River POV
The fact Erin was comfortable enough now to even voice when she wanted me made me feel good. As I held her in my arms, the softness of her skin against mine sent shivers down my spine. The feeling of her body pressed against mine erased the haunting memories I also endured from my past.
I worried when I found my mate her touch would hurt me as everyone else's did. Yet, as her fingertips grazed my skin, it felt like a delicate caress from a mythical creature. It was as if her touch possessed a magical quality, easing my fears and igniting a fire within me. But, I'll admit, after allowing her hands time to explore, I still found pleasure in pinning them with my own. The way her body moved when her hands were restrained with mine was intoxicating, awakening a primal desire within me.
Surprisingly, the train security did not interrupt our passionate connection. Erin's voice, now liberated, resonated throughout the room, filling the space with its beauty. We lost ourselves in each other, the hours melting away as we made love or simply held each other on the small bed. But our blissful bubble burst when the train abruptly screeched to a halt, accompanied by blaring sirens. The sound pierced through the silence, sending a wave of panic crashing over us.
"What's happening?" Erin's once calm aura now radiated with anxiety. I hurriedly assisted her in putting on some clothing. I had the foresight to pack two backpacks along with our other luggage, a precaution for emergencies. Now, they proved to be a wise decision. As I dressed swiftly, the sound of a low growl reverberated outside our room, causing Erin to cling onto me tightly.
"It's okay, Erin. I will get us out of here. Trust me," I reassured her, my voice filled with determination. I opened the small door, positioning myself in front of her protectively. The scent of fear and anticipation hung in the air, mixing with the metallic tang of adrenaline. I held Erin's trembling hand firmly in mine, silently urging her to remain by my side no matter what happened.
We stepped out. The faint smell of cleaning supplies mixed with the musty odor of old carpet greeted my senses. I guided Erin, relying on my memorization of the train's layout from the emergency guidelines available on their website. Each step felt like a silent dance, as we moved cautiously through the narrow passage. Erin's hand trembled in mine, a testament to her fear and vulnerability in this uncertain moment.
I guided her through the chaotic scene, ensuring we were positioned in the heart of the commotion. The deafening sound of growls filled the space, drowning out the panicked whispers of the humans around us. Their eyes widened in shock and disbelief, searching for the source of the disturbance.
As the tension escalated, a lady's voice quivered, her words barely audible over the clamor. The pounding of fists on the door echoed through the train car, desperate attempts to escape the unfolding chaos. Erin's trembling became more pronounced, her body betraying the onset of a panic attack. I followed her gaze, my heart pounding in my chest, and saw what had captured her attention - an old member of my pack.
A sinister smirk formed on his face as his eyes locked with mine. Without a moment's hesitation, he transformed into his wolf form, unleashing madness upon the confined space. The once crowded car erupted into a frenzy of screams and frantic movements. The realization struck me like a lightning bolt - this was his plan all along. The crowd surged towards the only open door, inadvertently separating me from Erin.
"Hide, Erin! Find a place to hide, I will find you," I urgently communicated through our telepathic link. With a swift motion, I smashed my hand through a window, feeling the sharp sting of glass shards embedding themselves in my skin. Ignoring the pain, I hastily tossed my backpack out, freeing myself from its weight. In an instant, I shifted into my wolf form, triggering a cacophony of terrified shrieks from those still trapped nearby.
With a surge of determination, I lunged towards my former pack member, ready to confront and destroy him. The chaos reached its peak as most of the passengers managed to escape the car. My claws collided with his body, the impact reverberating through my being. Time was of the essence, for I knew he was not alone. More members of his pack were hunting Erin, and I had to stop them, no matter the cost.
He snarled at me, his lips curling back to reveal sharp, glistening teeth.
Memories flooded my mind, the painful truth of my past unraveling before me. The bitter scent of betrayal mingled with the metallic tang of blood as I recalled the reasons for my exile. It wasn't just because my mother had passed away; it was because my father, consumed by his own insecurities, had feared my potential strength. The realization hit me like a thunderclap, electrifying my senses.
As the fight ensued, the sounds of snarls and growls intensified. Each clash of teeth and tearing of flesh was accompanied by the haunting howl of his pained cries. Adrenaline surged through my veins, heightening my senses. I moved with a speed and precision born of years of solitude and self-discovery. Finally, he fell, defeated.
Amidst the chaos, a new scent reached me, cutting through the metallic tang of blood. It was Erin's scent, sweet and intoxicating, like a wildflower in bloom. It hit me like a wildfire, igniting a primal need to protect her. I turned, my eyes locking onto the sight that shattered any semblance of control I had left.
One of my former pack members held Erin captive, his hand clamped tightly over her mouth. The torn fabric of her shirt revealed her valiant struggle to break free, and two more wolves ready to fight stood with him. The rage within me burned hotter, my vision tinged with a red haze. The taste of vengeance danced on my tongue as I launched myself at the two other wolves that stood with him, their growls blending into a symphony of defiance.
"Leave now, River," the man holding Erin sneered, his voice laced with arrogance. "You have no use for the girl." Recognition flickered in my mind as I identified him as one of my father's most loyal warriors. The growl that escaped me was primal, a warning of the impending storm that would rain down upon anyone who dared harm my mate.
