Page 49 of His Untoward Hate

A sense of guilt lingered inside him. If something bad happened to Jude on the way home, he knew he would blame himself for not sending him home safe and sound. At least this was a small charity he could offer.

I’d just stand back and watch if a wolf attacked him. It’s not like I care. I am only having a night walk, he thought.

Careful not to let Jude notice he was being followed, Sky kept a safe distance between them, occasionally hiding behind trees or posts whenever Jude suddenly stopped, which he oddly kept doing. He would pause for a few seconds before walking again.

This fag is seriously crazy, Sky thought.

As Sky watched him closely from behind, he noticed how strangely accustomed Jude seemed to pain—the cuts, bruises, wounds, and beatings no longer appeared to affect him. Earlier, while Sky was treating his injuries, Jude had not even flinched or complained once. Sky had been completely speechless and stunned when Jude removed his long sleeves, revealing the bruises and scars covering his body. For some unexplainable reason, the sight made something inside him crack, his chest crushing at the realization.

The image of Jude’s body refused to leave Sky’s mind, replaying over and over inside his head. He never imagined things had gotten that bad.

But if he had not started hurting him, maybe he would have fallen into his trap a long time ago. For years, hurting him had been something he convinced himself was necessary for his own good. But after tonight, he felt something inside him shift, something that had managed to break through the walls he had spent so long building.

Sky’s feet had not grown tired at all despite walking for more than thirty minutes already. He enjoyed his late-night walk. At last, Jude’s house came into view. Sky stopped beneath a tree and watched him cross the musky, empty road, quickening his pace as he neared the house. Leaning against the thick trunk of a gigantic mahogany tree, Sky kept his eyes fixed on him.

The lights from the streets and porches a few meters away cast a slight glow onto their house. Though dim, it was still enough for Sky to see Jude’s movements. He watched as Jude slowly slid down against the wall. Even if he could not clearly see the expression on his face, Sky knew he was exhausted and in so much pain from everything that had happened today.

Sky stayed outside. After watching and waiting for several minutes for Jude to finally go inside, Sky was just about to turn around and head home when he suddenly saw him run out. His heart raced when he saw that he was crying. Not knowing what to do, Sky watched him as he approached the road. The instinct Sky had carried since childhood kicked in the moment a huge truck suddenly came into view, causing him to sprint toward Jude without hesitation.

Through his tears, Jude stared at the approaching vehicle with a clear intention in mind.

Running as fast as a wolf saving its mate, Sky quickly wrapped an arm around Jude’s waist just seconds before the truck could hit him. They tumbled across the grass before finally coming to a halt. The back of Sky’s head slammed against a jagged rock, and for a split second, the stars sprinkled across the night sky seemed within his reach. Warm blood began to seep out from the impact.

As he opened his eyes, a blur filled his vision. When he blinked twice, terrified grey ones met his golden ones. His eyeglasses were already nowhere to be found. Jude was on top of him as he tightly held his waist, pressing Jude down against him. His tears had stopped falling, but the wet streaks remained on his cheeks. His lips trembled in fear as he held him tightly, refusing to let go. Jude buried his face against Sky’s chest and began crying again. A slight wave of panic hit him at the thought that Jude might hear something inside his chest. He did not say a word, only continuing to sob and soak Sky’s clothes with his tears.

“You’d better have a good reason for what you just did,” Sky said breathlessly and harshly shoved him aside.

Sky had never felt this scared in his entire life, but tonight, fear and anxiety overwhelmed him completely. Jude remained silent, and his silence only fueled Sky’s anger and frustration. A part of him wished he had not realized what he had tried to do, because if he had truly intended to die, Sky would not have let it go unpunished. He would make sure he got the beating he deserved.

Feeling nauseated from the impact of the rock against his head, he struggled to get back up. He cast a glance at the terrified Jude before moving toward the truck.

The vehicle had already come to a stop, and the driver was stepping out. Sky immediately rushed over, his anger flaring uncontrollably. The old man was distraught by the incident; worry and panic were written all over his face.

“Oh, no. I’m so sorry. Are you—”

Sky did not let him finish his sentence as he threw a hard punch straight onto his face. Sky’s anger was beyond anything he had felt. This time it was far worse. The reckless driver had nearly taken a life, a life far more precious than his own.

The first punch sent the driver crashing to the ground.

“I’m so sorry, sir, I didn’t see—”

“Shut the fuck up!” Sky roared in uncontrollable fury, cutting him off as he threw another punch to the other side of his face.

When he started to get up again, Sky kicked his jaw very hard as blood splashed from his mouth, making the back of his head hit the asphalt road.

“So sad you can’t see tomorrow, you useless twat,” he muttered under his breath.

As the man nearly lost all consciousness, he continued to act on impulse, delivering blow after blow in rage. His control was slipping. He topped him and strangled his neck as he punched his face directly using his dominant hand multiple times. There was barely any chance left for reason to take over when suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around Sky from behind, pulling him back.

“Stop it, please! I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry, Sky. Please stop.” Jude’s frantic apologies broke through his ire, cutting him off mid-action.

Jude’s blood ran cold. Sky had crossed the line, and the violence in his eyes sent a wave of concern and dread crashing over him. If no one stopped him, the driver would die beneath Sky’s fists.

Fuck!

Panting for air, Sky’s temper began to cool marginally. The contact between their bodies sent an unexpected chill down his spine. A strange, unsettling sensation churned in the pit of his stomach, one he could not long comprehend, and that only bothered him more. He did not know why he stayed frozen in that embrace. After what felt like an eternity, he finally unclasped his hands and forced himself to stand.

Even then, Sky was still seething. If he was furious earlier at the parking lot, this wrath was worse.