ALPHA: THE PUPPETEER

CHAPTER III: HIM

Jaxson

Fire. People screaming. Swords clashing. Growls. Claws. The scene I’m seeing is comparable to a war. Standing in the middle of the group of wolves fighting each other, my frustrations from before started to fill his head, red covering the pitch-black night that is only lighted by the half moon and the orange flames.

This is a nightmare. My eyes immediately went to the carriage I’m very familiar with. Damn this dream. As the memories I tried to seal flashed in my mind, I started running. But even with using all my strength to run, I’m not moving a single inch from where I’m standing.

It’s as if I’m being tormented as I listened to the cries, to the shouts, to the weapons, and to the claws clashing each other. “Stop.” I muttered as I looked around, my eyes widening in fear as I see the scene I failed to see when I’m inside the carriage. Why the hell am I seeing this?!

“Now run!” Mom! I turned around and looked at the carriage, hearing the faint voice of my mother who I know will do something that will make me live in regret. “No. No don’t.”

Is started running again, but it’s like I’m glued to the ground I’m standing in. With heavy breath, I looked around, the red sky that replaced the darkness and the illusions I’m seeing made me realized something: it’s not that I’m not moving, the carriage is just moving away from me.

***

I sit up from the worn-out bed I’m using, cold sweat dripping on my face as I felt my back drenched with as well. “Damn.” I ruffled my hair and looked at the window filled with cracks, almost near in falling apart.

The closed window faintly reflected the dim light of the dawn. Life sucks. I turned my back and looked at my phone on the old wooden drawer, the alarm I put just ringed, a few seconds after I woke up.

“Useless clock.” I picked my phone and turned it off, then pushed it to the other side of the best. Now what? It’s not like I have something better to do. While staring in front of me, the greyish wall that was once clean cream reminded me of home.

This room is supposed to be annoyingly beautiful. “If only she didn’t kill herself.” My hands clenched into closed fists, the feeling of anger started to become the only emotion that fuels me to have an expression to show.

“Cerise Lagoon.” The poison who killed me, but the salvation who kept me alive. You’re being a pain, Jaxson. Don’t use vengeance as your reason to live. Amos, my wolf, stated, trying to take the space of anger in my head.

“How will I live then?” I spat, feeling the anger getting stronger as I listened to him calming me down. “How will I calm down when I f*****g know that he’s living the best out of his f*****g life, huh.”

Don’t curse. That’s not how a future Alpha should talk. “You’re not the boss of me.” I pushed him back at the back of my mind, using my advantage to bring him somewhere where he can’t bother me anymore. “You’re just a wolf who doesn’t know what pain means.”

My eyes darted to the window when I heard the huge rusty, gate slowly opened. I stood up and slightly opened the window, just enough for me to peek. After seeing the four maids reaching the large, oak door, I widely opened the window.

Tsk. Why are they so early? I walked back and took my phone and put it inside my black jacket’s pocket that’s lying on my bed before putting it on top of my lime shirt.

I then walked to the window, using it as my door to get out of the room. Kaiden should’ve told them to start cleaning here at 8, and not at 6. I used the window’s top as my support, holding it with my two hands before lifting myself up the roof.

With the cold, morning wind brushing on my face and disheveling my already messy hair, I manually fixed my hair using my hand, my eyes still fixed in the morning light that brighten up the trees and broken fountain decorating this 3-floored house.

 I walked to the left, then jumped towards the nearest tree, effortlessly hitting the stem and didn’t fully disrupted the peace of the unmoving leaves. Fake trashes. I glared at the four maids who’s looking like beggars as I looked down at them.

“Why is Alpha Kaiden wanting this old house to be cleaned every week?” one of the girls who’s holding a broom while leaning on it asked. “This place is already ugly and no one even lives here to begin with.”

“Stop whining. Can you even do something about it?” the one holding a broom scolded, even with she herself not ding anything and just let the four of them gather in one place and not minded the scattered leaves in the grassy ground.

“What if we go to the 3rd floor? We might see something fun in there.” the other suggested, an excited grin plastered on face. “I mean, Alpha won’t order us to not go in there if there’s nothing there, right?”

