Love Thy Shadow, Satan (LTSS) [#Wattys2018]

Chapter 14 - Sweet Jealousy

Liam's POV

They seem as different as night and day.

Jared has a delicate, docile air to him whereas she radiates superiority. Jared is like a lost ray of sunshine whereas she seems to have journeyed on a dark path in life. Jared screams hidden innocence as she skilfully deceives onlookers with her calm persona. By the vibes she's radiating, you can tell she's anything BUT happy to be here right now... but then again, that may only be clear to those who know her.

Her appearance has changed, but at least I know she's still the same on the inside. Still the bad telltale habits.

... I can't even tell they're related.

For one, they look nothing alike, I mean really?? You'd think since they have the whole ESP-air around them, that they'd look a little similar but no! You can't even see a familial resemblance between them - it's irritating to say the least.

I think I might have been able to like her more if she looked a little more like Jared. She's matured to become quite beautiful, though - not as much as Jared, but they seem to be on the same platform on the looks department.

Although she's Jared's twin, I was never really able to see her existence as more than a threat to our mate bond.

She's strong competition - the one who could possibly be classed as of higher importance to Jared... Our rival.

I know, Jack, but we have to understand ... our mates' attachment to her is now considerably stronger, with her being his only living blood. But (even I admit) Jared's obsession with his sister is border-lining unhealthy. He loves her to the point I wonder who he loves more - me or her?

Jared won't fully commit to us with her around. He'll always have her on his mind now she's back.

We cannot let negative thoughts cloud our judgement at this stage. We know what we must do as members of this pack. We cannot let such ideas stand in the way of us fulfilling our duties.

She's in our way.

Okay, I know that's a typical clingy-girlfriend line but I can't help how I feel. A mate is meant to have you as his first priority at all times... the fact that we are homosexual mates was enough to make me feel uneasy as to the strength of our bond compared to an average couple, but the fact that he has a twin whom he loves to the same depths makes me unnerved as to the position I hold, in his life.

It kills me knowing that I might not be as special to my mate... as others are to theirs.

As his mate, I should be his priority but I can't help question his views on this matter when I remember how pitiful he had become in her absence... it was as if she had left with his soul. All that was left was his empty shell.

Although I don't like her... I'm glad she's back. Jared might become a little better now, after meeting her. He might return to the Jared I once knew... the Jared I and Jack (my wolf) first fell in love with.

Jared, you know I still love you... but the current you makes it very hard for me to keep doing so...

3rd Person's POV

"Welcome back, Faith Wh -", Faiths' still unidentified entourage stiffened with rage at the blatant disrespect to their leader. Caden realised his mistake almost instantly, correcting himself within seconds "- sorry... Alpha Faith White." The words left a thickly-coating bitterness as they escaped through his clenched mouth, forcing him to momentarily swallow his pride as he addressed his long-absent superior for the first time.

He could not deny that he had wished her dead since the day she'd left, and didn't plan on hiding this fact from her either. Before taking any significant actions against her, Caden's hidden curiosity had him wanting to know the answers to questions which had plagued him since years before - why had The Beast handed his legacy to such a tiny girl? What did she possess that others didn't? Did he just bank on her strength as an Alpha Blood, or had she shown potential as a good leader? Why had he chose her over me?

He stepped forward and revealed his perfect pearly-whites in a practiced smile, his eyes dead of emotion as he lay them on the girl who had finally arrived, to claim her rightful place... the place he had intended to keep since he took over. Jared stepped back a few steps to give the onlookers a clearer view of her, but still kept a tight grip on her hand and arm - not wanting to let her go, in case she left him again.

Caden's POV

"Did you enjoyed your (*ahem*)... holiday...?" For lack of a better word.

"We all hope you found your journey home comfortable, as well as safe." Not a scratch on her.

The others were a little untidy, with creased clothing and roughened-up hair, but none seemed as worn as expected after crossing a dense forest area - like the one surrounding our pack land... does that mean she has been hiding in our forest all this time?!... How come we never found her in all this time?

Maybe she knew a safe route? ...Or a safe house? ...That would make sense... but if that was true then wouldn't Jared have known of it? Wouldn't he have gone straight to her rather than staying here and doing what he did?

She's becoming more of a mystery with her abrupt appearance, than she had been in the years I hadn't met her.

"If you are done scrutinising my pack members, I would be very thankful if you could officially introduce yourself, Black"

Huh... the irony.

The one in all black is calling ME Black!

I guess she's had me under observation for some time now, since she turned to face me with only a hint of my scent - my thick layer of perspiration not working to my advantage.

Yup... I probably stink right now.

"How could I not know the name of the oh-so-capable man who did me the great favour of looking after my pack during my absence... my right-hand man..."

She let her expressionless mask slip to reveal a devious smirk behind her painted red lips. She seemed to know exactly how and why her words had dug deep.

What. Is. Her. Problem.

*** AUTHORS NOTE ***

PLAYLIST: Lindsey Sterling - Taking Flight

TARGET VOTE ACHIEVED! :D

Please remember to VOTE IF U WANT AN UPDATE! i love reading your comments too and would love to know what u think of the story so far .. :P

TARGET FOR NEXT UPDATE: 530 VOTES :)

~(Picture: Liam, Jared's mate)~