My Hunted Mate

Corinna

When we landed in the water, mum managed to grab a hold onto me for support while we both swam to shore. I collapsed onto the sand in pure relief that we had managed to get away, shift back and only then notice that I am still bleeding from my injuries, I wince slightly as I press at the bite mark on my left hip.

My mum coughs loudly from behind me, I turn around to see her on her knees in the sand looking at her blood covered hands. I call for her, her eyes meet mine and she gives me a sad smile. She looks even paler than before which I didn't even think was possible.

"* Mum? Where did that blood come from? " I whisper as I kneel down in front of her. My mum reaches around her back wincing as she does, I move around to see her hand is sitting on top of the blade my father had just before we jumped.

"No! " I whisper. " This isn't happening. This is not happening right now. "

My mum takes my cheeks in her blood covered hands. " it's alright Rina, it's all going to be alright. * she tells me. " Listen to me Rina, I need you to take the knife out. "

"no! You.. No! That'll make the bleeding faster! It'll kill you! "I cry.

"I'm already dying Rina. I don't want something he touched anywhere on me. Please just take it out. * She begs, making me nod.

Moving around her, I take the handle of the blade into my hand. I shut my eyes tightly as I pull it from my mum's flesh, she lets out a scream of pain. I toss the knife onto the sand, my mum lays back so her head is on my lap.

" No! I can fix this. " I tell her, nodding my head. * I can fix this. "

"Rina.. It's too late. * She mumbles.

"No! I can fix this! " I cry. I stretch my hands out holding them out to hover over her body and I begin to chant, a few sobs break through as I do so.

" Rina... * My mum calls but I ignore her and continue chanting. " Rina.. I'm sorry I left you behind. I should have taken you with me, I regret it more than anything. I hate that.. that I missed out on seeing you grow up. " she tells me, her breathing becoming shallow.

Tears cover my face as I continue to chant desperately. " I'm so proud of you Rina.. I'm proud... of how strong you are, you've survived so- so much and you've become a wonderful protective and sweet woman I'm sorry that I won't be here with you when you find a better life for yourself, a mate, children, whatever it may be. Any positives you get in life, you hold onto them. I love you sweetheart. " by now she is gasping while trying to speak and I can't even chant anymore from how much I'm crying.

" Please don't leave me again. I just got you back.. * I sob, running my hands over the wet hair on her head. " Mum please, please don't... " "It's okay.. " she shushes me, holding onto my arm tightly.

" 1 love you so much mum, you never have to be sorry okay? Just... I." I feel her grip begin to loosen on my arm. * Mum?! " I shout, but her grip is now gone and her hand falls onto the sand.

"Mum?! " I shout again, shaking her. " Mum please! "

My body shakes roughly as I sob, I wrap my arms around my mum's head holding her to me as I rock back and forth. I let out a loud, powerful scream that sends a burst of energy through the air.

Hours pass, the sky turns dark and the tide comes in but I still sit with my mum holding her and staring off at nothing, completely numb. Eventually I bring myself to look down at her, my fingers brush over her face to close her eyes. Not having anything to use to bury her with, I move her body closer to the water so the tide will take her.

Shifting back into my wolf, I let out a sorrow filled howl before turning and slowly walking toward the darkness of the trees nearby, I wander through the woods mindlessly until the sun rises in the sky.

Eventually I stumble upon a small apple orchard, I wander over to a few of the fallen apples eating them greedily until waves of nausea tell me I've had enough. Completely exhausted, I fall into my stomach with my paws tucked under my head. I close my eyes and start to go over the list of things I need to somehow gather if I want to survive, thanks to Alpha Jack I'd lost my bag pack with all of my things. It's only then that I notice I can no longer feel the pain from the injuries I got earlier, which means they've healed, no doubt leaving me behind a few new scars.

Letting out a huff at the thought of more marks covering my body, I try to remember how many that would be now, as I count I lull myself into a much needed dreamless sleep without even meaning to.