My Hunted Mate
Chapter Eight

Corinna

When we landed in the water, mum managed to grab a hold onto mefor support while we both swam to shore. I collapsed onto the sand inpure relief that we had managed to get away, shift back and only thennotice that I am still bleeding from my injuries, I wince slightly as I pressat the bite mark on my left hip.

My mum coughs loudly from behind me, I turn around to see her onher knees in the sand looking at her blood covered hands. I call for her,her eyes meet mine and she gives me a sad smile. She looks even palerthan before which I didn't even think was possible.

"* Mum? Where did that blood come from? " I whisper as I kneel downin front of her. My mum reaches around her back wincing as she does, Imove around to see her hand is sitting on top of the blade my fatherhad just before we jumped.

"No! " I whisper. " This isn't happening. This is not happening rightnow. "

My mum takes my cheeks in her blood covered hands. " it's alrightRina, it's all going to be alright. * she tells me. " Listen to me Rina, Ineed you to take the knife out. "

"no! You.. No! That'll make the bleeding faster! It'll kill you! "I cry.

"I'm already dying Rina. I don't want something he touched anywhereon me. Please just take it out. * She begs, making me nod.

Moving around her, I take the handle of the blade into my hand. I shutmy eyes tightly as I pull it from my mum's flesh, she lets out a scream ofpain. I toss the knife onto the sand, my mum lays back so her head ison my lap.

" No! I can fix this. " I tell her, nodding my head. * I can fix this. "

"Rina.. It's too late. * She mumbles.

"No! I can fix this! " I cry. I stretch my hands out holding them out tohover over her body and I begin to chant, a few sobs break through as Ido so.

" Rina... * My mum calls but I ignore her and continue chanting. " Rina..I'm sorry I left you behind. I should have taken you with me, I regret itmore than anything. I hate that.. that I missed out on seeing you growup. " she tells me, her breathing becoming shallow.

Tears cover my face as I continue to chant desperately. " I'm so proudof you Rina.. I'm proud... of how strong you are, you've survived so- somuch and you've become a wonderful protective and sweet womanI'm sorry that I won't be here with you when you replace a better life foryourself, a mate, children, whatever it may be. Any positives you get inlife, you hold onto them. I love you sweetheart. " by now she is gaspingwhile trying to speak and I can't even chant anymore from how muchI'm crying.

" Please don't leave me again. I just got you back.. * I sob, running myhands over the wet hair on her head. " Mum please, please don't... ""It's okay.. " she shushes me, holding onto my arm tightly.

" 1 love you so much mum, you never have to be sorry okay? Just... I." Ifeel her grip begin to loosen on my arm. * Mum?! " I shout, but her gripis now gone and her hand falls onto the sand.

"Mum?! " I shout again, shaking her. " Mum please! "

My body shakes roughly as I sob, I wrap my arms around my mum'shead holding her to me as I rock back and forth. I let out a loud,powerful scream that sends a burst of energy through the air.

Hours pass, the sky turns dark and the tide comes in but I still sit withmy mum holding her and staring off at nothing, completely numb.Eventually I bring myself to look down at her, my fingers brush over herface to close her eyes. Not having anything to use to bury her with, Imove her body closer to the water so the tide will take her.

Shifting back into my wolf, I let out a sorrow filled howl before turningand slowly walking toward the darkness of the trees nearby, I wanderthrough the woods mindlessly until the sun rises in the sky.

Eventually I stumble upon a small apple orchard, I wander over to a fewof the fallen apples eating them greedily until waves of nausea tell meI've had enough. Completely exhausted, I fall into my stomach with mypaws tucked under my head. I close my eyes and start to go over thelist of things I need to somehow gather if I want to survive, thanks toAlpha Jack I'd lost my bag pack with all of my things. It's only then thatI notice I can no longer feel the pain from the injuries I got earlier,which means they've healed, no doubt leaving me behind a few newscars.

Letting out a huff at the thought of more marks covering my body, I tryto remember how many that would be now, as I count I lull myself intoa much needed dreamless sleep without even meaning to.