JAX:The cuts Voden received during the fight with the Silver Falls warriors were putting me through a dilemma. My task as I sat in an unfamiliar room was to get the cuts treated just to ensure it doesn't affect my being.Up to now I still cannot explain how Voden did what he did. The adrenaline that took over the both of us during the whole ordeal is still unexplainable because I can clearly recall the warriors using silver swords to go against us but they felt like regular swords on our skin.The being attending to me, a lady to be precise, kept using something that I still cannot explain what it was. The more it touched the cuts, the more pain I felt. But I held my ground.My eyes were shut but my ears were kept open for the activity going on in the other room. Rozeta was in there. And I still have no idea about just what might be her condition in the coming hours.I mostly neglected my own pain as I concentrated on hers. I was told that she would have to go through surgery just to
ROZETA:What I felt from seeing a black wolf that obviously wasn't Dera got my feelings a lot complicated. It was just like me seeing something different but at the same time, I felt like I was staring at a familiar beast.I have no idea why I was this washed with a sense of safety when I know that it shouldn't be the case for a wolf I know nothing about. Or am I going through a lot for me not to realize whose wolf this is?I would have begun to find a way out of here already but my instincts haven't pushed me to yet. It was more like I was this curious to know who this beast is and probably know why it brought me here."Who are you?" I ask, to my surprise. I mean I should be getting the hell out of here already!The wolf sorts of snorts and it gives me a weird instinct. Why did I have to do that?I wasn't sure what type of response I was expecting and neither was I sure what tone I needed to hear from it. But the fact that it gave me a masculine response got me surprised and more con
ROZETA:"Why do we have to leave by this time?" I ask Jax who was leading the way deep into the woods with nothing to aid our visions."There's no other time we can do this without being seen," is his response to my inquiry.He was right, though. Nighttime was the only reliable time for us to exist the pack that I have now come to know as the Golden Crescent pack which was something of an opposite to the Silver Falls pack that Jax called his pack.Still, I have an issue with the arrangement and didn't fail to let him know that."But you told me wolves have a very good vision even at night. How then can you guarantee that we won't be seen?""Just follow me, Rozeta."I keep quiet after that, leaving no room for an argument. At least if we wanted to go quietly, then I'm sure silence would be appreciated.I didn't like the fact that we had to leave this early. The first time I got to witness a world outside my own in the physical form was short-lived because I still have my safety to cons
ROZETA:Jax's had his left arm wrapped around me as he tried to keep me out of harm's way in the spot we chose to hide away from the supposed warriors that were marching around the location.I can't tell if they were on patrol or they were just chasing after us. None of that mattered because to get out of here without any questioning, then we have to do it with enough discretion.I could feel my heart pounding against my chest as I waited for this to pass away. Where Jax and I hid away was not necessarily comfortable for me but I couldn't complain as I have no other option. I can only pray that this passes away in time and that we're out of here already.My mind kept generating negative thoughts each time I sensed that the warriors were closing in on us. Thoughts that they were just fooling with us and wanted us to come out on our own.This was not a good spot to hide. And knowing just how good they might be at fishing out individuals, I won't be surprised if they find us already.Jax
ROZETA:I heard the screams. And they weren't ordinary screams... they reflected agony and me being here alone made me terrified as hell.I almost felt like Jax was in trouble but the feeling didn't last for long. Even at that, where in the world is he? Has he gotten into a dispute with the warriors lurking around the area?I was disturbed as I thought about making a run from the spot we both chose to hide away from the warriors. My only dilemma was how Jax was going to find me once I leave. I know for sure that he's still alive. Although a speculation, I felt it deep down in me.My body was tensed as I waited to see what was going to happen next. I haven't heard the screams of agony since the last time it reigned in the air but I was sure that whatever it is that caused such was still around.I wasn't safe standing here alone. This was the moment that I wished I was able to telepathically speak to Jax. I didn't pursue that with him because he made it sound creepy and inconvenient at
ROZETA:"Stay with me, please!" I plead over the already lifeless body of Jax. I wasn't feeling the connection that I supposedly shared with him and it shattered my heart into many pieces.I scream my lungs out, my voice exuding pain. Endless tears flowed down my eyes as I breakdown on the ground. I didn't want to accept the truth but there was nothing I could do to change it.Jax is dead. He's dead. He was murdered and it happened right in front of my eyes.I was still in denial even though I should be admitting to myself that it has happened. My system was in contrast and even the whole of my being.The amount of rage that suddenly filled my entire being was out of this world. I couldn't explain it but I felt it all over. And I don't know when I let it take control of my entire state of mind.It felt different. My mind was like a flow of reality on its own when I was still in the real world. I cannot even begin to decipher what was going on with me but then it was all happening all
