Eight.

Blue

Fuck! They did know!

I feel Bree’s hand tighten around my arm. We have had this conversation multiple times. She knew that me being a Rogue wasn’t good.

“Have you ever been in a pack?” Jaxon asks quietly. His blue eyes flickered between me and Xander. His eyes had a slight grey mist to mist to them. Xander’s too.

“You don’t need to have a conversation in private.” I mutter. “You’ve figured it out. So reject me.”

Jaxon presses his lips together. His nostrils flair just a little. Enough to show he was annoyed.

“I am what I am!” I growl

"You didn't answer my question. And don't spin some shit about Dark Crescent. I won't buy it."

“How did you end up a Rogue?” Xander has his head tilted as he watches me “It wouldn’t have been killing the human, even if that is forbidden.”

Jaxon scratches his chin and runs his hand through his neat blonde hair. He turns towards his brother “How the fuck were you right?” 

“I’ve already told you it doesn’t matter. But we have a choice to make now. Reject her or try to trick father into believing she is an ordinary wolf.”

“I don’t want to die. I don’t shift. I don’t even act like a wolf. I can live here peacefully and carry on as usual.”

A snort comes from Jaxon. “You don’t act like a wolf? You just growled at me. Humans don’t do that.

“Tell me how you became a Rogue. Then I will decide.”

“Excuse me, I think I have a say in the matter.” Xander snaps. They didn't agree about me, that much was obvious.

There was something else going on between them. The way Jaxon spoke to Xander, I didn’t like it. It was like he was trying to be more forceful. Trying to figure out a way to make himself look better. The suits, the perfect hair and teeth, the money. Even down to him trying to demand that I shouldn’t work. If they didn’t reject me, I would be walking into a nightmare.

“If I tell you, I’m as good as dead.” I mutter

“You will be as good as dead if our father finds out what you are.” Jaxon snaps and I watch as Xander puts a hand on Jaxon’s shoulder.

“Not the way.” He mutters, moving his gaze to Bree.

“She doesn’t know either.” I’m up and on my feet, creating a barrier between her and them. Bree whimpers, realising what is happening. She may have all the confidence in the club but not here, not with these men. “Leave her out of this!”

“Blue. This will be better for all of us if you just tell us. The wolfsbane was bad enough. But if you tell me why you are Rogue, maybe we can help.” Xander tries to give me a reasurring smile but it doesn't meet his eyes.

“Does it matter? You are just going to lock me away anyway.”

Jaxon frowns, but his tense posture relaxes. “I have no plans on locking you away. I want you to be by our side as our pack grows. We have big plans for Black Moon. We need a Luna to help with that. But it all comes down to you Blue."

“I’m not ready to talk about it.” I hated talking about that part of my life, just as much as I hate talking about what Bree’s brother did to me.

“We need answers.” Xander mutters, but his blue eyes are full of pity. How could they be twins and yet be so different?

“I need to sleep. Can you go!” It wasn’t a question. I was exhausted from all their questions. 

“We will go.” Xander gives me a small smile as Jaxon glares at him. “We are not going to get answers from her if she is tired.”

“Fine, we will return tomorrow at the club to see what this ‘party night’ is all about.” Jaxon leans in close. “No games, Blue.”

I look at the clock, it was almost two in the morning. After they leave, Bree just stares at me, trying to figure out what to say.

“You don’t have to say anything. I already know this isn’t going to end well.” My shoulders drop from the weight of knowing what will happen.

“They know we are close.” Bree mutters, “They’re using our friendship to get to you. They know you will do whatever needs to be done to protect me.”

“I know.” She was just telling me what I already knew. It was obvious that they would. She was an easy target. She was human.

“So, if they are going to try and get information, what can I tell them?”

“Nothing. They know that I was attacked. They know I killed a man. They know I poison myself. They know I’m a Rogue.”

“They don’t know why. I don’t even know why.”

“I tell you everything Bree, but not that. It’s not even my fault.”

She gets up from the chair to give me a hug. But I step away. I felt horrible for even putting her in this position. 

“It’s not…”

“Blue, I know you. It’s fine. Go get some sleep. I’m sure tomorrow is going to be hard enough.”

I walk down the hallway to my bedroom and slowly close the door. Sliding down the wall, I sit on the thinning carpet and silently cry. I had held everything together for so long and just like that, everything had fallen apart in just over a week.

I had no idea how long I was sitting here for, but when I finally moved to my bed, I crashed.

