Silly

Jude.

I smile as I watch him hastily leave the room. It was cool just now and I wouldn't mind losing some pounds to be alone with him again. Folding my arms around me, I lean against the wall and consciously plunge myself into my thoughts. It's just a few days away from the big lunar year the prophecy had always talked about and things aren't likely to go well again. It's like that time of five years ago when everyone became so desperate and wouldn't mind going to the miles to get the ax of the gods. The legendary tales about the ax of the gods have been reportedly going on for hundreds of years now and just recently, about some years ago, news had it that the key to restoring it has been discovered and it was no other than hidden in the Blackwoods pack. Five years ago, the whole details hadn't been unlocked and they would rather think the last survivor of the Salem tribe was the key but this time, no one can be sure as to what extent they had gone. Except for the fact that the one who restores power to the ax of the gods becomes just like the god and that the key is the same ring Cain has become so careless about, the rest surrounding the tale of the ax of the gods are all mysteries and nothing but guess games. No one has an idea where the so-called ax of the gods is located or the process of restoration. It's the usual game of taking the current step and finding out how to go about the next step later. But it sounds rather ridiculous that there's no person or ancient book to tell the story. What's more is for every clue, news and details, the blood of one alpha has to be shed. The whole thing is like a game, with a successful plot by a superior whose identity might never be unraveled. And I do have the key but it's useless admitting it. The key itself has another mystery around it. Unless it was given out of full will by its bearer, you can't own it and it's just as useless as a fashion model without being in its owner's keep.

The constant vibration in my front pocket pulls me out as I take out my phone and read the caller's ID. It's Lord Mandelson, the man who had taken me in after they'd discovered I was no key to restoring anything. But he's no better than the rest of them except for being more cooperative. He's just as power hungry and greedy as everyone wanting to know more about the ax of the gods and I'm just his tool to help him get it. 

"Mandel," I call in a hoarse voice, not very willing to talk to him.

"What's up, Jude?" He asks and it's not hard for me to tell from his voice that he's drunk again like every other night.

"You've disturbed me, Mandel. I'm in the middle of something important now. I have to go." I feed him some hot air over the phone.

"Wait! It's just three days to the lunar year, Jude. You have to get that ring for me if you don't want to be followed for the rest of your life." He threatens and I roll my eyes. I've seen a couple of offenders get away with his menaces than to be affected.

"I have the ring stolen but it's just useless. As you know, if I don't get it wilfully from the owner, it's useless and you'll only be keeping it till the bearer finds it again. I'm still trying to win his favor. " I tell him.

"We have no time for that, Jude! Time isn't on our side and everything will soon be overly dangerous. Just kill him and bring me the goddamn ring!" He yells over the phone. That's another solution to owning the ring but the least I would opt to. 

"He's alpha, Mandel. It'll be suicidal to try to kill him. And about killing him, it'll be reasonable if you can provide some security forces for him to prevent him from being harmed by any other opponent." I suggest despite knowing I'd just waste my saliva. However cooperative Mandel might be, he's not at all trustworthy and just as deceptive as the fox.

"Sure," He hangs up right after he says that word and I keep back my phone. He wouldn't think I'll go so crazy with loyalty as to sacrifice my only childhood friend to satisfy his lust for power. 

"I'll ask you for the second time, Jude." I turn to see aunty Pam, standing in the doorway, her voice just as stern as her look. She takes a few more steps closer and stops, feet away, "Why did you come back?"

"Because I have nowhere to stay." I tell her that part of the story she isn't willing to listen to again. 

"You've become more scheming, Jude but this time, I'm afraid I won't let you go score free if you cause any more harm. " She warns and I stop to contemplate on telling her the whole truth or not. But it doesn't look like I'll have any other choice than to tell her. Yet, I don't give in to her willingly. As far as I remember, she has always been that vengeful aunt that didn't mind showing her resentment of me whenever the late alpha wasn't around. She was just like every other person who thought I wasn't worth all the treatment I got from the alpha, but a bit smarter. The truth is they had no idea how the alpha treated me and why he did treat me that way. It's true that the alpha gave me everything and treated me like his favorite but in secrecy, when no other person was watching, he only trained me as someone to protect his favorite son after his demise. He gave me everything...everything but the special ring. And everything he gave me had the signature of his favorite child. 

"Spill!" Pamela grabs my arm and pierces me with her claws but I don't fight back. 