Hearing that, I picked up two peaches from the tree, purposely picking the one who’s overripe, and one peach that’s just right and edible. With a smirk, I threw the overripe fruit at the girl who suggested it, hitting her right on her head, causing for the peach to splatter in her head.

Know your place. Satisfied with her overreacting expression, I turned around and moved from one tree to another, leaving the maids who’s been trying to control at the fuming girl even with their chuckles escaping their mouth.

As I reached the boundary of North and the East, I put on my hood and passed by the guards, showing them my mark: a black snowflake that symbolizes the Lone Woods pack.

This is where we saw her. Amos stated, his excitement started to fill in my system as his own feelings tries to mix in with mine. Do you think she’ll be here again? If we’ll see her, ask her name!

Shut up. I don’t need a burden in my life. My answer visibly made him sad as his whimper echoed in my brain. This life is already a piece of garbage. Don’t add another worthless baggage, wolf.

But then, he suddenly growled. Fool! The only one who thinks this life is a burden is you. If you just listened to me, maybe you’re not locked up in that old mansion and you’re living the best out the world.

Trying to sound tough, huh? I mocked, still continuing the walk towards the lake located at the end of the Azure Hills’ territory. You talk as if you can do anything, but you can’t even get out of my head on your own because you need me.

Say that again you filthy mutt! Without me, you’re already dead 10 years ago because of your damn weak body! I smirked, seeing his authoritative side as nothing but a puppy’s play. Dumb wolf. You think that’ll scare me? If I fear words, then maybe I already killed myself because of the words I’m saying to myself.

He shut up. That’s right, know your place. I turned left, going in a thin alley to avoid people noticing me. As I walk between the two walls of the buildings, the light of the morning sun started to become brighter, making its light enough to peek through the gaps in the alley.

It’s been four days ever since I saw that redhead who happened to be my mate. Her mint and intoxicating rose scent made me drawn to her. But given the situation, I can’t handle another wolf.

Her golden yellow eyes that match the color of the sun when it’s near it setting down, completely shines together with her reddish hair that depicts the clouds and the sky when the sun sets. She’s one real beauty.

Look for her.  Amos interrupted. I’m sure I’m not the only one who wanted to see her again. His words made me stop just as when I was about to turn right. Jaxson Vaughn. He called using his serious tone. You’re a dumbass, don’t you know that?

I smirked. So are you, filthy mutt. I looked up and saw the flat top of the square building. Using the flock of garbage and the garbage can as my aid when I jumped, my hands reached the top and lifted myself, feeling nothing despite the stunt I just pulled.

As I stood above the crowd, the noise of people chattering, vendors promoting their products, and the sound of materials being shuffled, moved, or taken filled my ears. This noisy place is such a bother.

Deciding to walk up the buildings instead of the alleyways and blending in with the crowd, I walked in the roofs which differs in styles in forming their brick roof. The view I’m seeing is nothing unusual, specially that I’ve been roaming around the Azure Hills for the past 10 years already.

Ever since I was left alone, I stayed in the place where we used to stay. Occupying the third floor, the whole floor is already a mess. I don’t want to clean. It’s not like it’ll clean my life if I’ll do that.

But at least your house won’t look like a dump site. Amos interrupted, mocking evident on his tone as his playfulness started showing. Imagine bringing her home to introduce yourself then she’ll see hell. He laughed.

Ignoring him, I looked around before turning my body at the left. It’s getting boring here. I ran with big steps before jumping, skipping the two roofs and gently landed on the third, before I proceeded in running towards the lake.

A few minutes of running by the roof, I stopped and stared at the lake that is behind the trees, hiding it using its leaves. Hearing the sound of the birds, it made me feel annoyed. How carefree can one be? I shook my head and jumped up, landing on the stem of the nearest tree.

As I see the lake closer, I jumped from two other trees, now standing at the tree right in front of the lake.

While savoring the fresh air and listening to the forest, my eyes went to my right, seeing a bunch of  kids that are happily whispering and giggling at each other as they drag a certain redhead who has a blindfold on her eyes.

That same mint and rose scent. Catching the scent that makes me feel overwhelmed by its sweetness, I turned away and was about to go back and act like I haven’t saw her when I heard her laugh.

