"We’ll kill them all, no problem."
— I can handle the blood— drinking parasites and the witches
Helpless, not a problem for me.
— Don’t forget the hunters, they are a danger to our race.
— Jackson! — I hit him on the shoulder. — Dealt with all these dangers in
and I’m still alive.
His hand touched the side of my face and put a lock of mine
hair behind my ear, sliding your fingers through mine
cheek. I tilted my head, seeking more contact.
I’ll send my best men...
I interrupted him with a kiss, the only way to make him shut up and
hold your territorial instincts.
— I decide who to take with me. You need the best wolves to
his side to contain the revolt.
Jack already opened his mouth to reply, but I put my finger on his
lips.
— I know you’ll tell me I’m your priority, but I won’t let you
take on unprotected rebels.
Jack rolled his eyes furiously, hating being thwarted.
— I will leave tomorrow morning for the neighboring city— he informed. — Thus
that solve the problems in the neighboring city, I will leave straight to
Orleans. I’ll try to deal with this situation as soon as possible.
I waved, though I hated the idea of having to part with him, it was the best
to do for the people at the moment.
— I need to talk to Aiden. He’s the lost Alpha of the Crescents.
Jack moved his head in agreement.
— I fear for my brother, don’t think he’ll want to put Rebecca
in this war zone. She’s already suffered a lot from the loss of her cubs, and
Living under this pressure can hurt her. I’m afraid he’s
deny leading the pack.
He put his hand on my thigh.
— Rebecca is a strong wolf and Aiden is smart. They’ll know what it is
better for the puppy.
He smiles lightly, touching the face of the Supreme with his fingertips.
Take Madison with you.
I raised an eyebrow.
— Are you sure about that? It’s not very safe for her.
Jack gave me a crooked smile.
— I think she can decide that on her own. Madison is no longer
a child, she became a smart and powerful witch, will you help.
I agreed. I’ll talk to Aiden.
Jack stopped me from leaving his lap, on the contrary, the Supreme me
held him tighter and smirked at me.
— The conversation can wait a few minutes, I’m not done with you,
lovemaking.
HAYLEY BLAKE
I searched the whole house for Aiden until I found him in the kitchen with Rebecca.
The female was sitting on the marble countertop with a
noodles in hands, my brother squeezed some oranges to make
a juice. They talked excitedly about the future of the puppy
that grew strongly in my sister— in— law’s womb.
I locked myself in the kitchen door, unsure if I should tell Aiden the truth
about the Crescents and end that climate of peace that he and his
companion shared thanks to the arrival of the baby. However,
feeling my presence, Becky turned towards me with the
Corner of mouth dirty tomato sauce and smiled at me.
— Do you want pasta? There’s some left.
I denied with my head, entering the kitchen and stopping next to mine
sister— in— law, supporting her hip on the bench. Becca continued eating the
pasta, while telling about a dream she had where she ran
through the mountains of our former home. In the same
moment, I felt terrible for the reason that took me to my brother
that afternoon.
— Hayley? Is everything okay? — Aiden asked, drawing my attention.
I let out a heavy breath, running my hand across my face.
— We need to talk.
Aiden nodded, finished the orange juice and put it in a glass,
handing it to Rebecca. He kissed her companion’s hair before directing her attention to me. I hesitated for a moment to tell
in front of Becky, but Aiden would tell her the truth from any
form, they were as one being.
— The Crescents were cursed, as you already know. However,
this condition left them more vulnerable to our enemies and
pack is being targeted by hunters, many wolves are being killed
and they ask for help. I go to Orleans in two days with Isaac to
try to resolve this situation.
Aiden’s face hardened upon hearing my words. He crossed the
arms against the chest, watching me.
— Jackson agreed to this?
I snorted out loud.
— I don’t need Jackson’s permission to help our pack—
I said, aggressive.
Aiden rubbed the point between the eyebrows, the shoulders tensing.
— And why do you need me? I believe you don’t need help to
kill some hunters.
I frown at the rude tone of his voice. I passed my tongue through my lip
inferior.
— You are the firstborn of our father, the late leader of the pack. Aiden,
you are the Alpha of the Crescents by right and the time has come to claim
his post.
He spit a cold laugh.
— The Alpha of a broken pack. We don’t even know if there’s any
kind of humanity in those wolves, they’ve been cursed for years.
— They remain our people, our responsibility. Or
Have you forgotten that our parents died fighting for the Crescents?
— Of course I remember— confirmed, restrained.
I took the necklace in the shape of the head of a wolf hanging on my
neck and pointed at Aiden.
