Blood Legacy Chapter 137: 135. The ritual

Loud and hitching sobs wracked throughout my body, my cheeks so wet with tears as I aimlessly stumbled my way between the thick and looming trees. I had no idea for how long I'd been running. An hour? A minute, maybe? All I knew was that time ceased to be of relevance from the very moment I woke up in that clearing.

I choked on my breath as those horrifying earlier moments replayed before my mind's eyes, another tear trailing down my cheek as I closed my eyes for a second.

What did they do to him? Why was he acting like that? Did they drug him like they did to me? It didn't even make any sense! Why would they turn him-

A small and fearful gasp escaped me as I suddenly heard a rustling sound, eyes wide as I scanned my surroundings. It was so freaking dark. I could barely see anything. And everything looked so scary in the darkness. Even those innocent and unmoving silhouettes of the tree trunks. I needed to get away from here. I needed to find a road. Or maybe a place to hide. Somewhere. Anywhere. There was no point in trying to find the castle since the king himself had been the one to do this to us. I knew that they wouldn't help me. They would've probably even caught me and fed me to psycho Darius again so he could finish the job and finally end me.

Oh my god. Nate. Nate was still there with him. He'd jumped his own brother and distracted him so that I could run and save myself. I slapped a hand over my lips as another sob squirmed its way past my throat, my heart constricting with angst. I could only hope and pray that he was okay. That he was still alive. I knew that he was strong but Darius was way stronger. And he had that extra element to his side. Magic.

I let my tears fall again, feeling so hopeless and sorrowful as I continued to cluelessly run through the dark and frightening thicket, my feet so clumsily slipping and tripping from time to time as I didn't even have any shoes on. They were probably still in Darius' room, lying around on the floor. Fuck. Of course I had to go through this barefoot. Again. Just my luck. Except that last time I wasn't actually in this kind of danger. There wasn't a drugged Darius on the loose set to kill me.

I let out a small cry as my toe stumbled over a raised root, sickening pain suddenly zapping me all the way to my brain.

"Fuck!" I couldn't contain that sharp and short shout that slipped past my lips, my hand slapping against the nearest tree as I stopped for a moment. Trying to regain my wits. It fucking hurt like hell. It was just a stupid stubbed toe but fuck, did it hurt.

I wanted to scream my lungs out. It didn't help, the fact that I already had so many blisters and cuts peppering the soles of my feet. But I held on, taking in a deep breath instead. I couldn't draw attention. I needed to be as silent as possible. I couldn't risk someone hearing me. What if they were out there, already searching for me? What if Darius had already finished his brother off and was now looking for me?

"No," Another choked sob escaped me at the thought of that, doubling over as I covered my mouth with my hand. No. I couldn't think of that. Not now. I needed to keep going. I couldn't let Nate's sacrifice go in vain. I needed to keep going. For him, if not for myself.

A shaky exhale pushed past my lips, blinking away those ceaseless tears. And with newfound strength I willed myself to start moving again. Bit by bit. Little by little.

I pushed past that tree and continued to walk, taking rushed and determined steps. It hurt like hell but I forced myself not to think about it.

In and out, Care. Step by step. Little by little. I could do this. I had to. I had to keep going.

I startled as another rustling sound reached me, scaring the crap out of me. I needed to hurry. So I pushed myself to go even faster. I eventually broke off into a limping jog, careful not to accidentally stumble into other trees or shrubs.

Another rustle.

*Please God, don't let them be close*. I really didn't want to die. I just wanted to escape this nightmare.

Another rustle.

My breathing and heartbeat increased, not even realizing when my rushed and unsteady gait suddenly slowed down to a halt, eyes wide and fearful as I desperately looked around me. I was in another small clearing now, the moon's cold rays thankfully reaching a little better past the dense canopy, giving me a better view at my surroundings.

Fuck.

Another rustle reached my ears and I softly whimpered, paralyzing fear gripping my body. I mindlessly took a few steps back, with my gaze still desperately searching as I looked around me.

