Love as Bitter as It Ever Was

I sat, half crouched on the ground in front of them.

“No!” The words tore from my lips, without an ounce of effort from me.

I looked up, just to prove to myself that, that had really happened.

And there she was, as the blood ran down her pale throat, his arms wrapped protectively around her, as she stared, half aware into his eyes.

I could feel her life draining away.

Second by second.

Heart beat by heart beat.

I watched as the wolf gazed lovingly down into her eyes, and she stared up into his.

“Kailli.” I heard his harsh voice growl.

But their wasn’t an ounce of danger from him.

I was the only danger to her.

I saw her mouthe something, only I couldn’t hear it.

I couldn’t be the one gazing down at her like that.

I couldn’t be the one holding her dying body.

Because I couldn’t move.

Couldn’t go to her, hold her.

I pulled at my own hair, how could I have done it.

She jumped in front of him.

Saved him.

A wolf!

“How could she have saved him?”

“Why didn’t I stop?”

“I saw something move and yet didn’t stop.”

I licked my lips, tasting her blood for the first time.

Just as sweet as it smelt.

I continued talking to myself, unaware of everything in this world, other than the rapidly slowing heart beat, that lingered in my ears.

“I should’ve stopped.”

“How could I have killed her?”

“I should’ve stopped!” I screamed, my cries echoing around the tent, as I slumped forward, banging my fists on the ground.

Crying to myself, as I thought of all I had lost.

And to top it off, I was pretty sure I had just begun an immortal war between myself and the werewolves.

Something neither race could survive or afford.

I slowly sat up, hoping for one last glimpse of that famous face, before I had to disappear.

Maybe one last kiss upon her cheek, before her body was laid to rest.

But I was alone.

The tent empty.

The only proof that she had ever been there, was the blood pool , still slowly swirling on the dirt ridden floor.