Don't Burn Out (Currently Editing)

Forty

Athena's Point of View

Something was very wrong. I feel a sicken sensation deep in my bones; something was wrong with Greyson being in Liam's house alone. I want to confront him. Ask why he is in the Delta house at such a late hour? But I stop myself before I do. I have no reasonable doubt, no evidence of any harm he has done, and I could do harm if I barged in on him. I'll watch him closer, I vow to myself.

I stare into the window for another second then continue my dusk walk. Before I went off to find Zayn, I decided to just stroll around the pack grounds and allow the pack members to feel my presence in the community pack link. My pack deserved to know their Luna was back.

All of the birds left for winter, and other animals are beginning their hibernation. Only a handful of hooting, barn owls are left. Other than those owls, the woods are utterly silent, but it isn't an eerie Halloween, graveyard silence more of nice lulling quiet. My heels sink in the grass and I just about trip. I should've worn some plastic heel mates.

"Remember Tiffany, a true southern bell must be able to walk in heels on grass, concrete, carpet or anything else, so when walking on grass relax on the balls of your feet and put most of you're weight there. Watch your step it's easier to trip walking like that, but make it seem like you're walking on air."

An Omega couple were renewing their vows. I was twelve, they had no children and wanted me to be their flower girl. I wanted to be a bridesmaid; I thought I was too old to be a flower girl. I was going to politely decline their offer, but Mama said if I said 'yes' I could wear heels. Mother knew I was obsessed with heels since age nine when I decided I was a "girly-girl."

I continue walking, this time against the wind, my mind doesn't follow. It continues on following the billowing, brisk air. What is the point of this war? It can't just be over land, after all, this war has been mulling about for years. Many years ago my father once told a story of two alphas, born with the same tattoo.

It was just an old story parents told their children. I know Zayn and Joshua both have many tattoos, but this.. It couldn't.

It's just a fairy tale.

Zayn's Point of View

An owl in the tree above sends out a piercing screech, flaps it's wings and flies off into the dark. The now empty bottle of Jack Daniels I threw against the tree facing me hours ago is crawling with tiny black dots.

Tonight is the night.

Tomorrow I know I'll wake up a monster. I'll have Liam and Louis lock me in the dungeon at sun rise. I pick up another bottle of Jack. The top snaps off with a loud pop.

One of my Etas, Gareth, howls into the bleak night. His howl tells me all is well and morning was only two hours away. I take the bottle up to my lips and hold it there for a long while. The bitter liquid burns down my throat.

Half of the bottle is gone by the time I set it down. I though I've drunk three bottles in a row, but the signs of intoxication just begin to hit me.

My vision blurs as I think of Tiffany, my pack, my parents.

My parents death was all in vain. I'd never avenge their death after the Paroxysm takes over, I'll be a ruthless killing machine. I'll kill anyone, destroy anything. I'll be a monster. I can feel the AP taking over my system. It's cold, stinging sensation crawls up my veins. I take another sip of Jack as my hand shakes. Tiffany could make it all go away, but I did not have it in me to such a thing.