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Chapter twenty-two
‘Madness’ Ruelle
ROMAN CUT
My damn heart is beating wildly in my chest; anger, frustration, and confusion being the most prominent emotions pushing through my veins. Angry that Jaz is running, frustration that I don't know what's spurred her bloody attack, and confusion that it happened at all. Why won't she let me in? What is she afraid of?
No. That doesn't sound right. Fear isn't what's pushing her paws to the ground. It's shame. I saw it written in her eyes as clear as the crescent moon is in the sky.
"Jaz!" I roar through the woods as I run after her. I follow her scent which is slightly different, almost metallic, but I can't pinpoint the exact scent because her usual dandelion and moon rays overpowers it.
Fucking stop and talk to me!
I've tried reaching her through our link, but she's got that damnable wall up. A mental barrier of bricks and cement covered in a hundred layers of tar, keeps me from reaching her. Foregoing the human legs, I shift into my black wolf, ripping through my clothing and landing on all four paws. The woods light up around me, my wolf's night vision allowing me to see deeper than my human eyes could. My ears twist and turn, latching on to the sounds of the creatures resting for the night. I can hear the chatter of squirrels and the clicking of beetles, but it's the sound of a racing heart that I cling to.
I pick up my pace as I chase down my woman, following the beat of a breaking heart and the scent of wilting dandelions.
Why she's determined to run is beyond me, but I don't allow cowards in my pack and I sure as fuck won't allow one to own my soul. Jaz will face whatever it is that damaged her reputation tonight, and she won't face it alone. I'm not sure what happened tonight, but I know that that was not the Jaz I've come to know and respect. Someone will answer for this, unfortunately, I don't know who that someone is just yet.
Before I stopped her, I spotted her stomping through the crowd to Sara. She looked pissed off and ready for a fight, but she didn't look enraged and out of control until Loanie stepped in her path. I know she doesn't like the girl; she's made no secret of her disdain for the redheaded club Sweet, but what I witnessed was more than a simple dislike. It was pure hatred.
I slow my run to a jog when I hear the howl just up ahead. Slowly I make my way through the trees, careful to keep my steps silent. Her brilliant white coat is the first thing I see, it glows in the soft moonlight. The second thing I see tears me apart. Her head is hanging low as she sits on her haunches, her howl directed at the ground rather than the moon.
Instead of shifting and demanding answers like I truly want to, my wolf urges me forward. Jaz either ignores my presence or doesn't notice me until I'm sitting next to her. I look up to the sky and release my own howl. I feel her jerk next to me, but she doesn't run away as I thought she would. Instead, her howl joins my own and together we sing our mournful tune to the Ancients.
After a few moments, Jaz lays on the ground, nudging her head under me as I continue to sit guard over her. I watch the trees dancing in the wind as my mate sits in her silence, her pain radiating through my own body... or maybe it's my own pain. I'm not going to say that someone's pain is more than another's, but knowing Jaz, my soul's mate, is in emotional turmoil is something I never want to feel again.
I could have killed her, Roman.Jaz's voice rings in my head, And I wouldn't have even known why.
I bring my nose down to her snout, nudging her as I speak in her mind,but you didn't. She is alive and will heal. But I need you to tell me what happened; this won't go away no matter how long you hide from it. We are not Raider Pack, we are Cutthroats and unlike our name suggests, we don't backstab each other. If you can explain what happened, they will listen.
Jaz climbs to her paws and begins to pace,I was trying to remember what happened before—before I attacked her, but it's vague and the memories flee the moment I grasp them.
Do you remember telling me you were looking for Zatrina?
Jaz pauses her pacing, her eyes swinging to mine,I didn't but now that you mention it, I'm beginning to remember. I was waiting for her at the steps out front. I told her earlier that I'd meet her, and we'd go to the party together, but she never showed up. I—I found her inside with Atticus.
There is a memory lapse there. I felt it as you replayed that. Someone has put a block on your mind, possibly to cover their tracks. It's why your scent is different.
My scent is different?she turns in a circle as if she can see the change on her.
I stand, walking over to her and pull in a lungful of her,I can't put a name to the scent, but it has to be magic.
Just as she begins to speak, there's the unmistakable sounds of feet stomping on the ground followed by Zatrina and Atticus bursting through the tree line.
"What the fuck happened?" Atticus barks, "We get out to the party and there's practically a riot. Sara claims Jaz lost control and randomly attacked a Sweet, almost killing her."
Zatrina brings a bundle over to Jaz and me, "Clothes. Shift so we can—" Zatrina freezes, a hiss falling from between her clenched teeth, "Dark Bloods. I recognize the hex. Someone had to have been close enough to send it to her."
Jaz and I shift at the same time, quickly pulling on our clothes as both Atticus and Zatrina look away. I thought it was funny, cute even, when Jaz showed her jealousy at my nakedness around women, but knowing that for just a second or two, Atticus could have seen her body has my teeth grinding.Not the time, asshole.
"So, there's a Dark Blood amongst us?" Jaz asks as she smooths the black tank over her stomach.
"We need to speak with Sara. She'll be able to remove the curse."
I grab Jaz's hand, but Atticus' words stop me, "I don't think she will, brother. She stopped me before we came out here—"
"The bitch said my sister and I are a danger to the pack, and we should be exiled immediately. She had no issue saying this in front of me as if I didn't exist. Your people seem to agree with her."
