Page 107 of Rescued By the Beast
"It was Liam who challenged him to a duel, Luther, you didn't..." I take a deep breath, every fibre of my body feeling tired.
My essence is running out...
"What's wrong with you?" he asks when he sees me clasp my chest and grimace.
"Like I said, a lot has happened and I need your help..." I run my tongue over my suddenly dry lips. "Luther, I need you to find that witch who came after me that night.
"I'll take you to her, come with me."
"I can't right now, I can't leave you alone." Luther clenches his jaw, and a weight settles between us. "Please, Luther, I need you to find her for me and ask her to..."
My breath catches.
The transformation is coming with a vengeance, tearing me apart inside with its feline claws.
My hands tremble. My muscles contract. My body is folding in on itself, I can barely breathe, let alone finish speaking.
I need to go inside. Now.
I take a step back, struggling to hold back the change. If I don't get through the door before I transform, I'll be trapped outside.
I can't leave Mark alone.
"Sandra!" Luther calls, his voice heavy with frustration.
But I can't stop.
I run, my vision blurring, my body throbbing from the inside out. The cabin seems so far away. I try my hardest to hold back the change, pushing my body forward, ignoring the searing pain.
The door.
With one last push, I turn the handle and cross the threshold.
And in the next instant, my body gives way.
My bones bend, my skin burns, and everything dissolves into shadow and fur.
Chapter 31
Sandra
I hear Ethan enter the cabin, his footsteps echoing on the wooden floor as he heads towards the bedroom. I'm already here, curled up in feline form next to Mark, unable to do anything but wait.
Ethan approaches the bed, watches him for a moment before asking:
"Did he wake up at any point?"
I want to say yes. He called out to me, opened his eyes, but they were unfocused, muttered disconnected words, and went back to sleep. But in this form, I can't answer, I just meow.
Ethan sighs and places his bag on the dresser.
"I'm going to clean him up..."
I stretch before sliding out of bed and going downstairs, leaving them alone, giving Mark some privacy. I wait in the living room, listening to the sound of running water and their muffled murmurs. My claws scratch lightly at the carpet as I try to dispel the feeling of helplessness.
I want to do more for him. I want to...
A rustling arises within me, my essence slipping through that opening in the barrier, and before I can think too much, I walk to the bathroom downstairs and transform. I shudder at the change and grab the nearest towel to cover myself.
