Struggle:
Jace leaned over his desk, his eyes shut squeezing his hands into it. He could feel the wood giving under his hands. A map laid out in front of him. All little red markers on it, a total of ten now. He was trying to focus down his anger. The office door creaked open and Dante walked in. Jace knew who it was before the door was even opened. There were only two people who would just walk in his office without waiting to be approved. Dante and Wyatt. Jace’s ice blue snapped open staring down whoever walked in. Dante threw his hands up a smirk on his face.
‘I come in peace.” Dante said, trying to lighten the very heavy mood.
Jace grunted but didn't respond. He looked back over the map, trying to find a pattern or something that would make sense. All he saw was Kip’s madness.
“How many now?” Dante asked quietly, coming to Jace’s side.
“Ten. Ten mindless attacks.” Jace said letting go of the sides of the desk
Dante’s eyes scanned over the map. Next to the map were newspaper articles stacked ontop of each other. The top page headline was “Animal attacks on the raise.” Dante frowned. He looked over the desk and raised an eyebrow to Jace. Jace saw him scan the desk and sighed.
“If I can't stop this, I will have to go to the council. I am building my case.” Jace explained walking to the window and looking out it.
“The council.” Dante repeated distaste in his mouth.
“Yes.” Jace said, gritting his teeth.
Dante was quiet, he hated the council, they were a bunch of power hungry wolves who thought they were better than everyone else. Dante let out a small sigh as he wondered why Jace was trying to figure out a pattern to this, Kip was insane and everyone knew it. His own pack knew it but they ethier enjoyed it or were too terrified to do anything about it.
“Set up a meeting with Kip, neutral territory.” Jace said the word sounded exhausting coming out of his mouth, as if it was one of the hardest things for him to say.
“What?” Dante asked, his ears had to be hearing wrong.
“Don't make me repeat myself.” Jace growled.
“Yes Alpha.” Dante answered quietly.
He was going to argue about how it was useless, that Kip was never going to listen to reason but he wasn't going to question his Alpha any further. Jace didn't say anything else and Dante quietly left the room. Jace paced back and forth in front of the window for a moment. He was restless, his wolf was restless. He needs to escape. He glanced down at his watch debating. He could go for a quick run. It would relax his mind and relax his wolf.
The hallway began to fill with people. Nora shuddered as she tried to make it through the crowd. She felt like a ping pong ball as she bounced off one person to the next. Each one making some rude comment as she tried to hold her own. She pushed her way through until she was finally out of the hall. She leaned up against the wall panic setting in as she looked around. She felt like a cornered animal looking for a way out. She pressed her back further into the wall trying to stay far away from everyone passing. She glanced in the direction of the lunch room it was so close but so far away. She inhaled deeply and shut her eyes, tuning the noise out. The world around her went silent as she focused on her breathing. Her breathing slowed and she felt better. As she opened her eyes the halls were empty. She let out a sigh of relief as she stepped away from the wall. The school was quiet with the only noise coming from the cafeteria. Shaking, she put her brave face on and walked to the cafeteria. She took a deep breath pausing in the doorway of it. She never used to be like this. She didn't feel overwhelmed in any situation. She used to live for the thrill of competing in front of thousands of people for cheer but now she panics at a handful of kids her own age. I should just leave. She thought about withdrawing her foot from the entrance.
“Nora!” Joel's voice called to her as he began making his way over to her.
Nora relaxed a little bit even though every inch of her wanted to run and flee the school. She watches Joel walk to her. She forced a small smile on her face to let him know she was fine. Joel frowned at the smile as he got closer.
“So I know that's fake but we're going to ignore it. You're still here and making it through the day so you need to be proud of yourself right now.” Joel said, nudging her.
“If you say so.” Nora shrugged, she wasn't proud of anything lately.
“Shut up. Let's go get food. I am starving.” Joel smiled, looping his arm into hers and pulling her into the cafeteria.
