Chapter 28

You should play the song I attached to the chapter while reading :)

Thank you Kaanan for the lovely cover! :)

'If it's about survival, isn't a little agony worth it?'

'What if it just gets worse? What if its agony now, and then, it's just hell later on.'

'Think about something Winston Churchill once said, If you're going through hell, keep going.'

Chapter 28

"Greg, you need to leave."

Minutes passes as silence surrounded us.

Unable to meet his gaze directly, I stare subconsciously at his chest.

"Once you're released everything won't go back to the way they used to be. You'll still be in danger. I think it's best if you start fresh, move far far away from here. " It hurt to even say the words.

Greg stares at me blankly, his once emotional eyes looking dead.

"Please say something," I urge.

He licks his dry lips then clears his throat. At last, he speaks, " this is my pack. My home. My family is here. Y-you're here."

The crack in Greg's voice makes me whimper inside.

Why is doing the right thing feel so wrong?

"Greg," I whisper weakly when once again we're forced in to silence.

Greg's expression flickers from nothing to anger in a matter of seconds. "How can you ask me of such a thing? Do you not care of how this would affect me?"

Hearing Greg's accusing voice, I grab his hand tightly in mine.

"Of course I care! That's why i think it's best you you leave for a while. The Dark Ellipse Pack is one of the best aside from Hunter's back. Hunter had a good relation ship with that pack, he can even get you a good rank. This is a chance for you to start over, you deserve this. Maybe you'll even find your ma-" I froze before I could finish the word.

"Mate. Maybe I'll even find my mate," Greg shakes his head disapprovingly.

"About that Greg, I may have lied-"

"You're not my mate, I know." I look at Greg for even the slightest of a reaction, but am left with nothing once again.

No surprise, no shock, nothing.

I open my mouth, about to fire questions at him when he interrupts me by raising his finger to my lips.

"Don't. That's the last thing I want to talk about right now. Especially if it's the last time I'm going to see you."

Going against my curiosity, I oblige. "So does that mean you're going to go?" I ask.

Greg sighs tiredly before responding, " there's no denying the facts you brought up. It seems that everyone's life would be better without me."

I'm quick to disagree, but Greg's scowl easily shuts me up.

"Just let me finish. My parents, my little brother, the Dark Moon pack, Hunter, you. All of you would be happier without me." I easily found the fault in his words.

"You're wrong. I won't be happier without you and neither would your family. I don't want you to go forever, but just for now. For you." Greg scoffs.

"You and my family might not be happier but you sure will be safer. If I leave, these people will stop. Perhaps it was never you or the pack, maybe its always been me."

Pausing for a breath, Greg continues, " Aside from all that, you're right about that fresh start. God knows I need it. We all do. But... my family. I can't just leave them." A look of sadness formed on Greg's features.

"Your family will be fine, you'll be able to visit when ever you want. You need to do this, and not for the pack but for yourself. Sometimes you need to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. It's hard, I understand, but it's better that way. Everyone in this world will one day leave you but you know who can't?

You. You can't escape from yourself, Greg. You have to live with yourself. A-and... As much as it hurts me to say this, you will be happier away from here. Away from this pack, and these killers, and Hunter, and... and me. You will be so much happier without me."

Greg looked at me with pained eyes. he looked so deeply into my eyes I bet he saw my soul.

Since we were young, we were taught it was wrong to cry. That it showed weakness. And a person should never come off as weak.

Especially a werewolf with a rank.

We were told to accept fate, discipline ourselves.

Don't break down. Don't cry. Don't be weak.

And then there are the hypocrites.

The one who finds it weird when one does not cry out of grief. The people who judge others for every single thing they did wrong. As if wrong is always bad.

Sometimes its okay to make mistakes, granted it's reversible and not at all harmful.

These people are the reasons we don't allow ourselves to cry. To accept that things don';t always have to be okay. Instead we have accepted the illusion that they have created for us.

My father and I were never close but he did teach me one thing.

Pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice.

If you are alive, you have experienced pain. Pain is a very important ability people posses to protect themselves. Pain helps control us. To tell us our limits. If we didn't feel pain, what would stop us from burning ourselves alive?

Suffering is different. You can feel pain without suffering. It's when you choose to stop suffering that you can finally feel the quality of your life.