*No. No no no no, no, please God no!*

I started to audibly pant, blinking away small tears as I widely stared, from left to right, back and forth, seeking for any hint of my invisible stalker's whereabouts.

Thud.

My heart dropped in my stomach at the hearing of that heavy and muffled sound, freezing in my spot. And the very moment I snapped my head back and looked ahead of me my breath simply stopped within my chest, eyes wide as my body filled with sickening horror.

Tall. Massive. Black like the night. Yet his eyes shone so brightly, glowing a cold and magical blue. Pinning me right to the spot. I thickly swallowed, watching him slowly advance into a ray of light, my lips parting open at the better sight of him. He was fucking majestic. Beautiful, even. His lush coat shone into the moonlight, reflecting the darkest shade of blue. There were tips of lighter blue coloring the fur around his neck, like a fancy necklace. But what really drew my attention was that glorious blue gem that glowed so ethereally at the center of his forehead, making him look like some mythical creature.

Gorgeous didn't do him any justice. He was a vision, Darius' wolf.

And it disappeared so fluidly, morphing into a thousand tendrils of black smoke before his human shape stepped forth, in all his naked glory.

A god. Adonis himself.

I would've almost sighed adoringly at the sight of him if it wasn't for that cold and feral look that swiftly took over in his eyes, his lips parting to utter a single word.

"Mate."

My breath hitched, eyes widening as I watched him advance, slow yet determined. My footsteps mirrored his, only in reverse as that panic started to increase within me with every passing second.

And the very moment my back found rough bark I let out a small whimper, feeling like a cornered prey as he approached until we were standing toe to toe, my eye-level at the broad expanse of his chest.

"D-Da-" I squeaked as his hand shoved at the back of my head, grabbing a fistful of my hair. And with a powerful tug he forced my chin up, bringing tears into my eyes from the stinging pain. He leaned over and brought his nose to the side of my neck, deeply inhaling and making me shiver before he suddenly snarled out,

"Mine!"

I jolted with fright, trying to push at his chest but that only managed to anger him out, letting out a scary growl.

I screamed, my instincts finally kicking in as I started to desperately push and scratch and slap at his hunky torso, unfortunately not managing to accomplish anything as he let out another angered growl, his fingers digging so painfully in my shoulders before he slammed me against the tree.

I let out a choked cry as a wave of dizziness poked at me, feeling so helpless and defeated as he grabbed my hair and forced my chin up again, his tongue leaving a hot trail over my skin. And without a single warning he suddenly bit into my flesh, forcing a loud, blood-curdling scream past my throat, my body practically convulsing as it desperately fought to get him away from me. Away from that wound he'd just inflicted.

But it all abruptly took such an unexpected turn as as soon as he pushed himself into me I finally felt his raging erection, poking at my lower stomach.

Everything clicked into place within the span of a single second. I finally understood what was happening. Why it was all happening. They hadn't drugged him so that he would kill me. Not even close.

They did something to him so that he would lose his rational mind, returning to his basest needs. His wolf's basest needs.

They'd turned him into a non-sentient beast, doing something to me in return that must've triggered this certain type of physical response. His need to mate.

Why?

So that they could finally perform the ritual, whether we agreed to it or not.

I closed my eyes, all that fight slowly leaving my body as we stood like that for another few seconds, his canines deeply buried in my neck as he forcefully held me, his powerful body holding my own hostage. With no means to escape.

Soft humms and chants started to sound in the background, gradually increasing in volume as I continued to lifelessly stand there. Pinned underneath him.

"Daaariuuus!"

That certain voice managed to jolt me back into awareness, my eyelids flying open.

"Nooo! Darius! Stop!" So desperate and anguished it sounded, my cheeks wetting with tears as I continued to listen to him.

"No! Carinaaah!"

"Let me go you fucking assholes!" Some shuffling sounds could be heard in the background but the chanting continued, sounding so close now. Surrounding us from every corner.

"Darius! Stop!"

"Don't do this, please!"

That burning smell hit my nostrils once again, for the second time tonight and I deeply inhaled, letting that heady aroma invade me.