“Don’t fool me, cupcake. I know you’re dragging me in Azure Hills’ lake.” She said, a wide smile on her face as she turned to her left side, acting as if she’s looking at the kid who’s holding her left hand.

“But we can have some fun in the water, miss Nique!” the kid insisted, causing for her to laugh. Stop laughing or I’ll- Amos interrupted, his smug voice irritating the hell out of me. You’ll what? Go down and talk to her?

“Okay Ellen, if you or Cain, or Light will remove my blindfold, I will think about it.” She bargained, her voice is as sweet as the rose’s scent, yet dangerously attractive and captivating. “You don’t want us to get caught, right? We need to be quiet.”

The girl she called Ellen, whispered something on the boy who’s holding her right hand. After he nodded, the boy passed the message to the other boy. After they agreed with each other, the three had mischievous smiles.

What are they planning to do? As I watched them quietly walked and lead her nearer to the lake, the silence I had was broken by Amos. Why are you so tense? He laughed. If you’re worried, go talk to our mate.

Shut up. I pushed back in the farthest place I can find in my mind. I need peace. “Why do I have a bad feeling with you kids?” she asked, followed by a hesitant chuckle, looking completely nervous about it.

As they near the lake, the boy who’s standing in front of her, tapped her arm, slightly tiptoeing to at least reach her shoulders. “You can take them off now.” Following what the kid said, she slowly took off her blindfold.

But before she could completely remove the blindfold, the two  kids who positioned themselves behind her pushed her to the lake, making her unguarded and fell on the lake with a big splash.

The kids laughed, but I can’t seem to settle down as I stare at her. “Swim, miss Nique, swim!” that Ellen kid cheered, the three kids clapping and laughing as they waited for her who’s trying to lift herself up by waving her hand up the water in attempt to swim upwards.

She can’t swim! Amos shouted. Instead of replying back, I took off my hood and jumped straight to the water, ignoring the surprised shouts and gasps from those annoying kids.

As I swam in the deep, cold, lake, I got a closer look at the girl whose golden eyes were about to completely shut down as bubbles of air escaped through her mouth. She’s falling unconscious.

I quickly put my arm around her waist and readied myself to swim in a faster pace. Reaching the top, I took in a big breath before swimming back to the shore, the unconscious girl beside me.

I put her down the mossy ground and checked her pulse. Seeing that it’s kind of faint, I then checked her breathing, the results almost the same. I put my hands on her chest and started chest compressions. Then I positioned her face and parted her lips, readying for a CPR.

As I did that, I heard the girl heaved a gasp. “He kissed her!” she said, but her comments were unnecessary this time. Once I’m done, I moved away and watched her cough up the water she drank.

After gaining proper vision, she slowly sit up and looked at her, her hand covering her mouth as she continued coughing. “T-thank-” Her eyes widened as she stared at me, forgetting to continue her words of gratitude.

Talk to her! My wolf urge, repeating the same group of words over and over again as he can’t hide the excitement building in inside of him. “Don’t go near the lake if you can’t even swim.”

I stood up, taking the hem of my shirt and twisted it, trying to remove some of the water. “And you kids,” I looked at them, fear evident on their faces as they flocked altogether, holding each other’s hands. “If you know that she can’t swim, don’t push her in the water.”

“I-I didn’t know!” Ellen said, then started crying as she let go of the two and rushed to her side, giving her a tight hug. “I’m sorry Nikki! I-I didn’t mean to!” she added, followed by her loud cries.

The girl just sighed and ruffled her hair before pushing her away. “Don’t mix up my name, cupcake.” She smiled, then wiped the tears of the girl who’s looking at her with sad eyes. “It’s Nique. Okay, Ellen?”

She nodded. “Now stay away from me because I’m wet.” She said, gently pushing the kid away, making her walk back to the two boys she’s with. Then, she looked at me, giving me a sweet, warm smile.

“Thank you.” I gave her a nod before turning around, deciding to walk away. Faraway from the girl who the moon goddess gave me. Why are you letting this chance slip away?! Amos growled inside my head, but no matter what he’ll say, my decision is final.

I won’t drag her in my mess. I looked up to the tree I once occupied while watching her, then I jumped. I looked down and saw that she’s staring at me, this time, without a smile. She’s looking at me as if she wanted to see me go away.