"Five years ago. It's going to be another lunar year and I'm afraid you won't be able to protect him this time around. "I tell her, saving ourselves the stress of experimenting our fist on each other. It takes her a minute to believe me before finally letting go of my arm. I groan and massage the spot but it's a good waste. She's given me a cut already. 

"Let's talk." She says and makes a gesture with her head that suggests we do it outside, in the fields. I nod and follow her.

"What do you plan to do?" She directs the fifth question at me, her blue eyes similar to that of Cain turning to look at mine and all I read is her worry. We've had two laps of the field already but Pamela doesn't seem tired yet. Two laps in a conversation with Pamela...I should say it's a miracle. Fifteen years ago, Pamela would've sworn to do anything to get rid of me and now, having this long conversation with her is just so weird and unbelievable. 

"I don't know yet, Pamela. Cain isn't someone you can force a decision on. " I remind her and she nods, rubbing her palms together. 

"But he isn't someone we can afford to lose. There's no one to succeed the leadership after him. You have to help us," She turns to look at me and takes my hand, "Please." Her last word leaves me in awe but I don't show it. It's the first time Pamela would ever think I'm helpful or even tell me please and it's like a one in a thousand opportunity. 

"You're cold. You should get going." I tell her in a bid to send her away. The night might look so silent and safe but I won't miss the dangerous shadows lurking at the dark corners. 

"Sure." She lets go of my hand and turns around. I watch her disappear before daring to call the fucking spies out and it happens to be just another surprise that they obey me.

"Lord Mandelson sent us." The one who looks to be the leader of the team says, rushing forward to me. That smart cunny filth thing. 

"To do what?" I interrogate already. 

"He asked us not to tell you. It's a death assignment." A death assignment? Mandel only gives death assignments when you fail to succeed in an important mission. And what an important mission could be right now is definitely getting rid of Cain. Fucking old filth!

"Oh. What's your code?" I ask as I proceed even closer to him. I stop, barely a foot away from him and I lean closer to him. He mutters some figures that I barely listen to. Engaging him in a dirty conversation, I manage to take him off guard by stealing his sword from its keep by his side and even more surprised when I pierce through his stomach. 

"It's really a death assignment. Mandel sent you to your death while he's fucking away with another guy." I snap it out of him and he falls weakly. Seeing this, the rest of his team rushes to take revenge on him when they would've been advised to run for their lives. Now they have to put me through the stress of getting rid of their worthless lives. It's just five of them and I imagine it wouldn't cost me much to send a message back to Mandel. But they do well in surprising me too with a wound on my arm. This angers me and not caring to spare one, I make sure I see to the death of all. Mandel really underestimated me. 

And they really had to use such an old weapon!

"I can help with getting rid of the bodies, "Someone says behind me where I lay, tired and weak already with my eyes closed. Pamela and those hoodlums have succeeded in sucking out energy in me.

"If you don't mind." I recognize that voice at the second instance. Why is he out here this late?

"Shouldn't you be in your chamber?" 

"How can I sleep if there are people wanting to hurt me? Are you okay?" I feel him beside me and the air around me warms up a bit as he touches me. He rolls up my sleeve and inspects my wounds. 

"The other cut is deep and bleeds more. You should be treated. "He says, brushing his thumb over it. This should be enough treatment already.

"I'm fine." I open my eyes, a small smile claiming my lips as I watch him pad the spot. Who last cared so much about me?

"It doesn't look like it." I take his hand away when he starts to panic. He sighs but doesn't leave. 

"I think you should be more careful." He retaliates for the other time, a smirk playing on his lips. He's even more naughty. I hide my smile as I look away from him, adjusting the distance between us. 

"Why do you care?" I ask. "The last time I checked, you despised me the most. Now, you're beginning to care. It's ridiculous to believe you're without any motion." I say.

"Silly. I'm just being appreciative. Nothing else but I should ask why you really did that for me?" He leans in even more closer and I turn to gaze at him only to realize how dangerously close we are. His face is barely just an inch away and our noses breezes against each other, hence making me feel his hot breath on my skin. Fuck, what the hell is he doing? Torture the part of me that wants to respect his body? I watch his eyes rake my face twice and stop on my lips. Don't tell me he wants a better taste of 'em. I smirk and move a bit in such a way that our noses fully lean on each other. 

"What do you want, alpha?" My voice is low and I'd become even more yielding