JUSTINFuck, not again…“Report everything to me as soon as you're able to. I want every single detail until I get there. Do not let anyone near the body. I'll be on my way now.”I disconnected the mind link and started to leave. Asta reached for my arm dragging me back and I remembered I had actually been in a conversation with her earlier. “Wait, you're just going to leave me here?” She asked me and I paused for a moment. I debated whether or not to tell her the truth but I didn't know if it was something she would want to know or was she supposed to. “Something came up. I need to go.” That was all I could tell her without revealing too much information.“Can I come with you?” She asked and I shook my head immediately, my brows raising. There was no way I was going to drag her with me to a crime scene. Not when she wasn't involved in any way. “I'm sorry, but you can't. I have to go now.” I made to leave but she stopped me, again. And I swear I heard my wolf groan in annoyance. Ye
ASTRID I thought I knew what hatred was but this had to be next level. There was nothing else I could have done except comply with the instructions given by the Luna. The chores kept piling up like I hadn't done most of it the night before and I couldn't help but wonder if she got people to undo the ones I had done, overnight. I kept glancing at a nearby clock and each ticking hand made me later for class. There was no way I would have finished on time and I knew now that passing this year was going to be hard, not to mention taint my perfect grades. As soon as I finished up with the dishes, which were the last chore stated for me to do, I tried to hurry to get my books and contemplated whether or not to have a bath before leaving. A sniff at my clothes told me I needed to. Even though I had my bath the night before, the sweat from working all morning and the conditions I had worked in had caused a new buildup.I wasn't looking at where I was headed to and a wet spot on the floor h
ASTRIDPain hurts. It is excruciating and it burns but the pain is good. It had only been a few minutes since Justin's mother let me go after burning the flesh on my back. While the pain remained but my tears had started lessening, the memory of that first sizzle of my skin remained fresh. I sat on the floor, my back opened, and I could feel blood running down my back from the part that got burnt. Every little breeze made it sting and I sat there, wincing every second. After she had left, the maids trooped in, wanting to get a closer look at me. There was no doubt that they had all heard me screaming from where they were, wondering what I must have done this time to earn such a treatment. It was one mistake.No one made any moves to come to me. They all instead stood from afar, occasionally peeking to get a good look of what must seem like a burnt platter of meat to them. They gossipped amongst themselves, paying me no heed. “Poor thing. She must have really angere Luna…” One sai
ASTRIDI stood there, frozen. There was no getting out of it this time. This only meant trouble, one I couldn't be too sure I would be able to get out of.My heart kept pounding in my chest as I watched her watch me. She kept her eyes on me, raking me all over and it took all of my willpower not to shift my weight from one foot to another but I knew just how guilty that would make me look. After a prolonged silence, she finally spoke. “Did the doctor give you anything for your injury and the pain?” I sighed in relief. I hadn't been caught after all and the sinister smile had been something akin to… concern?I nodded hastily, knowing my silence could be misinterpreted for something else. She nodded and went her way. A small smile grew on my face. She hadn't questioned why I was in the house and no one knew what I had gone to do. I couldn't care less about the pain in my back at the very moment, all that mattered was the book currently hidden in the folds of my clothes. I could only
ASTRIDMy heart raced as I stared at Justin who looked at me with equal amounts of curiosity. In my hand was his dead sister's journal while he stood over me. I knew I would be done for if he caught even the slightest indication that I was with something that belonged to Kris. I began to sweat, unsure of what to say to his question. My back ached from the stress and I knew even if the drugs I had used were beginning to work, his very presence negated their function.He had that intense ability to make me squirm even from a single glance and that ability was working overtime now. I could feel the power coming off of him in waves, angry and needing an outlet. I couldn't help but wonder why he was outside at this time too. There was no way he could have intentionally come to find me, not when I was sure that no one had known about me coming out which could only mean he needed to do something outside. “I-I–.” I stammered, unable to form words in his presence. He stared down at me, disgu
JUSTINI bolted up from yet another nightmare. It didn't matter that I had recurrent ones, every single one was just as scary as the first time I had it.This time, however, something felt wrong. I was fully awake, eyes bulging and a pressing need that was almost too overwhelming. For some strange reason, that need was to make sure Astrid was in the pack. I couldn't tell why but my wolf pushed for me to check on her, wherever the fuck she was. I couldn't understand if this feeling was because I wasn't too sure if she wasn't the killer, which should have left me relieved, but I didn't bite down my suspicions of her. First at night, only to stumble upon her reading even in the dark. I felt instant relief that she was at least within the pack and not anywhere a killer should be. But then even here at the meeting this morning, I couldn't help that my eyes roamed the crowd of heads in search of her.I was sure she wouldn't miss it, only maybe if I hadn't told her but…Why did I even care
