It was a nightmare. Just a fucking nightmare. It wasn’t real, I didn’t
was more in the lair, was free. Free.
The bedroom door was opened in a bang, scaring me. I relaxed to the
see Jack coming into the room, running towards me, a bit
desperate to see me.
Hey, what’s going on?
I threw myself into his arms, sobbing on his shoulders. Jack just me
pressed hard and stroked my back. I remained hugging him
for long minutes until I could calm down. He pushed me away
enough to see my face.
My love, what is it?
I sobbed, nailing my nails to her right shoulder.
— A nightmare— I could tell, choking on saliva. — It was a
nightmare.
— Do you want to talk about it? — I denied with my head. — So, I’ll leave you
rest. You haven’t slept a full hour.
The idea of being alone again in that room made me tremble. I played
his face with his heart racing and his breath flustered, I slipped
my fingers by your cheek.
— Jack?
He smiled lightly, tilting his head.
— Yes?
I sniffed, blinking slowly. I held the lower lip between my
teeth, hating me feel so vulnerable, sensitive and emotional. Rocei
fingertips in your mouth, resisting the tempting will to
kiss him until he loses his breath.
— Can you stay with me? I don’t want to be alone— I said quietly.
I saw him go by black hair and wave in agreement. I gave him room to lie next to me and when he did, I approached him, resting my head on his chest. Jack wrapped me in a comfortable and protective embrace, tried to relax.
— Always, little wolf. I’ll always be with you— swore to kiss my forehead.
I moistened my lips.
We have to talk.
His chest went up and down quickly.
— Yes, I know. We’ll do it after you rest— promised.
I closed my eyes and squeezed him a little more, enjoying the warmth of his body. And with Jack stroking my hair, I fell asleep, being
taken to the world of nightmares with blood, stray and
darkness.
HAYLEY BLAKE
I slept for three days straight.
Just woke up at Jack’s insistence, stating I needed me
to feed and regain strength. Little did he know that I had no will
of getting out of bed, my only desire was to remain covered by the sheets and
alone in the room, without receiving visitors or forcing a smile, pretending
that everything was perfectly fine.
After finally agreeing to eat, he came up with a
variety of foods and drinks, brought my favorites. I tried to eat
as much as I could with my stomach wrapped up and craving vomit
by the smell of blood and death in the air of the city that entered through the cracks
of windows.
It was the third day of the judgment, still four days to go
torture until Jack was done with all the culprits.
On the fourth day, Aiden tried to talk to me and even managed to make me
smile while telling about Becca’s pregnancy, my brother was radiant
with the idea of being a father, he and his companion had already lost three
children and this new pregnancy filled them with hope and expectation.
When my sister— in— law appeared in the room, I hugged her tightly, inhaling
the smell that the puppy lavished, such a soft and striking odor. Becca
moved away with tears in his eyes.
On the fifth day, Clary, Isaac, and Madison entered the fourth. The beta carried
a bouquet of white lilies and the witch a box of chocolates. Clary
stood against the wall, silent, just watching me. If
There was someone who was more angry with me than Jack, that someone was Kitsune in front of me.
My family struggled to try to distract me and forget what
all the torture and bloodshed, and
for the hours they stayed with me, it worked. I devoured the chocolate
brought by Madison and had to share with Rebecca, since she stated
be craving my candy, you dirty wolf.
My gaze fell on Jack and Aiden talking about a subject that I
I did not pay attention, but a small smile remained open in the
corner of the lips of the Supreme, as if he were having fun with the
that Aiden was telling him about the baby, I realized. When Jack looked at me,
I noticed a special gleaming glow in her beautiful green eyes
sparkling, I turned my attention to Madison quickly, awkwardly.
— How did you manage to hide the pregnancy? You completed two months! —
Madison exclaimed, outraged by that suit.
Becca bit a piece of candy, licking her fingers in
followed.
— I discovered pregnancy at the time we learned of attacks on
packs neighboring ours, telling about the cub, could be dangerous and
we didn’t want to put his safety at risk. The time was
delicate.
I rolled my eyes, getting another chocolate filled with strawberry
gold box.
— You know we would have done anything to protect you and the baby, no
you know? — Clary asked for the first time.
