I turned the glass of whiskey in my mouth, the sores on my lips
burned with alcohol. Grunhi low while throwing another dirty adhesive of
blood in the trash, it had been a few minutes that my healing process had
was activated and my nose healed slowly.
Aiden leafed through one of the books on my bookshelf, sitting on the chair in
in front of my desk. The wolf had already laughed until crying after
discover that his sister had broken my nose, he did not lose the
chance to mock my face.
The Supreme Alpha had been wounded by a lone female, it was hilarious.
—I trained her very well—commented Aiden at last, before catching one of
my books and support your legs on my desk.
I know—sighed, finishing cleaning the dried blood on my face.
I leaned on the chair and ran my hands through my hair
messed up, my head throbbed for the sleep I felt because of
sleepless nights, my shoulders were so tense and muscles
sore.
The cheeky wolf does not leave my mind for a minute. In
all my thoughts, there was Hayley to take my peace, me
remembering the bullshit he had done. I held the growl that my wolf
almost let it slip, he barely spoke to me after that day, neither he
had forgiven me.
I had not sworn loyally to Hayley with words, but my wolf already
had claimed her as his, desired only her and no one else.
I have not pledged our allegiance to her, but my
mind and body already belonged to that cheeky, petulant wolf.
—Has anyone ever told you that you’re such a jerk? —I’ve been through mine
eyes with Aiden’s question, I raised my head to face the male
insolent.
—They have a lot of courage to talk like that to their Supreme—I replied
calmly dragging my claws through the wood of my desk.
Aiden shrugged his shoulders.
—You hurt my sister, you’re lucky I didn’t hit your face
also.
I let out a low laugh, it was good not to have only trained wolves that
didn’t even dare to look me in the eye. Aiden was sincere, crude
like a horse kick, but true, I knew I could trust the
wolf, he wouldn’t betray me, not by knowing the price of betrayal.
—Why are you here then? —I wondered if Aiden was still furious
with me, why had he bothered to come to my office
to check on me?
The wolf closed the book and stared at me with his eyebrows together.
—Hayley likes you—my heart beat hard in my chest. —Yeah
you will claim her as your female, that was the agreement.
—And? I raised an eyebrow.
Aiden stretched his spine, and lifted his chin, his gaze hardened.
You need to prove yourself worthy of my sister.
I snorted through my nose, averting my gaze to the bottle of whiskey by
half on the table.
—Again this? All Hayley’s contempt and anger is no longer punishment
harshly.
enough? —I asked
—My sister has suffered enough, Jackson—he said low, between teeth.
—You think I didn’t? —I snapped. —Don’t forget I
also lost my parents in that rebellion, aiden, and I’ve been
alone with all the weight of responsibility to care for our people
on my back.
—I know that—let out a deep breath.
—Do not think that I have delivered myself from all the deaths of that rebellion, or
blood I had on my hands, not a day goes by that I don’t
remember that event.
My breath was racing, bringing that subject back was
disturbing, took away all the peace that was left inside me.
I tried to calm my heart palpitations and swallowed hard, closing
my hands in fists so Aiden wouldn’t notice the tremor in mine
fingers, I could almost see the blood staining my skin.
I squeezed my eyes hard and shook my head, trying to get rid
of those memories.
—Jackson?
Pulled the air hard and took a deep breath before opening my
eyes, finding aiden staring at me with curiosity, twisted to
that my gaze would not denounce the mess inside me.
Yes? I asked, hoarse.
He watched me for a few seconds, studying me, sustained his
look, not intimidating me at all.
—You’re as broken as Hayley—he whispered, melancholy,
as if he didn’t believe his own words.
I looked away, felt like a hand closed around mine
neck, taking my air.
—Do not say nonsense—murmurei almost without voice.
—How long ago? —he asked, Rusty my teeth so
painful.
The rhythm of my breath quickened again, my wrist got mai
fast.
—My whole life—I could barely hear my own voice. —Not me
I remember a single time I didn’t feel...broken.
Aiden was silent, probably absorbing that revelation.
—But that’s my—denied bullshit with my head.
—Your pain is not stupidity—scolded me, harsh, tight lips
in a hard line.
—Don’t you see that I can’t let my feelings show? What
my people will think if they find out that their Supreme is
completely destroyed? They need me, Aiden!
—You’re not iron—he muttered and rubbed his face. —Keeps everything
for yourself for so many years?
I licked my dry lips, that subject bothered me. I didn’t have the
custom to trust someone to tell about my past or
my pains but I was so tired, all the distance and coldness of
Hayley was killing me.
—Leon was always my Alpha, not my father and least of all my friend—
swallowed dry. —He raised me as an iron soldier, to be
indestructible and ruthless, without feelings or emotions.
What about your mother?
My eyes burned, that wound was too painful to touch.
—Never cared for me—I shrugged. —She loved my father, lived
for him to him. Giorgia never even wanted to have a child, just
agreed to grant an heir to Leon, a male who
inherit the Supremacy. Giorgia was always absent, I was raised by
Mary, my housekeeper. That lady was the one who showed me
that love existed, cared for me better than my own mother.