— We made the promise to fight for our people, Aiden, to the last
breath. Why do you refuse to help your own?
My brother squeezed his lips, burying his hands in his hair
brown. Becca kept eating, watching the discussion between
Aiden and I, knowing that meddling in that matter wasn’t the thing
smarter to do it.
— This fight has already cost us a lot, Hayley— pointed out that fact. — We were
hurt, injured, tortured. We lose people we love. Can
blame me for putting the safety of my partner and my puppy
as a priority?
I held Aiden’s angry gaze. I tried to calm the indignation that
boiled in my blood not to say something that could me
regret after.
— The last few years have been dark for our family, Aiden. I understand
your fear for Becca because I feel the same way about Jack, but that’s what
want to teach your child? To run away from your responsibilities? To be
controlled by fear and act like a coward?
Aiden slammed his fist against the countertop, gritted his teeth with
your reaction.
— Watch your words, Hayley— growled.
I was close to crossing a dangerous boundary with Aiden, and if I did
that, maybe there was no turning back. I exhaled, controlling my impulsiveness.
— I don’t need you, but I thought you were macho enough
to fight for our pack.
— I won’t lose anyone else! — he shouted.
I ran my tongue through my teeth, shaking my head in denial, no
believing Aiden’s words. I pointed my finger in his direction as well
before his face and hiss between teeth:
— Dad would be ashamed of his ridiculous attitude in cowering. This
makes their death in vain. If we lose the Crescents, I’ll never
Forgive me for not fighting, Aiden.
I left the kitchen slamming the door, ignoring Rebecca’s call
marching away from Aiden and his cowardice. My blood still boiled
of irritation when I went to the gardens of the house, seeking to breathe a
little fresh air to calm the revolt inside me.
"Aiden is right in wanting to protect Rebecca, but we were left to
responsibility to take care of the pack. We leave them alone for
many years."
— Problems?
I didn’t have to turn around to know Clary was approaching. I rubbed the
face when she stopped next to me, wearing jeans and leather. Blonde hair shook behind her because of the wind.
— You heard, didn’t you? We weren’t exactly discreet.
Clary’s face was flushed, she crossed her arms when changing the weight of the
body to another leg.
— I heard from Isaac that you’re going to Orleans. I want to go with you.
I raised an eyebrow, staring at her with curiosity.
I thought you were mad at me.
— And I’m— agreed. — But being here alone is not very pleasant.
I need a little adventure.
I bit the inside of my cheek.
— Clary, I’m sorry for what I said. Wasn’t at my best
and I was wrong to take it out on you.
Kitsune put her hands in her pockets, shaking her shoulders. She
remained admiring the view before us, the forest, where she almost
was taken.
— Why did you do it, Hayley? Give yourself to the stray?
A knot arose in my throat with the memories of that day so
horrendous.
— I spent the last twelve years of my life blaming myself for death
of my parents, for doing nothing to try to save them. I assumed
a kind of responsibility for my family, putting them always
above anything, including myself, because I didn’t want to
that they would feel the pain of loss and abandonment.
Clary closed her mouth and only listened to me, the soft look.
— When I found out about the female abduction, I felt I needed to
something to help them or never forgive me for failing
again. But I tried to do it all myself and put Jack aside. And
this decision caused wounds in both of us, who are still trying
fix.
I blinked to keep tears from my eyes.
— We’re a family, Hayley, we’ll always fight for each other,
together.
I nodded, breathing trembling.
I learned the hard way that I can’t save everyone.
Clary gave me a tight hug, and hit a light punch in mine
arm as it moves away.
— Never do it again, make decisions alone that will harm everyone
we.
— I promised— assured. — But now I need to go to Orleans and solve more
a problem.
— Can you do that?
— I need— smile weak. — My people need me.
Right— she murmured. — When are we leaving?
Jack’s taking a trip with his men tomorrow morning.
We’ll leave for Orleans soon then, don’t want to lose more
time.
Clary pushed me with her hip.
— How does it feel knowing that the Blood Moon is just a short time away?
I felt my face warm as I thought of that night.
— Anxious— confessed, cheeks burning. I think I waited for
this moment my whole life.
Clary gave a sly laugh.
— Fate really is a bastard, don’t you think? You hated Jackson there
a few weeks ago and now yearns to finally join him.
I bit my lower lip, trying to contain a funny smile.
— Do you keep in touch with Dylan?
Kitsune choked on saliva and I squeezed her lips hard to
not laugh at your embarrassment.
— Why would I keep in touch with that annoying wolf? — avoided my
look. — I can’t stand him.
I couldn’t stand Jack, either, and look at us now.
Clary stared at me angrily.