Chapter 19

Okay, so I know many people are annoyed by Rose, and trust me, I understand! But there's a reason why she's like that. If I made her confess everything then it would just ruin the future plot. However, for those who are really irritated, I'll try to tone Rose down. :)

Anyhow, enjoy!

It's hard to watch people change, but it's harder to remember who they used to be.

Chapter 19

"Rose?" The sudden voice startled me as I crumpled the note in my hand and shoved it into my pocket.

"Yes?" I ask innocently.

"What did you just hide from me?"

My mind pondered on what to do. Perhaps Hunter really could help.

"Okay, I have to tell you something, but you have to promise you'll control your temper."

"What temper?" He scoffs.

Before I could change my mind, Hunter had already reached into my sweater pocket and snatched the paper.

"Hey! You can't do that!"

"Just did," He smirks before unraveling the note.

"Hunter, wait!" Hunter ignored my protest and began reading the words.

I saw as his face morphed from humor to shock, then finally to rage.

"Who sent you this?" Hunter was shouting out in anger, but I knew it wasn't aiming for me. Well.. I hope not.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"I mean, I really don't know.The person never put their name on it."

Hunter read the note again, his hands in fists.

"Do you not know what this is? Rose, this is a threat to not only you, but me as well. It all connects now."

Hunter shakes his head, his eyes concentrating on the horrid note.

"The killings, Rose, they all match up.Someone's attacking my pack and their going after my mate and pack members. Except, the killings started more then a week ago, and you just got this now, I assume."

I look away from Hunter's haunting eyes.

"Right?" Hunter asked loudly.

"Rose, please tell me this is the first note you got."

"Well, I may have gotten one or a few other notes before."

"What!" And now Hunter was angry at me

"You said you would control your temper!"

"Why the hell didn't you tell me as soon as you got the first one, Rose?" This time, Hunter didn't speak as harshly.

"I-I didn't know how'd you'd react. Plus, you ended up locking me in a cell for a night, I didn't know if I could trust you."

"And now you can?"

"Now I don't have a choice."

Hunter didn't speak, his face deep in thought.

"Hunter?"

"Jaxon is on his way as we speak. He has the report on the couple."

"The one who died?"

"Yes," Hunter spoke sternly, but deep down I knew how much it bothered him that two of his pack members died.

Any Alpha would be worried.

"W-Were they mates?"

"They were. Except they were killed differently."

"What do you mean?"

He sighs, "I don't know much right now, I need Jaxon to come with all the documents."

Speak of the devil.

I heard a car door slam, and seconds later the door bell ring. Hunter nearly jogged to the door. When he got there, Hunter let Jaxon in but grabbed the papers from his hands before even saying hi.

As I walked down the last steps of the stairs, my eyes connected with Jaxons. Instead of speaking, I just smiled, in which he gave a short nod.

"Is this it?" Hunter asked in his serious mode.

"That's it."

Both Hunter and Jaxon walked towards the dining room, sitting down and staring at some papers.

"What is that?" I ask, also sitting down.

Hunter looked up from his papers, I expected him to be angry or annoyed since I was including myself with them. However, that wasn't the case.

"It was one male, one female. Mates, just had a 3 year old little boy. They were on their way to the park when attacked, by the time anyone found them, both adults were dead, the child crying endlessly on the floor."

I was shocked. How could people be so cruel?

"The guy, he had many wounds on his body, looks like he was beaten to death."

"The grin on the other hand, she has black spots all over her skin."

"Like.. On the outside? Or was it inner?"

"It was like black veins popping out, but in random spots. We've never seen anything like it. It wasn't even some weird disease. Other than a common headache, a werewolf is immune to any other sickness." Jaxon was the one who informed me more about what happened.

"Then what is it? How did the person kill them?"

"We're considering a type of drug."

"For a werewolf?"

"Well, if it killed one, then yes. Whoever these people are, they're not playing games. They're going straight for the neck."

"Maybe not." Hunter spoke up, taking my note and tossing it over to Jaxon.

