Chapter 17: Everybody has been scarred

A huge black wolf was in front of me protecting me like a shield. He hissed at the cream she-wolf who
currently had her fangs on the black wolf's shoulder. The black wolf, though injured, didn't fight back
instead he whimpered.

I know this wolf!

"Carter!" I almost shouted unbelievingly. He had defended me against Ehren. But why?

Ehren removed her fangs on his shoulder and hesitantly stepped back. She growled at him, a warning
to step away from me. I lowered my gaze to the ground and noticed blood tainted the trimmed grass
into red. Carters!

He growled back with the same fervor and totally hide my view from Ehren's cream wolf, pacing a short
distance. She didn't take it nicely though and prepared to attack the black wolf.

When they were both about to lunge at each other, I didn't think twice as I shifted mid-air and jumped
towards them which definitely was a bad move but it was too late.

Just when I thought I would be hit by them, a red wolf, scarlet fur as blood came on top of me and
growled terrifyingly that even my wolf felt coward by the mere sound of it. Momentarily stopping the two
from attacking each other and me.

I tried to get out under him but he growled at me and nudged my side. For once, I obeyed him which
surprised me a lot but thought it would not be best to anger him more.

I sneak a glance at Ehren and noticed she was now in human form dressed in a plain big shirt and
kneeled at the ground with head leveled low. Xyrus must have ordered them to shift back.

Gabbiel came to view and push Ehren towards the packhouse rather roughly. She narrowed her eyes
at him but obeyed eventually. Carter too, followed them inside. Even the pack members were walking



away one by one. What was happening?

When they all left, Xyrus let me go and nudged me to follow him. Having to see Xyrus' scarlet wolf with
eyes the same as his human form was a privilege since he doesn't shift often.

I let my eyes wandered from the fur in his head 'til his paws. I was awestruck by its beauty which in my
opinion was the largest wolf ever. Compared to him, I was like a little kitten.

You would think purple wolves are weird, but red wolves are the rarest of them. From what I've heard,
they've come from the royal bloodline of werewolves before the revolution. Nonetheless, they were just
like us, nothing different.

"You coming?" His mind linked. He looked angry. I followed him into the forest, keeping my distance.

"What about the challenge?" I can't help but ask.

"It's finished."

I followed him until we were surrounded by enough trees. He went behind a tree and got a shirt. He
tossed it in my direction.

"Change. Now." He emphasized each word. I went behind a tree and change.

I cautiously got out of the tree but was shoved back, my back hitting the trunk gently. My breath hitched
as I gazed at the stormy eyes of the alpha, standing too close to my liking.

I shrieked, surprised when he suddenly punched the tree I was leaning on and my heart thudded
crazily.

"What were you thinking!"

"I... I..." I stuttered.



"How could you be so careless! You could have hurt yourself! Hasn't anyone told you jumping between
two wolves is dangerous?!"

He wasn't holding back. He was furious and I was struck speechless.

"I... Uhm..."

"If I hadn't interfered just in time who knows what might happen to you! How could you be so stupid?!"

He didn't just dare call me stupid!

"I was in a fight Xyrus! ...you know I would hurt myself one way or another." I almost shouted.

"That doesn't justify anything!" He snapped.

"It does!" I laughed bitterly. "Besides, I could have survived it even without you inter--"

Another punch above my head cut off my rant. Xyrus was breathing hard. He closed his eyes and
leaned his head onto my forehead. I gasped.

"Stop the act, Willow. Stop all of it." He said in a painful voice.

"What act?" I asked breathlessly.

"Of you being, 'I don't need you, I can do it myself, I don't need anyone, I'm fine being alone' crap. All of
it... All of it Willow." He cupped my face with one hand. "Stop doing it to yourself."

No... I am not like that. Or am I?

"Everybody has been scarred by their past one way or another. Nightmares aren't the real problem
Willow." He opened his eyes and I saw the frustration in them. He was so close, too close.



"It's the fear of facing those nightmares alone every time."

My sight blurred from tears. He got me. He was right. There was nothing more painful than having to
face your nightmares every day without anyone to help you endure them.

I felt his lips touched my right cheek and lingered a soft sweet kiss there and then he was gone fast as
the wind. I was left cold, baffled, hurt, and missing his warmth.


62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda