His grip on me was tight, my energy was draining fast. I tried to call on my wolf but he was barely there. I was suffocating from the lack of energy until I finally see blackness surrounds me. Then within moments, I was closing my eyes involuntarily.
I didn’t know how long I was out, but I was finding myself in a dingy dark corner of a room. I tried to move but then find out that my legs were shackled, the chains rattled, making an echoing sound. It made me realize that I was in a very large empty space.
Probably an unused dungeon.
Realizing that I was alone, I get up again and try to find my way out. But there was nothing, no window, no slight breeze between the walls indicating outdoor area, all I found were drips of water, and molds. I was stepping carefully on the filthy dungeon floor. Then decided to sit back down on the filthy bed.
Looking at my surrounding, I definitely know that I was underground. I was about to take another look around when I heard heavy footsteps. Several heavy footsteps, and the murmur of voices, and a dragging sound. Then in less than a minute later I know what it was.
They’re fallen angels. They might be bad, but they still can’t kill anyone.
Shani said to me, a couple of days after I met Ranulf. It felt like a long time ago, my mind was about to wander off when I could see the angels were dragging Durwin and the general. Both looked badly wounded but knowing that they couldn’t kill I let go of my breath. Though I’d still worry, nothing is impossible.
They were opening the cell to my confinement, I was glad that both men were assigned to my cell when they dragged both bodies inside my cell. Then the quietness of the underground dungeon got me thinking that my cell was probably the only one there is.
Durwin was the first one to move and indicate that he was still alive, he groaned but then suddenly alert to his surrounding. I was quiet because the angels were still there waiting by the cell opening. Then later the badly wounded general was alert too.
It didn’t take long for them to talk, their words were harsh. Then one of them walk to the general and tried to kick him, I couldn’t understand what they were talking about. But the human inside of me was quick to pull him aside and in return, I got kicked right in the gut, and then there were more yelling, I could feel Durwin was swiftly taking me into his arms.
“Stupid Rain, your human self is no match for the angels, where’s your wolf?” he whispered in my ear, his hand was rubbing my arm. I could feel he was trying to give off his energy to me. But I saw him before, he was badly wounded already. He might be dead by his own hand, if not by the angels.
“No, Durwin… please don’t. You’re… wounded, I’ll be okay… in a couple… of hours.”
Though I know that I was lying, the kick was unbearable and I was having difficulty breathing. Then I heard the dark angels talk louder, sounded like they were asking for me because I heard my name being spoken.
“I need you to stay quiet,” Durwin whispered in my ear. Then he got up mentioning my name.
Wait… are they actually looking for me. I was about to get up when the general grabbed my shackled my foot and shook his head.
“Durwin…” I called out his name as he was being taken away by them.
But he just looked at me with a slight smile on his face, his mouth silently mouthing I love you to me. My heart shattered instantly, knowing that he was taking my place.
No… no… no…
I’ve had it, I was not letting Durwin take the fall for me. I was trying my hardest and finally managed to summon my wolf. The pain was excruciating, but I couldn’t let Durwin take my place. I could hear myself growling as my wolf was taking over my body, my bones were crackling my clothes torn apart then I let out the loudest growl echoing throughout the dungeon and freed my feet from the shackles with a tug.
Without hesitation I slashed the closest angel, and groaned and slashed another one with my claw, my roar was loud when I took one of them and threw him to the furthest corner of the dungeon. His brain shattered across the wall.
Once again I did not expect one of the dark-winged angels to ambushed me from behind. My wolf growled when he took my front paw and easily cracked it out of its sockets.
I was howling in pain seconds later. Then I saw Durwin thrown back into the cell, while I was slowly turning back into my human form. I was naked and battered, and for the second time of that day, I lose consciousness.
*****
Again, I didn’t know how long I was out. My eyes were still heavy, and my body was still hurting. But I could hear people arguing around me.
“This is all my fault, I shouldn’t take him back with me. How’s Osbert?”
“My King, General Osbert will be good in a couple of days. Raven has his best demon for him, he shall be back any minute now, he’s summoning more healer demon for master Rain. He’s still hurting, but Maven said not for long. I will wait for him…”
Ranulf, Durwin?
“Ran…”
I could barely hear my own voice, but his face hovered above mine in seconds. I was struggling, but I managed to lift my arm and reach out to his battered face.
“Your face…”
“I’m good little wolf, but you scare the heaven out of me.”
“I’m… back?”
“Yes, you’re back. Also Durwin and Osbert, the rebellion is under control.” He caressed my face and kissed my hair.
“Durwin… Osbert?”
“My general, Rain… Durwin will accompany you, I have to attend to my other generals. I need to make sure that the situation won’t arise anymore. I love you, rest for me.”
“Okay…”
His stares were a bit unsettling but he was gone moments later, I could hear him whispering in another language to Durwin. Their tone was harsh but then died down after a few more words.
“How are you feeling?” Durwin was by my side, there were few bruises on his handsome face too.
“I hope… better than… your face…” it was hard, but I managed to say longer words. He chuckled, then touched my face.
“I would die for you… don’t ever stand up for me, I’m your servant.”
“But I love you…” the words came out so easily from my mouth like it has been simmering for a while in my thoughts. It was a different kind of love, but I truly do love him and definitely would die for him.
“I love you more… and I love our king more too, and when he says that I should protect you then I will fight to the death. I’m nothing, but you are everything to our King, to our kingdom. Please… don’t ever do that again.”
“I don’t think I can promise such a thing. Would you… lay with me? hold me?”
My heart was wanting both of my men, but Ranulf was busy, he was the king. I’ve struggled before when I was still with my wolf mate Don. But now… now I actually have Durwin, though I still want my fallen angel too.
“I’d do anything for you Rain.” He laid himself next to me, then carefully took me closer to him, and I snuggled in deeper to his chest.
“Tell me, how do we get back here?”
He rubbed my arm and start telling me the grueling story of what happened that day.