Page 2 of The Hellbeast's Betrayal

“That’s not…”

“No, Orth, just fucking no!” I barked at him, making him shake his head at me.

“But why?”

“Because the only thing I care about is getting my Ella back. That is the only Gods be damned thing that matters to me, so this…” I paused to lash my hand out to the shit I left behind, “…This fucked up bullshit, it means nothing to me. She…that lie I once called wife… she was dead to me before, and she sure as shit is dead to me now… you got it?” I seethed, making him sigh before finally… fucking finally, letting this go.

“Yeah, I got it, brother.”

“Good, now let’s go get my Chosen One back,” I stated, feeling my HellBeast rumble his agreement. Orthrus nodded, and this time as we walked, he did so by keeping the rest of his opinions to himself. Because every word I said was true. Right now, was not the time for this rabbit hole of my past. And if I were to dig right down in there, then yes, I knew I wanted to know what the fuck was happening. I had a million questions churning like fire in my gut. But seeing as I knew none of them would ease the pain of being lied to, of being deceived, then what good would come of it now? I was so close to the surface of erupting. My anger and resentment, my bitter rage ready to be unleashed from a single word uttered.

What was the use of it when I knew I was not in the right mind to listen?

The question now was…

Would I ever be?

* * *

Only minuteslater and this question was answered, as it seemed I had no choice, not when she gave me none. It turned out that Koro hadn’t just been interested in retrieving hiswife,after all. The distain I felt when even thinking the word, had me growling under my breath.

“Jared, can we… can we please talk?” She huffed, trying to keep up with me. Her angelic beauty not something I bothered to look at, as there was no getting lost in her aquamarine blue eyes this time, no marveling at her white-blonde hair. There was no asking myself how fucking lucky I had been to possess such beauty. Not knowing now that she had used it like a cruel weapon against me. A way to play me like her fucking puppet.

“You can, doesn’t mean I have to listen,” I said, my tone speaking for itself.

“I understand how you must…”

I stopped walking and snarled,“I suggest you not finish that sentence, girl!”

She flinched back, and I glanced to the side to see Koro take a step towards us. Once upon a time, I might have felt guilty lashing out at her like that, but not anymore. And as for Koro, I was hoping for the son of a bitch to make it the rest of the way over here. I would welcome him with my fist. Unfortunately, he didn’t move any closer, and I glanced down to see Lerna shaking a hand at him to stop. I snarled before telling her,

“Run along to your husband.”Then I continued walking, my brother and Marcus both watching this exchange with keen interest. However, the silly girl didn’t take my advice, instead rushing once more to keep up with me. Something I refused to make easy for her. So, I kept my long strides as they were, wishing I could just fucking run if it wouldn’t have been so gods damn obvious.

“I know I hurt you and for that…”

“What? You’re sorry…? A bit fucking late for that, Lerna,” I snapped, her name now feeling like swallowing sand.

I heard her sigh next to me before admitting,

“What is it that mortals say, better late than never.”

I scoffed. “I would rather have taken the never, so make of that what you will,” I replied, making her wince next to me.

“Yes, well clearly fate has other ideas, and if I am to save my…”

I stopped her right there, snapping,

“What? Your soul?! Your soul is not one I give a fuck about right now, so no, if it’s forgiveness you’re after, then you are wasting your breath.”

She faltered in her steps like I had struck her. But even this hadn’t been enough to get her to take the hint, as she caught up with me again.

“What if it told you that I had no choice!” she exclaimed, making me shake my head at her.

“So, what…? You were forced to pretend to love me, is that it?” I asked, hating myself for doing so.

“I had to get close to you, at first I thought it could be as a friend, but I think my connection to her must have made you…”

I ignored her bullshit excuse and was once again interrupting her.

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