with fear. The hellhounds were drawing closer, preparing for the attack just as Cole drew in on the campsite, with Valentina at his side.

The vampire witch waved her hands, summoning a giant ball of fire, sending it into the sky to light the area. I could see Laurel even better now, the delicate turn of her jaw, small nose, in a heart shaped face. The long flowing pale almost colorless hair falling down her back, and her intriguing golden eyes. She was flawless, even while terrified and lit by fire.

Valentina was casting another spell, her hands twisting in front of her while she chanted something in a language I didn't understand, something like electricity making my hairs stand on end. Cole was walking directly towards the elf and Laurel, flanked now by all his hellhounds.

I watched as the elf laid a quick searing kiss on my mate's lips before bidding her to run, while he launched himself at Cole and the hounds. His arms were spinning like deadly tops as he managed to cut down two hellhounds in the first moment, their heavy bodies falling limply to the side. They wouldn't stay down for long, but they were out of the battle for the time being.

Cole had not given me instructions to assist him in battle, so I stretched the small amount of free will I had and stood by idly, hoping he wouldn't call on me. I kept my eyes on Laurel as she ran as fast as she could. Her strong legs pumping hard to move her away from the fight. I urged her forward, willing her to be fast enough, to somehow escape the certain doom I had helped to bring to her.