I close the notebook and push it to the back of the desk. “We don’t have to. I’ll make sure Alexandra finds this.”
“You’re a good friend. Even if you don’t think so.”
I manage a smirk and reach down to pick up the letter from my garbage, while her back is turned. Still the same words. I stuff it in my bookbag with the notebook, which I didn’t have a plan for yet. Maybe the next time I visit their den, I’d leave it somewhere – after I make a copy of it.
“What are you going to do about Hazen?” Una was sitting on her bed now and had one of her school books on her lap.
I swivel in my chair so that I’m facing her. “I’m going to talk to him alone.”
“Maybe I should come.” Una practically falls off her bed, trying to get on her feet fast enough. She thrives on this shit.
“No, I need to do this. I don’t think I’ll get an honest answer out of him, if it’s not just us.” I could tell that hurt her feelings, but I had to do this my way.
“What will you ask him?”
“Why is he here? How does he know Clark?” I shut my mouth before I say something that blows my cover.
“Maybe his clan sent him here.”
“He’s a mutt like me. Someone had to pull strings?” Someone needs to shut me up. I still haven’t come up with a good reason for why I’m here – and Una’s never asked.
Una is quiet, which makes me nervous. Her lips are drawn together as if she has a secret that she’s desperately trying to keep. I study her face, and wait for her to say whatever it is, she’s debating on telling me inside her head.
“He’s not a mutt. He’s a full-blood.” Her lips burst open, and the words tumble out fast and steady.
“What do you mean a full-blood?” My knuckles are white from gripping the chair handles. My knees and body weak, and I feel like I’m about to hit the floor.
“I thought you knew.” Una rushes to my side and kneels beside me. “You don’t look well.”
“No, He’s a mutt. Like me.” The words barely make it out of my mouth as the room spins around me.
Una’s eyebrows fall, and her mouth opens, she sputters out some words, but they don’t make any sense. Then the room stops spinning, and the only thing I see is her lips moving as she says, “He’s full-blood fae.”
Chapter 12
I race down the stairs, following his scent with my nose. How dare he lie to me all these years? Tears fight hard to fall, but I push them all back inside. I’ve cried enough for him, now he’d answer whatever I ask him.
I turn into the hunter I was bred to be. His scent salivates on my tongue, and the rage swelling in my veins means I’m near. He’d know that I was close. I zone out on everything but him. My stride picks up when his scent grows cold. He knows I’m looking for him and he’s hiding.
“I’m coming for you,” I whisper under my breath. Hazen helped me hunt his kind. I shake my head as images from the past flood through my mind and I head to the male dorms. I pick up on his scent just as a large brick building comes into view. There are five floors in the tutor style mansion. There are supernaturals playing soccer on the front lawn. Instead of on the grass, they play in the air, and body check each other hard– even if they don’t have the ball.
I scan the crowd to see if I can find him. His scent fades, but he’s here somewhere. I look up from the ground, to see that some dorms have their window’s open. I jog up the steps and open the large wooden door. As I cross the threshold, I smell him.
I follow my instincts and head to the stairway. Just as I reach the top of the first platform, four males block my path.
“It’s the mutt.” One of them smiles to the others, and all their attention is on me.
I try to squeeze past them, but they won’t budge. They surround me on the stairs. From their musky scent, it’s easy to tell they are a small wolf pack. I needed to find out which one is the Alpha.
“Get it over with.” I lift my arms up and twirl around in a circle. “Nothing too special here.” I watch to see who will speak first.
“Leave her pass.” A wolf says from the top of the next landing.
I didn’t notice him, my mistake as his minions did his work. They step aside, and I walk up the next set of stairs to their alpha. He’s taller than most wolves’ I’ve seen. He leans against the railing and studies me as I approach.
“Don’t think I owe you anything,” I mutter and stop a few steps away from him. I’m vulnerable on the stairs between the alpha and his pack, and he knows that.
