DAMIEN.
The world shrank until there was nothing left except the cold, blood-stained stone floorboards beneath my knees and the still, lifeless body of my brother.
I couldn't breathe. Air dragged into my throat like jagged glass, but my lungs refused to expand. Adrein's eyes were still open, staring blankly up at the vaulted ceiling, totally devoid of the bright, wild purple fire that had filled them only moments ago. His hand lay limp against the floor, cold, pale, and still.
He was gone. Adrein was actually gone.
"NO!"
The scream tore out of my throat with such raw, violent force that it felt like my vocal cords were splitting open. I threw my head back, throwing my hands into my hair, and wept. I sobbed until my chest heaved uncontrollably, tears scalding my cheeks, my Alpha power surging and thrashing inside me like a wounded, dying beast.
