Chapter: 32
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Rafa dashed through the forests, snapping twigs out of his way and dodging vines that threatened to snag at him from all directions. The leaves crumbled beneath his feet, leaving him in a cloud of green and brown, but that hardly slowed him down. A few times he had to jump over fallen trees or dodge thick clumps of underbrush that blocked his path, but it didn't stop him. In fact, it only served to make him faster. He was a whirlwind of speed and energy, a creature of instinct that no amount of training could tame. He was nothing more than a natural predator, one that knew how to run faster than his prey. But then there were moments when even Rafa couldn't keep pace with himself. Like now, for instance.

It hadn't been long ago that his life had started to change, but now things were starting to spiral downwards. It seemed like everything was falling apart at the seams, crumbling until they were finally left bare bones. His whole world was crashing into pieces just when he thought he had overcome the worst. His heart raced as he ran and his body trembled with fear, sweat beading on his forehead and running into his eyes. But there was nothing he could do. Nothing could change the situation he'd found himself in. It was too late and his instincts told him it was only going to get worse. So instead of turning back, Rafael pushed forward, willing himself to take another step toward whatever fate awaited him. He was not going to give up on Him. Not this time. The image of the last hour flashed through his mind and he flinched as if stabbed in the heart by invisible daggers.

They had returned home happy and smiling, they even had dinner at a decent restaurant before going home and all the while both he and his Omega were all smiles, especially when he would do those little cute things. Conri had prepared a bath and they shared it. All seemed fine until Caleb was sat on the bed, waiting for him to get back to blow-drying his hair when suddenly, he slumped back into the bed and while Conri tried to wake the nonresponsive Mate up, Caleb shifted into his Cub Form but it wasn't only the Cub that frightened him even though he thought they had passed that, but to the fact that he was not breathing. He was not responsive to his many attempts to wake him up. And then everything happened so fast that it was almost impossible for Rafa to catch up with it. He immediately linked his Betas to bring his Doctor and when they arrived, he only confirmed what he didn't want to hear.

"I don't know what's going on here, Alpha. I would suggest you go to your Birth Omega for help."

Rafa didn't wait for him to finish before he was dashing through the door and into the night, ignoring the yells of his Betas, he only linked them to stay beside his Omega and not leave his sight for any reason. Rafa couldn't make sense of the situation. He shook his head as if trying to clear the image from his mind but that wouldn't work. He was scared. More afraid than he had ever been his entire life. Caleb never complained of any pain or anything of the sort while they walked around the Art Gallery or chased each other around the Garden afterward. He didn't seem to be in any discomfort either, and yet he had suddenly slumped and his breathing so faint it's hardly noticed. Something terrible must've happened for him to pass out in such a manner. And not knowing what scares him even more.

Rafa came to a screeching halt, nearly tripping over a fallen tree when a Rogue landed in front of him. He growled and charged the Rogue, immediately recognizing him upon closer attack, he yelled. "Get out of my way, Dare!"

Dare growled back and tried to attack, but Rafa dodged, swiping his paw against the Rogue's chest and sending him flying off into a nearby bush. Rafa followed closely after, keeping watch. Dare jumped out, transforming back into his human form, and stood up straighter before glaring daggers into Rafa's face. "We need to talk," He said flatly.

Rafa snarled back, his own rage barely contained behind his mask of calmness. "Now it's not the time, Dare. Step aside!"

But Dare did not move, standing his ground instead. "No we need to talk right now, and we're not going anywhere till you listen!"

"What is it you want this time?" Rafa growled, losing patience.

"About that night!" Dare snapped.

"Whatever happened then was because you had asked for it!" Rafa snarled back.

"Lies!" Dare growled.

