Back at the camp, Chetan goes on a rampage, throwing things all about in our den. He's mad, and I can't help but feel some of it is directed toward me. He mutters things to himself like a crazy person.
"Chetan," I scream.
He sits down on the ground with his hands over his face. I hear him sobbing, and his cries are like a thousand arrows shooting at my heart. I kneel down beside him, running my fingers through his hair.
I force my way into his arms, pushing my body through them. -" Chetan," I repeat myself.
He looks at me with puffy eyes.
"Stop, I want you," I whisper.
` "I know it's impossible for you to resist the mark mate's pull," he tells me.
"I will." I rub his face.
"It's my fault, I shouldn't have given you the potion without thinking of the repercussions, and I could have killed that innocent guy."
"I love you Chetan."
This is the first time he doesn't repeat the words. I feel scared. I can't lose him. I just won't.
" Zare, I think it's best if you hunt down Dixon and join him. This way there's no competition and no one gets hurt," he says, breaking his look into my eyes.
I feel the water on my colored cheeks. I feel my world spinning, the pain of his words sends shock waves through me. "You don't want me?"
"Sorry Zare, I think you should leave," Chetan says, casting me aside. He gets up and walks towards the den's exit.
My body feels hot, not with anger but with pain. My chest hurts, my heart hurts, and I choke back the tears.
I grab his arm. "Please Chetan, say you still love me."
I can't help the tears that escape and my legs that wobble.
Chetan studies my eyes for a moment. "I can't go through another triangle again, I can't get jealous because he kisses you, mad because he makes love to you, or terrified because you love him."
I hear the pacing of feet. I see Dev walking back and forth. I know he's upset because I am crying, but wants to respect Chetan and give us space.
"Just cuddle with me please." I cry.
"I can't," says Chetan, walking away from me.
I couldn't help but cry. I just want to fade away and disappear. I lay down where Chetan and I sleep and clutch our blanket. The water pours from my eyes.
I hear Dev enter, I know it's him from the smell of tobacco.
He lays next to me. I feel the warmth of his body. "Do you want to cuddle?"
"I just want Chetan."
"I know love, he is an idiot."
He rubs my back. Normally, Dev brings me a lot of comfort, but now I just want Chetan's touch and his hands on me. I just want him to hold me.
I tried to stop crying, but couldn't. The pain wouldn't escape me.
Dev gets up from laying with me, and I sit up already knowing that the pack will endure another fight.
He marches over to Chetan, who sits around the fire.
I watch nervously, scared to see who might get hit.
"What the hell is a matter with you," Dev yells. It is rare that you hear him angry.
"Just mind your own business Dev."
"Your own business? It was me who sat with you upset the numerous times we thought Zare had died, when you thought she loved Ajay more, I am still with you now when you're being an idiot."
"I can't handle it anymore, it's too much. I love her, but I just can't."
"You both decided on taking the chance on one of Zero's potions, and now that there are repercussions, you're going to say I just can't and leave her, Cricket is right. You are a pussy," Dev barks, before turning his back and walking away.
In the morning, I roll over to an empty spot where Chetan sleeps. I feel the tears building up in my eyes. I see Ajay sitting by the fire, I haven't talked to him much during his return.
I make my way toward him. Considering last night, I slept in my clothes and there was no need to get dressed. I search around for Chetan, and I feel disappointed because my eyes did not locate him.
"Where's Chetan?"
"He went out for a run," Ajay says.
"How are you feeling?"
"I still miss Aanya."
"I am sorry."
"Leaving because of the pain wasn't a lie. I did need time to think," Ajay says, showing me the necklace," he wore.
"That was Aanya's."
"Yeah, I collected a few of her things," he smiles.
I see Chetan approaching. He looks just as sad as me. His face breaks into a sad frown.
"Chetan," I move over towards him.
He looks at me and swallows hard. "Zare, go be with your mark mate."
"I want to be with you." I cry.
Hearing a howl, I am not used to, my head turns and I see Dixon approaching. He changes it to his human form, and he wears a smug smirk on his face. Just one look sends every nerve blazing with passion.
"Zare," he says, my name which sends shivers down my spine.
Ajay is the first to interact with him. Getting up and marching over, he yells, "What are you doing here, I told you are not welcome?"
"I am here for Zare, I know she's going crazy fantasizing about me, and I think she changed her mind," he smirks at Chetan.
Agony hits my eyes, and my face burns with deep fire. I clench my head and whimper in pain.
This gets Chetan's attention, and he touches my face. The motion I longed for all night. "What's happening?" He says.
"My eyes burn." I rub them.
Out of nowhere, a strange burst of anger takes over me. I look around searching for someone to hurt. My eyes meant Chetan, and I shove him with all my might, but he didn't fall to the ground. He grabs my hands gently restraining me.
"Ajay, he is doing something to her," Chetan says.
All the pack gathered around us in no time. It wasn't long before Dev was in his wolf form pacing back and forth. He growls, showing sharp teeth.
Feeling pain shoot up my whole entire body, I fall into Chetan's arms. I can't help the screaming that has escaped my mouth. I feel as if I am being gutted alive.
"Stop hurting her now," Chetan screams. Smoothly letting his gasp go on me. He rushes up to Dixon, punching him to the ground. Dixon grabs his bloody nose,and at the same time, my nose bleeds. '
"He has some type of enchantment on her, he might not even be her mark mate," Cricket says.
"You're going to have to kill him, Chetan," Ajay instructs him.
"I can't Ajay."
"Then he is going to keep hurting Zare,'' Ajay remarks.
"I have no problem," says Dev, lunging forward. His great wolf jumps on top of Dixon, and my screaming begins.
It's like I can feel Dev biting and scratching my whole skin stings. I hold my face in pure torture. As I cry in pain.
"Dev stop, I think Zare feels everything you're doing to Dixon," Chetan yells, pulling the wolf off the evil man.
Dixon stretches out his hand. "Zare, I can take the pain away."
"What are you?" Chetan demands.
"A werewolf," Dixon raises a brow.
"You're not because mark mates can't cause each other physical pain like that."
Ajay cocks his head to the side. He looks Dixon up and down. He let out a little laugh. "You're the ghost king, nicely played."
Dixon lets out the evilest laugh I have ever heard.
The pain overtakes me, making my world spin. I heard Ash's voice telling me, "You okay Zare." I feel his arms around me.
"I have the sword to destroy you, but you already know that", says Ajay, stepping closer to Dixon.
In the blink of an eye, Dixon was out of sight.
With Dixon gone, a majority of the pain subsidies besides the scratch on my face. "
We are messing with more than a ghost," says Smoke.