I locked eyes with Erin, desperation clouding her once vibrant gaze. The absence of our telepathic connection told me she had been drugged, rendering her deaf to my voice. I fought to protect what was mine. "I gave you a chance, River," the man holding Erin snarled. "Kill him," he commanded the wolves attacking me. Erin strained against his grip, her every movement a testament to her will to be free.
My heart pounded rapidly, echoing in my ears like a war drum. Each beat sent a surge of energy through my limbs, propelling me forward with an almost superhuman strength.
With every tear and s***h, my muscles tensed and flexed, responding to the primal instinct of survival. The pain from One of the wolves' bites was masked by my determination, my focus locked solely on protecting my mate. I could feel the warmth of blood trickling down my side, but it was pushed to the back of my mind, overshadowed by the urgency of the moment.
Blood sprayed across the train car as the wolf's howls grew louder.
My mate's terrified muffled screams echoed in my ears, fueling my rage.
With a primal roar, I tore into one of the wolf's throats, ripping its life away.
The fight continued, my body fueled by a potent mix of adrenaline, fear, and determination.
My claws sliced through the air, finding their mark on the remaining predator's snarling face.
Its eyes widened in disbelief as blood spurted from its mangled muzzle.
With a final, ferocious swipe, the wolf collapsed in a crumpled heap, defeated.
"RIVER," Erin's piercing scream shattered the Train car's glass, sending shards flying in all directions. The deafening explosion temporarily stunned me, my senses overwhelmed by the crashing sound. But my focus quickly shifted to Erin and the final warrior, still in human form, who aimed a gun directly at me.
Erin managed to break free from the warrior's grasp just as the gun went off with a thunderous bang. In a selfless act, she threw herself in the path of the bullet, the sickening sound of impact echoing in my ears. Watching harm come to her, seeing her body crumple to the ground, felt like a dagger piercing my heart. The scent of fear and pain filled the air, mingling with my own rage.
"Mate saved us; that was silver.” Max howled, his voice laced with a mix of relief and anger. I growled in response, my eyes never leaving the warrior who had harmed her. With a snarl, I lunged at him, my teeth snapping dangerously close to his face. He tried to shoot again, but my swift movement knocked the gun from his hand, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground. I was faster than he expected, too fast for him to shift into his wolf form. His confusion was evident as he struggled to comprehend my speed.
"How?" he managed to speak, his voice trembling, as my fury intensified. "You f*****g harmed my mate, and now you will die," I snarled, my words dripping with venom. With a swift motion, I tore his head from his body, my anger fueling my strength. As soon as the deed was done, I shifted back into my human form and raced to Erin's side.
Her torn shirt clung to her body, drenched in blood. Gently, I ripped the remaining fabric, exposing the bullet lodged in her shoulder. Despite her unconscious state, her ragged breaths betrayed the pain she endured. "This will hurt, even in your sleep. I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice filled with both love and remorse. Pressing my finger into the wound, I carefully extracted the bullet, feeling the burning sensation on my skin. I discarded the bullet, its metallic thud against the ground a satisfying sound.
Using what remained of her shirt, I tightly wrapped the makeshift bandage around her wound, trying my best to stem the bleeding. The blaring sound of sirens in the distance filled the air, a cacophony of urgency. Time was of the essence; I needed to get her away from here quickly. It seemed that all the other passengers had evacuated, providing some solace as I entered the area with the private rooms. Erin's backpack lay abandoned on the ground.
I hastily opened the backpack, retrieving some clothing and quickly dressing myself. Carefully, I slid a shirt onto Erin's fragile form. With a determined resolve, I stepped out of the train with Erin in my arms, my senses on high alert. I couldn't catch any more wolf scents, but it was clear evidence that Erin was being relentlessly pursued.
I found the other backpack outside where I had tossed it, the passengers were huddled in one area but we couldn't be seen by them, especially with Erin in the state she was.
Determined to find safety, I ran towards a wooded area and took in my surroundings. Off in the distance, I could see a small town, its twinkling lights signaling a potential refuge.
My safest bet for now would be to bring Erin to that place and secure a hotel room.
"Mate is already starting to heal, River. You must calm down," Max warned in my mind, his voice tinged with concern. "If that bullet had hit us, we could have died," he cautioned.
Regret washed over me, and I berated myself internally. "I shouldn't have let her end up in such a perilous situation," I confessed to Max, my mind heavy with guilt.
His response echoed in my thoughts, reassuring yet cautious. "We will face many challenges, our mate is wanted. But we must continue to help her grow stronger. Today, she proved her resilience, fighting with every ounce of her being," he shared, the images of Erin's fierce struggle vivid in my mind.
Anger surged within me, fueled by the memory of the enemy's touch on her. "I don't want to be reminded of what he did to her," I snapped, my voice resonating with Max's growl in my mind. But he quickly reminded me of Erin's bravery, her ability to defend herself.
"She fought him off, River. She protected herself," Max interjected.
In that moment, I felt an overwhelming surge of love for Erin. She had willingly put herself in danger for me, proving her unwavering devotion. "We will train her, Max," I declared. "And soon, no one, not even ourselves, will be able to stand in her way." With newfound resolve, I stepped into the town, using the events of the day to fuel me in ensuring Erin's justice.