I continuously relived that moment of my unit being wiped out. I couldn’t save them no matter how hard I tried, always claimed by the darkness. They all fell at my feet, calling out my name as if I could save them. I would then be struck by that final attack, then it would repeat all over again.

I woke up startled, reaching my hand out. It took me a few minutes to calm down, realising I was in a room, the light from the sun just coming through the windows.

“Where am I?” I looked around, from the bricks and layout of the room, I was in the royal infirmary in the castle, but how had I made it here; I could only remember that last attack, had I really made it back home.

I thought deeply and remembered I had made it back here with Lin, glancing around panicked, where was she, in another room perhaps. I relaxed and picked up Tigra’s scent, then I saw her laying there with her head on the bed. I gently reached out my hand and stroked her head.

“Tigra.”

Tigra opened her eyes and looked up at me, tears welling up in her eyes. “Alex.” She moved towards me putting her arms around me, then she kissed me. I was surprised as she pulled away, suddenly bashful for what she had just done. “Sorry I shouldn’t have done that.”

I shook my head and brought my hand to her cheek, knowing she was the reason I had got back here. I pulled her a little closer and kissed her. She rested her arms around my neck and kissed me back.

We slowly pulled away and gazed at one another. “Sorry if I caused you to worry.”

Tigra shook her head. “Alex. I need to tell you.” I just listened to her voice, a part of me found it comforting. “I only realised how I felt when I thought I would never see you again.” I saw a happy tear go down her cheek. “I love you, Alex Fang.”

“I love you too Tigra,” I said smiling at her fondly. “I always have since we were younger, as I watched you grow more beautiful each day.” I noticed her blush at my words as I pulled her in again for another kiss. I winced as I felt the pain in my side.

“Alex,” Tigra was concerned for me.

“I’m okay,” I touched her shoulder. I may have woken up, but my body and power were still weak.

“Please lay down,” Tigra gently helped me lay down, pulling the covers over me. “You need your rest.”

“Alright,” I nodded. “As long as you don’t leave me.”

“Of course not,” she smiled. “I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

I smiled back and closed my eyes again, feeling her hand holding gently on to mine. Thoughts of Kiba came to me, I’d done as I said, but Tigra had beaten me to it, perhaps I’d nothing to worry about after all, she loved me.

-

I woke crying out for my unit; the nightmare of the attack filling my dreams again. I couldn’t escape what happened. Hearing their voices crying out as their lives were taken from them.

“Alex calm down.” Tigra was right there, gripping tightly to my hand.

“Tigra.” Seeing her just calmed me right down as she smiled and brought my hand to touch her heart. I looked around; it was about mid-afternoon. “How long have I been out?”

“A few extra days, that’s all,” she replied.

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I stared at the door. I saw a glimpse of a pair of visitors I would be getting. “Tigra, Dumah and your father are on the way.”

“Crap,” she got to her feet looking around the room. “How can you…?” then she paused. “Wait, when did Dumah find out where you were.” She held a worried expression, perhaps she’d been protecting me all the time I had been out.

“Hide or pretend to be asleep,” I instructed. “I can handle them.”

“Asleep,” she nodded and sat down, placing her head on the bed, and closing her eyes as the door opened slightly.

“I still don’t like Tigra visiting him,” spat Dumah, his scent seeping into the room. I remembered it clearly from the ambush. I had to fight back the urge to rush him as he came in, as I did not possess the strength to take him down. It was then I noticed I was not in possession of my talismans.

“They did grow up together, she is simply concerned for a friend, leave her be,” he pushed the door wider. “Fang.” He was surprised to see me awake.

“Your majesty.” I lowered my head in respect.

“You survived while all the others didn’t,” commented Dumah. I snarled at his words.

“Dumah,” King Alton raised his hand, Dumah flinched as if he was about to be hit. “What happened Fang?”

“I was ambushed at the site,” I answered.

“Did you see the ones that attacked you, perhaps even picked up their scent?” questioned Dumah moving closer, glancing down at Tigra. He disapproved of her being here, it almost made me happy to know I held the heart of the one he wanted as his mate.

I shook my head, looking away. “It is all a blur. I only recall the screams and the burning flesh of my friends.” I looked back. “If I knew the one who had ambushed us, then I wouldn’t hesitate to kill them where they stand.” I stared Dumah in the eyes knowing it was him and his cursed unit.

“Anything else?” enquired King Alton.

“I think there was seven of them,” I answered. I had to give them some information. “I’m not sure, but one looked like a Draco.”

“Are you certain?” enquired Dumah.

“Wings, immense dark power,” I shrugged. “I could be wrong or perhaps it could have been the same one who attacked the Ursus.”

“Thank you, Fang,” said King Alton. “Please get your rest.”

“I will,” I nodded and bowed my head again as he left the room. Dumah following right behind him. Dumah glanced back before closing the door. I sighed, that was more painful than I thought.

“Alex,” Tigra looked up at me, then she sat up. “You lied.” I looked away from her. “You know who attacked you.”

“Can’t hide anything from you,” I commented.

Tigra put her hand on my cheek and made me look at her. “Who ambushed you, Alex?” She was demanding an answer.

“You want to know that badly?” I questioned.

“Yes,” she responded.

“Dumah.” I gave her an answer.

“What?” she was shocked.

“Him and his unit.” Her expression quickly changed from shock to sadness. “They wanted to wipe out the best Cathopia had to offer. I should have never taken that stupid mission, there all dead because of me.” I put my hands over my face as tears began streaming down my face. “They are dead because of me.”

“No.” Tigra climbed up onto the bed and hugged me, bringing me in close. “It wasn’t your fault, Alex.”

“I saw the attack, but it was too late. I wasn’t strong enough to stop it.” I could barely breathe as the memories of the ambush flooded through my mind. “I should have died with them.”

“No.” Tigra was crying now as she made me look at her. “You hear me, Alex Fang. You were meant to survive, not just for me, but for them, you saved Lin. They all would be so glad that you and her are alive.” I listened to her words, but it did not make the pain any less. “Become my Guardian.”

“I am not fit to be your Guardian or even your protector,” I responded. “I couldn’t protect them, so how am I supposed to protect you.”

“Become stronger,” she said, making it sound so simple. “Avenge them, destroy them all for what they did.” She held this determination in her voice, strong and wilful. “He did that to you and your unit, imagine what he could do to Cathopia, to the world.”

“Tigra,” I brought my hand to her cheek, bringing her in for a kiss. Where I had faltered, she had remained strong. It felt like she was giving me this strength I thought I had lost the moment they had all been wiped out. I pulled away. “I promise I’ll always protect you.”

“I know you will,” she smiled, and we kissed again. If she was not here, I wasn’t sure if I could have continued on, the guilt of my unit, no my friends destruction, weighed heavily on my heart.