“Nique.” Ellen called, making her turn her gaze to her, her warm smile coming back at her face. If you want to see her smile, then talk to her! Amos shouted, his frustration is starting to cover my head. Why are being a stubborn kid?! Just talk to her!

Shut up. I jumped to the next tree. Then the other. And when I was about to go towards the next tree, the shuffling of the grasses and the sounds of footsteps coming from the men who’s talking loudly while going to the lake picked my attention.

“I swear I heard kids here.”

“Are you sure there?”

“Yes. Just- hey, see?! There’s kids!” I turned around and watched them walk towards them, the leaves and small branches blocking my view. “Where are you from? We didn’t saw you enter through the gate.”

The kids hid behind her. “Look, sir. We’re not here for a fight-” her words were stopped when the guy with a cap shouted, pointing at her with accusing eyes. “Why are you covering your wrists? You don’t have a mark, don’t you?”

I looked at her raised hands and at her wrists that are covered in a navy-blue wristband. “I-we’re sorry. We didn’t mean to trespass.” She said, looking at them with apologetic eyes as she started backing down, the kids following her retreating footsteps.

“We happened to get lost in time an didn’t realized that we walked too much and reach the-”

“Shut up!” the man with a guy said, pointing his gun at her, making her take another step back, then turned to check to the trembling kids. Help her! Amos ordered, saying the words I badly wanted to do, but at the same time, don’t want to.

“Sir.” She started. “I’m not here for a fight. Just let me and the kids go and we swear that we won’t do it again.” She said, her eyes never leaving the two men who’s slowly walking towards them.

“Why would we listen to a rogue?” the man with a gun asked, causing for the two to erupt in laughter, pissing me off despite not being the one being told off to. “If you really want to settle this peacefully,” the guy with a cup started, raising his hand to order his companion to lower the gun.

“Then give us something worth a huge sum of money.” He finished, smirking at her as he pointed at the diamond hanging on her neck. “Since we’re low on cash, giving us that diamond will be enough for your worthless lives.”

“No, I won’t. Anything but that.” She stated. What are you waiting for?! Help her! Amos said, repeating himself over and over again which made me more frustrated because of not being able to choose.

“But you rogues have nothing expensive.” The man with a gun said, totally agreeing with his companion’s bargain. “You’re the only rogue I saw who has a diamond with her.” he smirked; greed reflected on his eyes.

“No.” she bravely answered, making me feel proud. Don’t just stand there, help her! Amos growled again. Wait for what she’s going to do, mutt. Just shut up and watch her.

“Oh?” the man asked with his brow raised, then he looked ta the guy who has a gun and signaled for him to raise it again. “Then,” he smirked, his finger pointing at the boy beside her. “He’ll die.”

Glaring at them, she turned to look at the kids and gestured for them to run, which they did. “Hey bit-” before the men could react with the three kids’ escape, she ran towards them and flung herself at them, each of her arm encircling through their necks as they fell down.

Taking them off guard, she took the gun away before throwing it by the lake as she stood up, glaring back at the two men who’s looking at her with hatred and disgust. While they were silently observing each other, that man with the cap tried to steal her diamond necklace, and what she did surprise me.

She grabbed her by her left hand and twisted her arm, then she raised her right hand whose nails became long and sharp claws, instantly piercing his chest.

Quick, take her away! Even if Amos won’t tell me that, I already leaped forward, skipping the other trees and landed beside her, taking her hands away as she raised her right hand again to pierce him for another round.

“Stop.” She looked at me with dead eyes. “Get out.” Her voice doesn’t sound sweet anymore, it’s monotonous and laced with poison.

“You’re not a murderer. Stop that.” As if she was brought back from a trance, her eyes widened in surprise as the color of her eyes became lively again. She lowered her hand and watched her claws back into normal nails.

She looked at me with scared and frantic eyes. “I-” before she could continue her words, a loud whistle interrupted her, making us look at the guy who’s supporting the injured one, glaring at the girl while the whistle’s still on his mouth.

Not even a minute passing, sounds of twigs breaking and loud wolf barks started to resonate in the area. Soon, we saw four wolves growling at the girl who’s scared eyes were now looking strong and determined.

Shit. If you just helped her sooner, she won’t get caught! I know, I should’ve done that sooner.