Chapter 2: Midnight Blue

My face went numb when I received a strong slap from Philip. He then pushed me to the cold wall of the building so hard that I felt the painful burn in my back.

“You think you can hide and run forever, Agatha? You have to face it. You killed James and you must pay for it!” he said angrily.

I understand where he’s coming from. He’s James’ best friend. He’s smart and logical but his emotions are overwhelming him that all he sees is white and black. He’s blinded by his anger.

“I didn’t kill him!” I yelled, tasting the blood from my mouth. “How can I kill my own brother?”

“Alpha Roger confirmed it himself! How dare you deny it!” He pinned me to the wall with his hand around my neck, knocking the air out of my lungs.

“James is strong but he loves you. He must have refused to hurt you back and that’s how you managed to kill him.”

Tears formed in my eyes. I wanted to shake my head but Philip’s grip is so strong in my neck that I can hardly move.

“No…” I uttered in a frail voice.

James was the only person who truly cared for me. I have no friends in our pack. Most of them hated me because my dad was a traitor back then. Even James’ friends weren’t so fond of me. But I took it as an advantage. No one notices me so I can do whatever I want to as long as I don’t leave the district. I can spend my whole day in the library reading all the books I want. None of them expected me to be great so I was fine with being a wolfless girl.

I was content with having James by my side. That there was one person who loved me. But now, without my brother, I never felt so alone and helpless my entire life. I thought I could always stay by his side as long as I wouldn’t leave our pack, but I was wrong.

I should have known better. I should have trained myself. I should have sought help to awaken my wolf and be stronger instead of reading books.

“I guess being a traitor runs in your blood, huh? Your father betrayed the pack, and so you did. You have no shame, Sinclair,” Philip said through gritted teeth.

“I-I would never harm James-“

“Shut up! You already did!” his grip on my neck tightened. He raised me from the ground while pinning me on the wall.

I can hardly breathe. My consciousness is also slipping away.

I was in the middle of thinking what could have happened if I was capable enough to save James when suddenly I remembered something.

Edwina gave me a small flacon with a liquid that can make a werewolf lose his sense of sight for a few minutes.

While Philip was busy strangling me, I inserted my hand in my pocket. His eyes went down to what I was doing suspiciously but before he could stop me, I already sprayed it all over his eyes.

I fell to the ground when he withdrew his hand. I didn’t waste time. I stood up and hurriedly ran out of the alley.

I can feel my heart hammering my chest as I cross the busy street, which almost got me hit by a car. The driver yelled at me but I didn’t mind and continued running.

It was luck, I guess. To reach this far after constantly being chased by death.

I almost couldn’t feel my legs after running so much. After some time, I finally reached the train station. I made sure my cap didn’t reveal too much of my face and let my hair down.

When the train left without me seeing Philip or anyone from my pack, I was a little relieved. I sat there for the next hours, head down, and holding the small flacon – the only weapon I’ve got. Edwina gave me two. I already used one for Philip, so there’s only one left. I got some money from her, secretly. I had no choice. I didn’t want to leave them in the daylight. I told her in the letter I left, though. I also apologized.

Stepping out of the train after hours, I breathed some air to fill my lungs. I feel like I need it. I pulled my overcoat to cover my clothes, which is just a simple pair – a blouse and jeans. They are marked with some dirt from all the chasing I went through today.

I dipped my hand in my pocket to see the remaining money I have. My stomach churned. I sighed. I still need a cab to drive me to the Supreme Alpha’s residence and if I buy food, I might not have enough for the fare.

On my way out of the station, I stopped when I saw who are guarding the exits. They are men from our pack!

For a moment, I can’t move my legs. I can’t seem to think of an escape. Alpha Roger must have seen through my plan. That I’d be coming to the first district to talk to the Supreme Alpha. If only I was careful enough and Philip didn’t see me, he wouldn’t have an idea that I’m still alive.

Even if I run or not, they will definitely notice me. I’m thinking of running to the opposite side of the station. But some of them must be guarding the other possible exits.

I start to panic. Should I just go back inside the train and hide? I bit my bottom lip and looked around. There’s no way I’d successfully go past the exit without them noticing me. Even if I cover my face, they must have familiarized my scent so it will be easier to track me. They will certainly recognize my scent if I go any closer.

Going back inside the train to hide probably is my best shot. They’d think I stopped in another district instead of going straight here. But what if they search the train? Oh good Lord, I don’t know what to do.

Before I could think of something, I heard a shout, “She’s there!” and I knew they had spotted me.

I still tried to run, though. Even when I knew it was a hopeless case.

It didn’t take them a full minute to catch me and they took me down in just a second. Now I’m on my knees, two men had each of their hands on my shoulders while the others surrounded us. It all happened near the station’s exit, and it was quite a scene.

Some looked at me with pity while some threw disgusting glances as if they knew I did a grave crime and I deserved the humiliation.

“It’s a shame I underestimated you,” Alpha Roger pushed my chin up for our eyes to meet. “I was very sure you wouldn’t survive falling off that cliff. I thought you got drowned, or your body hit those big and sharp rocks. I never imagined you’d get so lucky.”

“I did not kill James,” I said each word firmly. “Even if I’d be tortured countless times or get executed, I’d never admit I killed my own brother. He was murdered by someone from our pack and you should open an investigation!”

Alpha Roger’s eyes narrowed sharply. “Don’t dare think you can outsmart me, wolfless girl. You were caught with him in his room with your bloody hands and you still dare deny it?” He held my jaw with roughness like he wants to break it.

“The real culprit must have framed me up!”

“Insolent!” He’s about to slap me when someone spoke.

“What mess is this, Alpha Roger?”

As if he knew whom the voice came from, Alpha Roger immediately stood. I looked up and saw our pack members giving way to the newcomer whose voice I found unfamiliar.

When he’s laid in front of me, my lips parted an inch. Even if I’ve never seen him in person before, I know how he looks. I know he looks god-like in those pictures, but I never thought a man could be this… attractive.

He’s tall, over six feet I suppose, had his jet-black hair brushed back, wearing a white long-sleeved shirt. The first three buttons of his shirt are left unbuttoned and the sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, showing his viny forearms and the silver Rolex on his left wrist. His eyes are covered with gold rimmed sunglasses although the sky is dark.

“Supreme Alpha!” Everyone bowed their heads to the man to show respect.

Even when I can’t see his eyes, with how his head shifted, I know he’s looking at me.

“Hmm… let me see what you got here.” Taking off his glasses, he stared at me with his midnight blue eyes, which I find hard to stare back at.