The Gamma's Warrior

Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN: FUNDAMENTALLY

Her walk is like a shot of whiskey. Neat and strong and full of purpose, and so many underestimated her punch.
-JM Storm

RIGOR SAMSA

The first thing that solidified something was seriously wrong with Emma Pike happened in seventh hour, her and Jace's gym class.

Gamma Jace now knew something was wrong, fundamentally wrong, with the warrior.

But just like every day, like nothing was wrong, the redhead came skipping out onto the field in a mix matched outfit and curls into a giant bun on her head.

This time, she had bandages on her hands and some all the way down her wrist.

This time, she had bruises on her cheek and a cut on her lower lip.

This time -this time she was hurt.

Another thing he now knew: in order to piss off Jace Azazel, you make his warrior bleed.

Jace was frozen, in a way, as his anger paralyzed him from the moment he saw her battered frame.

One of the injuries- -the bruise on her cheek- -he saw Emma get the night before during a sparring match with his brother. Normally injuries like this would heal a wolf within minutes, especially considering her rank within the pack.

The fact that it just lightened up overnight meant something was wrong with her wolf, with her body.

Something he hadn't previously noticed.

How could he not have noticed someone so wrong with his friend, with Emma, that hurt her wolf? Jace had to be the worst gamma, the worst friend, in the world.

The more pressing question on his mind however was-

How could someone hide the pain of a dying wolf?

Emma instantly noticed his eyes narrow at her but didn't bother to show she knew he was looking at her, instead she just sent a wink to the omega passing out the balls to everyone.

Nobody around her noticed anything was wrong.

The warrior is a master manipulator, a master at making people believe lies and forget truths.

Gamma Jace wouldn't forget this.

As the gym class progresses forward, them all starting a game of dodge-ball, the gamma has a hard time focusing on anything other than every wince of pain that passes through the redhead across the room or the silent grimace on her usually grinning face.

Seeing that makes him...uncomfortable, both emotionally and physically.

His mind and wolf scream at him to do something, what he doesn't know, and his hands grow clammy at the mere thought of her being in pain -her, the warrior, her, Emma who doesn't show pain.

Even a month ago when she broke her wrist in a sparring match with Percy, she barely reacted to the pain and proceeded to nearly kick his ass. She healed then, even if now when he thinks about it she did heal slowly.

So when the teacher calls for everyone to change and Emma quickly finds the bathroom instead of the locker room to change in. Jace speeds his clothes on and waits outside for her.

The second she steps out and sees him, she tries to turn right back around and hide again but he grabs her arm and blocks her from leaving.

"Come with me." Jace says, using his gamma voice.