You Broke Me First Phoenix Mountain Series Book 3
Chapter 8

I stare out the window of Bears SUV as he drives the forty minutes to his pack in Briar Hill.

It was quiet up until we left the city and got onto the highway.

“You Ok?” Bears deep voice came from the drivers seat as he looked out the windshield.

“I’m fine, Bear. Really.” I respond.

“You don’t seem fine.” He glances at me.

I glance back. “Ok. I'm disturbed."

“Want to talk about it?” He asks.

“Not really.” I look out window. The desert flies by as my mind spins.

“It might help.” He glances at me.

“No. I'm fine.” I respond quietly.

“Ok. Maybe some music will help.” He clicks on the radio and ‘You Broke Me First’ by Tate McRae was playing.

I quietly scoff at how fitting this song is right now.

As I listen to the lyrics, I’m filled with rage and sadness. My chest hurt. My skin itched and my brain throbbed.

I rubbed my forehead as the song played on.

I reached over and turned it off.

Bear eyed me.

“I’m just not in the mood.” I grumble.

“You know. He’s not that bad of a guy.” He says.

“Why does everyone say that? You all see what he does.” I look at him.

“Yeah. On the surface, he’s a complete dick, but deep down, he’s kind of like you.” He looks at me.

“Like me?” my brows shoot up.

“The two of you are begging for lifelines. Someone to save you from drowning in the lives you’re building." He stares out into the road. “You may not realize it, Allie, but you and Darcy have more in common than you think.”

I look out at the passing scenery. “I highly doubt that.”

“Just talk to him.” He says in a caring tone.

“There’s nothing to say to Darcy Bourne. He made his intentions clear. He just wants another trophy on his shelf.” I fold my arms and look down at my lap.

“Or…maybe he’s found the only trophy he wants and wants to change.” I roll my eyes to Bears and he smiles.

I suck in my top lip and think about what he said.

I'm sure it’s not that. A guy like Darcy can never change. He’ll always be a womanizer. Always.

I don’t even know why I’m thinking about this. I got what I wanted. I don’t need him anymore. I don’t care how he feels. I certainly don’t care how I feel. My hunt is over. I got my prey.

So why is my mind so full? Why is my wolf spinning circles in my chest?

Why does it hurt so much when I think about him?

I stare out the window, when the sound of electricity fills the air.

The side of the truck is hit with a lightening bolt and lifted up off the road and thrown through the air.

We scream as the truck rolls and smashes onto the desert floor. It rolls several times before coming to a stop on the passenger side.

Smoke and broken glass litter the cab.

I hold my head and try to undo my seatbelt.

“Bear.” I groan. I can barely see.

I reach over and Bear is slumped over being held by the center console.

I shove him. “Bear.”

He stirs and groans. “Ow.” He growls.

“You Ok?” I ask.

He pulls himself up and rips his belt. He reaches over and breaks my belt. “Yeah. You?”

“I think so.” I say.

He stands and places his hands outside on the door and hops out of his truck.

He stands on the car and turns. His long brown hair blowing in the desert breeze.

“Ashley.” Eternity grins with his hands in his pockets and a leg kicked out. “Let’s have a little chat.”

Bear turns his feet around to face Eternity still straddling the drivers side window.

He tilts his head and balls his fists. “It’s Ash.” He growls.

Eternity smiles. “You sure? I figured with the hair...”

With a deep, dark growl, Bear jumps off the truck. His thick boots hitting the desert sand with a puff of dust.

He steps up to Eternity with about five feet between them.

I jump out and straddle the window. “Leave now, Eternity.” I warn. I drop my hand and open my fingers. A red ball of energy grows in my palm.

“Hey, Allie. How’s it going?” Eternity waves like we’re old friends.

Bear puffs put his chest. “What the fuck do you want?”

Eternity ticks his head. “Ok, down to business. Where’s the first?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Bear growls.

Eternity wags his finger. “Oh, I think you do. See, I figured out Zane slipped me a fake rock when I felt the first piece activate. So, at this point, the rock is a lost cause, but the warriors? It’s hard to build a prison when you’re fried to a crisp.” He grins a charming grin.

Bear stares him down in a stand off.

The desert wind kicks up sand between them.

“I’m not telling you shit.” He grits.

Eternity shakes his head. “Wrong answer, Ashley.”

He whips his hand up and brings a bolt of lightning down to where Bear is standing.

Bear jumps in the air, does a back flip and shifts. Bursting out of his clothes, his wolf lands on his paws by the truck. Facing Eternity, he growls deep.

I stand with my head held high. “You can’t win!” I yell.

I jump down beside Bear and walk toward Eternity with determination. I throw my hand out and toss an energy ball. With every step, I throw ball after ball.

Eternity block them with his arms.

He throws a bolt which hits just in front of me, sending me flying back. I land in a plank on my toes and hands. I whip my head at him. I lunge and run. Jumping in the air, I bombard him with magic balls. Bringing a rain that makes him have to kneel. I land on my feet and spin around. I throw both hands out with a blue energy that hits his hands. He tries to stop it as I hit him harder.

