Page 24

T he urge to attack her is there. Even as I force myself away, I can feel it, the need to rip her apart, to make her bleed. It's not from me but the monster that somehow has control over me, or at least he usually does.

Ever since I woke up in the rain all those nights ago, I've been forced into the darkness, with only glimpses of the world and what my beast is doing.

None of it is good.

Fuck! How the hell could they have let her out here all alone? The urge to yell at them morphs into the urge to kill them. Again, not an urge from me.

It's a damn miracle I managed to get away from Serena, let alone the little bits of broken conversation I managed. I wanted to say more, hold her, and wipe away those stupid tears, but I'm dangerous.

I couldn't live with myself if I hurt her, which is why I need her to let me go.

My whole life, from the moment we found her crying and alone, I knew she was meant for me.

It took years for me to realize she was meant for all of us, and as much as I wanted to keep her for myself, I knew that wasn't for me to decide.

If she wanted them too, if they made her happy, I could swallow my pride; they were my brothers after all, and we are a pack.

Or we were.

I love her enough to know that none of that is possible now.

They are a pack.

I'm the monster that will tear them apart if I ever get the chance.

I won't be the one who breaks her, not if I can help it.

Sounds in the forest, cries of other beasts, and breaking branches should scare me, but I welcome anything that dares challenge me.

Serena is gone now; I can feel her as she moves away from me, and that's all I needed.

I'm exhausted. Keeping the darkness away isn't easy, but knowing she's safe is all that matters.

I stop fighting, letting the darkness take over again.