Chapter 25

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'Maybe it's not about the happy ending. Maybe it's about the story.'

Chapter 25

"What do you mean they were after you?"

Greg coughed loudly before continuing.

"I got a message a couple months ago. It was stupid. It started by telling me basic facts about my life. Simple things like where I was. Who I was with.

I didn't think much about it until they started mentioning my family. Then they started threatening me. They wanted information about the pack. I was the Delta, I knew all the answers. I didn't answer them, of course.

At least, not until the first person was killed. The threats got worse. I knew I couldn't tell anyone. That would just ruin someone else's life as well. They- They got Eric.

They didn't hurt him. It was more of a way of proving that they were capable of hurting the people I loved if need be. That day in the library, it was a setup. They told me that I would finally get to meet the leader face to face. When I showed up to the meeting room, I was greeted by a bloody floor and a dying girl."

"When you say they-?"

"I don't know who they are. Every time it was someone different. Someone insignificant; just the messenger. I wanted to meet the leader, I tried, but they were persistent in keeping me out.

It doesn't matter. Most of their demands, I ignored. I paid the price, but it was always small."

"The other day, when you were in my room?"

"I was hysterical. I honestly can't remember much of that day," When Greg noticed the discomfort on my face, he asks, "I didn't hurt you, right?"

Subconsciously, Greg's hand lightly held my hand. I looked down at it, then back to his face. When he realized, he just held tighter.

Even his hands were bruised.

"Rose?" My thoughts were consuming my mind, I couldn't even think straight.

"No, you didn't hurt me. But you acted really strange. You- you had a knife. You kept screaming and walking around; saying it was all your fault." The last thing I wanted was to add to his suffering.

Even so, he needs to remember. The more he remembers, the more he can tell us.

"It was my fault." Greg brought his hands to his lap and stared down at them.

"What was?" Crooking my head slightly, I study him.

"I'm so sorry, Hunter." Greg looked straight at his reflection.

"I didn't have a choice. They were going to kill Eric. I know it's still a life gone, but I couldn't let him die. He's too young. He has his whole future ahead of him. Your mother didn't deserve it either. I'm so sorry."

I finally understood what he was trying to say. He wasn't looking at his reflection. He was looking through it. At Hunter.

Greg's voice cracked as he spoke.

"I-I didn't think they would kill her. They only asked me where she lived. I know it's stupid, but I had hope. You have to understand that it was not my intention for anyone to get hurt. You trusted me enough to tell me about your past. About your family. I want you to know that for as long as I live, I will always feel the guilt of my actions. I'm so sorry." Greg began panting, taking deep breaths all the while searching his reflection.

There was only silence.

He finally gave up and went back to looking at his hands.

"I gave them the bait. I told them what they needed to know. I didn't pull the trigger."

"What I did was worse, I gave the gun. Without me, she- she would have been alive."

Greg's admission left no words.

"I-I should go." I finally said after minutes of silently sitting there.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't much help. I may be able to recognize any of the people helping. I know for a fact that there is more than one of them. A lot of them actually. But, there's only one leader. "

I nod and smile weakly.

"Umm will you be okay?" I sorely look at his injuries.

He gave back a weak but determined smile of his own.

"They'll send someone to check up on me later, it's not that bad." He tried ceasing my worries.

"Somehow, I find that hard to believe."

"Go," He finally urged but didn't move from his seat.

"I'll be back soon."

When I opened the door, I braced myself for Hunter.

There's no doubt that he heard what Greg said. He will either be extremely angry, or emotionless.

Emotionless it was.

Hunter stood when I walked out.

"It's been a long night. I need to talk to some of the guards before leaving but we can go right after that."

"Hunter?"

"Hmm?" His eyes looked glazed over and distant.

"Do you want to talk?"

"No."

As we were far enough from the room Greg was in, Guards started to show up. Hunter tossed me the keys and directed a guard to follow me out to the car.

The guard walked ahead of me, but respectfully.

The guard stopped and looked at me.

"I just need to get the card to let us out," I smile, gesturing for him to go.

"Don't go anywhere."

As soon as he left, there was a movement to my right followed by mumbling.

"Pfftt! Girly! Pfft!" The cell's light was out, the only light visible was by the front. It wasn't until the person in it came towards me that I decided to listen.

"What do you want?" I ask angrily, but quiet enough that no one else hears.

The old lady from earlier sends a sickly smirk my way.

"I-I've got a message for you."

"Well, why don't you write it down and shove it up your-"

"Silence!" I old bat screamed.

That was stupid of her. A guard will be running our way at any second.

The ailing smile returned.

"They-They say.." I heard loud footsteps running our way.

"Ready or not, here we come." She then let out a horse of laughter.

My eyes widened, a hand gripped at my elbow and started pulling me down the hallway.

"Luna?"

I feel sick.

"Luna?"

I didn't know what was making my gut turn more. The fact that they got that old lady to give me a message, or that the guards were calling me Luna.