Becca nodded.
— By the moon, Rebecca! You were wounded by a vampire the day
we arrived at the Supreme Court pack, ran all this unnecessary risk
without thinking— speaking.
Clary narrowed her eyes in my direction and I knew what she would say
before he opened his mouth.
— She’s not the only one I like taking unnecessary risks without thinking,
don’t you think?
I clenched my teeth, calming the burning flames that
bubbled inside me before the words of my sister— in— law. The
conversation between Aiden and Jack ceased at the same time and a mood
heavy hovered over us.
I swallowed the chocolate, staring at Clary’s blue eyes deeply.
— I avenged those who hurt her, now to show some gratitude
shut your fucking nosy mouth.
Clary remained motionless, no little surprised by mine
bitter words, I didn’t think much about the weight they would have. Aiden
He stopped behind his partner, resting his hand on her shoulder.
— Why are you being aggressive with Clary? She’s the one who found her before
of all of us— My brother wanted to know.
I rubbed the point between the eyebrows, taking a deep breath.
— I don’t need a male to defend me, Aiden, I know how to do it alone—
replied to Kitsune, swarming in place.
Do you know? I arched an eyebrow in defiance.
Clary’s face hardened, and I realized I was passing a
delicate limit, but it was too late to go back.
— Do I need to remind you that it’s thanks to you that I had a target on my back? That
Because of you, are we all in danger?
I used all my willpower not to fly around Clary’s neck
At that very moment, I brushed my teeth, almost breaking them. I felt the
Jack’s approach, noting my lack of control.
— If being near me makes you a target, why don’t you walk away from a
time? Back to the remains of your village and the ashes of your
clan.
Clary could have incinerated me with her eyes by the force of her gaze
mortal, she took a step towards me, but Aiden held her by the
arm, telling him something he didn’t want to hear. Still shooting me with the
eyes, she waved, pulling her arm from my brother’s grip and
marching out of the room, being followed by the others.
Shit. Fighting with Clary wasn’t in my plans.
— I want to be alone, go away— told the Supreme standing near the
door, he kept watching me.
— No.
Stiffen, lifting his shoulders, still sitting on the bed. I realized that the
time we had that conversation had finally arrived. He me
let it rest for five days until I recovered enough
for the moment.
Are you satisfied now?
I blinked slowly, still indifferent.
— The location of the lair was discovered and the strays found. It was
That’s what we wanted, right? I kept my promise to the females,
You should be proud, Supreme.
Jack let out a bitter laugh through his nose, shaking his head in
denial.
— We were a team, Hayley, me and you, remember? And you chose
acting alone, not thinking about what it would mean for me to lose you.
Licked dry lips, tensing and unable to hold anymore
those accusations.
— You made a mistake with me first, Jackson, by choosing to lie to me
since the day we met.
That was the time to play the cards on the table, talk
openly at once. If he was angry and hurt, I felt
double everything.
Jack frowned, crossing his arms, taking the pose
of Supreme Alpha that I hated so much. By impulse, I got up from
bed, it would be ridiculous to discuss lying on the mattress.
— What are you talking about? I’m not lying to you.
I let out a cold and gloomy laugh, nailing my nails in the palms
hands. I approached Jack slowly, until I stopped before him and
look directly into their eyes, wanting to see the truth reflected there.
— When would you tell me that you and your father were alerted to
rebellion? When would you tell me that you let my pack be attacked and my parents killed? How much longer would you hide that you left me
to die at the hands of the rebels? — Blew up with Jackson, screaming in
your face.
I saw the feared Alpha Supreme’s posture crumble right in front of me, and his
reaction was the confirmation I needed to know that everything was real.
Tears of disappointment and fury burned in my eyes, but me
I denied spilling them.
— Hayley, will you please...
I dodged his touch when he tried to approach, full of
contempt and hurt.
— Don’t touch me, you bastard. How can you be so fake
with me, Jackson? I trusted you.
He stopped and rubbed his face, letting out a deep sigh. My
first impulse was to rip his throat out, but I loved him too much
to hurt him so fatal. I could feel my heart being
squeezed inside the chest in an unbearable way.