The owl hoots over the trees, echoing as daylight breaks. I pull the blanket over my head, not ready to face yesterday's mistakes. I have been such a fool, even I know that.
Rolling over, I notice Chetan has already gotten up from his place in bed. I take a deep breath, thinking about how pissed he's going to be at me for yesterday's kiss with Ajay.
Would I have killed Ajay? I don't know. Maybe. Possibly. Zero's death cloud has been avoided. We could have just stopped working with him, did Ajay kill him just to set an example?
I frowned even with my closed eyes, though my mind was open. I hear Dev laughing, but notice Chetan was quiet, did he already think something was up?
Hours and hours of restless thinking, and no one gets up to bother me. I am shocked, but mainly grateful because I need time to think. Can I ever face Ajay again? I feel so stupid. Did I really think I'll kill Ajay?
Chetan enters the den. His face shows signs of annoyance. I frown knowing the trouble I was in, and I deserve it. Not only did I try to kill Ajay, but I broke a promise to him last night.
"I know about last night."
I nod, not feeling surprised.
"What were you thinking?" He says with wide eyes.
"About which part?" Who knows how much he actually knows? I sit up.
His arms crossed and his forehead creased. "Why don't you enlighten me about what happened, Darlin?
"I was going to stab Ajay," I say through my teeth.
"And that sounds normal to you?" He yells.
I shake my head. "No."
"Zare Ajay could have banned you from the pack."
"I know, but instead he kissed me."
"He kissed you." I see Chetan's demeanor change.
I nod.
I watch as Chetan storms from the den. Laying down, I cover my face. I groan. Why am I such an idiot?
In moments, Chetan is back with Ajay, and they both walk into the den. I swallow hard. Nothing like starting your morning off with a fight.
"Did you kiss Zare last night?" Chetan eyes Ajay.
Ajay says without hesitation, "Yes, to calm her down, because she was trying to kill me." Ajay shrugs his shoulders. "I can't help it."
Chetan puts his hand over his face. "I am sure it was your only way of defending yourself against a girl."
"I wanted to relax her so she didn't get hurt, but honestly, I would have had sex with her if she wanted it, and at least I am being truthful." Ajay glares at me.
"It was my fault last night."
"What do you expect from me Zare, huh? You kiss Ajay. You flirt with him in front of me, and I am supposed to just deal with it."
I shake my head. "No, you shouldn't."
"Because I told you no more." He yells, picking up a nearby book and throwing it across the den.
"Then I suggest you step aside," Ajay says, getting Chetan's in the face.
"You know what, maybe you are right," Chetan says, glaring at me and leaving the den.
"Do you want me to stay?" Ajay asks.
I shake my head no. Ajay turns to leave.
"Ajay, why did you tell Chetan about last night?"
"I didn't, someone saw you leaving the trailer and told him."
I lay in bed. I don't want to face the pack. I know Ajay didn't tell everyone, but rumors swirled easily. Even my stomach growling couldn't force me out of this bed. Chetan is such a good man, and I don't deserve him. I close my eyes and imagine him with another woman, and I know how jealous I would be. I feel my stomach hurt from the pain.
Smelling tobacco, I sense Dev entering the den. I don't even look at him. He sits by me.
"You know that was a shitty thing you did?"
"Trying to kill Ajay?" I don't make eye contact.
"Ummm no, I was talking about kissing him." I hear the confusion in his voice.
"Yeah, it was."
"Zare, he loves. Damn, he loves you so much, but I think he's about had it, and I am scared for you, you're going to lose that."
I feel my face getting wet. "I know," I say through tears.
"If I was in your situation, there would be no competition, there's only one Chetan, and you can't afford to lose him."
"I know, I can't."
"Now what's this about you trying to kill Ajay?" I have to hear all about it, he laughs.
Moments after Dev left, I heard Chetan enter the den. Throwing items all about. He gets his army boots and he laces them up.
I sit up on one arm. "Where are you going?"
"Zombies in the cemetery."
"Oh," I say, looking down.
"There are quite a few," he tells me.
"Can I come?"
He eyes me for a moment. "Yeah, put on your boots and pants so you don't get thorns in your legs.
I nod.
Quickly changing, I put my clothes on and boots. Walking out, I see everyone watching me. I look away. This time, I honestly feel embarrassed. We gathered in a circle.
Ajay, Chetan, Forest , and I were coming on the run. The rest stayed back. I frown seeing Dev staying back.
"I am not sure Zare is a good choice," Ajay says.
"Why?" Chetan asks.
"Dixon." Ajay nearly breathes the name.
"I forgot." Chetan frowns, looking at me.
"What about Riya?" Ajay asks.
"I will be fine." I roll my eyes.
"She will be alright, I will have my eyes on her the whole time," Chetan says.
Ajay nods.
We leave towards the cemetery. The laughter from the fairies as they jump from tree to tree at least puts a smile on my face. The humming of birds fills my ears. Honestly, nature saved my life on this journey.
Suddenly hearing a cry and wiper in pain, I see Forest has fallen and got hurt. She holds her hurt ankle. I see a deep hole in the ground where she fell. The boys rush to her side.
Ajay grabs her face with his hands. "You okay sweetheart?"
She shakes her no, rubbing her ankle. She cries a little.
He kisses her forehead, picking her up in his arms. "We will get you back to Smoke."
She nestles her head into his chest,and he kisses her on the head.
"Keep an eye on Zare," Ajay motions toward Chetan.
Chetan nods.
The pain that hits my head nearly knocks me out. I grab my head. My vision from my eyes grows fuzzy, and one plays in my head. I see Ajay defending a zombie.
I feel Chetan's arms around me. "You okay?"
"I saw." Before I can finish my sentence, I hear the growling and I know we reached the Zombies. Chetan and I suddenly changed.
The taste of flesh enters my mouth like I just ate a rotten apple. I shake off the taste. I only have time to kill two before Chetan takes out the others.
Moving a little further, I see the zombie from my thoughts earlier. She wore a beautiful white dress and had a yellow flower headband. Even with the decay and maggots coming from her face, you can tell she was beautiful.
Ajay jumps in front of the zombie. He blocks Chetan's and my view of her.
"This is a trap, I saw this in my head earlier."
"We won't destroy my mark mate," he yells.
In a quick movement, Ajay sits Forest at Chetan's feet, and then changes into a big powerful wolf. Chetan picks up Forest , rubbing her face gently.
"That's not Nora." I take a step toward Ajay.
"Yes, it is."
"Ajay, she is a zombie."
He growls at me, his mouth foaming. I put my hands in the air.
"Zare back off," Chetan warns.
"No, he is making a mistake."
"Now Zare," Chetan yells. I see his face is red, I know he was furious.
I do what I was told. Nothing prepares me for what I see next. Ajay pulls out a green bottle and pours the liquid inside Nora's mouth. I hear Nora scream because I know she felt the burn.