Damien

Her body falls back against the wall. Blood spurts from my mate’s collarbone. I had purposely shot her there rather than her heart. Her body could heal from that. Her body couldn’t heal if I killed her.

I wanted to know if Raven was really gone.

Abraxas stares at me as he checks for the gun that he carries in his belt. He frowns when he realises the gun I am holding is not his and that his is firmly stored away in its resting place. He frowns at me but keeps his mouth shut.

I wasn’t stupid. I knew how to use a gun correctly. I used them when I was human and with a Hunter in the pack, I figured it would be better to carry one again. Though sometimes, I’m a little impressed with myself that I hadn’t pulled it on him yet.

“You shot me!” Roars Raven or maybe it was Jenson. I didn’t know anymore.

I could see my mate, but at the same time the words coming from her mouth sounded nothing like her.

It didn’t seem possible that Neah could be right. That a soul could take the place of someone else, but then again, there was a time in my life when I didn’t believe Wolves existed and definitely not Lycans.

And now I was prepared to kill the person who looked like my mate.

I honestly thought I would never use a gun again.

I keep the gun steady as Raven clutches her collarbone and slips down the wall, leaving a smear of blood. I wasn’t sure if I could go through with killing my mate, even if it wasn’t her anymore, but I could slow her down.

“Damien.” Dane glares at me. “What the fuck do you think you are doing?” His hand rests on the gun, but I refuse to let go.

I stare back at him. “She’s become a threat whether you like it or not.”

A laugh erupts from Raven. A laugh that didn’t sound like her as her body straightened up. “You will have to do better than that, Lycan!” “Give me the gun, Damien.”

“No.” My finger moves on the trigger and Dane let’s go and steps in front of his sibling. “You can’t kill her Damien. She is your mate.” Why hadn’t he said she was his sister first?

“She is, but he isn’t. I can kill him.”

I feel a dull ache start in my heart. It beats quickly and erratically as it grows heavier and heavier by the second. Sparks of pain shoot out in all directions of my body. I was losing Raven and fast.

“Why are you doing this?” Neah demands as she stares at my mate. I notice the small trail of blood coming from her left ear. She had been right next to Raven when the gun went off.

“Second chance.” The voice replies

“You’ve had more than a second chance.” Dane snaps. “It’s like your a fucking cat with nine lives.”

“Big brother, you know me so well.” My mate smirks at him and lets go of the wound in their shoulder. It had almost healed. The bullet had gone straight through.

Dane pulls Abraxas aside and asks if there is any way to get Raven back. I see the tiny head shake while Raven watches me.

“Maybe if we had a Witch, but by then, it would be too late.” Abraxas whispers back

“I can put her in the dungeon.” Dane tells him

“You will still be too late.”

I stare at my mate as Dane continues to come up with possible

ideas. Why had Raven let this

happen? Why had she given up? Why hadn’t she fought for her place in this life?

‘Please come back to me Raven.’ I try linking her, hoping to hear her voice. Her face stares at me and a slow smile creeps across her lips.

“She can’t hear you anymore. She’s resting now!” I wanted to slam my hand into his face. But I wouldn’t be hitting him, I would be hitting her body.

I look over at Abraxas as it feels like my heart stops. “She isn’t in there anymore, is she?”

He turns to face Raven’s body and looks her up and down. “No.”