“That’s up to me, now isn’t it?” He doesn’t move from his post, and his eyes are trained on me.
“I don’t want any trouble,” I said, and I walk up the two steps between us. He moves over so I can’t step up to his level.
“I’m watching you. Whenever you think you’re alone, I’ll be there. Mutt.” The alpha steps down and pushes me to the side.
I don’t have time to deal with another clan hating me, so I make my way up the next set of stairs. I know I’m getting close. I climb up another set, and I’m even closer. I walk into the hallway and take a moment to sniff the air. He’ll catch my scent soon enough, I needed to get to him before he notices.
I turn to my left and walk down the hall. It’s empty, not like the floors I had just passed. Some doors are open. I easily cross them off until I come to the last door at the end of the hallway. I freeze, knowing he’s in there. Now that I’ve found him, I start to lose my nerve.
“Come in,” Hazen calls from his room, his door slightly ajar.
I take the few steps to his door and swing the door open. “I thought you’d run.”
Hazen is standing beside his cooktop, making pasta. He doesn’t bother to look my way. He’s too comfortable.
“I’m not scared of you, Penelope. Come in.” He said, as he finally brings his attention to me. He points to the only chair in his single room.
I walk in and close the door behind me, but I don’t take the seat. I watch as Hazen stirs the pasta in hot water. He hated cooking. Or did he? I notice two plates off to the side.
“Expecting Company?” I said, folding my arms across my chest and leaning against his armoire.
“You.” Hazen sets both plates on his desk and pours pasta into each. “No sauce.” He raises his cooking spoon and winks at me. “I remember.”
“You’re a full-blood,” I said, not wanting to play into his sweet-talking. I wouldn’t fall for anything he says or does again.
“I couldn’t be here if I wasn’t.” Hazen nods, “But what about you?”
I clamp my mouth closed. I had watched him manipulate others. Use his charm and good looks to get what he wanted. I was supposed to be different. I was supposed to be real to him. But I was just a trick.
“Why are you here? Now?” I ask, but he ignores me. I look around his room for any clues. It’s different from what I expected it would be. None of his vinyl records or comic books are here. In Fact, I would never have guessed this was his room. His school shirt, white and crisp hanging on the back of his door, instead of crumpled on the floor. His shoes shined and neatly lined up along the wall with not a sneaker to be seen.
“Why’d you do it?” I step closer to him. I wanted to smell his musk, the only thing that wouldn’t lie to me.
“You shouldn’t ask questions. You might not get the answer you want.” Hazen said, his voice cold and distant. He keeps busy stirring the sauce.
“I’ll decide that.” I take a step closer to him to demand his full attention.
Hazen grabs my jacket and pushes me against the wall. I’m caught off guard with his anger and force. “Stay away from me. It’ll be for your own good.” His hands let go of my jacket, but he doesn’t back off. He can’t look me in the eye, and for the moment, I see my Hazen.
“I have to know.” My lip shakes, and my eyes fill with tears. At this moment, I look at the man I loved for over a year, only to see a stranger. I wanted to make sense of it. Something had to have
changed.
“No, P.” Hazen steps away from me, his hands shaking. “You shouldn’t have come here.”
“I’m not leaving without an answer. Something happened.” I hate begging him, but I can’t wait any longer. My plan escapes my body, being alone with him.
“You don’t get it. This isn’t about you. There’s bigger shit going on, Penelope.” Hazen walks back to his burner and with one hand, swipes the hot pot right off the burner. The red sauce drips down the white wall. “This would be so much easier if you weren’t here.”
I stay quiet against the wall, I want to tell him about the secret council, about my mission. I want to tell him everything.
“I turned you in.” Hazen faces me. “I got money, to turn you in.”
His face fades through my tears. I got what I came for, but I didn’t believe it. All my memories wouldn’t allow me too. He was just telling me what he thought I wanted to hear. My voice left me, as I try to say something back. Demand more details or tell him I didn’t believe him.
