He took a sip and threw a good amount of the liquid around their bodies, before looking at me as he pointed to the lifeless bodies. I sighed and walked to the same, bent down and pushed the raft made of branches, which supported
the body of Mila. Jackson did the same with the other. I took the bottle of
his hands and turned the rest of the liquid in my throat, went down
burning, but it was good.
Jackson took two torches that were lit and handed me one,
slowly approached my arm of the raft and threw the torch, seeing
that Jack had done the same.
I felt my eyes swell to see the fire consume their bodies
dead, the morbid scenario made my stomach wrap, the craving
It went up my throat, but I controlled it.
-May the moon welcome them. -I began to recite with trembling voice. -And make them
rest in its eternity, the green valleys under the moonlight
await, an immortal land awaits. Rest in peace, brave
warriors, for their struggles have come to an end and the time has come for
reward.
I took a few steps back while the rafts were floating down the river
from the forest, I chipped my teeth not to cry, needed to be strong, no
show weakness before all those strangers. They show me
they saw as a strong, impenetrable wolf and that’s what I would show them.
My breath came heavy from my lips, my eyes burned.
Jackson stood beside me. I felt his gaze upon me and me
surprised when he simply pulled me into a hug
comforting, his hand caressed my hair as the other rose
I’d go down behind my back.
-Don’t feel weak for crying, Hayley. -Your tone made me squint my eyes
with force. -Put out what is keeping inside you.
I sunk my head in his chest and Jackson squeezed me tight, I
Shouldn’t feel so good with him holding me, hated me
even though I’m enjoying having you so close.
My heart burned
inside my chest, something he awakened in me. There was only
silence in my mind, pain and grief, hate and guilt. I just held him with
more strength, letting your smell dominate my senses.
In the background I could see the sun starting to come out between the mountains and their
first lightning struck Jackson and I. He kept hugging me and
I was mad at myself for not pushing him away, but
I needed him in that moment. I needed his touch to not
sink into the abyss of darkness inside my mind, couldn’t
succumb, so I let Jackson become my anchor in that
momentum.
It was dawning and the moon was disappearing in the orange sky.
I looked back and saw all of Jackson’s men who were in our
village, they were loyal to their Alpha and their wolves. Aiden was
hugging Becca by the waist and she rested her head on her
shoulder, I could see your eyes shining because of the tears that
tried to hold. Peter, Melissa, Dylan and Clary were one beside the
other. When our looks met, Clary gave a smile of
side on seeing me.
Everyone was in mourning for what had happened to Mila and Diego, they
were innocent people who had paid the price for loving me.
They died for me, they were just children who fought my battle and now found peace,
-They have become the brightest stars in the sky that will guide you in
your journey, Hayley. The people we love will never be forgotten,
will always be alive in our hearts and in our memories.
As soon as the words escaped Jackson’s lips, I collapsed into
tears again, being supported by him who remained until the
end with me.
The day had passed quickly, I had not been hungry all day,
just sat by the lake. The rafts were
turned to ashes and disappeared on the waters.
My cry had stopped, the tears had dried and mine
eyelids weighed, my eyes burned. The tightness in my chest did not
had decreased, still felt that pressure in my mind and
tightness in my throat.
Aiden had tried to talk to me a few times, even Clary tried, but
gave up by receiving only silence as an answer.
I was grieving and I’d go on like that, didn’t want to talk
I needed a moment alone with myself.
Footsteps rang in my ears, the sound of branches breaking
caught my attention but remained with my eyes fixed on the
horizon. I did not sketch any reaction as I felt him sitting to my
side, hug your knees and be silent.
Maybe Jackson knew I didn’t want to talk to anyone, and respected my will at that time.
But I wanted to be alone, didn’t want company and mostly
not that of Jackson.
Your presence was still too tempting for me, dangerous and strong
too much for my own sanity.
-What do you want? -My voice sounded hoarse and strange, similar to a
yapping.
See how you are.
If you’ve seen it, please retire.
-Don’t want to bother you, just like to make sure you
was fine.
He made mention of getting up, but I stopped him by reflex.
-You don’t have to go if you don’t want me to. -I just think
my company at this time will not be one of the best.
-I believe words won’t be needed now, I know you won’t
wants to talk right now.
-Nothing you tell me will diminish what I’m feeling, Jackson. -
I muttered hoarse, empty.
-Grief should not be avoided, pain should be felt. -P faced with the
burning eyes. -It’ll keep her alive and strong, Hayley, the pain always
will be the fuel for you to keep moving forward.
-What do you know about grief and pain? -I asked in one tone
dangerously low.
-We all have scars on our souls. -He hesitated before continuing:
-Some are so deep I wonder if they’ll ever be
closed, but we should be proud of them. The marks in our lives
are the evidence that we are able to overcome any problem and
live on.
After his last words, Jackson was silent, I had no
words to answer it and just stayed silent. We observed the
sunset, Jackson stood beside me until after the stars
shined in the sky, he remained with me.
Aiden was suspicious, I came to this conclusion when my brother
interrupted the movie we were watching and took me from the sofa to
pulling and taking me out of the house in order to have more
privacy to talk about.
-What was it? -Grunhi to him, annoyed at being taken from the comfort of
couch next to Dylan.
My brother crossed his arms against his chest, taking the typical posture
of ridiculous alpha male that I hated so much.
-What happened? -He asked as he crossed his arms.
I tried to ignore the tone of command in his voice.
What are you talking about? I blinked.
Aiden let out an impatient sigh and rubbed his face, he was with
a mood from hell that day and me even worse.
-You and Jackson.
I looked away, uncomfortable to get into that subject. I did
two days since the burial of Milla and Diego, and had closed me to
all involuntarily, had not yet been able to overcome the
I fight, maybe I never could. I would never get rid of that chest pain
or the guilt that weighed on my shoulders.
-What do you want to know? -I asked.
-Something is different between you, Hayley. -He came over and held me
by the shoulders. -Tell me what happened, my sister.
I squeezed my lips, breathing trembling and stared at her clear eyes, seeing all the understanding and sincerity that had always been there. Aiden
has always been by my side, has always been my safe haven amid
storm and my anchor when I drowned in the ocean of pain and
of mourning.
I was so grateful to the moon for having him with me, by my side.
I took my hand to his face and caressed him carefully,
affectionately.
-My brother, my Alpha-I tried to smile, but I knew I had failed
miserably. -I did what I should have done, accepted the opportunity
to help our people.
Aiden hardened with my words.
-Did you accept Jackson’s claim? -His voice trembled when he asked
and I nodded, it was like getting punched in your
arrogant nose. -Ah, Hayley...
-I’ve made my decision. -I interrupted him, before he started with
your speeches. I know Jackson won’t do anything without my permission.
Rip the head off the Supreme before he tries to touch me without
my consent.
-Are you sure about that? -Asked hesitantly, I saw fear reflected in
your eyes. -You’re not required to accept it if you don’t want to.
But there was a little spark of hope burning in her gaze,
hope to save our people, ensure my own survival
and of our family.