Red {Wolf Rebellion I}

Chapter 15~Truth I've Said~

Make sure you guys read this chapter carefully. You may find something very....interesting;)

Till all my sleeves are stained red, from all the truth that I've said.

-OneRepublic, "Secrets"

Chapter 15~Truth I've Said~

I couldn't hear anything over the ringing in my ears. I could feel my heart beating painfully, as my breath deflated. I briefly realized Carmine was saying something, but my brain was on overload. "Why di-why did you wait so long to get me out of there?" My voice was barely audible, but I knew he heard me. If he'd known how dangerous Red was, why had we waited so long to leave?

Carmine's eyes softened, "I had to make sure of everything, that Claret didn't suspect me and that she wasn't watching you."

Carmine's words barely registered with me. I had trusted Red, I had believed they had saved me from the wolves. I'd never had any reason to doubt my faith in Red. Never had I once questioned Claret on what she'd told me. I felt sick, betrayed. The memories I had were not my own, and the truth I thought I knew was all a lie.

I was suddenly hyper aware of every inch of my body. The rapid rise and fall of my chest as I tried to process what Carmine had told me. The way my skin felt too hot, yet I shook as if I was cold. The sudden pain from my nails digging against my palms.

I couldn't do this, I shouldn't have to.

The shock and panic I felt must've been obvious, because the next thing I knew, Carmine was inches away, pulling a thick afghan around my shoulders. I clutched at its edges desperately, as if it could ground me to this reality. I felt ready to drown.

"Stay with me, Ruby." Carmine's warning registered in my head, and I forced myself to focus on the here and now. I watched as he leaned over me, placing his hands on my shoulders. Even with the blanket, his hands burned me. "Shit, I knew this was too much for y-"

"No!" I burst out, unable to think straight, but I still wanted, needed to know the rest. I was already in too deep, I couldn't stop now. "I'm ok, you can't stop now." I took a few slow breaths to prove it, before looking up at him. "Tell me the rest." I have to know.

Carmine hesitated, his green eyes scrutinizing me closely, and I made a silent promise to myself.

I wouldn't panic again. My emotions were all over the place right now, and I hated Carmine-or anyone for that matter-seeing me like this. When I'd joined Red, I'd made a new me. I'd never wanted anyone to see me like those agents had, weak and powerless to help myself. So I had forced any and all emotions, and my memories away and focused on my job. I'd thought Red had given me a purpose, and I'd relished the thought of finding the wolf, but I'd let myself become a pawn in whatever twisted game Claret was playing.

So I gathered the sea of shock and pain, and shoved it all to the back of my mind. It's just information, I told myself. Nothing that can hurt you now.

"I'm serious Carmine." I pulled the blanket away from my shoulders. "I'm fine, I had my freak out moment."

He hesitated for a moment longer, before finally relenting and taking his seat again. "Just tell me if you need a second, Ruby. I don't need to dump all of this on you at once."

I nodded once, motioning for him to continue where he left off.

"When I realized Claret was there, I knew that something was up. And when I heard what she was saying to the wolf, I realized what had been happening." Carmine paused for a split second. "She was telling the wolf that he-that his pack-was late, and that their contract had been broken."