ROZETA:Pain. Pain. And more pain. That was what I felt as whatever I turned into left me.The aftermath was worse than the beginning. It felt like everything that I just went through was a phase of pain itself.I had to walk up to a tree to have a balance. My legs were weary from running back in that beastly form. It was at that time that I realized I didn't have my clothes on anymore. To say I can explain what happened to my clothes would be a lie.I wasn't practically worried about being nude out in the open. I was worried about knowing that I have just gone through a phase of being alone for probably a long time.The realization of the death it Jax dawned on me and it gave me complicated feelings. Instantly I was pushing myself forward to get to his body. I still had this straw of hope that he wasn't fully dead but then that was only going to be through a miracle.Eventually, I arrive at his body. It was in the same position I left it and seeing that nothing has changed got me wea
ROZETA:I try to scream but nothing comes out of my mouth. The act came as a result of a bad dream, forcing my eyes open from the slumber I fell into. Though I was sitting up in no time to realize I was not in the woods anymore.Asides from being in a room that I have no idea about, I was fully clothed. Not necessarily in full clothes because what I have on looks like a hospital robe. A bed sheet was also over my legs but I take it off as I get off the bed to sit on the edge.This has seemed to become a routine whenever I collapse somewhere. I always end up waking up in an unknown room with my body almost fully treated or being healed from whatever I went through.It has always been that way since my first encounter with Jax and it has always been him waking over me. But this time it can't be possible. He couldn't make it out of the woods with me.The thought of that ignited an aura of sadness in me. I was moved to tears already because I couldn't bear the thought of losing Jax. Despi
ROZETA:I went through a lot before getting here. Had to deal with some pests that threatened to cut short my existence.Even right now, I was feeling the impact of having to go against a lot and it was that little energy I carried along with me until I arrived back at the scene where it all seemed to be going down between Jax and Manuel.However, I was too late. The one thing I tried to prevent happened. And it just had to happen right about the time I arrived on the scene.The slice through the air, and the little grunt that followed it told me what I needed to know. Jax has just clawed through Manuel and that was the end of it all.I did try to stop Jax just in time by yelling out a loud 'No' but then it didn't seem to have an impact. Instead, it only rained in the air before it did happen.I should be happy, shouldn't I? Jax has just gotten rid of the biggest threat to the both of us. And that was fine because walking on the face of this earth with Manuel still in it wasn't worth
MANUEL:For a moment, I was disoriented. I couldn't make sense of what I did. It was as if everything was happening so fast for me.I let go of the being in my hand, dropping her to the ground as I turn my full attention toward the area that I just shot at. And the only question I keep asking myself repeatedly is: Why is Beta Zeke on the ground instead of Jax's wolf?I know what I shot at. I know who I shot. I know who my target was. But why am I seeing something different?Have I just ruined everything with my hands? Did I just make a mess of a plan that has been coming together for such a long time? Why in the world is this happening?I have to take a look at my hand that had the gun in it. It's something I've known how to handle since I was little. A survival training, it was. And that meant I should be able to have a grip on myself whenever I shoot at something.Did the bullet deviate? Did it take a turn on its own? How did it end up meeting the wrong person?I wasn't even given a
ROZETA:I could feel my heart beating against my chest as I stared into the eyes of the man determined to end my life. Imagine being this close to death and knowing just how inevitable it was. Well, that was my situation at the moment.I've never been this scared all my life. Maybe I have but I don't think any other way I've ever felt could be compared to this one.Perhaps to taunt me, Manuel clicks the trigger, making it seem like he was going to shoot me. I shut my eyes the instant I hear the sound, expecting a loud bang but nothing comes out of it.The only problem was my heart beating even faster and I found satisfaction on Manuel's face when I open my eyes to look at him. He was apparently enjoying my predicament and I wasn't even sure what to feel about that."You've always interfered in everything that concerns this mission I started years ago," Manuel starts to say. "Now I don't know what you have to do with all of this especially when it was me who got you linked with all of