*        *        *

After the long night, I went straight to sleep the moment my head hit my pillow.

When I woke, the sun was high up in the sky, the birds chirping, and my stomach growling.

I quickly get up and throw on a sweater. The weather is getting cold, fast.

I push the thoughts of yesterday to the back of my mind and worry about finding some food.

Like pizza, or french fries, or a nice juicy cheeseburger. My mouth was watering at the thought.

What can I say, I'm a foodie.

Aside from the growling of my empty stomach, the house appeared to be empty. I guess that's why I was so surprised to see both Jaxon and Hunter sitting at the kitchen table sipping on coffees and reviewing papers.

Was I so loud that I out-sounded them?

It wasn't until I spoke that they looked up.

"What's that?" I gestured towards all the papers.

"Papers proving that Greg was telling the truth," Jaxon replied when Hunter did not.

If the papers proved that Greg is innocent, does that mean Hunter isn't angry?

"What do they say?" I ask as I walk closer towards the table.

Before I could get a good look, Hunter gathered them all and placed them in a folder.

"You're seriously not going to let me see them?" I cross my hands and give Hunter an appointed look.

"You don't need to see them."

"I thought we're working together, Hunter. No more secrets." Instead of glowering at him, although it was very tempting, I try giving him a luscious smile.

"This isn't a secret, you just don't need to know about it."

Sighing, I give up. There's no point in arguing anymore.

"So if those privy papers of yours prove that Greg is innocent, does that mean that he will be released from the pack jail?"

Jaxon was quick to reply, "not exactly."

"He was still involved. He reported some information to them that greatly assisted them with their killings."

"But he was the victim as well. They cornered him, said they would hurt his family. You see where the problem is, right?"

"Look, Rose, I just- we just think it would be in everyone's best interest if Greg was still kept put. If he was released, there might be some trouble with other pack members."

"Yeah but-"

"Rose, let it go," Hunter spoke sternly.

"Shouldn't this be up to him? If he's released then that means he understands the danger he'll put himself in. At least let him decide for himself." Hunter seemed to take my words into consideration.

I'm not stupid. I know that if Greg is released and seen by other pack members, trouble may arise. Just because he's suddenly proven innocent doesn't mean everyone else will believe us. At least not until Hunter makes an event about it.

I just prayed that once Greg is released, he'll move far, far away. Join another pack. Maybe even work his way up back to a high rank. He is, after all, a great Delta.

I pray that he'll find his real mate there. They'll be happy. Move into a small but cozy house. One big enough to fit his family for when he has kids. I want him to feel the great gift of life.

I want him to start over. To refresh.

"Can I talk to you?" Hunter directed his question at me.

Hunter stands up, leaving his cup in the sink.

He better not expect for me to wash that.

I follow him towards his office.

"I'll ask him. If he wants to be released, he can."

"Thank you," Hunter nods in reply.

"About yesterday, are you okay?"

"Do you actually care?"

"Look, I'm trying to be nice about this, you don't have to be a bitch about it." My jaw dropped at Hunter's words.

"Well, you know what, I do have to be a bitch. Why did you save me yesterday?" Yes, I am still on that.

What can I say, I know how to hold a grudge.

"Not this crap again!"

"Just answer me and I'll never bring it up again." As much as I hate to admit it, I hated the fact that Hunter didn't care. Because if our positions were reversed, I would have saved him without blinking.

"What made you hesitate, Hunter?"

"I'm a wolf, Rose, a very strong and powerful one. However, I can still make mistakes. I still need to take my time sometimes. I didn't know what to do, that moment of hesitation was me thinking. That Witch didn't give me many options." Hunter straightened his posture, adding to his height.

"Bullshit," I send daggers at him using my eyes.

My audacity angered him as he spoke in a  much louder tone.

"Fine. You want to know the truth?"

"Yes!" I yell, bringing my hands up in exaggeration.

"I was scared. I was scared because someone found my weakness. In all my life of hardship, I have never been put in that situation. Do you want to know why Rose?"

His eyes searched mine.

"I hesitated because for a second, just a mere second, I imagined my life without you.  Do you want to know what I learned?"

Despite his rhetorical question, he gave a pause.

"I learned that I didn't want to live in a world without you." Hunter began shaking his head. He was so close to me. Was he always standing this close?

"You're my weakness, Rosalyn Edwards." Hunter's nose brushed mine.

I parted my lips, about to speak. No words came to mind.

Hunter's eyes kept searching mine.

He was cracking.

"It's stupid, I know. You hate me. I made you hate me. But for some insane reason, I love you."

His lips brush mine as he whispers,

"I love you, you idiot."

His lips met mine.

---------------------------------

So...That must have taken a lot to make Hunter confess himself.

Do you approve?

Do you agree with Rose's idea of Greg moving far, far away when he get's the chance?

Please VOTE---> :)

xoxo-Jada