I didn't even feel the moment Darius' teeth left my skin, greedily licking at the wound for a few seconds.

And without even giving me the time to realize what was happening I was suddenly lying on my back over the grassy soil, my body hitting it with a soft thud.

It was time. It was finally happening. I was finally getting to have sex with my first soulmate. Just not in the way I thought that it would happen.

"No! Carinaaah! No! Stooop!"

I let out a small and heartbroken whimper at the sound of his anguished wail, my head lolling in the direction it came from.

*"Look away...Please...just look away..."* I softly pleaded, my heart breaking even more as I watched him so desperately thrash in David's and Christian's fathers' strong hold, fighting to break free. His beautiful green eyes filled with fear. And glassy tears. He was hurt. His lip was busted open, his nose bleeding, one eye visibly swollen from the blows he must've taken from Darius.

*"No! Carina, please fight back! Don't let him do this! Please! Do something!"*

I weakly sobbed and closed my eyes, letting those tears fall free as I felt Darius' body loom over my own. Those chants in the background intensifying.

The feel of his hand so tightly gripping at my tee had my eyes suddenly flying open, finding myself staring right back into his golden glowing eyes. And with a powerful tug he simply ripped it in half in the middle, exposing my cleavage and stomach.

That need to fight immediately tugged at me, my magic inching out to shove him away, only to suddenly feel it retreat. It was refusing to act against him. Hurt him.

Another fresh set of tears trailed down my face, falling back into that state of apathy. Acceptance.

"It's okay," I softly whispered, the ghost of a smile dancing over my lips as I peered into those emotionless eyes staring right back into my own. My beautiful mate. The other half of my soul.

"You can do it,"

He roughly pushed my skirt up and I winced, my already galloping pulse going crazy.

"I'm not afraid of this, I promise," I kept that smile on my face despite that tremble in my limbs and the waver in my voice, forcing myself to remain still as my panties followed, being the next clothing article to disappear from my body.

I shivered as cool air met my sensitive skin, my lips escaping the tiniest whimper as I lowered my gaze and watched his huge and veiny member twitch with desperate want, so close to my bare pussy.

I turned my face aside and closed my eyes, a single stray tear trailing over my nose as I held my breath...and waited.

I would've enjoyed this. So damn much if it was just the two of us. I would've squirmed with need and moaned with anticipation, so eager to finally be with him. I've dreamed about this. For so many times. This special moment that was meant to be for just the two of us. I would've welcomed him with passion and desire, and warmth and love.

But...it wasn't meant to be, as it turned out. It was written in the stars. We were meant to suffer, and choke with pain. We were meant to torment ourselves, and slowly fade away...

We were born to hurt.

*"Carina..."*

I let out a hitching gasp as that voice suddenly entered my mind, so broken and desperate.

"Kitten...no..." his voice trembled, audibly choking and my gaze snapped back up to meet his, shocked to notice that raw pain and grief glinting in his glassy black eyes.

"Darius..."

He was back. He'd snapped out of it.

"No!" His voice wavered yet again, tears starting to fall as he took in the state of my clothing. And his. And the rather risqué position we were in.

"No, no no no, no NO!" He pushed himself back as if I'd burned him, his breathing coming out in audible wheezes as he quickly looked around, eyes wild with panic and despair.

All those chants had abruptly stopped, so many pairs of eyes trained on him. Wide with utter shock.

He continued to rapidly sink into that bottomless pit of mad panic and despair, his glistening chest heaving. Until his expression started to change. Those black eyes starting to burn with hatred as he took another look around. Cold. Lethal. Feral. Mad with thirst for vengeance.

And with a mighty roar that shook the earth, a powerful blast of pure energy propelled itself from his body, his beautiful eyes glowing with that ethereal blue. His skin looked almost translucent, those waves of electricity gradually becoming so bright that at some point, I just had to shield my eyes away.

Complete silence followed. Not a single sound.

I blinked, lowering my arm away, my breath stopping in my chest as I dared take a look around us.

Everybody was...dead...