No.
Not Odis.
“Devin,” I gasped.
Devin heard me but didn’t stop. He didn’t look up at me, didn’t even hesitate as he continued to stomp Odis into the ground. Blood spurt from Odis’ mouth and I think I heard his ribs crack. I took a step closer to stop it, to stop him. In a flash, someone was on top of Devin. Strong arms held Devin’s prisoner in a headlock and his legs wrapped around Devin’s abdomen.
I wanted to scream but it quickly died in my throat as Odis and I realized the man in front of me was Gabe. Gabe. It was Gabe and he was on top of Devin. Well, he was wrapped around him like a python ready to suffocate his prey. Gabe grunted as he continued to squeeze Devin’s head, blocking his airflow.
I wanted to cry out happily but I couldn’t. Gabe was here. Why was he here? He wasn’t supposed to be here. Things were going differently since he was alive. He was standing, breathing, his head was still attached to his body. Maybe things were turning out differently.
Maybe Gabe was safe, maybe-My thoughts were cut off as Devin threw his head back. It connected with Gabe’s nose and he cursed. Blood gushed from his nose as he grunted. Devin reached back and gripped Gabe’s shoulders. He pulled him forward and Gabe flew through the air, his hands released Devin as he was slammed to the ground.
“Fuck!” Gabe cried.
Odis was on Devin instantly. His hand wrapped around Devin’s throat. His other hand gripped Devin’s arm. Odis climbed on top of Devin and he fell to the ground. Odis’ grip tightened around his throat and he squeezed with all of his might.
Devin choked and his free hand clawed at Odis’s hand as he squashed his windpipe with a crunch. He kicked but Odis didn’t move. Devin’s eyes widened and he looked at me. I couldn’t breathe as I stared back. I held his eyes as he fought, I held eye contact until he stopped fighting. I couldn’t breathe. There was worry and panic and I knew it wasn’t all for me. Despite not being able to breathe, he wasn’t fighting for himself, he was fighting for Shane.
“Please, protect-” His voice was cut off as he finally suffocated.
Fuck. My lips parted as I stared at Odis over Devin. His body fell slack and Odis pushed him back, releasing him. Devin’s head bounced off of the ground. He had lost. Odis was the victor. Odis stood up and spat on Devin. He turned and when he confirmed I was okay, he turned to Gabe.
“Are you okay?” Odis asked. There was a gentleness in his voice. Gabe’s eyes softened as he stared at Odis.
“Yes,” Gabe answered.
Gabe turned from Odis and he looked at me. I was glad that he was okay, I was glad that he was alive. I was glad that Gabe’s person was okay but I knew that things might never be the same for us again. Gabe walked up to me, stopped in front of me, he pushed me in my chest. Before I could say anything, his arms wrapped around me and he pulled me into his crushing embrace.
“Fuck, Ady. Don’t do that again. Do you hear me? Don’t fucking do that again. You can’t do that shit to me,” Gabe choked.
His voice was pained and there was wetness in my hair and on my cheek. My Gabby was crying. My heart broke. I didn’t deserve his love and affection. Ethan wasn’t the only person I hurt when I decided to leave Desert Moon. The things that I’ve done, I know when he finds out about what I’ve done in the last few days, he would be hurt. He wouldn’t be able to understand. He might not even be able to forgive me. I can’t say anything so all I do is nod.
“Good. I can’t have you going on a suicide mission again. Like ever. You don’t get to leave me behind like that. Never again. You hear me?” He asked.
He moves back and my gaze finds Ethan and Shane. They’re still fighting, they never stopped. Devin and Odis had my attention. I almost completely forgot about the Alphas battle. They’re both bleeding, fresh wounds, and fresh cuts litter their face and body.
They’re on their knees across from each other. The glare is evident in their eyes. Their wolves flash in their eyes as they watch their opponent. Their chests rise and fall as they struggle to catch their breaths.
They’re at a standstill and I think there’s an unspoken agreement that has stopped fighting for a minute or two. I don’t know how this is going to end. They are evenly matched, in size and in strength. What are the odds of that? If one was stronger than the other then the chances would be higher in one’s favor but because they are similar in strength it’s hard to tell.
I don’t know who I want to win. I don’t know who I want to see walk away from all of this, who I want to see live. Is there one that I would be okay with watching die? No. I don’t want to see any of them die. What I do know is that I’m… I’m not ready to lose either one.
Why did it come to this? How did it come to this? Ethan gathered the warriors the moment I had left. I had this all planned, a plan that was supposed to save us, and yet, it flopped. It put everything into motion. It pushed everything into motion. Maybe I was stupid to think that I could change anything at all. I was pulled from my thoughts as movement caught my eye. Ethan and Shane were on their feet now. Blood dripped and rolled down their chests.
“You die today,” Ethan growled.
“We’ll see,” Shane answered.