Pain is an experience and suffering is a perception. Looking at Greg now, a silent tear dragging down his face, my vision of him was nothing near of a weak man.

I saw a man who has suffered for far too long. A man who needs to make the right choice.

Greg'[s next sudden movement surprised me, yet I still stood still.

Lifting his other hand, he drags a strand of my hair behind my ear.

So cliche.

He rests his palms against my cheek.

"I really did think you were the one. It just all added up. The moment I had met you...It's indescribably. Even now I feel it. What have you done to me, Rosalyn Maria Edwards?" The warmth of his hand radiated softly to my skin.

Greg rested his forehead against mine, our lips barely brushing.

"I'll never forget about you Greg Vanderveen," I whisper.

"Is this a goodbye?" Greg's voice tickles my lips.

"I think it has to be," my voice came faint between our distance.

"I'm not very good with goodbyes," Greg confessed.

"Me either."

Very slowly, Greg's lips met mine and we kissed.

This was our goodbye.

* * *

"Are you good?" Hunter asks as he sees me emerge from the hall leading to Greg's cell.

"Yeah, will you be releasing him now?" I ask curtly.

"As soon as we leave, yes."

Hunter informs the guards to release Greg and finish all his paper work, then starts walking towards the door.

"Come on, we have to go," Hunter says as he opens the door for me.

"Thanks," I say quietly and follow behind him to the car.

"Something happened, you're never this quiet." Hunter's observation was like a flashback for what just happened in Greg's cell.

Had he seen Greg and I's kiss?

Feeling uncomfortable to begin with, Hunter's comment just made me feel even worse.

Despite my feelings, I reply hastily, " or perhaps you're just being too loud."

"That makes no sense, although you never make sense."

I stay silent, while staring out the window. I'm in no mood to talk, is that so wrong? Why do I always need to smile to show that I'm okay.

What if i'm not okay?

"It's going to be okay. It's the right thing to do. I can't and will never understand your feelings for Greg, but if you really care about him then you need to let him go. He will be much happier without you,"

Suddenly realizing what he said, Hunter in a panic tone rushes out, "Wait- I didn't mean it like that... I mean like he will be better off without this pack, which you are in, so I guess that's you too but.."

"Hunter," I stop him from his rambling.

With one hand on the steering wheel, he scratched the back of his neck with the other.

I guess I'm not the only one uncomfortable. Was he trying to make me feel better?

"I know what you're trying to say so, thank you." Hunter gave me a smile before returning his attention to the road.

After a bit of silence, I decided to break it.

"You said you loved Emily. You should understand how I feel," I say absentmindedly.

Hunter accepted my question with ease. "Sure, but my feeling for her was nothing compared to how I feel about you."

Ignoring the warm feeling in my chest and the pink tint to my cheeks, I say, "That can't be true. You sent me to a cell when you thought I was the reason she left."

"I'm an Alpha. I was angry at what I was feeling so I acted irrationally. The more time I spent with you... I started to feel... You know." Smiling, I look away so he can't see my expression.

So the big bad Alpha isn't so great with his words.

"It also helped that she left. The less I saw her, the easier it was to forget." Hunter made sure not to look at me as he spoke.

"So she was your childhood friend?"

"Yes."

My curiosity ached my insides.

Remembering something I thought I forgot, I said, " She- she said something to me before she left. She told me you killed her mate, is that true?"

"Yes."

"Don't you think it's weird that both you and I thought we had another mate?"

"It is but I cannot find any explanation. We're not royalty, and you don't even have a rank. The only thing I can think of is this is what happens when an Alpha falls in love before meeting his mate."Hunter spoke casually as he drove, not knowing how much his words are getting to me.

Biting my tongue, I ignore the pain felt with his words. I know it's unfair for me to feel like this considering I loved Greg before Hunter as well.

"It was unintentional, killing her mate. He was stupid enough to attacking my pack. He was asking for it," Hunter states.

"Did you know he was Emily's mate when you killed him?"

"Yes."

"Sounds intentional to me," I mutter.

Hunter surprised me by laughing.

"I'm never going to win with you, am I?"His smile was contagious, and I found my self smiling right back.

"Of course," I reply.

