Rise Of The Moonwalker Pack

Chapter 39- Sucker Punched

                        Azariah’s pov

When it comes to needing time for yourself, most people have a go-to method, or ritual. Myself, it’s as simple as going for a walk in the woods near our house. I don’t need an entire bottle of wine, although I’m sure that helps, or a bubble bath with lit candles. 

When I need to rid my body of unwanted stress, a nice long walk in my favorite place does it for me. Today was one of those days that I really needed some time alone to sort through the roller coaster of emotions going on inside of me. 

My day started out perfectly normal. I love how within just a month of living in our new house, it’s filled with family and friends on a daily basis. Between having three pups just falling into our laps, and Micah’s constant inviting himself for supper, we haven’t had a moment alone all week. Not that I would change that, but sometimes you just need to clear your head. 

After breakfast my day picked up from how yesterday’s ended. In a complete shit show. Who would have thought I’d be comforting Becky about me killing Zane and possibly killing the love of her life as well. 

Then of course we hosted the daily meeting from hell. Right afterwards I got the great news that Amber and Micah were moving in with us. I was so excited that I asked Noah to figure out how to get their bed to our house and set up later today. From there, I had to go see Candice and Meagans families, and this is where the massive stress induced headache started. The high pitched whining, and demands to let them out started the second I entered their houses. I wasn’t about to go against the punishment Amber dished out to them, but I do think they most likely learned their lesson. At least I hope they did. I’m waiting till after supper to speak with Amber about letting them out, but they could stay with their parents and be on house arrest.

When I left Meagan’s house, I texted Jace and said I was going for a walk and then heading home for a bit. Technically, we didn’t have to go to Bloodmoon later today since Jace nor I were a part of the crew going up to the boot camp. Finn and Micah were going to handle that.

I don’t venture too far in, so I don’t give the guards patrolling these woods a heart attack. But I do go in far enough that it gives me the illusion of being alone. Ari is quietly watching as I walk around, not feeling great about us being out here alone.

Something feels off.

It could just be the fact that she was literally buried under a shit ton of dirt last night. Either way, I proceed with caution, constantly scanning my surroundings. The woods felt normal to me. All the smells were normal, fresh and crisp for a nice summer day. Everything was painted in a beautiful lush green, ripe with life. Even the little critters that scampered around seemed completely at ease. 

I don’t give a shit about the stupid little annoying critters. Something is off, and the fact that you can’t tell is what worries me the most.

Maybe things just felt weird for her because less than two months ago, we still didn’t even know each other. Or maybe it was the fact that life was normal. Walking in the woods wouldn’t cause anyone to think twice about it. Life was comfortable. Normal. Predictable. 

Now? Not so much. I was fully aware that any moment could literally be our last. My own mother has almost been taken from us twice in the last week. Even Amber has had a few near misses. Five days ago, I had to sew up Jace while trying not to have a mental breakdown thinking he wasn’t going to make it. How could so much shit take place in such a short amount of time?

The breeze picks up noticeably, whipping my hair all around my face. I stop dead in my tracks, and try to get control of it. The air takes on an all too familiar scent, causing dread to instantly settle in my stomach. You could visit a thousand lakes, or large bodies of water and never be able to tell the difference between them just from their scent. But this lake was different. And it’s accompanied by not so great memories.