Rafa lunged towards him, claws extended and teeth bared. Dare managed to push him away by a couple of inches. Rafa charged him again and this time Dare shifted and returned his attack. Both men went tumbling through the bushes, their fighting continuing to escalate until something sipped through Rafa's nostrils and he weakened, giving Dare the advantage against him. Dare did not waste any time before he lunged at the Alpha and began digging his fingers into his exposed throat, pulling hard, choking the Alpha. Rafa tried kicking out but the Rogue merely tightened his grip. He struggled against Dare's hold but it was useless. He fell back, his legs collapsing underneath him. The pain shot through his nerves and he felt lightheaded.

It was happening again.

Weakness.

It was all too familiar.

Why is it that every time he is having a fight with Dare, something often seems to sap his strength from him? Leaving him weak and immobile. Like he had forgotten how to fight or hold his ground. The earth becomes unsteady and his breathing would be heavy with tiredness. It doesn't happen with anyone else. Just Him. Why the Rogue? What has he done to him to have caused this effect every time?

It's pitiful that a Rogue could best him in battle, and nothing about this was normal. Conri surged from within and Rafa shifted, both he and his human used all the strength they could muster to shove the Rogue away, Conri went on his knees and cough uncontrollably, trying to breathe in some air although that seemed difficult since the air had suddenly become poisonous to inhale. Conri panted, his chest heaving with every breath as he fought for air, for strength. He could feel his muscles trembling with exhaustion. "What have you done to me?" He questioned Dare who was charging toward him once again. "Why do you weaken me whenever you need to fight me? Are you so scared that I would rip you limb from limb? What witch did you meet for such a useless spell?" He swung an arm at the charging Rogue and knocked the life out of him.

Dare flew a few feet back, crashing into trees and snapping them in half. Conri didn't wait for him to recover before he ran after him, pinning him to the ground, he began throwing punches at the face of the Rogue. "I told you I wasn't in the right mood. You should have walked when I asked you nicely, you little shit!" With each word came a blow and Dare trembled and spat blood through nose and mouth even then Conri would not stop. The Rogue cried in agony, clawing at Conri's arms trying to dislodge them off of his neck and shoulders. Conri continued his barrage, beating the Rogue and forcing him down into the dirt, letting loose his fury with every blow. He let out a deep groan when a powerful punch to the jaw caused pain to explode in his face, but his fury did not falter, he pressed the weight further, breaking the Rogue's nose, and causing the blood and gore to splatter onto the ground and himself.

As the Rogue writhed in pain, Conri took the chance and raked a knee into his abdomen, causing the Rogue to cry out in agony, Dare whimpered pathetically underneath him, the sight of red liquid staining the grass making Conri hesitate. When Dare tried to crawl away, he caught his leg, dragging him close enough to whisper. "What is it you want to talk about now, huh?" He lifted Dare by the collar, growled, and dug his claws into the skin at the base of his throat. "Tell me! Tell me what makes you so angry! Why am I losing my strength?! You are killing me! Is that what you want?!" Dare didn't answer his questions and Conri shook him hard. "Answer me!" He screamed. "I am sick of you acting stupid! Tell me why you hate me!" He roared. But Dare remained silent, his face a mask of hatred. "Fine, if that is how you want it!" Conri raised his arm to deliver the final blow when a heavy one landed on the back of his head, knocking him off Dare. He watched with Blurry eyes as A Werelion landed in front of him and very easily picked up Dare, he didn't wait for Conri to regain strength before he went dashing through the woods and disappeared with Dare in his arms.

Conri took a moment, lying there and trying to clear his vision, once he was okay, he got up and began running to Autumn Pack once again, his wounds healing as he ran. He will have to deal with Dare and that Lion later, for now, he's wasted enough time and needs to go.

It was he who came to find him that night.

He pushed it.

Caused his Lycan to snap.

And now he won't let him rest for that one night.

He should not have fallen into his embrace.

He should not have let his weakness win against Dare's charms.

Now it seems it will be a night they would live to regret for the rest of their lives.

That one mistake will haunt him forever.

A constant reminder of that one wrong choice you've made.

Growling, Conri shifted and ran faster.