The Beast

Chapter 15 - Injury

It had been a week since we moved Arias in with Maia. It was a bit awkward at first-Maia hadn't lived with anyone (besides me if that counts) in a long time, so the thought of having someone else there at all times felt strange for her.

I tried to help Arias feel as welcome as possible, but I could tell that he didn't like being cooped up all the time. It was dangerous having him in and out whenever he wanted-my father increased the guards after our territory breach. He also expects another attack soon. Arias was growing restless, but I usually kept him distracted by telling him stories about Marcus and I growing up, or embarrassing nit bits about his new suite mate.

We were growing a lot closer, but parts of me still felt awkward around him. He was nothing but kind to me, but there was something that he was hiding. He was still reserved when it came to his home life, and something about Marcus seemed to set him off. He was always uncomfortable when he came around, which was a lot lately.

Marcus managed to find some clothes at the local shops that would work for Arias for now. At least now he had something other than gym shorts and plain T-shirts. The button-up that he picked out even made my legs grow weak (but that's not something I'm willing to share with any of them).

Training was becoming difficult for me. I found myself wanting to spend more time at Maia's, and less time in the grounds. Jackson seemed to notice, and he decided to schedule a late session with just the two of us after everyone had left for the day.

My muscles were burning as he slammed me into the ground yet again, giving me no time for recovery before he twisted my arm and rolled me over so my face was pressed into the dirt.

I groaned and kicked my leg out, connecting with his shin to give myself just enough of a distraction so I could loosen his grip and throw him off me.

"You're distracted. That was too easy for me to take you down." He scolded, wiping the dust off his shirt. "Again."

I forced myself up off the ground with shaking arms and stretched the muscles in my neck from his previous grappling move. He watched my movements with calculating eyes, and when I kicked off he was prepared.

Our bodies collided, and he used my own strength to lift my body over his shoulder and flip me onto my back, landing in a heap back onto the ground.

I growled in frustration and balled my fists up at my sides, slamming them down repeatedly to take out some of my anger.

"This is ridiculous!" I hollered, forcing my screaming muscles to lift my body. Every part of me protested, and I hadn't felt this weak in a long time. He was really giving me an ass kicking today.

"What is on your mind that is so important?" He scoffed, dodging my angered punch aimed for his smug face.

The same handsome face popped into my mind, and it was a split-second distraction that gave him enough time to land a solid punch on the side of my face.

"Shit." He hissed as a whipped to the side, clutching my jaw as the pain from his last hit cracked the bone just below the hinge. He dropped to his knees at my side and tried to pull my hand away, which only made me smack him off and flinch as my body naturally tried clenching my broken jaw.

"What the fuck, Jackson?" I groaned, wanting to cry in pain as talking made me shift the crack, rubbing the bone together.

He cringed and gave me an apologetic smile. "I didn't think I hit you that hard." He laughed nervously, balancing his weight in the dirt.

My energy was completely drained, and I wanted nothing but to sleep this injury off. My wolf would heal it in a few hours, but until them my entire face was going to be sore.