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
JUSTINIt's been two days since Astrid was found unconscious. And has been in a coma for two full days. Throughout this time, I hadn't left her side and I couldn't lie to myself anymore at this point, I hated her enough to care that she hadn't woken up.And for what seemed like the hundredth time in two days, my mother came into the room, annoyed about the fact that I was staying with who she considered to be an enemy of the pack.“That's it, Justin. You're leaving here and going home right away.” She said as she walked in and I sighed. She glanced briefly at Astrid whose condition remained unchanged despite the fact that the doctor assured us that she was fine. She was truly taking her time to wake up.“I'm not leaving, mom.” I said, barely looking at her, fixing my gaze on Astrid. This was the first time I was seeing her face not in some form of pain or fear.“You need to rest, Justin. You've been here for two whole days. Go home.” She tried to use her authoritative tone but I shook