Chapter 131: Chapter 131 Pain Brings Freedom
Seraphina’s POV
Pain consumed every inch of my body. Each shallow breath felt like shattered glass cutting through my lungs. My ribs throbbed with a deep ache that made movement nearly impossible. My legs felt like dead weight, and my skull pounded with a relentless headache that made me dizzy.
Those bastards had beaten me within an inch of my life.
What kind of monsters attack an innocent woman? I had done absolutely nothing to deserve this brutality. The worst part was not knowing why they hated me so much when I was nothing more than a stranger to them.
My wolf was still missing. The drugs should have cleared my system by now, but she remained silent in the depths of my mind. A cold dread settled in my stomach. What if the chemicals had permanently damaged our bond? What if I had lost her forever?
The door exploded open with a violent crash. Dorian burst through, his face streaked with dirt and sweat, his chest heaving like he had been running for miles. Wild panic blazed in his dark eyes, the kind of terror that came from watching your world burn.
I expected him to return victorious from his attack on the Solstice Fang. His arrogance had been so complete, his confidence so absolute. But the man standing before me looked like he was running from his own death.
"Seraphina, we’re leaving. Right now," he barked, his voice sharp with urgency.
Before I could demand answers, his rough hands grabbed my arm and yanked me upright. A scream tore from my throat as agony exploded through my broken body. My legs gave out instantly, but Dorian caught me and lifted me against his chest without any consideration for my injuries.
The pain was excruciating, but when we reached the outside, I understood his desperation.
Complete chaos surrounded us. Wolves howled in the distance while terrified voices shouted orders across the compound. The metallic scent of blood mixed with thick smoke that burned my nostrils. Bodies lay scattered across the ground.
The pack was under siege.
The scene triggered a memory that had haunted me for weeks. The woman running through flames as her pack burned around her. Her terror had carved itself into my heart, and now I could feel that same fear radiating from every person here. These battles never touched the ones who started them. Instead, innocent families paid the price while trying to protect their children.
My heart hammered against my ribs. Julian. His name blazed through my thoughts like a beacon of hope. I knew exactly how far he would go to protect what belonged to him, and despite everything, I was still his mate. Had he come for me? A tiny spark of relief flickered in my chest. Maybe this nightmare was finally ending.
But even if he saved me, Dorian would never forgive this attack. More innocent people would suffer because of our twisted bond.
Dorian’s grip tightened around my waist as he pulled me deeper into the trees. "Don’t get excited," he snarled against my ear. "Your precious mate isn’t going to save you from your own brother."
Terror clawed up my throat. Where was he taking me? What would he do once we were alone?
My father and his followers had created this monster. They had taken a little boy and twisted him into something dark and obsessive. Dorian’s gruesome childhood, watching our father die, losing everything he loved – it had all shaped him into this possessive creature who couldn’t understand that love couldn’t be forced.
Part of me pitied him. He had no one left in this world except me, and in his damaged mind, keeping me close was the only way to fill that emptiness. But understanding his pain didn’t make his actions acceptable.
He moved through the forest with practiced stealth, avoiding the sounds of battle. Each step took me farther from Julian, farther from any hope of rescue. The distance felt like a physical weight pressing down on my chest.
Then something incredible happened.
A warm, familiar presence bloomed in my mind like sunshine breaking through storm clouds. My wolf. She was back.
Tears of relief streamed down my face. "You’re here," I whispered internally.
"I’m here," she confirmed, her voice strong and clear.
"Please help me," I begged. "I can’t let him take me. I don’t know what he’ll do."
"You have power, Seraphina. You can escape. But using it will cause you pain. Are you willing?"
Without hesitation, I answered, "Anything. Just get me away from him."
"Close your eyes," she instructed. "Picture yourself far from this place."
I squeezed my eyes shut and focused. For a terrifying moment, nothing happened. Then the world shifted.
Wind rushed past my face as searing pain ripped through my body like lightning. When I opened my eyes, I stood several meters away from Dorian, who spun around in confusion.
"SERAPHINA!" he roared, his voice echoing through the trees.
My body felt like it was on fire, but I couldn’t stop now. I focused again, pushing through the agony. Further. I had to go further.
Another flash of excruciating pain, and suddenly I was deeper in the forest. My legs trembled violently. Warm blood dripped from my nose onto my lips.
"You need to heal quickly," my wolf warned. "Or the next jump will kill you."
I forced myself to breathe deeply, willing my body to repair itself. The wounds began closing, but far too slowly. Dorian’s furious shouts grew closer.
"I WILL FIND YOU!" His voice carried pure rage and desperation.
Fear gave me strength. I had one last chance.
Closing my eyes a final time, I pictured the river miles from here. The world dissolved around me.
When I materialized, the pain was unbearable. My knees cracked against the forest floor as blood poured from my mouth. But I was free.
With my last conscious thought, I reached out across the mate bond. Julian, help me. Please find me.
Then darkness claimed me completely.