He’s clenching his teeth, but then starts to get to his feet. He’s pushing back. My bare feet slide back in the sand as my hair blows behind me.

I growl as my face fills with anger facing Eternity.

He’s pushing back even harder. I can feel myself start to falter.

His eyes meet mine. He ticks his head. “You’re good. But not that good.”

He calls more lightning and pushes back even harder.

I scrunch my face and scream as I try to fight back. The ground we're on shakes and starts to crack from all the power.

Suddenly, all contact was broken and I fall.

Bear is on Eternity ripping and tearing at him.

Eternity grabs Bear and throws him into the truck. Making the truck slide a few feet.

I call up everything I have.

I pull my hands apart in front of me. The wind blows hard. My hair is flying up around my head. My face is twisted. I feel my wolf surfaces and my eyes glow yellow.

The white ball glows bright as I push it out in front of me. It hits Eternity and he pushes back.

I’m huffing out growl as I shove my magic down the white column of light that extends from my hands to Eternitys body.

Each push gives more and more. Eternity starts to slide in the dirt as I take a step forward.

I reach down to the pit of my soul and push it all up with a scream. The blast travels down the column to Eternity, exploding on his chest and he flies backwards through the air. Blinking out as he lands.

I fall to my knees. Barely able to breathe. My hands are burnt. My chest is on fire.

Bear runs to me. “Allie.”

“I'm fine." He helps me to feet and I go down again.

He catches me. “You’re not fine.”

“I just…need to recharge.” I pant.

He picks me up bridal style and carries me to a rock. He sits me down. “How did he replace us?”

I pick up my crystal which is now white and look it over. There’s a hairline crack in it.

“Damn. It must of cracked on my wolf run with Darcy. I’ll need to see Azriel for repairs.” I roll my eye to him.

“Ok. We'll call him when we get to Briar Hill.” He nods.

Just as he says that, a jeep pulls up and skids in the dirt.

I look at the jeep with a pained face and squinting in the sun.

“Allie!” The door flies open and Darcy gets out. He runs to us. “Allie, you alright? What happened?! Bear?”

He skids to a stop in front of me and falls to his knees to match my eye level. “Are…are you hurt? Are you ok?” He says, pawing at me and looking me over in a panic.

I push his hands away. “I’m fine." I grind. “Stop touching me.”

Bear stood with his arms crossed. “Eternity found us.”

“What? How?” Darcy looks between us.

“My crystal’s cracked. I need Azriel to fix it.” I groan.

“Why attack you?” Darcy asks.

“He wanted the location of the first.” Bear informs.

“The first. Me?” His gaze flicks between me and Bear.

“Yes.” Bear responds.

“Why? I don’t know anything.” Darcy says.

“He knows you’re needed to build the prison.” I grind. I hold my side.

“What. What’s wrong?” He looks. “Allie, you’re bleeding.”

I pull my hand away and it’s coated in blood.

Darcy reaches for my suit jacket buttons. I grab his hand and glare at him.

He scowls at me. “Let me look.” He demands.

I swallow and release his hand.

He undoes my jacket and moves it out slowly. “Oh my God.”

In my side is a huge piece of glass, buried into my skin except for a couple of inches.

I press my lips together and whine.

“OK. It’s fine.” Darcy takes off his tshirt. “Now, Al. I need to take this out, Ok. It’s gonna hurt like a bitch. I’m sorry.” He says as he slips my arm out of my jacket.

My entire side is coated in blood right up to my bra.

Bear wraps his arm around to my front. “Hang on and bite hard, ok.”

I grab his forearm from underneath and place my forehead on it.

Darcy looks at me. “Ready?”

My face flushes as I nod.

He places on hand on my side and the other on the glass. “Here we go.”

He starts to pull and I slam my teeth into Bears arm. Screaming in pain. Bear tightens his arm by making a fist as I shake and scream.

Darcy pulls the glass out. I feel blood pour down my side as I cry into Bears arm. Bear strokes my hair. “It’s ok. It’s ok. You’re gonna be ok.”

Darcy tears his shirt into long strips and wraps them around my waist.

I stop biting and rest my head on Bears arm. Whining out breathes as the pain turns to shock.

“We need to get you out of here. Bear tell me you have a medic.” Darcy looks at him.

“Yes, I do.” He answers.

“Good.” Darcy picks me up bridal style.

“I need Azriel.” I say weakly on his chest.

“We’ll get him. We just need to fix you up. Ok. Just fix you up and you’re good as new.” Darcy says as he rushes for the jeep.

He places me in the back and jumps in with me. “Bear. Drive.” He barks.

Bear jumps in and drives toward Briar Hill.

Darcy’s holding my head as I feel myself getting light headed.

“Hey, don’t fall asleep on me. Allie, wake up.” He taps my cheek, but I barely feel it.

“…tired…” I close my eyes.

“Allie?...”

The world dissolves away and Darcy’s voice is the last thing I hear.

‘…please don’t leave me…’

The world goes dark.