Beta Jaxon read it over,his face furrowing.

"Roses are lying. What does that mean?"

"I don't know." I mean sure, I lied to Greg about us being mates, but that has nothing to do with this creepy stalker.

"Well, at least now we know who the killer is. We should have never trusted him." Hunter nodded in agreement to his Beta's words.

"Wait, you know who did it, who?"

"Greg."

My features froze, my mouth hanging slightly open.

"You're joking, right? Greg didn't kill those people. I thought we already went through this. You banished Greg, I proved he was innocent, and now he's supposed to be left alone."

"And how exactly did you prove he was innocent?" Hunter asked, his face showing no emotion.

"He- He. I mean, I-" I was at a loss for words, my mind completely blanking.

Hunter was right. I hadn't necessarily proven Greg innocent, as I just made a deal with him. But then again, Greg was always innocent. There's nothing to prove.

"What happened to innocent until proven guilty? You have no proof that Greg did any of that."

"The proof is right here!" Hunter said angrily, scrunching the note in his fist, then raising it.

"Greg didn't write that. He has no reason to. Plus, I know for a fact that Greg didn't kill those people."

"Oh really? What, were you with Greg at the time the couple was murdered?" Hunter spoke out sarcastically.

"Maybe."

Hunter's eyes enlarge, taking many short breaths, his hands shaking in fury.

"You- you were with Greg today?" Hunter even had his teeth clenched.

Maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut... But I couldn't let them wrongfully blame Greg.

"I-I bumped into him at Shoppers Drug mart when I was buying Tylenol."

Jaxon spoke before Hunter could.

"You only bumped into him, even if you stayed to talk, what is that? 30 minutes at most. He killed them after. Perhaps your interference triggered something in him."

"No, it wasn't like that. He had cuts and bruises all over his face, which was from my beloved mate," I give Hunter an irritated look before continuing.

"I just helped him clean up. He was with me, he couldn't have done it."

"You don't even know what time the people were mercilessly killed, how do you know he was with you at that time?"

"Because I know Greg didn't do it. Greg isn't the monster, and if you take him, you'll just see how wrong you are."

"Where were you at 2?"

"With Greg." I could see Hunter's hands turning white from his tight grip. He clenched harder every time I said Greg.

"I called you at around 2:30 and you said you were at home. Was Greg with you then?" I couldn't look at Hunter.

"Well, not exactly, I mean, he was with me before that but when you called me, he was gone. But he didn't do it!"

Hunter didn't look to convinced.

"Hunter, he didn't do it. You have to believe me. I know you guys hate Greg, but he isn't a killer."

"You believe me, right Jaxon?" I gave him a hopeful look.

"I'm sorry, Rose, but it all adds up. He meets you, you guys start having this thing, then someone dies." He gives a short glance at Hunter before looking back at me.

"He leaves for a while and every things okay, he comes back and a few days later someone dies."

"That doesn't mean he killed them!" I shout, standing up.

"It's a coincidence, okay! Or hell, maybe he's being framed, or it's all in your head. But I know for a fact that Greg did nothing wrong and I'm not going to sit here and listen to you guys single him out."

"Don't speak to me like that, you may be my mate, but I am still your Alpha."

"Screw you Hunter! You broke our deal! You said you wouldn't hurt Greg, well guess what, Roses aren't the only ones who lie! Hunters lie as well."

"No, I said I wouldn't kill him. Not that he would be all safe. He should have known better then to walk up to me and demand for his rank back. He disrespected me." Well.. I didn't know that part of the story.

"Yeah, well it shouldn't have mattered anyways! You took away his rank for no good reason. And god forbid if someone disrespects the almighty Alpha Hunter. Hmm is that chair comfy enough for you? You looked parched, should I get you a glass of water?" I mock.

"ENOUGH!" Hunter screamed, standing up as well. His height making him look even more intimidating.

