Kiss of Thorns

Chapter Four

Adam-

I was tossing and turning. I couldn't sleep, no matter how hard I tried. I knew the truth in that night, the factors that were both bad and good. I'd found my mate, that was good. But I'd lost my sister, probably forever. I laid my head in my hands, weeping softly, and thinking of the night she left. 

I was sitting at my usual spot, the windowsill. It was night, rather dark. I couldn't sleep that night either, for some reason I can't explain. It was like fate wanted me to stay awake, as if something was going to happen. And when I saw my sister's reflection in the window, I thought she was just sneaking off to get a late night snack. I couldn't be more wrong. 

"Hayley?" I ask her, talking to her as I usually did when she snuck out of her room. Neither of us were allowed out of our rooms after sundown, but we always snuck out once everyone had gone to bed. Each of us for our own reasons. This time, when she turned around, she looked startled, as if she didn't want me to see her. 

"Ad." She whispered softly, tears streaming down her face. 

Immeadiately, I stand up. "Hay? What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?" I walk over to her, hugging her tightly. I'd always loved hugging her. Maybe it was because she was my sister, and I knew she was safe in my arms, I'm not sure. 

She shook her head against my shoulder. "No, I didn't. I wish I did. I wish this was just a dream and I'd wake up from it. But it's not. I'm so sorry Adam." 

I blink rappidly as her tears stain my shirt, and my own threaten to fall. She almost never called me my actual name, normally just my nickname. Something was definetly wrong. "What're you talking about? What's going on?"

Then she softly says, "I'm running away Adam." And there it was again, my name. She lookss up with me with those sad blue eyes, sad for as long as I could remember, and I couldn't hold back anymore, I burst into tears.  

"No, you can't." My voice was hoarse, it sounded like a croak. "You can't leave me here. You're my sister. My little sister. I'm supposed to be able to protect you. I can't protect you when you aren't here." 

She pinches my cheek, something she'd always done since we were kids. "I'll be thinking of you big brother, promise you'll think of me?" 

I nod. "Of course." I whisper. 

She hugs me tightly, her arms around my neck, and my own around her waist. Slowly she slides her hands away, wiping away one of my tears. "I'll come back for you." She says so quietly, I don't think I'm supposed to hear it. "No matter what, do trust anything father says." And then, she's gone, and later on my father tells me she's dead, that a forest fire has gotten to her. I cried myself to sleep. 

A tear slides down my cheek just thinking about it, actually. 

"Adam my boy?" I hear my father call, as he knocks on the door. 

I wipe away my tears. "Yes sir?" 

He opens the door, stepping into my room, me sitting up. "I heard from some of the pack members that you grabbed some girl and kissed her. Is that true?" 

I swallow thickly, but nod. I knew better than to lie to him. "Yes sir." 

He grins coldly. "I'll bet my hat that was your mate, wasn't it?" 

I start to shake. "Yes sir." I say again. 

He breathes deaply, as if he's excited and relieved about something. "That's great my boy, now you can do what you were destined to do. You can become the most powerful alpha that ever lived." 

I bite my lip. He had said that mates were the one thing that held back every alpha. Because every luna was important to the alpha, and were constantly in danger. He'd said that it'd only ruin me when they finally killed her. I whimper softly. "Are you sure it's the only way?" 

He nods, looking sympethetic. "I'm sorry my boy, but if Hayley is alive, she'll be upset if she has to share you, don't you think?" He looks me over. "I want her dead by midnight, we can't have you getting too attached, now can we? 

I stand. "I'll go there now. I'll follow her scent." 

He smiles at me, looking proud. "That's my boy." He says, patting my back. 

I smile back at him, even though it's fake. I didn't want her dead. I felt so attached to her. I'd seen the way Noah was with Brooke, and I wanted that with Isabel. I wanted to be able to fall in love with her, even though I probably was already in love with her. I shook my head from my thoughts, throwing on my boots, a thin dagger inside. Then I leave the house, following her scent, into the woods and through the attic window of a small looking pack house, where her smell was strongest. She lay asleep in her bed, her head covered, but a tuft of black hair sticking out. She looked so peaceful. 

I took a deep breath. I had to do it. If my father was right, and Hayley was alive, I shouldn't have to share her with my mate. I would soon rule the pack, and have my sister to share it with if I did this. Father had said so himself. I lift the dagger I had in my hand, ready for the thing that would change it all. Closing my eyes, I struck down on her covered head. 

Tell me your thoughts my darlings! 

-I put the A in Adela