ASTRIDI should have known I wouldn't be a part of the meeting. Anything to get me away from the pack she would do. Not only have I had a late night and barely any sleep but when I woke up to prepare ahead for the meeting like everyone else, Luna just had to get in the way. She gave me a list of chores that made sure attending the meeting was out of question if I wanted to go to school early or at all.“These are all the chores you have to get done today,” she started to say, her face holding that constant dislike for me. “You have a choice to make here…” Whatever it is, it cannot be any good. I thought, waiting for her to list them to me. “You either go to school late and attend the meeting or you don't show up for the meeting, get this work done and head to school early with everyone else.”She didn't sound like she was giving me room to argue. This was final. But I also knew that there was a hidden option and that involved my getting hurt but her hands. I didn't want that.Thankful
JUSTIN “The Book Of Life, The Witch’s Handbook.” Those were the words written on the piece of paper. I read it over and over trying to make sense of it but nothing came to mind. I knew nothing about witches, let alone a handbook. I looked in the direction she had gone to and wondered what this meant. Was she trying to find ways of bringing the girls back? Is it even possible? Was this research driven by guilt? Was this her way of trying to make things right?I had a million questions running through my mind, questions only she could answer. I immediately ran out of the library in search of her but she was nowhere to be found when I made it out, I missed her.I wanted answers as soon as possible and I knew she would try to avoid me in the pack house and I was too anxious to wait for them then. I need the answers now. I need to know.Rushing through the halls, I searched for her in classes I knew she took but nothing. “Alpha's son or not, this is unacceptable…” at least two teachers
JUSTINMy heart was pounding against my chest widely and a strange feeling settled over me as my eyes drifted from my father to my mother . I had never seen my parents so- tense like that before, the seemed so bothered about something I couldn’t understand why it was. My father’s jaw was tight and my mother’s lips were pressed together in a tight line as if she was trying to hold back her words. For the first time in my entire life, it seemed like there was an unresolved issue lingering between them, something neither of them wanted to talk about.My mother sat down and my father sat beside her, he held her hands tightly as if to anchor him. Then with a small sigh, he started talking. “There’s something I haven’t told you before and I guess this is the time for you to know, Justin,” he let out, his voice firm but I could tell the tension underneath it. “Years before I met your mother or even began dating her… I used to date a witch.”I frowned at what he said, refusing to believe his
JUSTINI knew something was off about that girl right from the start. And right here, she proved me right the moment she disappeared. Of course, she was a witch but why had she come here only to disappear? Why show herself now if it wasn’t a part of some plan?I turned around and saw Astrid with wide and startled eyes, a million thoughts were swirling in her head. I could hear her thoughts and she was back to thinking about her wolf, back to believing she needed a witch to fix whatever was wrong with her wolf. But not this witch. Raina, Sasha, or whatever she called herself. She was the wrong person for that. A very wrong one and I had this feeling she was dangerous too. It was clear too.I walked to Astrid and placed my hand on her arm, but her mind was too preoccupied with what she was thinking she knew about Raina. “Astrid,” I whispered through our link. “Look at me. She is not the witch you're looking for, snap out of it, baby. Raina is a liar and a friend of Hunter’s. She can’t
ASTRIDI was sure it was him- or at least, I thought I was. Maybe it was just my mind playing tricks on me, spinning my fears into shadows outside the window. I didn’t feel safe. Not anywhere. Not anymore. The only place I felt safe was in Justin’s arms. But what are we going to do now?I was trembling and crying quietly into his chest as he held me tight, his hands rubbing my back up and down soothingly. The only thing that comforted me was his presence and the warmth of his body. Not even a minute later, the room was filled with everyone else. The door burst open, and my parents and Justin’s came inside. I could feel their eyes on me, I could see the worry in their eyes and I started feeling overwhelmed. “What happened?” Justin’s mother asked, her voice laced with concern. “The fucker was here,” Justin replied her, his voice was strained and I could tell he was trying to control his anger. “Astrid saw him.”They all let out a low gasp immediately the words came out of Justin’s m