"Just because you hate the truth doesn't allow you to lash out. Look at you, Rosalyn, you've said and heard so many lies that you're believing them. Think about it from anyone else point of view, Greg is angry that I kicked him out and so in revenge he kills two of my members."

"That's not true. And the letters started before anyone died."

"He is obsessive. That's why you got the letters from the beginning. The more time you spent with me, the worse it got."

"You don't know anything."

"We almost kiss, and so someone dies."

"We did not almost kiss! And anyways. that doesn't mean Greg is the killer."

"Stop defending him! You stand up and dare call me a monster, but look at the man you lay your loyalty with. I am no more of a monster than he is."

"That's not fair. You can't compare yourself to him."

"Of course not, there's nothing to compare. And even if you did, the results are obvious. I'm better, faster, stronger, smarter, more powerful."

"Yeah, well, despite all that, he still beats you."

"Oh really, well do I even need to remind you that I am your mate? You may act as if I am the most revolting person in the world, but you could never truly hate me."

"I don't care about any of that. Mate or not, I don't hate you Hunter." A smug look appeared on his face.

"But I don't love you. I love Greg."

Very, very slowly, Hunter's face inched from his smirk to neutral. Even though I could't see a frown on his face, when I looked into his eyes I saw them filled with emotions.

I hate you, they said. And right now, I hated me too.

Hunter left after that, muttering to Jaxon that he needed to cool off before he did something he regretted.

I was scared that he may go in search for Greg, but Jaxon assured me that he wouldn't.

"He just needs sometime alone. What you said, it really hurt him."

"I didn't mean to, I mean I did, but I just wanted to wipe the look off his face. Sometimes he just gets under my skin and I hate it!"

"But you don't hate him," Jaxon stated.

"No, I don't. He's my mate. I may treat him like he's the worst, but I guess I'm just scared. The more time I spend with Hunter, the more civilized he acts."

I chuckle, "Who knew Hunter could scare people by being nice."

"You know, he may put on this front as if he's invincible. Which for the most part, he is. But deep down, he's breakable. Just remember that Rose, the next time you want to hurt him."

Jaxon's words gave me something to think of as he walked out.

I was now completely alone, with nothing but negative thoughts running through my head.

I decided I need some fresh air, so I grab my phone and put on my shoes.

Maybe Soph wants to hang out. I begin walking around Hunter's block while dialing her phone number.

It's good we got her a phone, I mean, I didn't get mine till grade 10, and she's only in 8th grade, but it's safer to have one.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Soph, what's up?"

"I'm just walking, just finished from school."

"Oh, do you wan't me to pick you up? I can get you and maybe we can go out for some ice cream or something? I miss you, I feel like I haven't seen you for weeks."

"Rose, I saw you yesterday."

"Yeah, but, still. I'm bored, let's do something. If I do recall, you were the one to always beg me to take you places." I felt slightly offended that Soph, my sister didn't want to hang out with me.

"Look, Rose, I'm walking home with Eric, we were actually on the way to bowling with some other friends."

"Does mom know?"

"Yes, Rose, mom knows and she's okay with it. I'm not a child anymore."

"Pfft I know that."

"Don't you have any friends of your own?"

"Of course I do, but can't I just want to hang out with my little sister?"

"Do you hear yourself? Rose, you need to make some friends, take you mind off all this craziness."

At the reminder of everything that's going on, I start getting concerned.

"You guys are okay, right? Did you hear about those two mates?"

"Yes, we did. Don't worry, the pack warriors cleared the area. Who ever did it, they've cleared their tracks."

"So, you've finally believed me that it wasn't Greg?"

"I- I don't know. Honestly, I rather just not think about it. I'll leave that for the higher ranks. Just be safe, Rose, whether your with Greg, or Hunter."

"I will, you too. And I do too have friends!" She laughs.

"Then go to them and stop talking to me, you loser."

"Shut up. Bye Soph,"

I realized that Soph was right. I don't have any friends, I used to have Liv, Top and Jason. But that's all gone now.

I haven't even seen them since the big incident in the cafeterias.

