Red: Grabby Hands

I sat at the corner of my room with an empty bottle of beer on my hand. My face buried over my arms.

For some odd reason I felt really bad, like borderline evil and unforgivable. The unsettling feeling started to return back so I quickly took a swig of my beer.

The bitter taste complements the sullen mood I was in.

Great!

I looked down at my phone at the counter expecting something or rather someone to call or even text me. But it was all in vain.

Nothing came. Not even a peep.

I quickly brought the bottle to my lips as I took a huge gulp of the bitter liquid. Feeling it scorch my throat like the odd pain on my chest.

I ran my hand over my hair as I stare back at the figure sleeping in my bed.

Jessica.

Her beautiful silk auburn hair draped nicely down her body as her skin was glowing from the light of the moon.

I know I shouldn't be worried but I felt I'm cheating on someone. Like a mate would.

Maybe that's why mother won't talk to me these days. And Frank seemed pissed at me for some reason.

I look at my mate again and felt down. A twitching sting lingering in my gut that I can't seem to brush off every time I try to ignore it.

I unconsciously brought the bottle to my lips and found out the contents were all gone.

I scanned for more through the room and found nothing. I threw the bottle over my shoulder and luckily it landed on a pile of clothes.

I mentally sighed in relief as Jessica was still sleeping peacefully. I pushed myself up as I looked out the balcony's door, the moon shining brightly. Only a few more weeks and the moon's at its fullest.

By that time most wolves would have completed the mating and yet I seem to be rather wary.

I didn't even noticed that I was walking over the balcony as I was so occupied in my thoughts. I looked over at the horizon and scanned the rather peaceful plains over our lush forest.

A rather foggy thought clouded my mind and yet I felt rather calm. I ran my hand over the crook of my neck where my mate would mark me and tingles of familiar teeth scraping the surface made me shiver.

I light jolt ached my brain as I instinctively held my head. My breath heavy as if I'd run a mile.

I shook the feeling down as I saw Frank talking to his phone and his face was downright apologetic.

I narrowed my eyes at him as he looked up meeting my gaze and immediately a glare formed on his eyes. A scowl deepened on my lips as my own Beta was being disrespectful to me.

In a flash, I jumped over the third floor down at my Beta but his glare was still plastered on his face.

I strode authoritative at him as he suddenly spoke to his phone.

"Call you later..." He said but before he could end the call I swiped the phone from his hand and immediately pressed the phone to my ear.

"Frank? You still there?" A familiar voice escaped the speaker of the phone and my eyes narrow.

"Who's this?" I growled and practically heard someone whimper from the other end.

"Bl-Blake..." The voice cracked painfully. My eye twitched at the voice as Frank crosses his arms.

Another jolt then shot through my head as I held it with my free hand.

"Fuck!" I groaned as I heard shuffling from the other end of the line.

"Are you alright?" The voice asked worriedly though the tone came out so dry and raspy. "Has something happe-..."

"Just sh-shut the fuck up!" I yelled. Feeling guilty as fuck after the second I spat those words. "Just shut up..." A bit calmer this time.

The person on the other line gave a quiet response and I felt thankful. My chest was painfully throbbing as if I was feeling someone else' pain.

"Blake." I heard Frank speak as I brought my gaze towards him, the phone still in my hand. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." I replied coldly as I covered the phone's mouthpiece with my free hand. "This does not concern you..."

Frank rolled his eyes at me as he crosses his arms. A disapproving glare shot at my Beta as I let out a threatening growl.

"So can I have my phone back?" He reached out his left hand as I looked at it. "It isn't healthy for him that you keep pushing him around..."

Narrowing my eyes at Frank as I process the person he was implying. I looked at the caller ID and it read the very word I wasn't expecting to be very painful.

Alpha Aries.

Aries.

Green eyes invaded my thoughts as my head started to throb painfully as my chest clenches tightly. The pain was so unbearable that I dropped immediately at the ground with the phone still within my grasp.

I slowly brought the phone to my ear and started to whimper. Frank was already crouched on the ground with me as he was looking down at me with panic and concern.

"A-aries..." I croaked.

"Will you stop messing with him Fang!" Another voice answered back, this one was full of spite and hate. "I don't know what your playing but Aries had enough with your games!"

"Put him back on the line!" I demanded as another jolt of pain squeezes my chest painfully. Frank was yelling for the pack guards to help but I wasn't listening.

"You're not my Alpha, Fang."

"Motherfucker! I said I'm talking to him." I yelled through the pain. "Give him the damn phone or I'll..."

"Or you'll what? Tell him more lies?" The voice jested in a mocking tone. "He's already broken down twice already Fang. What more do you want from him?"

"I said..."

"Do you really want him out of your life so bad that you want him to kill himself for you?!" The person spat hatefully. His tone pained and grieving. "My Alpha has nothing to do with you, Fang. You hear that! Aries won't be fooled by you anymore!"

I was about to answer back when the other line immediately went dead.