“Blue. You awake?” Bree flings the door open. “You know it’s nearly midday. Vita is expecting us in an hour.”

“An hour?” Shr rips my curtains open to let in the sunlight.

“To help set up for tonight. Look, I’ve found you my nude tights, they will hide some of the leg scars. And I reckon a black shirt with a belt, like I said before.” She smiles as she rifles through my wardrobes.

“Great!” I mutter sarcastically.

“Go get cleaned up. I will pack your bag.” She prances around my bedroom grabbing my clothes and brushes and anything else that I needed as I head off to the shower.

As I scrubbed myself, I closed my eyes, trying not to look at the ugly scars that littered my body. It was bad enough being able to feel the bumps and thick skin where they had formed.

Quickly dressing, I pull on a basic hoodie and joggers. I could change later, closer to opening time.

Bree was already waiting for me. She hands me a slice of toast and practically pushes me out the door.

The doors to the club were already open and I could already hear Vita shouting at someone about balloons. Bree rolls her eyes and laughs, pulling me inside.

As soon as Vita spots us. She waves us over.

“Vita why am I scheduled? I don’t do these nights.” I mutter, glancing around at the chaos.

“Exactly why I’m putting it on. I think I have an idea of how to get those Black Moon twins to reject you.”

“You do?” I ask surprised, thinking about what Xander had said the night before.

“Show them your scars.”

“I don’t….”

“Listen to me, Blue. They will want someone with a perfect body. As all Lycan’s do. Show them. They will soon reject you.”

“The other customers won’t like it.” I mumble. The other girls would hate me if their tips dropped because of me.

“It will be dark. You know as well as I do, the Lycans will be able to see in the darkness.”

“I don’t show my scars to anyone.”

“Just one night. Then you can go right back to what you were doing.” She bustles away and Bree just shakes her head.

“Why would she do that to you? I’m starting to think the twins were right about her. I mean, I have been telling you for months.”

“Maybe she has a point.” I mumble. I couldn’t stand to look at my own scars, let alone show them to an entire club.

“Blue, you don’t back down for anyone.”

Vita keeps us busy. Setting up props, moving tables. Why she just didn’t get some of her pack to do it, I will never know.

“Hey, it’s time to change.” Bree nudges me. “What are you going to do?”

“Black shirt,” I mutter and she gives me a smile. 

“Never let someone make you do something you don’t want to. You know that.” It was alright for her to say that. But I won't have a choice soon.

As I’m about to head into the back, Jaxon and Xander appear. The security guard just steps out of the way for them. Even he knew that he wouldn't be able to stop them. They both nod to me and head straight for their usual booth as Bree tugs me out to the back.

Changing in the cubicle, I pull on the tights and I am so grateful that they hide the scars. I fasten a belt around my waist over the black shirt and check that everything is hidden. It was the best I could do.

Heading out, I slip in with the other girls and Bree smiles at me. “You look fine. I can’t see anything.”

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” I had never heard Vita shout before. Her fingers wrap around my wrist and she pulls me away from the other girls. “You are not wearing that!”

“I can’t wear the other outfit, Vita. I just can’t.”

She drags me into the office. “You want rid of them, you do it my way. Remember who I am, Blue.”

“You’re not my Luna, not yet.” I stutter, surprised by the way she was reacting. 

“So this is how you are going to repay me.” Her dark eyes are wide and she flattens her salt and pepper hair.

“I don’t understand.” Why was she suddenly becoming so aggressive? She had always looked out for me.

“Take the shirt off!” She demands, grabbing hold of the front of it. The buttons popped open and the only thing keeping it on was the belt.

“Stop, Vita. Why are you doing this?” I cry, startled.

“I’m trying to help you!”

I try smacking her hands away. But she was quicker than me and much stronger. She half rips the shirt from my shoulders and tears the tights from my legs as I beg her to stop

The door swings open, smacking Vita in the back and knocks her sideways. Xander stares at me. His eyes linger on the scar poking out the top of my bra. His eyes move south as he takes in the ragged scars on my stomach, my arms and my legs. He slowly turns his attention to Vita, his blue eyes darkening.

Jaxon pulls off his suit jacket and wraps it around me. He quickly fastens the buttons, covering up my body.

His morning dew scent hits me hard and somehow it brings me comfort. His arms slide around me, holding me tightly as my body tenses from his touch. “It’s okay, I’ve got you.”