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
ASTRIDMy entire body hurt. I felt pain all over and moving any part of my body felt like an Herculean task. I opened my eyes, shutting them back almost immediately when my irises were pierced by the sudden bright light.It took a little adjusting to but I was finally able to properly open my eyes only to see Justin sleeping by my bed. What’s he doing here?I wondered if the throbbing in my head made me see things because this couldn't be possible. I frowned, trying to clear my vision but it became obvious that it was reality and I wasn't dreaming him up.How long have I been here?Most importantly, what was Justin doing here?I found my bag by the bed stand and I knew the journal had to be somewhere close. I didn't want him to get to it first so I gently got up from the bed, prepared to search for it and hide it before he read through the content.“Looking for this?” I froze. I didn't hear him wake up and when I turned to face him, he was holding up the journal. My face must be paler
ASTRID “I don't want you ask you again, you wretched cunt. What are you doing with my daughter's dairy?” I wished at that moment that I hadn't woken up from my coma. Or at least, the memory of how the diary came to be with me should have been wiped alongside the attack. I wished more than anything that my parents weren't here to witness this because I was embarrassing them. Luck definitely wasn't on my side. I couldn't say anything, my throat choked up. The words were at the tip of my tongue but I just couldn't get them out. And even if I could talk, I didn't know what to say to her. Any excuse I tried to give wouldn't have been plausible. She was going to take the diary away regardless. Thank goddess I read through it all.My head swung painfully to the side with enough force that sent me crashing back into the pillows. Even though I was seated, my mother-in-law managed to gather enough momentum to slap me so hard I saw stars. The force nearly had my back breaking the wall behind
JUSTIN I chuckled to myself, amused by her audacity. For the first time since I met her, she finally summoned up the courage to defend herself when it came to me. Truthfully, it pissed me off that she talked back at me. I could feel the anger churning in my veins, looking for an outlet but amidst everything, I was also extremely impressed. This was the side of her I wanted to know and not the scared one that cowered at the slightest raise of voice. That was cute. I frowned at that thought. It seemed like I had confused myself by feeling too many emotions at once. Why the hell would I think she or anything she does was cute? I reminded myself of the fact that she had actually killed my mate and my anger came back, this time with the guilt of thinking a murderer had done something cute. I should hate her and not think of her as cute. But what if she's telling the truth? What if she didn't kill them? What if Kris had actually been helping her? Why would she have killed her then?I