She wasn't hungry, she was fighting the urge to nervously vomit off and on all day but she followed Joel. He escorted her over to the line and handed her a red tray. Nora grasped the red tray in hands , probably holding onto it more tightly then she should have. Jole moved in the lunch line and began placing his food on his tray. Nora was up next and the lunch id gave her a look. Nora looked over the food, her stomach grumbled but still felt nauseous. Her eyes settled on the grilled cheese and fries. Without saying anything she pointed to it. The lunch aide nodded and took her tray. In a few seconds Nora had her tray back, her sandwich and fries. Joel swiped his card at the check out spot twice. Nora already knew before she could get up there to stop him that he was paying for her food. She sighed giving him a look as she reached him. He flashed her a smile and began walking. Nora followed him. He paused scanning the lunch room. It was still very much like high school. The cheerleaders sat together eyeing the football players that were literally the next table over. The smart kids all sat towards the front of the lunchroom. The rebels in the very back corner. Nora looked around the room and realized she didn't fit in anywhere anymore. Joel nudged her, telling her to follow him. She slowly began walking after him. He made his way towards the left side of the cafeteria, Nora following slowly behind him. She kept her eyes locked on the ground as she made her way over. She saw Joel settle by the window and she smiled. Just as she was about to reach the table someone bumped into her.
The grilled cheese came toppled into her. The fries scattered to the ground and a loud smash was heard. The ketchup bottle smashed into the ground. The ketchup spilled all over the ground , a large red puddle pouring out of the bottle. Nora froze, staring at the ketchup on the ground. It looked like Blood. The tray fell out of her hands as an image of her parents sitting on the couch flashed through her mind. Then James. She began to shake, backing away from the ketchup.
“Nora?” The person said quietly that bumped into her.
Nora’s eyes flashed up to Brad. The last person she needed to see right now. Brad was the captain of the football team and her ex boyfriend. The first thing he did after her parents died was break up with her. He said he couldn't handle the rollercoaster of emotion she had turned into. Her eyes filled up with tears as she looked back down at the ketchup spill. She let the red tray fall from her hands as she backed away from the mess. James vacant eyes stared back at her from the red puddle.
“I can't do this.” She whispered before she turned and ran out.
“Nora.” Brad called after her.
“Shut up Brad.” Joel said, rushing by him, throwing his shoulder into Brad as she went by.
“What the Fuck.” Brad yelled angrily at Joel’s back.
Nora ran out into the hall heading to the closest exit. Her lungs burning as she raced down the hall, her eyes locked on the door to the outside. She needed air, she needed outside, she needed to be anywhere but here.
“Nora No, not that door.” Joel yelled at her back.
It was too late Nora crashed into the door and pushed it open. As soon as she pushed the door open a siren began to sound. Nora didn't realize it but she busted through the fire exit. The fire alarms began to sound. Nora cringed but it was too late for her to do anything about it. She didn't care at that point anymore. She ran down the steps of the school, looking around for some place to disappear to. She spotted the woods just beyond the parking lot. She didn't know why it sounded like the best place to be right now but it did. She took off running as the students and teachers began exiting the school. She raced towards the woods like her life depending on it. She just wanted to disappear.
Space:Jace walked out of his office, deciding running would be the best thing for both him and his wolf. He walked through the den, several men who were there stood seeing their Alpha walk in; they bowed their heads respectfully. Jace nodded back, walking to the door.“Dante, I'm going out.” Jace's mind linked him not seeing him anywhere close by.“Want company?” Dante replied back, his voice playful.“No. Let me know when you hear back from Kip’s pack.” Jace said back his voice, not thrilled.“Yes Alpha.” Dante replied back.
