Barely Breathing

Chapter 29: A war has just begun

"A war has just begun." Luna Fae finished.

Her jaw tensed up while staring at me with mixed emotions different from the motherly care I'm used to. It's like she was unwrapping on her mind the little pieces of secrets that I am, not that I can blame her though.

"Soon, blood will shed and lives will be taken. It's just a matter of time before the council will know what transpired here. They will know. They always do." She spoke.

"But the war has stop years ago. It can't be. No way there is a war coming, just…not possible." I shook my head, unbelieving and pondering the ordeal we've got ourselves into.

I was expecting everyone to soon agree with me but no one did. The others took their time looking at the ground or elsewhere and it seemed everyone knows something I don't.

"Willow..." Tash hesitated.

"Luna, what Jasper has to do with the war?" I asked, determined to cross understanding of why his death meant something other than what supposed it was.

"You know the boy." Alpha Caden stated perceptively.

"Yes..." I hesitated, finding the right words to say. Observing everyone as to what I am about to reveal. I had been keeping this my whole life, maybe this is the right time to let go of the past.

“Fourteen years ago, his father, the alpha of Darkwood pack, attacked us and made us all slave, what was left of us," I confessed.

Tash gasped. "I - I... you never told me that. Y-you even lied! You said you're an orphan and a rogue ever since."

Hurt flashed on my best friend’s face and guilt instantly washed over me knowing I lied to her about my past. Of all people, after all she has done for me. I should have told her but I was so coward to do so.

"Tash, I--" How am I supposed to defend myself from lies? But she already turned her back to me.

"Interesting." Alpha Caden whispered after a moment, curiosity lingered in his eyes then his gaze shifted from mine to whoever was on my back. "I do wish to tell you but it is not my portion to share with."

I felt a hard chest slightly touching my back, so close that I could smell his rich alluring scent. Xyrus buried his nose in my hair, inhaling my scent just above my ear, partly kissing my probably messy ginger hair.

He wasn't touching me at all yet him burying half his face on my hair made me feel tingly and warmth rose traitorously on my cheeks.

"Are you tired, princess?" He whispered in my ear, making me redder than I probably am.

"Y-yeah" I stuttered.

His body felt warm and comforting under the now fading halo of snow. My breath caught up in my throat as he suddenly spun me around facing him.

His chest colliding in mine, my body fitting his perfectly in a tight, comforting hug. This time, he buried his nose in my neck, his breath tickling my exposed skin creating a tingling sensation that spreads through my body making my knees felt wobbly. I stay still, not daring to move as I was succumbed by his undeniably possessive hold. Forgetting everyone else.

"Who is he to you?" He whispered; his deep voice laced with something else.

"Someone I ran from," I replied.

"Do you like him?" He paused. I could feel his muscles tensed up just by the way his body felt rigid and arms tighten more on my waist, too tight.

"N-no."

He sighed, giving me goosebumps on how hot his breath grazing my skin. "Good."

"Son, you need to tell her." Alpha Caden intervened. There's a finality in his tone which left for no discussion. "As what the odds are, both of you dragged each other into this ordeal."

"You cannot shield her forever to what she is supposed to know the moment you chose her." Luna Fae added which left me more confused.

What am I supposed to know?

What are they hiding from me?

All these years with this pack I thought I was the one keeping secrets. Truth be told, I was not the only one.

Xyrus hesitated to release me only to intertwine our hands like I was to disappear any moment and holding my hand will keep me to his side.

'What do you think you're doing?' I mind-linked him, glaring at his hand clasped in mine.

'What I should have done the moment I defeated you at that stupid Mate Hunt' He grinned, defiance oozing from him. He was daring me to disobey him.

"What are you supposed to tell me?" I asked out loud.

He sighed and combed his other hand on his hair, messing it. "I'm tired, let's talk about this tomorrow. I expect all of you on the training field first thing in the morning."

"Son." Alpha Caden said, catching his attention. They stared at each other like they were having a private conversation.

Xyrus' hold on me tighten and shielded me from his father. He glared at him and voiced out. "I know what I am doing."

Alpha Caden shook his head and dismissed everyone. Each went their own way to the packhouse, leaving Gabbiel and Carter to dispose of the body. I caught a glimpse at Tash, disappointment shows on her features as she went away.

Xyrus pulled me in the direction of the packhouse but I stood my ground. No way I'm waiting until the morrow for answers.

"I'm not telling you anything." He sighed, igniting my irritation. "Not until tomorrow."

"No, you will tell me everything." I stubbornly said. "NOW."

"As much as I like this side of you, I don't have time for this princess." He resigned. He looked tired more than before and I felt my body protest from exhaustion.

"You, promising to tell me everything tomorrow?" I hesitated.

"As I should." He nodded.