“Just go.” Hazen leans on his desk and hangs his head down. “There’s nothing for you here.”
“You wouldn’t have done that.” My voice is back. I’m not sure how to use it. “There’s something off here. This isn’t you.”
“You have to go,” Hazen said, after he looks at his watch. “Don’t come back here.”
“No. I don’t believe you.” I dig my heels in, determined to stand my ground and make him tell me the truth.
“You really need to go. I have to be somewhere.” Hazen grabs his blazer and throws it on, tucking his shirt into his pants.
“It’s after class. You don’t have to be anywhere.” I said, sitting on the one chair in the room. He’s gonna have to pick it up and throw me out of the room.
“Then stay, I’m leaving.” Hazen grabs his bookbag and heads to the door. He opens it and walks out into the hallway, not a second later he returns. “You need to hide.”
“What? You were just trying to get me to leave.”
Hazen looks around the room, he’s breathing heavy and on alert for something. He opens his armoire, then picks me up and places me inside. “No matter what. Don’t breathe, move, or speak.” His voice is firm yet shaky.
I can only nod as he slams the armoire shut. A second later he opens it again and sprays me down with his cologne to hide my scent then slams the door shut again. I wave my hands in the air, trying to breathe in the small space while I cough. His hand pounds on the front of the door of the armoire.
I grab one of his shirts, and cough into it to muffle the noise. He’s lucky I’m even playing along. There was something about his urgency in his voice that made me comply. I take somewhat of a breath to test the air and am relieved I can finally breathe again.
I press my ear to the wood when I hear a knock on his door. It’s hard and fast. The door squeaks open, but the voices are muffled. I reposition myself, but I still can’t hear anything. I move around again in the dark and accidentally knock something over. I freeze and watch the armoire door, expecting it to fly open by the surprise visitor.
“Nothing. You’re paranoid.” I hear Hazen say as he leans back on the door of the armoire. I smell him even through the cologne.
I push aside his clothes and get as close to the door opening as possible. I can hear Hazen speak but not the visitor.
“I’ve got it handled. You don’t have to micromanage me.” Hazen said, his voice was still tense, and he spoke fast. He wasn’t doing a very good job of staying calm.
I feel my way around in the dark, taking this time to find any clues. I check each pocket I find. My hands follow each hanger, and soon I’ve reached as far as I can without moving my feet further. The last hanger holds a coat, I place my hands on the far side of the armoire and lean forward and pray that I don’t topple this thing over.
With some maneuvering I’m able to pull it toward me, the hanger scrapes against the wood, and I stop – waiting for something to happen. I can hear them talking and breathe a sigh of relief. I dive into the pockets and finally something. It’s paper. I grab all the bits and shove them in my pocket.
Hazen steps away from the armoire, and the door accidentally opens a crack. Should I close it? No, they would see or hear. I move one of his shirts in front of me as quietly as possible. Then I hear it. Her voice.
“I’m done with the shop talk.” She said.
I push the shirt away and peak out of the crack, just in time to see Alexandra wrap her arms around Hazen’s neck and kiss him.
Chapter 13
I get out of there as fast as I can when they leave, without being seen. The skin on my neck and cheeks a deep violet. Of all people to get mixed up with, fucking Alexandra. I shove my hands in my pockets and feel the papers I took from his pocket.
As much as I wanted to read my bounty, I was ripping mad at Hazen. How long had this been going on? Was he seeing her when we were together? I shake my head. I need to gather my thoughts rationally. Nothing makes sense. This was all a bad dream and I needed to wake up. I’ve never wanted to hunt more than right now.
My hands stiffen, my nostrils widen, and my mouth had that familiar taste. I try to fight it, the only target I have is Hazen. Who knows where he and Alexandra were and what they were doing?
“Arrrggg!” I scream while placing my hands over my ears. I didn’t care who heard. I didn’t care if anyone challenged me. I want my revenge.
