I winced, a sharp pain ripping through my chest as I felt like my heart was being ripped in two. Kira jumped while she finished the last loop of my stitches, frowning.
"Oh calm down, it's just a needle. I'm almost done."
I shook my head, fighting the urge to scream my lungs out. "N-No... it's not... that..." suddenly, a wave of sadness and rage invaded my body, tears rising at my eyes. "I don't know... what's happening..."
Kira placed her wrinkled hand onto my head, a sad smile on her face. "Hm, you don't have a fever but your body might be in shock. If you feel any discomfort, let me know immediately."
I nodded, although the weird feeling had disappeared and I no longer felt any discomfort.
She finished cleaning my wound and wrapped some sterilized gauze and bandages around my waist, making sure the injury wouldn't open up. "There. That should help keep any infection away. But don't strain yourself too much or it will reopen." I stood up, tucking my blouse into my shorts. "But! You can't transform, not until it heals. If you turn into your Wolf, you'll risk ripping the wound even more."
I nodded but hobbled a little, still weak from the blood lost and felt a hand gently help me down onto the tree root to rest.
Zed gently pat my head. "Take it easy love. Gotta save your energy." I blushed at it words, still a little embarrassed I saw him completely nude earlier. At least now he had some pants on... which didn't stop me from blushing at the sight of his... incredibly sharp abs.
Still, despite his awkward attempts to win me over, Zed was a pretty sweet guy. In fact, everyone I've met so far turned out to be so incredibly sweet. And the males were... well, hot...
Oh god what am I saying?
A set of thrumming footsteps caught our attention when Zack returned from a quick area patrol, a few lean males close behind him. 'No enemies nearby. We couldn't get to the mansion though; too much Human activity. Pedestrians and police are already at the scene.
- Shit." Zed gazed down, brows knitted with a frown.
Although we lived just by the side of a village, our mansion was known as the Weston house to Humans; as werewolves, it was crucial we kept our existence secret and avoid any conflict with the Human race all because they feared our kind. From what I understood, the Pack would send 'cleanup' crews whenever there was any sort of evidence of our existence left behind. They'd erase any trace if possible, but in some cases, they'd make it seem like some big animal attack. Of course, there were a few known times in which some evidence slipped by...
But so far, werewolves were known as a mere legend, a monster.
Zed nodded and turned to his brother. "We'll have to send the cleanup crew by morning if possible." He paused. "How many did we loose?
- Can't tell for sure... but so far, at least five."
Zed once again cursed under his breath, his fist unwillingly clenching my arm. "We'll have to wait til the crowd clears out to burry the bodies. Otherwise we can't-" His words hung mid sentence, blue eyes widened when he spotted a figure approaching from the tree line.
Instantly, Winston stood up and the rest of the strong Wolves followed his lead, eyeing at the figure, ready to pounce. My heart swelled as another wave of sadness washed over me and I instantly recognized who was approaching us.
I grabbed Zed's arm. "Wait!" He waved his hand, and the Pack eased down while Rider appeared, Cade and a black haired girl by his side.
All three had defeated faces, their clothes covered with splatters and stains of blood. I gasped when I spotted Jace at the back while he carried the limp body of a bloodied Wolf in his arms. Everyone's face darkened, eyeing the Wolf's body while Jace carried it to the center of the clearing and gingerly placed it down.
My heart pounded in my chest and I felt a wave of tears sting at my eyes. That's when I understood that the Wolf was actually Alpha Xavier, Jace's father. Surprisingly, other than his wet cheeks, Jace didn't show any signs of remorse.
Zed stood up and walked up to his Alpha, placing his hand onto his shoulder. "I'm sorry Jace."
But the Alpha's son shoved his hand aside and growled. "Round up the cleaning crew. Burn the house down."
Zed and Cade exchanged each other a confused look, startled by his order. Kira stood up, frowning towards Jace. "Jace Weston don't be stupid! That's your family's house, you can't-
- I said, BURN IT DOWN!!!" Spit flew out of his mouth when he screamed, startling everyone on sight. Even I jumped at the tone of his voice, both scared and heartbroken by the situation.
But as expected, Jace's order sunk in; Cade, Zack and few more Wolves headed off towards the mansion, defeated looks on their faces. Even I felt speechless. Generations of memories was about to be burnt down in a matter of hours...
"Jace..." he turned to look at me, eyes red and irritated from his tears. I gulped and stood up while he glared at me. Why does he look so scary!? "Your angry and... tired... I know it hurts... but, you can't throw your families- GYAH!!" A sharp pain flashed my cheek when Jace jumped onto his feet and slammed his hand to my face.
A gasp swept through the Pack and I brought my hand up to my face, shocked and in pain. He took my face in his hand, forcing me to look at him in the eyes. "You listen here, you piece of shit. I'm Alpha now, I decide what the Pack will and won't do. I GIVE THE ORDERS!!" he thumped his chest with his index multiple times, letting out his rage. "So you better shut your mouth and know your place..." he shoved me back onto the ground, and pain rippled through my left side, a burning sensation invading my skin.
Zed quickly came to my side while I folded in two, shaken by uncontrollable sobs. Jace glared at me as if I was the worst living organism on Earth and I cowered to the ground.
He turned his back to me, then gingerly picked up his father's limp body. "Burn the house and all the evidence you can find. We'll leave by sunlight tomorrow morning.
- Jace! Ava can't travel long distances, she's hurt!" He glared when Zed spoke up and for a moment, I thought he was about to lash out again. But he didn't make a move. "Then you'll just have to carry her yourself."
Jace finally walked away, carrying his father's body to burry him wherever he intended to. I in the meantime, held back my tears, my cheek still burning from the hit. Kira shook her head then plunged her hand into her pocket and pulled out a silver chain with a red eyed wolf.
I gasped and gently took the chain from her hands. "My necklace!! Wh-where did you find it!?" A raspy laugh escaped from her throat.
"I had it on me the entire time. I wanted to study it a little when you arrived; I am a Healer after all, relics are my specialty."
I smiled, fighting back my tears and I pulled her in for a hug. She smiled and gently pat my back, just like my mother use to.
My mother... OH GOD!! MOM! "Wait! My mom! I have to make sure she's okay!"
But Zed held me down. "Hold on, love, it isn't safe until we make sure the tension has died down."
I nodded, reluctant but I had no choice to agree. In my current state, I had no chance against any threat; I wasn't a good fighter anyways.
I gave out a yawn and felt someone gently tuck their shirt under my head. I was kind of surprised when I realized it was Cade who burrowed me his shirt; I was lowkey expecting Zed but I remembered he didn't have a shirt on him. But in the end it was Zed who staid by my side while I fell asleep.