I looked at Frank with pained eyes. Not understanding why I wanted to speak to that other person so badly. Why I felt I need to apologize to him and hear him say he forgave me on whatever I have done.

Who was that person?

People were already gathering around me as I felt someone calling me. Voices echoing through my ears went quiet or rather inaudible as my vision became twisted.

I saw Jessica leaning down as she caressed my cheeks gently. Feeling the familiar warmth from her touches but another painful throb clenches inside my chest that I pushed her away.

My breathing was heavy and labored as I felt being carried inside.

I couldn't see the people around me clearly and all the voices seem groggy and muffled as my head started to spin badly. I let out a pain groan as they seem to place me down.

I heard voices calling out orders as a bright light was pointed at my direction.

"The fuck!" I manage to croak as

I raised my left arm over my eyes.

"Alpha Blake can you hear me?" I heard someone call out as the person grabbed my arm. "Are you in pain?"

"The fuck do you think I am?" I lashed out until I felt someone pushing my shoulders down, pinning me down. "And stop whatever your - Agh!"

I felt something stabbed on my shoulder as something else was injected into me.

I was to punch anyone who was within my reach when a warm feeling envelope my hand and I immediately looked at the direction of that person. Then quite familiar green orbs looked back at me and I can't seem to help myself give back a loopside grin.

"Aries."

And quickly as they came the green eyes turn back into my mate's brown orbs. Jessica was surprise that she immediately let go of my hand.

I looked back with the same surprised expression as she was pushed out of the room. I felt dejected at her expression of betrayal. Of my betrayal.

I was starting to feel numb and my eyes are getting heavier. An object was place over my mouth as sleep came over me and before darkness enveloped my sight I saw a person.

This person has silver-ish blonde hair almost as white as snow that seem to glisten at the faint light. He slowly turn around to look at me and I can't help a smile forming over my lips.

And when the person came into view, I saw Jessica's face overlapping with someone else's.

And instantly all went blank.

"Wake up!" I heard a gruff voice call out to me. "Wake up pesky human!" I heard it call out louder and more irritated.

I shot my eyes open and looked over a rather barren land. Nothing can be seen as far as the eye can see.

"Good, your finally awake!" The same voice called out again and I quickly looked at the direction of the voice.

Behind me stood a rather large wolf. Its fur was blood red almost black as its eyes where deep crimson much like the color of fresh flesh.

It was staring down at me with a bored expression.

"Don't tell me you're surprised to see me..." It raised an irking brow at me. "... Blake."

I rolled my eyes at him and stood up and noticed that I was naked.

"Now you feel self conscious..." It groaned and I shot it a glare.

"Fuck off!" I lashed. Meeting with his eyes this time. "I didn't know you where showing up this time."

"And who's fault was it anyway?" It questioned me. "And don't refer me as 'it', dip shit! I'm not an object..."

"I can call you what ever I want. Hear that!" I glare at him as I point a finger at him. "You're not the boss of me!"

The wolf immediately lunged towards me as it started to circle me while growling viciously at me.

I barred my canines at him as I met his glares with every step. He snapped at me as I claw at him and it seemed to infuriate him even more.

"It's all your fault!" He snapped. "My mate will hate me."

"Jessica will get over it!" I barked as we stopped. "She's not gonna fret over that so easily."

"I don't care about that bitch!" He roared at me and I was taken back. "You can fuck with her all you want but I want my mate!"

"What the hell's wrong with you?!" I snap. I grabbed his shoulders as he tried to lunge over me. "She's our mate!"

"The hell's she is!" He barked as he pushed me back. He dashes forward and knocked me down with force. "Don't insult my mate by comparing my mate to that slut."

"You lost your screws, stupid must!" I yelled as he glared at me viciously. "You can't fool me..."

"I'm no fool, human! I know she's not my mate." He barked.

"Well, riddle me. Who is then?" I retorted.

He immediately went quiet and looked over his shoulder unsure.

"What? Cat's got your tongue..." I smirked and he snapped. Leaping in a blink of an eye as his body pinning me down. His face too close at mine and he was not happy

"And who's fault was it?" He growled.

"What fault?"

"That I can't remember." He snapped his canines at me as his hot breath was scorching my skin. "But I know that wench that your calling your mate isn't mine."

I raised a questioning brow at him and he rolled his eyes as he released his hold on me.

"Your telling me that we have different mates?" I asked, grabbing my right rib. Seems like he broke a few upon impact.

"Don't be silly, human." He scoffs. "Where not two different beings."

"So..."

"So I'm telling you Jessica's not my mate. Yours and mine." He explained.

I pursed my lips and pondered for awhile. I do feel the pull from her when we're together but I can't seem to put it into words but its like having the feeling but not having it.

It feels...

"Empty." He spoke making me glare at him.

"You're one annoying motherfucker, you know that." I glare at him.

"Got to be one to know one, human." He replied smugly sitting on his ass looking proud at himself. "You can stop hating."

"What do you want really?" I asked my tone serious and I think he knows it too well.

"My mate..." He started his voice pained though he tried to sound tough. "... I just want my mate."

