It felt like time had gotten slow as she and Gabriel made their way through the crowd into the house.
Strong metallic smell filled their nose and instantly Carlisia recognized it as blood.
She could faintly hear Gabriel saying something about the living room but her thinking was too out of focus. Gabriel grabbed her arm as he led her hand Carlisia realized she had been previously going in the wrong direction.
They entered the living room and Carlisia’s breathing stopped by the sight in front of her.
There was a splatter of blood in front of the wall by which was a body the throat neatly slit opened. Fresh blood was still oozing out of it. Carlisia instantly recognized the body, it was the cooking lady’s.
Carlisia was about to go to the body but Gabriel’s arm wrapped around her waist stopping her. Carlisia looked at him and saw his eyes fixed at the wall.
Carlisia followed his gaze and saw a message written in blood.
You have availed the liberty of spending your Christmas with peace,
But on New Year’s Eve you all will reek, Of blood, Of sweat and Of pain fuelled screams,
For I will show none of you mercy Give me what I want and I shall leave Or face the war that approaches thee.
Carlisia stared at the message, her gaze hovering over one specific line, ‘Give me what I want and I shall leave’
“What does he even want?” Someone from the crowd said and Carlisia looked at Gabriel who was still looking at the wall now with rage.
Carlisia turned to the person and smiled sadly at him before tears welled up in her eyes.
“Me.” She replied and everyone looked at her.
“He wants me.” Carlisia whispered to herself.
“Well’ he cant have you.” Gabriel said sternly.
“We won’t let him.” She heard Ruben’s voice from behind and felt a hand on her shoulder, she turned and looked that it belonged to Elijah.
Carlisia shrugged their hands off and moved away from every single one of them.
She looked at the crowd in front of her, who looked more than determined to fight for her.
“I do not doubt any one of your abilities but I will not let you die for me. Give him what he wants and he’ll leave you alone.” Carlisia said bravely although she pretty much knew she was going to kill herself in Carson’s presence.
“Hell no!” Carlisia heard people say and some saying, ‘We can’t take that motherfucker down.’
Gabriel howled loudly and he stomped his way to Carlisia, before pulling her in a hug.
“You are not going anywhere and if anyone in this pack tried to even think of handing her over then I will make sure they die a horrendous death by my hands.” Gabriel said eyeing the crowd and everyone nodded, all down to business.
“We will fight! And we will win!” Gabriel said loudly and the crowd of men and women in front of them hollered.
“What about crippled adults and children?” Carlisia asked looking at him.
“They’ll be safe. We’ll evacuate them.” Gabriel said and Carlisia shook her head.
“What if-” Carlisia began to say but Gabriel cut her off and placed his hand on her mouth.
“We’ll figure something out.” Gabriel said and Carlisia nodded.
Gabriel than looked at the crowd, Carlisia had never seen a crowd so excited on fighting.
“We have only a week to prepare. I want everyone on the training ground tomorrow at four in the morning. We have to make sure we are prepared to take that bastard down.” Gabriel said and everyone loudly screamed ‘Yes Alpha’ like soldiers.
“Go get some rest, it’s been a long day.” Gabriel said and Carlisia looked at them as they bowed towards them.
Soon the living room had gotten empty and only Gabriel stood there now with her.
“Come on, lets go our room.” Gabriel said and softly took her hand in his and lead her straight to the room locking it behind them as Carlisia’s mind went to different way to prevent the war.
“Carlisia don’t try to do anything stupid.” Gabriel said reading Carlisia’s thought and Carlisia shook her head.
“You guys are not understanding what I mean. People die during a war. It may not be you or me or them, but it could be our relatives, our friends. I can prevent this. You can too. You just need to hand me over to him and then everything will be alright.” Carlisia said and Gabriel shook his head.
“Don’t you get it that you’re my mate? I’d die and without an Alpha the pack will fall anyway, so why not die trying Carly. I wont hand you over to a person who can’t even respect you.” Gabriel said bitterly and Carlisia could see tears filling his eyes.
“I haven’t even marked you, If I hand you to him he’ll mark as his and I won’t be able to live with that Carlisia.”Gabriel said as a tear fell from his eye.
He gently grabbed her waist and brought her close to him, hugging her and Carlisia hugged back. She had never seen him so vulnerable.
“Then, mark me.” Carlisia whispered and Gabriel looked at her in the eyes.
“Carlisia think through this. What if you don’t love me anymore, then you wont be able to get away from me because of the bond.” Gabriel said although he wanted to mark her. He had wanted to for so long.
“I’ll always love you Gabriel and maybe Carson might see that I belong by your side and not his.” Carlisia said and Gabrielleaned his forehead on hers.
“I love you Carlisia.” Gabriel said and kissed her on the lips before he trailed kisses to her neck.
“I love you too Gabriel.” Carlisia said as she felt him graze his teeth on the spot on her neck.
“This might hurt a bit but I promise you’ll be okay.” Gabriel said as his hold on her got tighter and Carlisia nodded.
“I trust you.” She said and she felt him bite don on her neck.
She held in a scream but that wasn’t even the painful part; the real pain began when she felt his teeth extending into her neck.
Tears began to smear down her cheeks as she took deep breath trying to tolerate the pain. He holds on Gabriel’s shirt tightened and she sighed in relief as she felt his teeth coming out of her neck.
“It’s okay. You’re fine.” Gabriel said as he licked the mark on her neck and Carlisia moaned still breathing hard.
“Come on, let’s tuck you in. Do you want to change into some pajamas?” Gabriel said and Carlisia faintly nodded as Gabriel carried her to the bed.
“You stay here and I’ll get you some clothes.” Gabriel said and Carlisia nodded, her neck hurt like hell as she dazed btw conscious and unconsciousness.
Carlisia heard footsteps approach her and she turned her head towards the source but took a sharp breath because of the pain.
“Here you go. Do you want me to help you” Gabriel asked her very gently and Carlisia nodded, there was no way she could have changed into the clothes in this state.
Gabriel gently lifted her up and undid the zip of her dress. For some Carlisia felt completely comfortable with him seeing her in her garments.
Gabriel gently stripped her off the dress and quickly but carefully dressed her in one of his oversized shirts. They were huge on her and reached below her knees.
He shifted her and tucked her on her side. He smiled when he heard Carlisia mumble a thank you.
“Go to sleep, ok. I’ll be here when you wake up.” Gabriel said and saw Carlisia nod and with that she was out like lightening.