I wonder if they'd treat me differently if they found out Hunter, their Almighty Alpha, is my mate.

Probably. They'd all suck up. It's kinda sad when you think about it.

It seems that everyone from my previous pack has adapted quite easily to their new surrounding.

When I first imagined my pack being taken over by the Dark Moon Pack, I thought it would be the end. The worst part wasn't even the thought of my pack being destroyed, no, the worst was the thoughts that rushed through my head.

Because maybe, just maybe If everything did end, I would be in heaven with my dad.

People die every minute, which means there are families suffering non-stop. I don't know how they do it.

I don't know how I did it.

I like to tell myself that my father was a bad father. That he never cared for us kids.

In the end, despite him being a bad dad, he was still a good person. He loved my mother to no ends, he made her happy.

Sure, now Jake makes my mom happy, but it's never the same. My mom will smile, laugh and blush, but very rarely will it reach her eyes.

You know what they say, eyes are the window to the soul.

I was too busy thinking that I nearly missed Hunter's house.

Had I really walked in a complete circle already?

I walked to the house, I doubt Hunter is home right now.

The door was unlocked, just like I had left it. In my defense, I would have locked it if Hunter had given me a key.

With everything going on, I felt a little uneasy. For all I know, the killer could be waiting in there. Eating a sandwich and drinking some wine, waiting for me to walk into his knife.

And knowing me, I'd slip on the wine, some how choke on the sandwich, and literally walk into the knife.

Yeah... I have one wild imagination.

Well, there was no man eating a sandwich. The house appeared empty of any other person.

I didn't want to be paranoid and check the upper level, so Instead I decide to get something to eat.

Without even looking at the fridge, I grab the handle and swing it open.

Surprisingly, it was filled with food. I wonder who does the grocery shopping, I doubt it's Hunter himself.

I nearly laugh out loud thinking of Hunter picking out lemons from a basket and putting them in bags.

Remembering the stack of Oreo boxes in the cupboard, I grab the jug of milk from the fridge.

I pour a cup of milk, then open one of the boxes of Oreos and place a few on a plate.

What if Hunter get's mad? I feel like the Oreos are his guilty pleasure.

Oh well, he summoned me to his house, he better expect I'd eat all his food, or at least his favorites.

I grab the jug to put it back in the fridge when I notice things on the fridge. There was two pictures hanging on the fridge by magnets. One was of a family with one little boy and a loving couple.

It must be Hunter. Even as a child, Hunter was very cute.

The second picture was of Hunter holding a woman's hand. Their features looked so alike I assume its him and his mother. Hunter never talks about his family. All I know is that they've passed, and to never. ever mention it to him. It's something that only he can talk about.

In the picture he looked about ten years old, his dimples were even more noticeable.  He was smiling so brightly, I don't think I have ever seen him look so happy.

My heart melted a little from the picture. Hunter was very dangerous, mean, and cruel, but he is like that for a reason. Not that I think it's okay for him to do all the things he does, but I understand it.

A smile was framed on my own face, but quickly dropped when something in the corner of the fridge caught my eye.

It wasn't a picture, but a note. A very familiar looking note.

It was the note that I had gotten this morning, all crumpled up now.

Had Hunter placed it here?

I lifted the magnet to get the paper, but instead, another note fell down. Apparently there was something else behind the note.

I grab the note from the floor and read it.

Deny my existence, or see my consistence.

You know what they say, snitches get stitches.

It took me a few seconds to understand what the note meant. Did the killer want me to deny to Hunter and Jaxon about the notes? But they've already seen it. This doesn't make sense.

Unless they want us to just stop looking? Maybe the Killer is afraid we're going to catch him.

What ever the note meant, I didn't even have much time to think about it before the door shoved open and in came Hunter.

Hunter wore nothing but a pair of shorts, leaving his body all out in the open. It took everything in me not to stare.

Hunter was all sweaty and panting from running.

"Rose," He said with a determined voice.

"We need to talk."

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Do you really think Greg is the Killer?

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XOXO-Jada