08 | claws

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08 | claws

People cry, not because they're weak. It's because they've been strong for too long.❞

Johnny Depp

a l i x

My eyes opened after several watery blinks after the sight of the sunlight that shun through the glass window. I crawled out of bed with a yawn, feeling the cold floor, starting my day with washing my face, a shower and brushing my teeth. After doing so I browsed through the closet and glanced at the clothes I was given. I never really packed to stay here since it was unexpected. There was a plain black shirt and blue jeans hung up. I took those out and wore them along with cosy socks.

Nicholas had said there was a library in the East Wing so I planned to go. I took up the layout and guide of the "pack house" and made my way through the door. It made sense to just call it a mansion because it resembled one with the size and style.

I buried my head into the layout and walked down the halls like a weary traveler. The corridors were horridly long and wide with different paths making it complicated to find the library. I made it to a halt and glanced up at the large door in front of me that resembled one you'd find in fairy tale movies you'd see.

I pushed the door open and peered inside the room to see a gigantic one with endless bookshelves as tall as mountains against the wall of the rooms. It was an absolute sight and saying that I was in "awe" would be an understatement.

As I looked around I saw Nicholas looking at the books with some in his hand, picking them out. I walked up to him and tapped on his shoulder. "Uh, Nick?"

He turned around and said, "Oh, looks like I didn't have to go to your room."

I looked at him confusingly but he just smiled and handed me the books. My hands lowered a bit as they were in my hand. They were heavy.

"These are the books I want you to read," he said before realising I was struggling. "Sorry, I didn't think about your strength."

He took away the books and held them for me. "Do you want to read them later or now?"

"I haven't had breakfast yet.." I mumbled. "I completely forgot about it."

He placed the books on a table and said, "let's eat then."

He went out the door and I followed him. Nicholas was being very kind to me since the first day we met and I'm glad I have someone like him to rely on. He's probably the only sane person here. Everyone here is different after all- really different.

As we entered the dining room, we saw everyone seated and eating at the table that was long as the room. I followed Nick and sat beside him. It wasn't long after someone gave me a plate of food filled with meat. I was raised as a vegetarian and I'm surprised I don't feel a way. Reading the books I learned that you would get an urge for meat - meaning the transformation is getting closer - plus my aunt would probably do something but I think she gets it now.

Speaking of her, I will be going to my house today.. to visit or sort out whatever. Of course I know it will be.. a weird conversation. It's Jane we're talking about here. Knowing her, she'll probably give me a lecture.

"Have you guys seen Nate around?" Barbara asked.

"Oh," Nick said. "He's at a meeting in Khaula at the moment, so he won't be back until tomorrow."

"Aww.." Barbara frowned. "That's too bad."

"If you were planning to offer yourself to him," Jase said. "He'd probably kick your face in."

"Shut up!" Barbara snapped. "He'd probably say yes for all I know!"

"I highly doubt that." Aron shook his head. I'm sure they're right.. I don't think he would accept her just like that.. even if he did.. it's not like I care.

"Nate is out?" I said. "I was planning to tell him I was going to my aunt.. so you know.. that he wouldn't think I ran away or anything."

Everyone turned their attention to me. "Going to your aunt?" Tay asked. "Today?"

"Yeah.." I nodded.

"As long as Nate is informed," Nicholas said, "she can go."

"Really?" I got excited all of a sudden although it wasn't something to be excited about.

"Yeah," Nicholas assured. "I'll call Nate."

"Nate has a phone?" Rena exclaimed. "Oooo.."

"He barely uses it though." Nicholas said while he took out his phone. "Only for matters."

"Oh," I said as he got out of his seat with his phone at his ear, walking away.

"Jase!" Tay shouted. "Snap out of it!"

"Huh?" Jase looked up. "What?"

"You've been spacing out a lot lately," Tay sighed. "Are you okay?"

"You shouldn't be worrying about me." Jase slid his chair back and got up. "You should worry about Rena putting food in your hair."

"Huh?" I didn't even realize it but Rena was standing behind Tay with a devious look on her face. Tay went into action by getting out the chair quickly. The food ended up on Aron instead.

"You people.." Aron sighed. He took his plate and aimed for Rena. Rena used Tay as a shield and one after another, food accidentally went on everyone except me. Only because I was planning to go to my aunt, I stayed under the table.

I would join in if I wasn't planning to go.. I can change though. It's not like it would hurt. I crawled out from under the table only to see everyone had stopped only because Nicholas was standing there at the doorway.

"I want this place so clean that I can eat off it," Nicholas ordered. "Make sure it'll be clean before I come back."

"Yes sir." They all said and got right to it. Nick was a whole different person when playing the role of being the Beta. Everyone respected him, like how everyone respects Nate. How did Nate even pop up in my mind?

"Let's go Alix," Nicholas said. His tone was completely different. It was kind.. calm.

I followed behind him as we made way to the bottom floor. The room was dark and smelled like cleaning supplies. It was a garage filled with cars. A garage that smelled like cleaning supplies. There were a lot of expensive cars parked row by rows. I spotted the one that Nate took me in.

"Are all of these Nate's?" I asked curiously.

"Most of them are," Nicholas responded. "But some are ours also."

"Is there a reason why he has so much?" I asked.

"Nate's a very important person in our society.." Nicholas said. "He's easily targeted by rogues so he can't use the same car over and over again. If he does, they can easily identify him. That's why he drives a different car once in a while."

"I see." I nodded understandingly. Just by looking at Nate you could tell he is an important person. I wouldn't be surprised if he was secretly a king of some other country.

"Well, this one is my car." We both stood in front of a silver Volvo.
"Oh, cool," I said so casually.

"I'm surprised you're not getting excited like some girls," Nicholas chuckled, opening the door for me. I stepped in and he closed it for me. As he entered the car and closed the door, I responded to his remark.

"Well I'm not like other girls," I twiddled my thumbs awkwardly.

"Knowing you," Nicholas replied, "you'd be blushing like hell."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I exclaimed turning my gaze to him.

"Nothing." He smiled, opening the garage door that lead outside.

"Oh, one more thing," he said.

"Huh, what?" I asked.

"You forgot your shoes." Then he drove off.


***

We arrived at my house soon after. He parked in front of my house at the gate. "Thank you for the ride," I said as I closed the car door.

"Call me when you're ready, alright?" He said.

"Yeah, okay." I waved as he drove off. I felt someone's breathing on my neck.

"So you finally exchanged numbers, eh?" A familiar voice said. It frightened me and I did a defensive stance reflexively.

"Jane?" I placed my heart on my chest and breathed. She looked like a mess. Her hair was frizzy, she was in her pajamas and she had dark circles under her eyes.

As I called out her name, Ness came running outside the house. I bent down, rubbed her fur and petted her.

"Jane, what's wrong?" I scanned my eyes at her appearance again as I stood up.

"Quit eyeing me and come inside already," she mumbled. "And where are your shoes?" I followed her inside the house. I sat on the stool at the island as she made coffee.

She placed a cup of coffee in front of me, sat down and drank hers. "Ahh, it's been a while since I drank something."

"What?" I exclaimed and got out of the stool. "Don't tell me you haven't eaten anything either."

"Well.." She trailed off, staring into her cup.

"Why haven't you eaten?" I asked angrily.

"You shouldn't be the one lecturing me," she said. "I had to force you to eat."

"Bu-"

"But what?" She glowered. "What do you expect from me?! I was worried sick!"

"There wasn't anything to worry about!" I screamed back at her. "I was fine being there! It's where I was bound to be anyway!"

"Who says?" She slammed her fists on the granite.

It didn't make sense to shout anymore. It wouldn't solve anything, it'd just stir up more conflict between us. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"It didn't make sense for me to come here to clear up everything anyway," I sighed. "I'll just pack my clothes."

As I walked away to go upstairs, she grabbed my wrist. I turned my head to look at her to see tears streaming down her flushed cheeks.

"I-" She clenched her teeth. Before she could continue from where she left off, someone was slamming there hands on the door.

"I'll go get it." I walked towards the door. I opened it and it was opening a present to see something surprising. But instead, it was someone. A bloody Austin - the man that hurt my aunt. His clothes were torn and so was his flesh.

"Alix.." He groaned. Was this a dream? It had to be. My eyes widened as they couldn't help but to rummage at his body.

"W-who is it?" My aunt's voice snapped me out of the trance.

"N-nobody!" I can't let my aunt see him. If she did, she'd probably let him bleed out on our doorstep. I don't blame her if she felt that way. He's the one that shattered her into a million pieces. It-

"Why is Austin at our door?" Her mood changed immediately. She looked like she was ready to kick him even though he looked beaten up enough.

"Ja-" And then, she slammed the door.

"Jane!" I shouted at her back.

"What?" She snapped.

"What do you mean what?" I furrowed my eyebrows. "There's a man bleeding to death on our doorstep!"

"He doesn't concern me anymore or you," she said.

"Of course he does!" I responded angrily. "He's on the step of the house you live in. If he dies, you can be one of the reasons of why he died."

"Why would I help the man who hurt me?" Her voice trembled. "Huh? Why should I? You wouldn't know anything."

"I don't know anything," I said calmly. "But I know full well that you still love him."

"No I -"

"Stop acting so stubborn like a child already!" I clenched my fists. "I should be the stubborn one here!"

"Alix.." Jane rubbed her eyes.

"I'm not your concern anymore," I said. "He is. Now go help him."

She walked to the door with an awkward expression but then came back with a different expression as she helped him to the couch. I moved away from them as she rushed to his to side to help with his cuts. I took out my phone and called Nicholas .

"Alix, you're ready already?" He asked.

"No.. it's just that I found a familiar bloody man on my doorstep.." I awkwardly stated.

"A bloody man on your footstep?" He asked. "Not your everyday average thing but what's really the problem?"

"The cuts on him.." I glanced at Austin. "They resemble claw marks.."

"Claw marks?" He repeated.

I don't know anything but maybe it was the right thing to do - to face the someone who was tugging at her heart and get rid of it. But if he wanted her again, I wouldn't second the relationship. You can't be fixed by the same person that broke you.

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