"Unless we were wrestling, I would win that." The image of Hunter and I wrestling playfully flashed in my mind, my face reddening.

"Maybe not, once I start training." I try to slide in the new topic.

"Youre not training," He said stubbornly.

"Hunteeeerrrr."

"No, I said no. If something happens to me, you will be in charge of the pack. If both of us get hurt, the pack would go to destruction."

"The chances of me getting hurt is raised when I can't even dend for myself. Your reasning just doesnt make sense."

Hunter sighed then nodded.

"Alright fine, but I'll be training you.

"Are you sure that's such a good idea?" I ask doubtfully.

Hunter shrugs, " you're the one who wants to train."

Without thinking, I say, "Okay fine. I guess it's better to learn from the best."

"You think i'm the best?" Hunter smirks.

Freezing, I now realize what I had said.

"The best at hurting people, yes."

"So thoughtful of you,"Hunter says as he drives into a parking lot.

"Why are we back here?" I ask, staring up at the coffee ship I was in this morning.

"I need to take care of somethings. Jason's already on his way, i'll only be an hour."

"Why can't Jason just babysit me at my house?" I say grumpily.

"Our house, and because it's safer to be in public when I'm not with you. Plus, the last time I had you at home with guards outside, Greg still got in. I need better guards," Greg said the last part quietly to himself.

\"And Jason is a really good guard?" I raise an eyebrow. I just always thought Jason as a jokester, not a serious protector person.

"Yes, why? He hasn't done anything inappropriate, right? I didn't want a male to be so closely guarding you, but he is one of the top."

"Well of course he is when you don't let girls train." I cross my arms.

"Rose did he do anything to you?" I ignore Hunter.

"Rosalyn," he says between clenched teeth.

"No, no he didn't." I say at last.

"Good. And females can train, just not you." He winks before leaning over to open the door.

"Why here? Why not like McDonals?"

Rolling his eyes he says, " just go, we can have McDonalds another day."

"Fine." I give in and hop out.

before I can shut the door, Hunter stops me.

"Rose, wait."

"Yes?" I ask confused.

"I like your jawline."

"What? Why?"

"Because it's perfect." And with that, he leans over across the empty seat and reached out to slam the door shut.

Even after Hunter drives off, I'm frozen still.

Jawline? Like? Perfect? What?

What a weird compliment.

Well there Hunter goes, always confusing me.

Looking across the street, I see a very tempting McDonalds.

Despite my strong desire for french fries, I walk towards the coffee shop. Jason should be here soon.

The shop seemed even more busier than before, however the table Jason and I sat earlier was cleared.

Waiting in line to order, I decide what to get.

"Next please," the employee calls.

Walking up with a smile on my face, I say, "Hello can I please have a cheddar bagel with cheddar cheese inside and a medium hot chocolate."

"Would you like to upgrade to a chocolate deluxe for twenty cents?"

"Umm sure."

"Great, that's 3 dollars and thirty five cents."

Handing the girl a 5, she gives me back my change.

"You can take a seat and we'll bring the food to you."

"Oh okay." I didn't know that they did that.

Only a minute later my bagel and drink arrive.

Thanking the waiter, I immediately bring the hot chocolate to my lips.

Taking a sip, I was glad to realize that it wasn't scotching hot.

It's more like lukewarm. Great I have lukewarm hot chocolate. Sarcasm intended.

Taking a few more sips just to wet my mouth, I pull out my phone and check social media while eating.

Where on earth is Jason, he should be here by now. I had already sent him a text asking where he is and he just replied with one word-

Traffic.

My bagel was already done as I resulted to taking small sips of my cold hot chocolate.

Even after eating, there was a pounding in my head.

"Excuse me, can I take a seat?" Looking up, I see an unrecognizable man.

He seemed younger than me, just by one or two years. Looking around, I still notice that indeed every seat is full.

"Err yeah sure, but I'm expecting someone soon."

"Boyfriend?" He asks innocently.

Very aware of stranger danger, I think over what to say. What's scarier, boyfriend or father?

"Father," I reply finally.

The boy chuckles.

"Whats so funny?" I ask not amused at all.

"Oh nothing, just thought of something ironic."

"What's that?" I ask, although it hurt to speak.