Blinked to keep tears from my eyes, that would be intimate
Anything else would make me more vulnerable.
—You had a miserable life—commented Aiden. —I’m not surprised
that you’ve become an asshole, but there’s still hope for you,
Jackson.
I giggled mockingly at his words.
—Hope—spit bitterly. —It remains for me to survive and take care of my
people to my last breath, and ensure the safety of your sister.
Aiden squeezed her lips, her brow slightly furrowed and her arms
crossed. He took his legs off my table and leaned forward.
—I felt the presence of unknown wolves near the house—he said in
voice down. —Were you behind her? —I nodded in agreement.
—I reinforced the security of the house and the city, Hayley is well protected.
The wolf was not yet completely convinced of mine
words.
—I don’t feel right going on a trip with Rebecca in a moment
like this.
I shook my head in denial.
—Take your companion to travel, Aiden, I promised to take care of
Hayley, she’s my responsibility now.
—Even so, I just...
I stopped it quickly.
—Planning to take a trip with Hayley to Colorado, she will be
with me, I won’t put your sister’s safety in danger, I promise you that
to you.
—Colorado? —He raised an eyebrow.
—I received the invitation to the wedding of an old friend, Alpha of a
of my packs, he’s a good wolf.
Aiden hit his foot frantically on the ground.
—Will you take many men with you? —I agreed with the head. —And the
last attack in the forest? What happened to the wolves that attacked
Clary?
Stiffened in the same comment, I chipped my teeth to remember the confession of that bastard, what he had told me about his plans
for Hayley to...
—I have a prisoner in a basement behind the house, I’m interrogating him in
search for answers.
Did he say anything about the kidnappings?
I filled the glass with another shot of whiskey, turned the drink on
my throat.
He’s part of a bloody band of wayward rebels.
—Stray? Wolves who were driven out of their packs?
I agreed to a nod.
—Your plans are to kidnap females—my body trembled with hatred. —And use them
to satiate their sick desires, most are held captive until
the Moon of Blood.
The gaze of the male in front of me darkened, probably
thinking of his sister and companion, shared the same hatred and
indignation.
—That is not acceptable!
—Put men of my trust to find out more about
this band of strays, and bring me information. I want
find these bastards and rip each of them with my teeth.
—Jackson—your voice was fluctuating.
—I know—answered your request not done, saw you screaming in your eyes like
spotlight. I will protect you with my life.
My blood froze just to imagine something happening to Hayley,
I’d failed that wolf so many times, I knew I didn’t deserve her,
but I wanted her with all my being, I needed her.
Hayley was the partner I wished for the moon for years. My cheeky and
daring wild wolf, owner of an explosive temperament, was
dangerous, attractive and hot as hell.
She was coming into my heart slowly, seeping in
my life and becoming the reason why I still had the strength to
fight.
—I’ll see how Hayley and Becca are—informed as they rise from the chair,
I didn’t answer it. —Jackson? —Stopped at the door.
—What? I held my chin up.
—Hayley loves white lilies—revealed before leaving and slamming the door.
Stood still for a few minutes, needed to end that
disgraced at once. He still breathed, even after confessing
his sick desires for my companion, could not let him live
for longer.
A slight sly smile opened on my lips when an idea
perverse popped into my mind.
Hayley Blake
I crossed my legs as I sat on the bed before the open window, and
I watched the sunset in silence. The view in front of me was to take the
breath, saw the sky turn orange and the spring breeze shivered
my skin. I beheld the sun disappearing between the mountains at
west, until the moon begins to appear in the sky.
A gust of warm winds entered the room, rocking my
hair loose and touching my face like a gentle kiss from nature, the
smell of the forest made me breathe deeply.
I missed running freely through the woods for hours, and seeing the sun
be born close. Feel your first rays warming my body and
the smell of morning on my face. I closed my eyes involuntarily.
Knocks rang at the door.
I opened my eyes quickly and moistened my lips.
Between—knew who it was, its smell was unrecognizable.
I watched in silence Jack open the door, his eyes quickly if
fixed on me, like a magnet attracted by the metal. He approached
slowly and stopped in front of me, had no sign of
blood or injury to your face, held a breath when noticing
that he had already healed.
—What do you want? Another punch? —the corner of your lips rose slightly.
—Come with me—held out your hand, raised an eyebrow. —Trust
me, Hayley.
—Why should I do that? Trust you? —I asked coldly, me
striving to remain indifferent to his presence.
Jackson swallowed hard, clenched his teeth.
—Please, wolf—my throat closed. —I want it to end with
this.
I frowned, his hand was still extended towards me.
—What are you talking about?
Jack hesitated for a second.
—The stray who attacked Clary is still alive, I want him to end
him.
My heart pounded with your words, I rose from bed in a
I jumped up and stopped in front of him, a dangerous approach.
Can you do that?
I almost laughed, it was obvious I would.