CHAPTER 25: SOFT

Valden’s breath was ragged against my knuckles and I could hear him wheezing and panting as he struggled to pick himself up by himself. His pulse fluttered weakly as I pressed my thumb against the point in his neck.

I didn’t move, just held him close, knowing I had to let him go through that because of me.

Darek wanted information about me from Valden. Information I had hoped was buried deep in the Earth just like everyone who died in the mist. The only person who knew about it was Valden. And he hadn’t uttered a word even after everything.

Kinley was already barking orders as I contemplated everything.

"Get Captain Malawitt to the infirmary immediately. And someone clean up this gooddamn mess!"

A bunch of burly-looking guards were bustling in and helped lift Valden gingerly onto a white stretcher. They held him so gently as they transferred him onto the fabric that I dropped back down on the dirt floor in relief.

Darek stayed near the doorway rolling his eyes. As Valden was taken away, he looked at his retreating form as if he was going to burn his body at the stake next time.

After all his orders were given, Kinley turned back to Darek with a look of contempt.

"You crossed a line, Commander. You endangered everyone because of your twisted ways. You used your authority again for your sadistic needs. The Council will hear about this."

"You are not the only one who gets to experiment on her, Fowler. I am entrusted with the right to do whatever is necessary to protect Kargahart. And as for the Council, go right ahead. They would just ask you why you didn’t think of it in the first place."

Kinley shook his head as if there was no point in arguing with Darek. I was surprised he even tried. He glanced at me, his eyes softening.

"Maeve. I think you should pay a visit to the lab and make sure everything is alright. I’ll escort you if you wish."

"No, you won’t." Darek’s cut in. "I will be escorting her myself. Since I’m responsible for all this, I would like to sincerely apologize to her on the way."

"No, I think you’ve done enough for today, Alpha Commander Korvash. Maeve needs rest and–"

"That’s fine," my voice echoed.

Kinley’s mouth remained half open. The room fell silent as they digested my words.

"But Maeve–"

"It’s fine," I repeated. "I’m sure he’ll be nice."

Darek’s mouth twitched in amusement as I got up silently and walked towards him. I reached the doorway and looked up at him expectedly to lead the way.

The undeniable smirk was still very much apparent on his face but I could also sense him trying to mask his confusion. But then he pressed forward and I followed him, leaving Kinley with his mouth gaping open in shock or fear. Fear for my life, I assumed.

"I like this new Maeve. Did you really decide to deal with this peacefully like a decent person?"

I smiled. "I’d rather you not talk to me about decency. Also, I thought I was getting an apology."

Darek chuckled.

"Well yes, of course. I’m really sorry Maeve. I shouldn’t have tried to torture Captain Malawitt like that to cause you the kind of distress needed to activate your powers. But believe me, Kinley’s ways are way more boring. I can assure you, you wouldn’t have liked it any better."

"Anything for the protection of Kargahart, right?"

"Yes, exactly. But I will try not to be so...impulsive next time. But you did try to escape, Maeve. That wasn’t in the cards. As long as you do what you’re told, we will not have a problem."

We came to a desolate but lit-up hallway now with no doors on the side and a faint hum of machinery in the air. The air felt suffocating here, like it was laced with some sort of venom. It was too brightly lit and felt like a long bright tunnel with no end.

I stopped walking and hesitated. Darek realized he couldn’t hear the heels of my boots and slowed down to face me.

"Scared?" He asked, his features softening.

I shook my head but my stomach twisted with a sense of impending danger. "This hallway feels really empty. Like a grave."

"That’s pretty morbid."

"Even for you?" I raised my eyebrows in challenge.

We stared at each other like that, not breaking contact, letting the silence and the calm eat up the space between us. The air was too still and Darek’s eyes glowed underneath the overhead lights.

And then he moved closer, each step like a push against my chest. I didn’t back away. I kept my eyes on him as he moved forward until he towered over me, so close that he was breathing the same air.

He didn’t waste time.

His lips crashed into me.

It wasn’t tender or careful but felt like he yearned for it. Like he wanted it for so long. It was all-consuming and sent a deep jolt through every inch of my skin. I let it burn, letting all the pent-up anger and pain pour into the kiss.

His kiss deepened even further as his tongue forced its way past my lips, and I moaned into his mouth, my hands clutching the front of his uniform and pulling him towards me, closer, as I melted in his arms. His hands were everywhere as he cradled my face first and then slid down to grab my waist, and then his fingers slipped beneath the hem of my shirt to the burning skin beneath it.

It was the first time I had kissed my mate. And my wolf was struggling to keep its control, clawing against its cage. Our scents were so violent and intoxicating and I was sure he could smell my arousal.

But it didn’t matter because I could still feel the images of Valden scouring my mind. Stuck to my memory like a leech now.

Valden, bloodied and broken as he hung on those metal chains as white hot electricity seared through him.

Valden, who refused to spill my secrets even when he was on the brink of death.

Valden, who suffered and got tortured...because of me.

I let the anger consume me, and let it course through me again. I welcomed it now without trying to push it back until the power pulsed till the tips of my fingers.

I clenched my fingers tight, calling all of it, every remnant of power into my palms and brought it in front of my body.

Darek was too focused on the kiss, his palms moving and massaging the skin on my waist before his fingers gently slipped under the elastic of my pants.

I was ready.

Because I was going to kill him now.

And I was going to make it hurt.