Chapter 27

Answer to the riddle: Nothing.

That's the thing about pain it demands to be felt.

Chapter 27

Wanting to think of anything else, I bring up another question.

"Can I train with the rest of the pack?"

A frown imprints on my face at his short and curt reply.

"No."

"Because you're a girl." Just as I was swallowing a sip of my coffee, I almost spat it out.

Jason started laughing while handing me some napkins.

"It's not funny!" I grab the napkins harshly from his hands and start drying my lips.

"I was kidding," he finally get out.

When he notices I'm not comprehending, he goes on, "about you not being able to train because you're a girl."

"Oh, so I can train?" I reassure.

"No," he says again.

"But you just said-"

"You can't train, but other females can."

Frowning once more, I reply, "Why not?"

"Because you're Luna."

"Am not." I say stubbornly.

"Are too."

"Am not!

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Am not!" A smirk formed on my lips.

"Ha, you agreed."

"I was attempting to use reverse psychology."

"Well, you failed. Now, why aren't I allowed to train?"

Sighing, he pushes his empty cup away.

"Rose, whether you like it or not, you're Alpha Hunter's mate. You are- or at least- will be the Luna of our pack. Luna's don't train because they'll never fight."

"Why can't I fight?"

"Because the Alpha would never let his mate get hurt."

"I won't get hurt if I train." I say determinedly.

"The Alpha would never take that chance. Plus, if you were to fight, you would be the enemies biggest target. Everyone knows the biggest way to get to the Alpha is to harm their mate." I took in Greg's words, and understood them.

But that didn't mean it was fair.

"That could go both way. I'd be worried if Hunter got hurt." If I was in charge of a pack, should I be able to fight for them?

"Rose..." He groans out my name. "Those are the rules, okay? There's nothing we can do about it."

"If it makes you feel any better, mothers can't fight either?"

"Why not?" I ask defenselessly.

He smiles at my persistence.

"They have their own tasks if a war breaks out." Looking at my reaction, he carries on, "For example, they are in charged of gathering all the pups and taking them to rescue."

Taking out his phone, he checks the time before resting his eyes back on me.

"Can I ask you something?" He says randomly.

"You just did," I tease.

Scowling playfully, he says, "I am going to ask you a question."

"Then ask!"

"Is it true Greg thought you and him were mates?"

All too quickly, my head snapped to him, craning my neck.

"Where'd you hear that?

"It was just one of their theories." His gaze doesn't reach mine.

"Their?"

As if now realizing what he said, Jason is quick to say, "No one specific. There were just rumors. There were worse ones but....err... Hunter dismissed those."

"Worse how?"

Jason hesitates before replying.

"There was one where you had apparently gotten pregnant with Greg's child, but so was Emily, and that's why she left. Then Hunter got angry at you because he blamed you for scaring Emily off. And then as revenge for what Hunter did, you had an abortion, and then got pregnant with Hunter's child."

I was stunned.

That's the worst crap I've ever heard.

"W-What.. H-How...B-But.. I'm shocked. And here we thought Humans were the unintelligent species. Don't tell me you believed that crap." I look as Jason accusingly.

"Of course not. You can't get pregnant by two different werewolves pups."

I opened my mouth prepared to yell at him some more when he cuts me off.

"Relax, no one believed it. However, Greg and you being mates on the other hand. Is it true?"

"You know I'm Hunter's mate, why would you even ask that? Werewolves only get one mate."

"But.. You felt something, didn't you? For Greg." I did. I really did.

"That would be impossible." And it was.

"Then why'd you date him?"

"Because...."

I try again, "Well, because I... liked him... he was nice...kinda. I mean at first he was kinda mean, but then we got closer and it just happened."

"You shouldn't be able to like someone else other than your mate."

"I know that, okay! What do you want me to do? I'm just weird. I knew Hunter was my mate, and yet I still loved Greg. I'm a horrible, horrible person, I get it. People half way across the world probably get it too. But Hunter's not so innocent either. When I first met him, he asked his delta to literally kidnaps me. And then there are the countless times he makes fun of me. Oh, and might I forget, he put me in a freaking jail cell. Do you really blame me for wanting to be with a nice guy like Greg?"