"And you had no idea who my mate is?"

"Everything's clouded. I know what you know but..." He trailed off.

"But..."

"Just call it instinct or something... I just know my mate is somewhere and its not Jessica." He tried his best to explain.

"But if she's not my mate..." I thought. "Then there's a huge problem."

"No bullshit! Full moon's just at the end of the month, genius." He replied, looking over the distance.

"If I feel attracted to her during that day then I can't stop myself from marking her."

Realization soon dawned on me and the pit of my stomach suddenly felt bad, I mean really, really bad.

"You know my mate will forgive you when you apologize to my mate." He smirked.

"You're the one to jest. You and I are in the same boat buddy." I glared at him. "And besides, you and I don't know who my mate is."

"You can just admit you're not comfortable with saying him." He groaned as he leaned down at the ground with a bored expression on his face.

I looked at him with a shocked expression.

"Say that again."

"Have you gone deaf, human." He glared at me. "I said your in denial."

"I know that but you implied my mate as him." I reasoned and he gave me dulled expression until something hits back over him as he also realizes what he just said.

"My mate's a guy!" He said proudly as his tail started to wag happily.

"He's my mate too, dumb mut." And I paused and looked at the wolf who was smirking at me.

"Don't pull your panties up in a knot. I didn't ..."

He narrowed his gaze at me.

"Just admit it."

"Admit what?" I averted my gaze.

"You're happy that my mate's a dude." His wolfish grin was plastered over his face. "Come on there's nothing to be ashamed of."

"I'm not ashamed, mut." I pushed his face away from me and walked pass him. "And who would be when he has the greatest set of green eyes ever!"

The wolf barked happily as he run circles around me.

"You remembered he has green eyes." He states the obvious.

"Yeah. And he has soft very white blonde hair that needs trimming."

I looked at the wolf and his eyes where shinning brightly at me.

"Aries." We both said at the same time.

My mate's name is Aries and I was so god damn happy. The wolf also was dancing all over the place with a howl.

And then all stopped as I felt a distastefull feeling in my gut that he also noticed.

"Fuck!" I cussed upon the sudden realization.

"You better apologize to him Blake! I can't lose my mate!" The wolf paced around frantically. "He will hate me and reject me!"

I clutched my chest at the thought of Aries rejecting me. He's an understanding guy right? I'm sure he would accept my apology.

"The hell he will!" The wolf snapped at me angrily. "You rejected him twice already. Fuck! You cost me my mate human!"

"Don't pin this on me you damn dog! You're as guilty as I am! With all your pride and ideals..." I screamed at him making him lower his ears in shame.

"Fuck you!" He cussed as he coiled himself on the ground whimpering like a kicked pup.

I on the other hand grabbed a fistful of my hair as I bit my lower lip.

What did I just did to my mate.

Aries.

And by the pained expression he gave me back then and the weaken voice from that call are all indication that he was suffering. And it was all because of me.

Again.

Why can't I just be happy about it in the first place? Why do I need to be a dick and hurt someone who only gave nothing but love at me from the beginning.

Damn you, Storm!

Why do you need to come in my life and make things worst?! I placed my right hand over my eyes as I gritted my teeth.

"I want my mate." I heard the wolf whimper in pain. "But I cost him pain. I'm killing my mate."

I looked up the sky and removed my hand off my eyes and tears started to swell. I grit my teeth as the pain coiled around my chest.

"He -" I froze as a pained whimper escaped the wolf's lungs. "Aries will be fine. He's an Alpha and he's strong..."

A tragic memory of my mate's agonizing eyes flash before me and I felt my resolve waver. The weak sound of his voice as he spoke his concern.

"I love him." The wolf croaked. His eyes almost dull red as he looked at the lifeless soil.

I remained quiet. Silenced by his - my words.

Love.

I love him.

I love Aries.

And yet I caused him pain. I caused him nothing but agony. I caused him...

"Nothing." The wolf uttered and I snapped my gaze at him confused.

I've always have pictured myself a strong Alpha. A relentless one at that. Where everyone would cower in fear at the mere sight of me. No weakness. No flaws.

Just... Picture perfect.

And yet...

With only one person, that very picture crumbles down into nothing but a scared pup...

The very image I forced myself to never show. Or rather...

Feel.

Being this vulnerable. Being...

"Human." He spoke again this time looking at me with a glint of determination in his eyes.

"I don't mind." I replied with a weak smile on my lips.

"Being exposed?" He cocked his head sideways as I chuckled mildly.

I looked over the horizon.

"No." I replied.

The wolf walked beside me and sat down on his huge ass. He gave a light gruff as I shrugged at his behavior.

"Being human." I said plainly and he didn't reply just looking at the horizon with me in oneness. With complete understanding.

"I see."

"Yeah. And you?" I can't help but ask.

He shoved his paw at me rather roughly.

"Is that even a question, human!" He chuckled.

"I guess not." As I gave him a light jab on the shoulder.

We glared at each other as our eyes locked in before turning back to look at a bright white light coming into view.

Aries.

This time.

I will...