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
I almost freaked out after realizing the whiteboard ceiling with a mini chandelier wasn't there anymore. Instead, I was staring right back at the ceiling of my room with nothing but a bulb atop. In haste, I was off the bed, looking around in an apprehensive state. At the same time, I was trying to figure out what in the world was going on because it was clear to me that something was not right. I shouldn't be in my room. If my foggy memory serves me right, I should be somewhere else. Somewhere totally different from here. I look down at the clothes I have on and it wasn't the usual different collection of PJs that I would normally wear before going to bed. Seeing myself in a tiny strapped top and jean pants added more to my stressed mind. If I was in such clothes, then I definitely shouldn't be in my room. But I just can't seem to place my hands on how I got back here in the first place. My eyes finally land on something that would not appropriately be found in here — A pink stic
ROZETA: I went through a week that I wouldn't want to talk about. And just to feel better, I decided to go for a cool-off last night as it was a Friday. But little did I know that a simple cool-off would lead to something unplanned. The supposed love bite on my neck opened my memory to almost everything that happened the night before. Yeah, almost. I've been thinking about it all morning and it brought me to an unexplainable point. I wasn't looking for anything when I decided to head over to Hawking Nightclub all alone. You got it right — I had no friends to go with and my roommate was super exhausted after a long day at work... her words. I started the whole club experience with a shot of vodka before venturing into random dances. In between all of that, I took two extra shots and I promise that it was the last I intended to take. That is until I decided to rest my weary legs in a corner of the club that had fewer people. I was already feeling the effects of the alcohol in my sy
JAX: "What's on your mind?" Manuel, whom I would necessarily call my closest ally, asks from behind where I stood. Looking down into the city from the top of my building gave me a kind of peace that I never thought I would have after having a restless night. A close look at my face and one would be able to tell that I have bags under my eyes. I take in a deep breath, shutting my eyes close. Relief flooded through me before I open them to stare back into the activities of the city going down below. How much depth I could cover didn't matter because it was almost like I could see it all. "A lot," I respond to Manuel's inquiry. "Is this still about last night? I thought we both agreed on the fact that it was just you loosening up for the first time in a long time," "I know we did," I say, "but I can't help but think I didn't do things right." Manuel wastes no time in countering, "It was nothing out of the ordinary. I'll call it a random thing with a girl you'll never get to see ag
JAX: Being an extraordinary being in a world filled with ordinary beings, I've managed to be careful in the last five years since I've been here. It wasn't a permanent thing but then I had my priorities set right. So if someone told me that a mistake from one night could almost ruin everything for me, I would not believe it. But then it did and now I might have to account for it. Manuel looked like he wanted to punch through something. The look on his face said it all that he was not liking what I told him. "So you marked her unintentionally?" he sounded surprisingly calm for the reaction he was exhibiting. I run a hand through my hair nervously. "I had no idea what I was doing. One minute I was trying to get down with her, the next my fangs are out and I have bitten into her neck. I don't understand how it all happened," I was getting tensed so I walk away from his presence back to the spot I was in before. But going back there wasn't helping matters as the hypersensitive noise
ROZETA:Lauryn was right: I do not listen.She has mentioned that to me a lot and I have just realized how true it is today. Because if it wasn't, I wouldn't be out here on the street after I was sternly warned to be on bed rest for the rest of the week.It hasn't even been more than two days since the domestic accident I had. Two days since what I still can't explain regarding the bite I found on my neck.Right before I was discharged yesterday, the doctor instructed me not to overwork myself as my brain wouldn't be able to handle the pressure after the impact made on it two days ago. And just so she could see that I adhered to the doctor's instruction, Lauryn forced me to call in sick at work.I did promise her that I was going to stay in all day but a few hours after she left, I am out in the open, finding a way to get my body on the move.The problem didn't come from being sick of staying in all day. It came from me being hyperactive since I opened my eyes this morning.I don't kn
JAX:The pressure I felt from killing off the ignition was worse than what I felt from driving into the pack. It has always been the same feeling in the last five years whenever I am summoned. Except for this time, it was a strong feeling of dread.Right through the front view window of my car, I could see the massive building that housed the Alpha family. The same building that I happened to live in most of my life.Seeing the extravagant number of warriors around the building as compared to the amount I know to always be around there made me wonder if there was something huge I was not told of before I came over. As usual, I'm in the dark about situations around here.I take out the key from the ignition and then walk out of the car slowly after that. The cool breeze of the morning swept on my face like I just welcomed it for the very first time today.I was not one to savor the feelings that came with this so I just ignored it and carried on with what I wanted to do. And that was t
JAX:I still have no clue what Wade meant when he said there was something that could bring me down. But the uneasiness that came with thinking about it made me have a rough ride on my way to my company.There was no chance that he already found out about the mistake I made. I'm particularly sure I haven't felt the new bond that comes with having a new member of the pack so this means nothing has changed yet.Still, I wanted to know if he was looking into me...Wade and I have never been on clear grounds ever since we both found out about the tendency of one of us to be the next Alpha. Because like me, he also wanted the taste of power and that wouldn't be possible if another was preventing the other from getting it.It was like a whole new stress on its own thinking about the rivalry between me and my brother. If I had a choice, I would sure be seeking a way to kill it off.So many times the thought of calling it quits has crossed my mind. The only reason I'm still in the race is tha
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