Jason scoffs.

"Have you already forgotten your dear beloved murdered many people, including your mates mother, and almost yourself."

Sneering, I mutter, "Those are all lies! He did no such thing. I thought Hunter was supposed to talk to everyone."

"He did talk to us, but that doesn't mean we believed him."

"He's your Alpha. You can't go against his words."

Taking a deep breath, Jason says, "I didn't say anyone would go against his words. I only meant that just because Greg is redeemed as innocent doesn't mean everyone in the pack will treat him like it. Some people are just ignorant, they believe what they want to."

Jason seemed to just confuse me by all ends. I couldn't tell whose side he is on.

"Well, perhaps you're a princess," He attempts to cheer up the mood.

"That would make everything make more sense," He adds more serious now.

"Except that's impossible considering all the Royals are dead, and I know for a fact that my family tree does not lead to a one of them." I say a little to defenselessly.

"How about your dad? You never speak much of him, what if he's not your real father?"

It was my turn to scoff, "No, I know for a fact that my dad was indeed my father by blood. On one of the last weeks of my fathers life, he needed a blood transfusion. My mothers a nurse, so she got them to do a bunch of other checks too. We've got the same DNA."

"Pity. Anyways... where is Alpha Hunter anyways?" He asks.

"Trying to find the real killer."

Silence enveloped us after that. With my drink nearly done, I pull out my phone. Jason does the same.

Just as I was starting a game, my phone starts ringing.

Aparently my 'Strong, sexy mate' is calling. Right. Still have to change that.

"Hello?" I answer.

"I'm outside. Hurry." Hunter grumbled out, then hung up.

Shocked, I stare at my phone, then at a confused looking Jason.

"Who was it?"

"Hunter, I think he's here to pick me up." Looking out through the window, Hunter was in fact sitting in his truck, impatiently waiting.

"You better go," Jason stated.

"Yeah... Have fun doing the laundry with Liv."

A dramatic gasp left Jason's mouth followed by laughter.

"Sure, sure. Now go!"

Grabbing my bag and phone, I rush out.

Hunter didn't greet me when I entered his car. Silently, he started driving.

After a while of silence, I ask, "Are you okay?"

It was a habit I have always had. When ever I see someone distressed, too quiet, or just acting strange, I ask if they are okay. I would always do it to Soph and my mother.

I know the answer is yes. It always is. Put I guess I just fear the day that one day that answer will be no.

That things won't be okay.

"Yes," Hunter answers simply.

"You sure?" His eyes glance at mine for a second before making their way back to the streets ahead.

"Yes."

I accepted his answer as I didn't want to push. We all mourn in our different ways.

"Where are we going?" Just as I ask this, Hunter pulls into a parking lot.

I recognized it instantly.

"We're visiting Greg." I meant it as a question, but it came as a statement.

"Come on." Before I knew it, Hunter was out of his seat and had my door open as well.

A little taken aback by his quick movements, I hesitate before stepping out.

Hunter grabs onto my wrist with one hand, while slamming the door with the other one.

Walking speedily with my wrist tight in his grip, I struggle to keep up to his pace.

"Can we slow down?" I mutter.

"No."

"Then let go of my wrist!" My voice came out louder than I expected, his grip only tightening.

He is so not okay.

*        *       *

Eventually, Hunter both lets go and walks slower. The guards unlock the doors for us, my eyes not leaving the floor.

"When will you be releasing him?" I ask as we walk further away.

"Tonight." Hunter assures.

Hunter walks me through the halls until we reach the end.

"C-Can I talk to him alone?"

Hunter's facial expression hardened, but he nodded anyways.

Griping the handle, I look back to see Hunter standing with his arms crossed, feet planted.

"Can't you like go for a walk or something?" I suggest.

"I'm not leaving you alone with him." He says stubbornly.