I follow a path off into the woods. I wasn’t going back to my dorm tonight. I need to be alone. I wasn’t suitable to be around people. My anger lashes and I can’t control it. I hate this feeling, of being out of control.
Deep in the woods, I find a tree that looks comfortable enough to extend my stay here. I perch at its base and wrap my arms around my legs. I close my eyes and recall their conversation. He was trying to make her comfortable while protecting me. I shake my head. Why would he do that?
I reach into my pocket and pull out the paper. As I unfold it, I recognize the same symbols from Alexandra’s notebook. I crumple it up and shove it back in my pocket.
Something didn’t add up. My arm is wet, I look up, but the tree is dry. I touch my face and feel the tears. I lay on my side and rock myself back and forth until I fall asleep.
I WALK DOWN THE SCHOOL corridor with my books hug tight to my chest. I couldn’t see Hazen today. Please don’t let him be in another class with me. Please take pity of my world. I walk in a daze, after a sleepless night in the woods. Luckily, we wore uniforms around here, so a change was not needed.
I could have taken the grass and leaves out of my hair, but I hadn’t the energy too. My clothes were dirty from the cold ground, and my socks have mud stains. Again, not caring. I avoid the looks from other students as I walk by them, unsure if it’s because I’m a mutt or the state of my appearance.
“Penelope,” Una calls me from down the hall but I keep walking, “Where have you been?”
I don’t answer her. My tolerance for any company right now is nil. I keep walking, and she tries to keep pace with my longer legs.
“We tried to find you.” Una grabs my arm to stop me.
I turn around and can’t help that I have my best scowl on my face. She lets go of my arm and steps back. Her mouth open and her eyes wide. There’s uncomfortable seconds, as I don’t bother to say anything to her.
“Are you alright?” Una said, she steps in closer and her gaze drops to my stained clothes. “Did you get into a fight?”
“No.” I finally break my silence. I didn’t like being mean to her. Of all the people in my new life, she’s treated me more than fine.
“Did you hear?” Una said, as she looks around us.
“Hear what?” There were too many answers I could have said to that question.
“The Stanton boys are missing. Gone. No one knows where they are.” Una grabs my arm and pushes me forward and we walk down the hall.
“That’s impossible.” I don’t even give her comment any thou
ght. No one could hurt those boys. They have more power in their baby fingers than anyone around here. Especially together.
“It’s true. No one has seen them all day.” Una tugs on my arm, enjoying the bit of gossip she is sharing.
“Maybe they’re playing hooky.” I stop in front of my next class. “I’ve gotta go to this one. I missed all my morning classes.”
“I’ll come too.” Una steps in front of me.
“You don’t have this class.”
“You made yourself connected to them. I’m not leaving your side.” Una said, with a quick nod of her head.
“You really think something bad happened to them?” I asked, coming out of my cloud. The last time I had seen Ivor he was pissed at Hazen.
“Principal Stanton, has a crew out looking for them.” Una whispers.
I search her face for anything she wasn’t saying, but she appears sincere. I had to snap out of this mood and come back to my horrible reality. If the boys were missing, then something went down. I wonder if it has anything to do with Hazen or Alexandra.
“Is, Alexandra, missing too?” I try not to sound enthusiastic at the prospect.
“No, she’s a mess. Someone took her off-campus. She didn’t come home last night, so they figure she avoided being taken as well.”
I roll my eyes, not feeling any shame of wishing her to have gone home early. “Come on.” I grab Una’s hand and run down the hall. I wasn’t here to learn after all, and this mess must have something to do with the note that was waiting for me.
We round the corner, and I open the door to an empty classroom. I pull Una in and close the door behind us. I need to find out everything she knows.
“Where was she?” I couldn’t help but ask. Did everyone know about her and Hazen but me?
“I don’t know. Out with friends, I guess.” Una said taking a seat on one of the desks, “Where were you last night?”
“I was sick. I went for a walk and had some bad cramps, so I laid down in the woods and fell asleep.” The words came too freely from my mouth, and I hope she bought it.
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