67

"Don't push me 'cause I'm close to the edge."

Kaden's POV

There was a ravine on the far north of our territory. A shallow river ran through the middle. The gorge was deep and its walls were high. All the wolves knew to be careful around the ravine and pups were forbidden from going there.

The rocks of its sides were dark and jagged. If a wolf were to fall in it would be a horrible and painful death. Around it the trees had tapered off almost as if to bring attention to the threat ahead.

No one really went too close to it for the threat was fairly great of falling. Yet there had been times when some would go down, but that was before this generation.

I miss her. Knight whined in my head and I let out a sigh.

I ignored my wolf and walked around my office. The place was quiet and I'd finished the mountain of paperwork that had stacked up over the weeks.

Amelia had been gone for some hours and the sun had set a while ago. A sharp piercing feeling jabbed at my heart occasionally. I growled softly and left my office with a slam of the door.

"I'll never understand why you get pissed when she leaves; what do you expect?" Ryan's voice rapped my ears and I glanced around to find him staring out a window towards the forest.

"I'm not pissed." I retorted and huffed. Ryan turned from the window and leaned against it, crossing his arms and watching me with those accusing eyes of his.

"So you're slamming doors for no reason? Honestly Kaden, I'm happy she's left again; you can't just do this to her. She loves you-" Ryan preached and I growled.

"And you think I don't love her?" I cut in harshly. My old friend blinked and looked at me with solemn eyes.

"No I don't think you do. I think you're confused." He said softly and I frowned. A scoff shot past my lips.

"Confused?" I asked and gave a shake of my head. Ryan raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, if you don't love her let her go." He said and my heart lurched.

"I do-" I began.

"You do not!" Ryan snarled and instantly his eyes blazed with his wolf's, "If you loved her you wouldn't run her off! If you loved her she'd still be with us!"

Like Emma... I thought and the Beta snarled.

"Stop thinking about Emma! Don't deny it I can see it in your eyes! She's dead! She died because she was weak and stupid and didn't fucking think enough to run from a damn rogue!" Ryan howled and I growled.

"Don't go there Ryan." I hissed.

"She's dead because she listened to you! It's your fault and you know it! And why? Because you thought you could be some badass and fight them!" Ryan spat stomping toward me.

I felt anger bubbling inside me and my chest heaved softly.

"How does it feel Kaden? How does it feel to kill your own mate?! How does it feel to treat your new one like shit?!" He snarled and pointed at me accusingly.

Immediately the fire inside was put out and pain stabbed at me. Deep inside Knight whined in agony.

"You're right." I said giving a shrug, tired of the argument he was trying to begin. Admittedly, he'd made me feel like a child getting scolded. He'd made me feel that and worse.

"Unbelievable." Ryan scoffed and chuckled humorlessly. He ran a hand through his hair and took deep calming breaths. He covered his face with his hands briefly before lowering them and giving me a long look, a bitter look on his face.

"See? How is anyone supposed to believe anything you say? You're obviously crying for help, so what do you want?" Ryan growled and I crossed my arms.

"I'm not crying for help." I growled. The Beta sneered at me.

"So you don't want me to help?" He asked staring at me quizzically.

"I don't need any help." I snapped and bared my fangs at him.

"Okay then Kaden." Ryan said and turned on his heels before walking away. I watched as he left and soon my head was pounding.

Screw this. Knight growled and suddenly I was shifting. My head was reeling as my wolf forced us to shift and took over.

He rushed down the hallway and burst through the, luckily open, back door.

With a yip he began running towards the woods. His paws were working fast, his breaths were erratic and harsh. I tried to gain some control, but to no avail. Knight had taken over.

We were heading north.

For a while we ran through the woods not stopping. Sights blurred past and I had tried and failed many times to gain control. Knight hadn't said a word to me, he'd done nothing but run.

Knight where are we going? I asked and for a while he was silent.

Down. He finally said and I was confused at first, but then it hit me like a rock.

The gorge.

Knight stop! I ordered as he pelted toward the gorge. I could see the count of trees dwindling. We were close. And soon we'd be in the field.

I tried to gain control as his paws pelted harder as he pushed onward to the promise of foreseeable death. I looked through his eyes as we passed the last tree and rushed through the tall grass. The rocks of the ravine were in sight and Knight wasn't slowing down.

Dammit stop! I yelled but he'd blocked me out. Blood was boiling and our heart pounded. But Knight still let me feel the pain overwhelming him.

"I'm not living without my mate... and neither are you." Knight snarled like a rabid dog as he bounded toward the cliff. I fought to get some control back, but he was putting up quite a fight.

Stop! I ordered and managed to get enough control to slam his forepaws down. Caught off balance he tumbled and skidded toward the edge. Dirt and debris flew into the air as we came to a halt on the edge. His hind legs dangled over the edge and I pushed him to pull himself up.

"No. Let me fall." Knight growled and tried to let go, but I made sure his paws stayed planted. His whines hung in the air as he fought to release his hold and kill us both.

Knight stop this. Pull yourself up. I spat and tried to ignore the fact that I was in shock.

"Why didn't you just love them? All they wanted was for you to love them!" Knight whined and laid his head on the ground. His nose twitched as dirt blew up from his panting.

"Such a beautiful, loyal, loving mate and you just mess it all up! Why?! Forget about Emma! She's gone! Never ever coming back! My poor mate, my Rain, my Amelia! I hate you!" Knight howled and our ears perked as the sound of paws hitting the ground became louder.

Ryan came bursting from the tree line and pelted over. His wolf paused in front of me and shook his head.

"Your wolf is suicidal. Great. I'm sorry Knight, but its time to let Kaden back in control. She'll come back." Dusk barked and nuzzled my ear. He sat back with a soft growl, "Now get up." He ordered and Knight snarled but gave in.

I pulled us back onto stable earth and let out a long sigh.

"Who doesn't need my help?" Ryan questioned and I growled softly.

"I'm still your friend, ya know? But you're an inconsiderate asshole. She'll come back... dramatic ass." Dusk huffed and added that last part before he prodded my flank with this snout.

"Come on, it's getting cold out here and I was trying to eat." He barked and tugged at my scruff for me to pick up my pace. I gave a nod and followed.