"Just thought it was ironic that you told me your father will be meeting you here when he's probably rolling in his grave right as we speak." My body tensed as I interpret what he means.

"I don't know you," I say bemused.

"No, but I know you, Rosalyn Maria Edwards, but you prefer Rose. Isn't that right?"

"I've never met you, how do you know me?" My head was going into full alert mode.

It was also pounding heaver than ever.

I'm not safe. I'm not safe.

"Oh, and where are your manners Rosalyn? You never thanked me for paying for your breakfast at Denny's. I even tipped greatly. You're welcome."

"y-you. You're the one doing all this to me!" I tried to control my voice, but even I heard the unsteadiness.

"And what if I am?" He smirks evilly.

"Why?"

"If you should learn anything from me, it's to never take anything in life personally. Think of yourself more of a casualty. You're part of something greater, Rosalyn." He winks, then leans back in his seat.

I wanted to scream, or run, or to say something else but I couldn't. A fuzzy feeling entered my mind.

"Are you okay? You don't look so good." The stranger leans closer as if he is concerned, but smirks when close enough.

"Good choice with the deluxe hot chocolate. Easier to slip something in when there's whip cream to hide it."

"What?" I ask in panic.

"Bravo though, for drinking nearly half of it. All I needed was a sip. Oh well, better for me." His eyes twinkle with mischief.

"Bad for you," He pouts playfully.

Gripping the edge of the table, I try pushing myself up.

"W-what did you d-do to me?" I ask in terror as I couldn't even hold up my weight.

Suddenly, the boy stood up.

"Oh my Rose, you need to get to the hospital right now. You know you shouldn't have had that drink when you are allergic to peanuts, remember?"

The boy tugged on my arms and got me to a standing position. My whole weight was leaning on him.

"Stop," I say but it only comes out as a whisper. I can't even feel my tongue.

"It's okay, your EpiPen is in my car. Come on, I got you." I try to push away, but I just couldn't move my body. It was as if I was made of jello.

The pounding in my head got worse.

A few people ask if I was okay, in which the kidnapper excused himself carefully.

I don't know when it happened but eventually the boy picked me up by his arms and speedily walked out.

My mind was dazed, an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. With each step the boy took, the darker the room got.

Finally he stopped moving, only to shove me in a car. After that I lay numb on the back sear. I can't move. I can't talk.

My visions blurred and my nerves are all over the place.

"Shh," the boy clamped his hands over my eyes forcing them shut.

"Go to sleep. Let go." The boy contiously whispered.

I couldn't do anything to defend myself. Only run the thoughts in my head on repeat.

Why isn't anyone helping me?

Who's the boy who is kidnapping me?

And the thought that has been eating at me since day one-

Why me?

* * *

I'm in a hazy state. The kind when you wake up at 4am in the morning and have no idea whats going on.

The first thing that registered in my mind is the fact that I'm cold. A cool breeze is hitting me in all directions.

The next thing that I guess I should have realized first, was that there was a blind fold on my face, and my hands are tied behind my back.

Moving around, I feel spiky things poking at my skin. Grass.

I'm outdoors.

Aside from the wisp of the wind, there was an eerie silence surrounding me.

The sounds of shoes against grass met my ears. Someone is coming.

"So what's the plan? We just kill her?" That was the voice of the boy from earlier.

A girl spoke next.

"No. We wait till he is here, then we kill her."

"What if h doesn't show?" The boy asks.

I was so focused on hearing what they were saying that I forgot the sound of their footsteps. TO my left at an estimate of 2 or 3 feet, they stop moving.

In the coldest voice I've ever heard, the girl snarls, " We'll kill her anyways."

That voice...There was something about it.

So faintly familiar, yet unrecognizable. Filled with power and greed. Filled with destruction.

But there was something else. I'm no expert on voices, but there was something oddly familiar about this woman.

There was a hunger in her. That's what I feared the most, the question that popped up next in my mind.

A hunger for what?

Before I can think more on the thought, she speaks once more.

"He's here."

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

What did you think?

And to think if only there was no traffic, none of that would have happened XD

Riddle: Jada's parents had three children. April, may and ----. What's the name of the third child?

Please VOTE-->

XOXO-Jada