JUSTINI was torn between staying with Astrid to protect her and the baby and going over to where Hunter was to confront him. I felt that familiar feeling of fear and all my body became tense as my mind started racing, calculating the risks. Under no circumstances must Hunter find out about the baby. If he found out, his games could get dirtier, more dangerous, and I could not afford that. Not now. Not ever. I pressed a kiss to Astrid’s temple, she was too focused on her ice cream, completely unaware of anything happening while mine was melting in my hand, dripping down my fingers. So, I got to eating it and took my eyes back to where Hunter was, but he was gone like he had never been there. I turned Astrid and tried to get her walking so we could get out of there but she wasn’t budging. “I want another one,” she whined, holding out her empty cone. I forced a smile, trying to keep my fear out of my eyes and our link. “We have to leave sweetheart,” I said, my voice steady despite th
JUSTINWith an opponent hot on my heels, I ran across the pitch, the wind whipping over my hair. I didn't care that running had scorched my lungs and pushed my legs to the breaking point. There was only one thing on my mind- reaching the goal post. I focused, dodged an opponent and narrowed my eyes. And Immediately I got to the goal post, I swung the pusher against the ball straight into the net. The stadium exploded in cheers as soon as the ball got past the goalkeeper and into the net.Victory. I turned immediately to the stands, my eyes searching for the one face that made this whole moment worth it. Astrid was there, her eyes shining with pride and a big smile playing at the corners of her lips. I blew her a kiss, grinning like a fool. I could barely hear my teammates rushing towards me, to celebrate with me. The championship game had just started and this was our third win. I ran to where she was in the crowd in the stand as soon as the game ended. I immediately lifted her int
HUNTERI stared at Raina and her mother, Celeste, with a bored expression plastered across my face. The room felt suffocating with their presence, their very existence was dripping with deceit. If there was one thing I had learnt from dealing with these two, it was that they were up to something. The fact that they had the audacity to show up at my pack unannounced only confirmed my suspicions. Whatever they were planning, I needed to figure it out- and fast. I had zoned out for a moment, allowing the dull hum of their voices fade to become background noise, but then, Celeste called my name, snapping me back to the conversation. I blinked, trying to focus on her as she spoke. “Hunter, we heard what happened,” she said with sympathy in her voice and I rolled my eyes. “So, what are your plans now?” She asked, her voice smooth and practiced. It was as if she was trying to sound genuinely concerned, but I knew better. I could see the calculation in her eyes, the way her lips curled into
ASTRID "It was- I…” I opened my mouth to respond, but then it hit me. It has actually been a while. I stared up at her, my eyes widening as a wave of terror and bewilderment passed over me. With my heart pounding, I muttered, "It can't be." “We have… well- it can’t be what I’m thinking right? I mean yes, we have done it a few times. Well a lot since that day but could I really be?” My heart was beating fast against my chest and the room bounced a little in my eyes. Goddess.She nodded knowingly. “There is a high chance,” she replied. “I have a few pregnancy test strips in the pack’s first aid kit downstairs. You stay put, I'll go and grab one for you.” I nodded in response.As she left the room, I felt my mind waving. This was exciting, but also terrifying. This was not the right time at all. A lot was still going on. Hunter was still out there. What if he found out? And school- oh my God, I still had two years left. How was I supposed to manage being pregnant and finishing school? I
ASTRIDA few weeks has passed since I found out about my adoption, Hunter’s intentions and Justin getting hurt. My relationship with Justin had gotten even better and it was flourishing. Even now, I was still in shock at how much had changed so quickly. I no longer felt the weight surrounding me, and for the first time in my life, I felt like I fit somewhere. My relationship with my parents was… progressing. Slowly. But, we were getting there. The hardest part, though, was trying to get used to Justin’s mother change in attitude and how she was so sweet to me now. I was finding it hard to accommodate her but I was sure I’d get there eventually. Justin had helped me pack my things back into the Alpha’s home after everything had settled down and it felt good to be back, surrounded by people that cared about me. And I could always see Justin and not wait or count down until time I would get to see him. Everything was going well. All was well. But there was a nagging feeling at the back
ASTRIDBest news of the year. Hell, best news of my life. She loves me.Astrid, the girl who always made my heart race, who kept me awake at night, and haunted my thoughts whether she was around or not, had finally confessed to loving me back. I felt a raw, powerful feeling go through my veins as soon as she finished speaking. A high I hadn't felt in years. It was taking up all of my mental space, making the physical anguish I was experiencing seem unreal and distant. I forced myself up, scowling at the way the stitches were pulling at my flesh, ignoring the pulsating pain in my ribs. Astrid, always the worrier, immediately moved to get me to lay back down. She attempted to gently lead me back to the bed by saying, "Justin, you're still hurt." But I would have none of it. Grabbing her wrist, I pulled her in until she was inches from my face. I could smell her skin, that subtle aroma that always made me crazy, and I could feel the warmth of her breath. She made an effort to make me