JAX:It was at this point that I recalled that Beta Zeke said he had warriors on standby to prevent us from leaving the pack. I didn't need anyone to tell me that the ones surrounding us at the moment were them. The only question I have is how they were able to know we would be passing through here to leave the pack.I look back at Rozeta. I was surprised to see that she had her full concentration on the body of water we were supposed to cross to get to the other side. It was as if she already blurred her mind to anything else happening around her.To not destabilize her more than she already is, I take a step forward. My aim at the moment was to gauge the scent of the warriors around us. It was a means of finding what level they were on in terms of strength because it was looking now like I would have to fight my way through this.Most of the warriors smelt like the regulars. It means I still have the prowess to deal with them. But I figured something out. One of them was a level abo
ROZETA:"I was still a kid when it happened. That day, I decided to wander off alone all in the name of fun," I pause for a second before continuing, "I don't know where I was wandering off to but I do remember arriving in front of a lake which I walked into. I had no experience whatsoever on how to handle myself in a body of water but I stupidly found myself walking deep into the like until I lost my balance and had to resort to swimming. Unfortunately, I couldn't swim and the last thing I remember that day was me struggling to survive inside the lake."Perhaps I shouldn't have said anything to Jax because explaining my predicament only made me feel worse than I already was. It was something that I have pushed deep down inside of me. A traumatic experience, I would have to call it. And apparently talking about it couldn't work.I look up to notice that Jax had his gaze on me. It was like he was scrutinizing him and as much as I wanted to know why he was doing that, I still found it w
MANUEL:I pull out the sword from my opponent's chest, blood spilling out as I do so. The horror in his eyes was the last thing that probably went through his life as he gave up the ghost. As crazy as it seems, it was the most satisfying thing for me at the moment.I sigh. This wasn't giving me enough joy as I hoped it would. I just finished off the fifteenth of the warriors guarding the area and I wasn't okay with it.The main reason I got in here in the first place hasn't been manifested. Although it involves a lot of patience, I don't see myself exercising one because I've already run out of that after waiting for many years just to make this work.Looking around, I notice the scuffle going on. And it involved my men with the warriors that were defending their territory. A territory that I could confidently say I was a part of for some years.The result of the scuffle seemed to be a stalemate as both oppositions were dropping each other at the same time. But with my killings, I wou
ROZETA:It just dawned on me that I wasn't fully safe from the wrath of a lot of people. I might have survived all through but that won't stop them from coming for me.I keep going from one trouble to another so much that I can't even keep up with the events that have happened in my life. All I can recall mostly is how messy it has been all through for me and how destabilized I've been as well.Jax's grip on my wrist was tight that I was sure my arm would rip from my body. I don't know what momentum he was using to carry on at the moment but it was scary. Especially after seeing him snap the neck of someone in front of me.I guess I was having this reaction because it was the first time I was seeing him do such and even though I should be used to anything that happens in the world of the wolves, it wasn't easy for me.Jax was furious. I didn't need anyone to tell me that he was. I could see it myself and the fact that he seems to be taking it out on me was so not cool.It got to a poi
ROZETA:The rogue wolf was tougher than I thought. Not like I was expecting anything easier but being that it wasn't sane enough, I would think it would be a better match-up.Jax told me that turning into your wolf puts you in the backseat. Just like when the wolf fills up the void in your head. But at the moment it almost feels like I was out there and in here at the same time. It was a complicated process but that's how it was.Despite having a hard time with the rogue wolf, I was still able to claw at it a lot. The more claws that cut deep into its skin, the slower it becomes, thereby giving me an edge over it.I want to finish it in time but I was taking my time not to get clawed at. Can't see myself treating another wound when the one on my palm hasn't healed up yet.A huge force from my wolf's paws provides an impact that sends the rogue wolf crashing to the ground. It has been ferocious all through but after the hit, it shows a side that seems not worthy of a beast that has bee
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
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: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
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