Chapter Twenty-Two

                                    

                                          
*Misty's POV-
                          
I was hot. I shot up in the bed, sweat trickling into my eyes. I looked around desperately, trying to get the fog out of my head. I tried reaching my wolf, but my grogginess was cutting us apart.
                          
I looked to the front of the room and squinted. It looked like there was a figure standing there. But it was practically double vision and blur. I couldn't remember a damned thing after Connor and I had walked into the house. 
                          
I could year voices drifting up from downstairs. Lawrence and Khandi. Aurora and the boys. Theresa and Otto. I grit my teeth. I couldn't pick up what they were saying, though. Without my wolf, all of my senses were halved. 
                          
But...if Lawrence was down there...then who was walking toward me.
                          
"Oh, mi amor, did they drug you?"
                          
Shit! 
                          
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*Lawrence's POV*
                          
"Roman!"
                          
The weak call came from up the stairs. It was then followed by crashing and thumping. Without missing a beat, I ran past everyone, taking the stairs four at a time. When I made it I heard Connor right behind me, charging for the darkened room.
                          
Misty was in the left corner by the bed, picking nearby objects up and throwing them at the figure standing awkwardly thirty feet from her. She looked confused, disoriented.
                          
"Misty!"
                          
I Shifted as I ran for Roman, colliding with him headlong, landing a few feet from Misty. She screamed as shards of vase flew as it shattered. She curled up into the corner a little more, whimpering.
                          
Get her out of here! I shouted at them.
                          
They rushed to her side as Roman struggled to get up. I kept him pinned long enough to have Aurora and Theresa leave with Misty. I jumped back as he Shifted, his clothes tearing to shreds. I looked at him. His large grey wolf was still a little smaller than mine. His eyes were still hazel, but the brown flecks grew considerably. It struck me as I recalled what Misty had said about Addelynn's killer.
                          
This was him. 
                          
Growling angrily, he lunged at me, digging his nails in just before he moved. I jumped onto my bed, barking. He was still moving side to side, swaying to be precise. I heard Connor trot up next to me, Jake and Xander on my other side. Otto's fat wolf even joined in. I chuckled.
                          
Roman looked around, baring his teeth and backing up. I barked again with a gnash of my teeth. He gnashed his back. I knew he wasn't going to fight; his tail was between his legs.
                          
No. He was challenging me.
                          
I lashed out, slashing him across the face with my claws. He didn't miss a beat. Instead of attacking back, he left. Charged right out of the room. Connor and the boys chased him, probably to make sure he left the reservation. I hopped off the bed and, with Otto, went down to the living room to see Misty curled up in Khandi's arms. I stopped and Shifted back, throwing on a pair of sweats from the nearby linen closet and went in, Otto trotting back into the kitchen.
                          
"Is she..."
                          
"She's alright." Khandi looked up at me and smiled while petting her hair. "Theresa went home with Aurora. I'm making sure she calms down."
                          
I shoved her away and went to my Mate, holding her against me while stroking her hair. She shivered violently and tried clinging to a shirt that wasn't there. She mumbled something unintelligible. I pulled away slightly. 
                          
"What was that?"
                          
"He almost Claimed me," she mumbled. "He tried so hard before I was able to...to get your attention."
                          
My blood boiled. He knew I hadn't Claimed her yet. She doesn't wear my mark. But if that's the only way... 
                          
"Forgive me, Misty," I whispered. 
                          
Before she could say anything, I moved her hair aside and bit into the soft part between her neck and shoulder. 
                          
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A/N: Okay. Yeah. Gotta start updating earlier in the day. I'm so freaking, like, augh right now. Like...Augh. 
                          
Anyone have questions? Yay, nay? No? Okay. I'm going to sleep now. Goodnight.
                          
XOXO, 
D.