Don't Burn Out (Currently Editing)

Thirty-Six

Tiffany's Point of View

I've been through more than a lot in a relatively short life. I've been brave even when the world collapsed in on me various times, and now it was too much. Why can't I ever have a nice, normal life? Every time things start to get good, the rug is swept from under my feet.

My faith has been shaken with each tragedy that has occurred, but at the end of the tunnel I came out a strong believer and supporter of our mother Luna. If there is a goddess, that bitch has a hell of a lot of explaining to do.

Athena weakly growls at my disrespect for her goddess. I just roll my eyes then curl up into a ball and sniff Zayn's shirt.

Zayn slips his arms around me and hoists up against his chest. I fall limp physically and mentally against his body. I feel numb. My throat hurts, and my mouth is dry. My body aches. And I feel numb. I want Joshua's blood on my wolf's lips, but I cannot move. Zayn's lays me on the bed I wrap my arms around my legs and lay on my side.

He goes into the closet and comes out with a muscle tee band shirt, now in just his boxer.

"Tiffany." He whines.

He sits on the edge of the bed and pulls me into his lap. I let him undress me, and put his shirt on me. I was too weak to do it myself. I feel numb. My head head hurts.

There are too many things rushing through my mind. It hurts. The voices in my head.

I feel numb.

Zayn strokes my hair. It doesn't help. He whispers my name, and tells it will be okay, but in reality we both know it will get a hell of a lot worse before it will be 'okay'. His soothing lies do not douce the fire in my head.

It makes me wonder do little white lies ever save us by bringing us hope in hopelessness or do they make it all worse by coating the hard and cold truth in pretty lies.

I've lied to myself about many things. Sometimes I ended up believing my lies because they gave me a shred of hope in my darkness hours. Today the dark is far too black no light can pierce this.

When I was five, right after Nathan had us kidnapped, I convinced myself that my family was royal, and ruled of some unknown kingdom in the Carribbeans. And our kingdom had relocate to New Orleans to keep me and Chanel safe, then whomever was hunting us found, us and disguised themselves as pack members, and Nathan kindly took us in.

Even at such a young age I knew the truth, but the lie sound so much better. Zayn's lie has no affect on me. I guess I've just gotten too old for little white lies.

My head throbs, and I feel numb. I'm cold, although, I rest in my mate's arms.

I'm numb.

Zayn's Point of View

It must be around six.

The sun was edging its way up, the sky purplish with streaks of salmon pink. Tiffany asleep, her head against my chest. I don't know what to do. I talked that big speech last night, but I really have no idea what to do. It's obvious we needed to attack, but how? Strike in the dead of night. Like Joshua had done...

Or attack him head on, and let him know we are coming for him.

Either way we couldn't let those go in there just yet; it would be a massacre. I will not have the blood of innocent people on my hands. I am no monster. I am not Joshua or his father. However, we must act fast.

There is movement downstairs. Damon's scent slips through the floor broads. The door opens then closes, and I hear the lock set in place. Outside the wolves that ran twilight, that the sift in place of the fallen twilight border runners, change places with the dawn runners. The pack will be awake very soon. It's time to wake up.

Should I wake Tiffany?

Javadd yells: 'No,' in my head. 'Don't you dare wake my mate. She needs to rest.'

I would prefer to let her sleep as well, but the Alpha blood in me needs to wake her because as a Luna she also has job today. Last night was second worst night of my whole existence. I know it must have been the upteempth horrid night of her lifetime, so I let her rest.

When I'm out of the shower, I sense Tiffany's heart rate rise. She is awake. Pretending to sleep, but she awake.

"Tiffany, baby I'm not going to force you to talk to the pack. You don't have to pretend to sleep."

Immediately her eyes pop open and she rises form the bed, running my way. Though I am wet and only wear a towel she hugs my waist and cries. "Baby.." Can I tell her to stop crying? After all she's been through. Can I tell her it will be alright, though, I know this war is a very long tunnel, and the light is far ahead.

I say nothing in fear I would let a lie to comfort her. With in minutes sleep consumes her, yet again. I change her wet clothes, and tuck her back into bed.

'My poor, kitten.' Howls Javadd.

I'm dressed in ten minutes. It hurts to leave Tiffany like that, but it's time to go.

My pack needs me.

A little voice says, "You're mate needs you, too."

Eleanor, Kaiden, Nadia, Sawyer, and Elliott wait on the grass outside the door. They rise to their feet as I step out on to the patio. Their arms rise to their foreheads, saluting me.

It's like a horror. On any other day I would be greeted with sarcasm and a round of corny jokes.

But today, we are at war. There is no time for jokes and laughs. They are my army, I am their general. It's time to step up the plate.

"At ease." They drop their arm letting them thump against their legs. "Is the pack ready?"

"Yes they are sir." Sawyer replies.

"Nadia, Elliott stay here with Tiffany. Do not leave and link me when she wakes up, okay," I do not wait for them to respond. They are good warriors, I trust them. "Go inside, now."

As the mates make their way into my house, I turn to the rest of them. "Follow." Wordlessly they follow me to our conference hall.

"Eleanor, where's Harry and Louis?"

The bird-like brunette runs up to me, and matches my pace. "They are with Liam. They are trying to calm the pack for your arrival."

As we get closer the hall, the frantic, delirious voices of the pack stirs Javadd awake and sets a fire under his feet. Javadd is the true alpha of this pack and seeing his beloved people scared him, but he still stood tall. I draw strength from him as I step up on to the stage. Liam and Harry run over to me to quickly brief me on the events of this morning. Then they take Louis and walk off stage, leaving me alone.

There is a body missing as I step up to the podium. The Alpha inside of me says I need Tiffany to be here. He's right, but I just don't have the heart to wake her.

I could do this solo, after all I used to address the pack all the time by myself. It was never anything on this scale, but that's okay. I am the Alpha I will manage. I will ease the fears of my pack then I will fight for them on the battlefield.

Tiffany needs to rest.

Silence, as I take my place behind the podium. An iron curtain is casted over the pack, and they are silent and solemn like last night.

The Alpha inside takes over and I am no longer in control of my mouth. His words are so fluent and smooth. He moves the entire room including myself, slipping in little quotes here and there.

"...... an entrepreneur by the name of Tim Fargo says, "Your friends will believe in your potential, your enemies will make you live up to it." We are strong, maybe even the strongest in the world. This is just another opportunity to show our strength.."

___________________________________

Poor Tiffany. My baby deserves the world.

Remember, speak up when something seems wrong you can possibly save a life.

All the love xx

- Ashley -