Ready:Jace stared down the mirror, his ice blue eyes staring back at him. What just happened? He never disconnected from his wolf before. He couldn't recall anything that happened. He was angry with his wolf, this wolf blocked him out. He didn't even know that was possible. They were supposed to be one. He let out a long breath looking at himself as he tried to control his temper. He was frustrated, angry and felt like he had lost control. He never lost control. He felt like his wolf was keeping something from him. He looked harder at the mirror as if it held some type of answer.“Alpha” Dante’s voice chimed in his head.“Go ahead.”“I spoke with Kip’s beta. They will meet at the local theater. “ Dante reported.“The theater.” Jace repeated“That's what they said.” Jace could hear the frown in Dante&rsquo
Damage Control:Jace walked outside to find Dante leaning against his cobalt blue Audie R8. Jace growled slightly and Dante quickly got out of the car with a silly smirk on his lips.“Where to boss?” Dante chuckled as Jace approached them.“I dont care after dealing with Rosie and the stress of Kip anywhere that has hard liquor.” Jace grumbled going around to the driver side.“Rosie? How did you handle her?” Dante said, busting a smile as he spoke.“I didn't.” Jace groaned.“You know she wants to be your Luna right?” Dante said to his back.“Dante, do
Luna:Joel turned up the radio already blasting dance music and was jamming out by the time they pulled into the parking lot of the club. The blue neon lights of the sign beamed down into the parking lot give everything a blue hazy glow. Nora looked up at the sign. The word Luna was hanging off a crescent shaped moon. Typical night club with some moon name. Nora thought, rolling her eyes. Joel was a perfect gentleman and beat her to open her own door. She smiled softly as the door opened andJoel offered her his hand to get out.“Why thank you kind sir.” Nora chuckled while getting out of the car.“Your welcome milady. Now the fun begins.” Joel said to her, making a funny face.“Joel I-
Hunting:He stalked her from the outside of the dance floor. Did she know he was here? Was she hunting? He watched her giggle as she bumped into someone and made her way back to the bar. The bartender leaned over whispering softly to her. Jace’s wolf inside growled. He had been pacing on the inside of him and now was angry. Jace was confused trying to connect the dots.Listen, I need you to get yourself in check. He thought to his wolf.The bartender rubbed her hand softly as he handed her another shot. Jace stepped forward the anger from his wolf affecting him now. A shot girl walked by him and he scooped one off the tray downing it. What the hell was going on with him.How do you not know. His wolf growled inside of him.
Shifting:The pain rushing through her was mind numbing. She felt like her skin was going to melt off. She grabbed on to the stranger in front of her. Sweat poured down her back as her body began to convulious. Everything hurts, it hurts to breathe. Something invisible is attacking her. She squeezed her eyes shut as she gritted her teeth. She could taste blood in her mouth. Then everything stopped.She opened her eyes slowly, darkness. Everything was pure black, a haunting light appeared off in the distance. Then a rush of wind. Nora shielded her eyes. A metal smell flooded her nose. Her stomach curled in on itself. She knew the smell right away. It was a smell that hunted her. Blood. Images began to flash through her head. A family slaughtered in a small cabin. Wolf tracks on the floor covered in blood. A woman comes home to find her family dead. The ima
Wolf:Jace had been listening and growled. His body vibrated as he tried to control himself and make himself walk away.Go home, he wanted her to go home! Why was she going back into the public! She has no clue what just happened to her or what signals she was sending out. He thought, slamming his fist into the brick wall. The wall cracked instantly and his knuckles bloodied. He clenched his jaw so hard he thought he was going to break a tooth. He groaned as he began walking to the club. He was going to have to drag her home.Home with us. His wolf said excitedly.Her home. Jace growled at him.She belongs with us. His wolf howled.Jace blocked him out as
Encounters:“Nora. Come on, let's go home.” Joel said, pulling her arm.Nora was standing on the sidewalk looking around. She thought she heard or felt something. She glanced at the crowd coming out of the night club. As Joel tugged on her she turned to look over his shoulder. A man was watching her, he had dark blond hair that looked like he had just rolled out of bed. He was leaning against the brick wall in the alley across the street just staring at her.“Earth to Nora!” Joel said, shaking her.“What?” She asked a little annoyedly, her eyes going from the stranger to Joel.“Geesh calm down girl. I was saying we should leave.” Joel