JAX:"What are you doing?" I hear Rozeta's desperate voice from behind but ignore it, my mind only focused on getting back to where I got her out from.I didn't even care about the wound on my arm or the pain that I felt radiating from it. I just wanted to do things my way from now on. And that starts from the mess that had caught up with my pack.I feel a strong grip on my arm, putting me to a halt. Actually, an impulse took over, resulting in me turning around to challenge the one who just halted my movement.I restrained myself from doing anything drastic. Instead, I snap and I sure as hell regretted doing that after."What?" is what I say out. And that mere action makes Rozeta tremble as she supposedly was the one who stopped me.She lets go of my arm, taking two steps backward to keep her distance from me. It was at that point that I realized what I just did and I instantly hate myself for it."I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that," I tell her, apologizing for my ill attitude. S
ROZETA:Was I sure about what I heard? Was I even sure it could be linked to my assumption? I couldn't say. But there was this conviction that I just might be right.The Beta looked like he was in a tight position. It was as if I just accused him of the most grievous offense and for a moment, I thought I didn't hear right.However, everything was pointing toward what I heard. The eye contact with Manuel, the partial look of guilt, the cold silence that ensued... I know I was right for accusing the Beta."What are you talking about?" the Beta says, letting out a dry laugh as he says that. "Who am I with? Him? Don't be ridiculous.""If you're not with him, then why did you tell him to kill me already?" I ask in return, standing up in the process.For a second, I notice the look of bewilderment flashes on his face. It was only for a second and certainly enough for him to act like it was all good. But I know what I saw."Where did you hear me say that? Did becoming an ill-bred turn your b
ROZETA: All of a sudden I was uncomfortable. And, no, I wasn't suffering discomfort from seeing Jax's old friend around. I can't fully pinpoint where the uneasiness was coming from but I was going to rely on it because it felt like something I had to hold on to. This was the point where the cuffs had to be taken off our arms. Jax and I were about to be caught in the middle of a confrontation between the warriors of his pack and the one who has a thing against them. Although he came out alone, all the warriors had their weapons pointed toward his direction, all active and ready to attack. This could get messy and it is one of the reasons I shouldn't be here. Neither should Jax. I notice as Manuel's eyes linger until it lands on Jax standing beside me. And the way he looked at him, it seems he has something against him. "You just wouldn't leave, would you?" is what he says. It wasn't loud enough but certainly enough for me to gauge something. "And you just can't quit, right?" Jax
ROZETA:It was weird, but I felt an instant connection the moment Jax and I arrived in front of a gateway similar to the one we exited from.I couldn't help but ask, "This is it, right?" My eyes were up as I looked toward him, anticipating an answer that way.He looks down for a brief second and instead of saying anything, just nods. At least that was confirmation of my question.After all the travels and trials I've been through, I was finally in front of the Silver Falls pack. The pack where I should be called a member but then I was placed on a death radar due to unforeseen circumstances.Anxiety begins to eat me up almost instantly, especially when I figure that we are this close to getting in. Okay, this might sound stupid but I want to go back already.I don't know if Jax was feeling the same way I was feeling. Looking at him, he looked more relaxed than ever. It could be a fake because he was certainly good at hiding his true emotions. So until he says to me that he was indeed
JAX: I couldn't help but plant a kiss on her forehead moments after waking up. It didn't do anything to disturb her sleep but she must have felt that because she winced in her sleep. I couldn't lay a decent explanation for how I was feeling now. A lot of complications radiated through me. But one thing for sure is that I was excited. How was she going to convince me now to take her to the Silver Falls pack with me? Does she expect me to fall into a well of depression now that I was certain of my stand with her? Hell no, I can't. I just can't. As crazy as it sounds, one thing went through my head during my intimate moment with her. And that was to mark her fully as mine. I'm surprised my fangs didn't even elongate during the process. It would have been a bit of a stupid idea to make use of that momentum to do something as huge as that but I was not thinking straight when the thought first went through my head. Now I'm not even sure if it was right that I even let it into me in the
ROZETA:Being wrapped in the arms of a man is not how I pictured waking up in the woods. Even with how unplanned it was, it still felt therapeutic enough for a lost soul like me.As my eyes become clear enough, I try to gauge my environment. It didn't take me long to discover it was where I slept off and the supposed man who had his arms around me was Jax, judging from his particular scent that has come to make an impact on me.My head lay on his broad chest, giving me a direct connection with his heartbeat. It was soft and almost too calm for me that I find myself craving more of it often.I have to gently shift back to give me space to check his face. He could still be sleeping so I pushed back with ease until I had enough space to look up.As soon as my eyes linger up, it goes back down at the same time, with my heart almost going into a frenzy. This is because Jax was fully awake with his eyes looking down at me.I didn't expect him to be awake. Neither did I expect that he would