Time Will Tell (sequel to HMM)

Chapter 17- Final Battle

I gritted my teeth and stood in place, waiting for O'Brian to make his first move. I didn't have the energy to work on the offensive. I needed to keep my defenses up.

I felt my wound and found that it had surprisingly stopped bleeding. That was good at least. I still didn't have the energy, but at least I wouldn't bleed to death like had happened to Freemont.

"You know this is foolish of you. You know that you can't win this."

"If I can't win, then I die, and either way I'll be free of you and so will she."

"Then wouldn't this all seem like it was for nothing? You die and don't get to be with your mate, then why did you come to save her?"

"I came to save her because she is my mate. She's under my protection. I would gladly give my life for her or any of them if it meant they would be safe. It's something I'm sure you don't understand, sir." I sneered the last word, mocking him.

O'Brian hadn't taken well to that. His eyes narrowed at me and he rushed forward, closing the distance quickly. All I could do was prepare for the impact.

O'Brian's large body slammed into me hard, a closed fist connecting with my jaw and I went to the ground. I knew it would leave a nice mark.

I got up quickly, moving out of his reach. My head started to swim with dizziness at the fast movement. I shouldn't be doing this right now. I should turn and leave, go back to the car where Allison is waiting. I should go back to my pack, but I can't do it. I can't just leave when the man who has caused so much pain in such a short time is standing right in front of me.

He was the one who had handed Allison over to those monsters. I don't know what they did to her, but I know that I want to kill all of them for it.

I turned my attention back to the Alpha in front of me. I leaned slightly against the wall next to me, my breathing ragged.

"If you wish to die then I can help you with that." I shake my head slightly at his words.

"You misunderstand. I don't want to die, if this goes according to plan, I'll be the one walking out. However, I've finally found something worth risking my life for, and it isn't power."

O'Brian snarls at that and lunges forward again. I try to move away, but he still gets me. I feel the sharp pain as his claws sink into my side instead of my stomach. I feel the wound from before open up again with the new assult.

I groan and push the Alpha's weight off of me. I feel his claws sliding out of my side. I hear the sick sound of them moving along my flesh as they leave my body and I can't help but stay on the ground.

I hear the rumble of laughter coming from the man next to me as he looks me over.

"It's quite sad really," he says. "I once thought you were full of power, that you were necessary for greater power. But here you are, powerless at the brink of death."

"Aren't we all powerless at death," I ask though I should just remain quiet. "It's the one thing we can't escape. The only certain thing after we're born."

"Ah, but some leave with the power they were born, and some leave stripped of it all. You came here to save a mate, one who could supply you nothing in return. Where is she now? She's run off with another, left you here alone. You were foolish to run after her, to chase after the one who could do nothing. You let her get a hold on you. You let her strip you of everything. Now here you lay, ready to die for the one who has abandoned you."

Though I know his words aren't true, I can't help the stab of pain I feel. Allison left because I told her to leave. I didn't care what happened as long as she was safe. I made sure Jason wouldn't let her back in, that if I didn't make it back out there, that he would take her far away. She was only in any danger of this because of me. Because she had the unfortunate luck to be mated to me.