Chapter 8
When I opened my eyes, I wasn't blinded by sunlight, which was a first. I guess today it was going to rain. Without changing, a stupid idea, I didn't consider any other option than running out into the hall. I wanted to be out in it. I really needed to feel the icy little droplets on my skin, needed them to refresh my mind and breathe in the clean air that always came with a shower. I had been correct, for as I reached the big doors leading out to the remarkable balcony of the second floor, raindrops splattered across the glass, making little thudding sounds. Already, I felt relieved and somehow wiped of my worries.
I thrust the doors open, immediately being pelted by the cold rain. Winter was on our doorstep, but I was in nothing but an oversized shirt. I was so overtaken by sensation though, that the cold air biting my bare legs and the wetness of the rain had hardly any effect. Goosebumps rose on my arms and I rubbed them, but I lifted my face toward the gray sky, letting the water wash over my face. In the distance, thunder gently rumbled, and lightning flashed bright down the hill from the house. I opened my eyes, watching intently.
Apparently so intently, that I hadn't heard Derek come out and shut the door behind himself.
When his voice drifted to me, the goosebumps rose again. "Cold?" He was bare chested himself, wearing only a pair of black jeans. "Not at all actually," I said, looking down at my feet. The black polish on my toenails very desperately needed redoing, but this was a moot point to notice when Derek was standing next to me. It took everything in my power to quash what I was beginning to feel, and I certainly wasn't going to tell him, ever. I wouldn't look at him; that might help. Sure. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked suddenly, reaching out to touch my wrist. Lightning flashed at the same moment I felt a fiery trail spread throughout my arm from where he touched my wrist. I'd heard of sparks flying, but this was crazy. I closed my eyes for the beat of a heart, but I sensed that he felt worried. Concerned. "I'm fine," I said, gently moving away my wrist, "are you?" "Why wouldn't I be?" "I don't know, you just seem worried." The look he gave me was confused. "How would you know that? You weren't even looking at me." My heart nearly stopped. "Uh, um," I cleared my throat, "lucky guess?" "Bullshit." He growled, turning towards me. He didn't say anything before marching back into the house, slamming the glass door. I had no idea why my heart felt broken. What the hell was going on? I shouldn't care that Derek was closed off, and I definitely shouldn't be hurt over it.
The rain seemed to fall even harder once Derek left, and it soothed me. I needed to clear my mind and take out this crap feeling on some poor guy in training. It wouldn't hurt them anyway.
~Some Time Later~
My knee connected with my partner's ribs. I was focused only on taking them down, and that was all that mattered. My vision was absolutely clear, my mind blank and I was concerned with only taking him down. I tried to steady myself, but my mind forgot it's focus for half a second, which allowed my 'enemy' to get in a swing that connected with the back of my head. Anger consumed me, and my vision went red. I couldn't control this part of me for some reason, it was like another part of me had come to life. Suddenly, I wanted my attacker dead. Desperately so. I launched myself at him, using my fingernails to claw at his chest and throat. I was mildly aware that my name was being called, but it didn't register fully. His hands were in front of him, trying to ward off my blows, but I didn't stop. "AADEN!" Derek snapped, breaking my concentration. I felt dizzy as I fell away from my sparring partner, shaking my head gently to try and disperse the nausea.
When I looked at the guy on the floor, I felt terrible. He was a young werewolf, probably around seventeen. From what I understood, he was newer to this world, and I had probably just scared the hell out of him. His forearms, neck and cheeks showed signs of my abuse. There were hundreds of risen red scratches covering those areas, and his shirt was torn. Had I really done that? I blushed, glancing up from under my lashes. Everyone in the room, including Derek and Farren and even Spencer, was staring at me like I was alien. Several members of Derek's pack growled deeply, showing their teeth. I ignored their hostility, bending down beside the guy. I tried to remember his name, and the name Jared came to mind. "I'm so sorry," I looked at him, "I have no clue what came over me. That wasn't your fault. Jared, right?" He nodded, carefully taking the hand I offered him. "Damn, you fight dirty. You'd make an excellent wolf." He said, rubbing his left forearm. I blushed deeper, hiding my face. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" Derek stormed across the floor to stop inches from me, "You could have wounded him deeply! I ought to take you off of sparing for a week for this incid-" "Derek, chill dude," Jared said, stepping in front of me, "she didn't do it on purpose. I'm fine, see? I'm healing right now." He showed Derek his neck, which really WAS healing already. Derek's growl was animalistic and pissed. "Jared, you are NOT to interfere at any point with your Alpha's reprimanding a trainee!" This came from a woman near the back. A werewolf woman, one that seemed to deem herself above the rest of her packmates. I had noticed her before, trying to get on Derek's good side. My chest tightened with that thought.
She stomped up front, coming at me front line and centered. It was as if I were her next kill target. "Do you see what she's done Derek? She's attacked your Beta and now she's brainwashed him to defend her. Let's just get it over with and kill this bitch." With those words, my anger returned. "Bring it on babe." The words left my mouth without permission. I was REALLY stupid if I thought I could take on this woman as a human. I should have thought to wait until I was changed to whip her ass. "Why you sniveling little-" "ENOUGH!" Farren's angry voice overrode our thoughts and actions. I hadn't noticed it, but Jared had made a wall with himself between me and the wolf girl. It was apparent that this young man was smarter than I was.
"Derek, I need to speak with you, pronto. Everyone else, take the rest of the day off. That's an order, NOW!" Everyone ran for the numerous exits, save Spencer, Derek, Jared and myself. "Don't worry about Jessica," Jared said to me quietly, "when you're the Luna, you can easily kick her ass. I'll enjoy every second." With those words he ran off. I stood stunned. Luna? What was a Luna? Was there a third option that no one had explained to me yet? I pushed aside the thought to go speak with Farren, but it was evident what she had to say was important.
"All right, so here's the plan. We're taking Aaden and Spencer out for their first so called adventure. This should be a piece of cake. But you know Natalie, this could be a pain in the ass surprise, and not a good one by any means." "Wait a minute," I spoke, "who's Natalie? And where are we going?" Farren turned her attention to me. "Natalie is a vampire that if we had her on our side, it would make this fight a whole lot easier. She's got skill, know how, and money, lots of that. We don't necessarily need funding, but when you're rich, people listen to you more. She could sway people to our side via bribery if need be." "Sounds enticing, but you're forgetting one thing," Derek said calmly, "Aaden and Spencer are HUMANS! There's not a chance in hell she'll let us get by with us bringing 'snacks' into her home and calling them allies." "You're forgetting that she contacted me, Derek. She's very aware that we're recruiting, training and changing humans." "She'll consider them gifts." He argued. "So what if she does? Worse goes to worst, we'll change them before she can kill them." "Excuse me?" Spencer spoke up, "What the hell kind of proposition is that?! We've not chosen yet, who are you to decide for us?" "Spencer," she said, looking at him calmly, "it would be between a choice of life and death. I'm quite sure you could cope with whatever you turned out to be." He quieted, not taking his eyes from her. "Fine," Derek said, and turned to us. "Go get ready. Not entirely sure we'll make it out alive, but we're going to do our damnedest. We need her as an ally." He said the last part through gritted teeth. I already didn't like the sound of this place.
And that was only the beginning.