"Please Hunter, right now may be the last time I'll ever see him. I just want to talk."

"We're not killing him, he's going to be free, don't be so dramatic."

"Please, Hunter. I promise I'll never see him again after this." I beg for him to see the grieve in my eyes.

Sighing, he agrees.

"I'll come out when I'm done. And I'm serious Hunter, I just want privacy just this once."

"You're really not going to see him anymore?" He asks skeptically.

"I've caused him enough pain."

I hear the small echoes of his footsteps as he walks away.

Opening the door, I mentally chant,

For Greg.

*        *        *

"Rose!" His eyes brightened instantly.

Greg looked rough, but better than the last time I had seen him.

Despite his tired appearance, he still looked good.

"How are you feeling?" I ask, taking a seat across from him.

"Like the luckiest man alive." I raise my eyebrow at him.

"Now that you're here," He adds.

"You're too cheesy," A wide grin spreads on my face.

"So they're letting me out tonight." Greg states.

"I heard. You deserve it after all, you are innocent. Always have been." Greg nods in agreement.

There was a moment of silence as we just stared at each other.

"What's bothering you?" He asks.

Giving him a sad smile, I reply, "How do you know somethings bothering me?"

"I know you, Rose." Just the way he said my name, I believed him.

"Do you remember the first day we  met?" I ask randomly.

"In the forest or in my car?"

"Car."

A smile so pure found it's way to his lips. At once, all the pain and saddens wiped from his face, as it was replanted with joy.

"Oh I remember."

"You were mean to me." I pout.

Chuckling, he says, "I had my reasons."

"Liiikeee?" I extend the word.

"Well, for one, I was very confused. I had all those thoughts about us being mates in my head. When I noticed you were in the pack we were taking over, I wanted to keep my distance. Just my luck, because an hour after that thought, Hunter comes up to me demanding for me to bring you to him."

"Why did you want to keep your distance from me?"

"Because I couldn't control my self around you. You are the definition of beautiful."

A blush tainted my cheeks as I registered what he said. Why does it sound so familiar.

'Her long brown hair, her big hazel eyes. Just her sight alone made me freeze. She was the definition of beautiful.'

"You've said that to me before. When you described that girl you saw in the forest with Hunter" I say shyly.

"Well, it's true."

"You offered me a place to stay when I was left by Hunter," I mention, remembering the memory.

"If only you had stayed longer."

"Naa I would have annoyed you." I tease.

"Well, you sure know how to wake a person up."

At the mention of that, I remember when I woke Greg up by drenching him in water.

"I do admit, you deserved that for being mean to me." We both laugh quietly.

"You know as lame as it sounds, you were my first boyfriend. My first date. My first kiss."

"I'm happy to be your first. If only I could be your last." As Greg spoke, his eyes searched mine.

I didn't cower back. Not like I wanted to. I stared right back at him, looking deep into his eyes.

A distant look clouded him.

"Insidious 3," He said.

"What?"

"That the movie we saw on our date."

"I remember that. It seems you wanted to scare me into a second date," I joke.

I carry on, "you know what I also remember. A certain man too embarrassed to admit their age."

Greg scoffs, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're so old, when you went to school there was no History class."

Greg stared at me blankly before bursting out in laughter.

"That was the worst joke I have ever heard."

Crossing my arms dramatically, smiling I say, "You try then."

"Alright, alright. Do you smoke weed?" He asks amusingly.

"What! No of course not. Why would you even ask that?"

Giving me a cheeky smile, he says, "Cuz' weed be cute together."

Without thinking, I whisper, "We would, wouldn't we."

Greg's face warmed at my comment.

Thank god I sent Hunter away.

The small smile on my face escaped at the thoughts in my head. Gulping silently, I mentally prepare myself for what I need to say.

"Greg, you need to leave."

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I wanted to have more stuff in this chapter, but I already made you guys wait this long, I didn't want to make you wait anymore.

Anyways, I hope you liked it!

Comments are encouraged!

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XOXO-Jada