Word Count: 1559

~Brielle

I'm out of bed in less than a second.

Charlie buckled to her knees crying out, the sound rousing a few of the girls sleeping around me. Lila included. I stumble over to her, stepping over sleeping heads and mussed beds. When I grab for her, my hands draw back covered in blood. Thick, dark blood still seeping from claw like cuts along her arms. It makes my stomach turn for a moment.

"Are you okay?" I question, pulling her hair from her face gently. Her hair is coated with blood, and through it, I can see what looks like spots where hair has been ripped from her scalp. I swallow uncomfortably. What happened to her?

She doesn't say anything, blood dripping past her lips. Others begin to surround her, pushing me away.

I watch. Unable to move.

Many ask her what happened, while those who are skilled in first aid tend to her wounds, carrying her to lay down on a bed. She doesn't answer any of them, staring blankly ahead, shocked. The marks are vicious, like an animal has teared into her skin. Does that mean something is let loose in this place, wondering around waiting to strike another innocent girl?

Or was it Ren...Or maybe this strange Chase figure who lives here that I've yet to see. Whatever it might be, Charlie went missing that night, and here she is, reaping the repercussions of that.

I'll have to find out what did this. Maybe the diary is the key to the answer.

***

The next day, nothing progressed.

Charlie's condition improved after she was given proper medical attention by Ren's personal staff. But no word was spoken, no matter how many people pried. She just shuddered and shook her head frantically until people started to leave her alone. No one has asked since then.

I reported for work as per usual. Ren called me to talk about what would happen for the week and what has happened while he has been away. We met in his office.

When I knocked and walked in, Ren sat behind his desk, looking down at his work.

My first impression is that he looks suddenly regal. When he glances up at me, his complexion is healthy and bright, and for a moment I notice he looks as if he's glowing. A warm feeling blossoms in my stomach at the sight of it. I've never seen him look so vibrant, despite wearing dark clothing draped over his shoulders. I blink a few times, my speech choked up in my throat.

"Oh, good morning," he says brightly.

Maybe he's gotten a lot of sleep lately. There's no sign of dark shadows under his eyes. He smiles at me. It's warm, welcoming as I come to sit down in front of the desk. I'm not sure why the sight of him has sent a shiver down my spine. It's not as if I haven't seen him in awhile. It's only been a few days.

"How have you been?" he asks, as I sink into the chair, watching him suspiciously. Where has he been that his condition has changed so rapidly? It was as if seeing all the Alpha's drained his energy and he has replaced it again.

"Okay," I say flatley, deciding not to jump right onto the subject of Charlie. "Things have been quite hectic while you have been gone."

"I apologise about disappearing so suddenly. There was important business on the mainland I had to attend to. I should have told you earlier, but it was essential I dealt with it as soon as I could," he tells me smoothly.

Knowing I won't get an answer, I don't pry.

"Have you figured out what happened to Charlie?" I ask, leaning back in the seat, folding my arms over my chest.

I'm not sure why part of me blames Ren for what happened to her. Maybe he didn't directly hurt her, but him being here could have led to it happening. I mean, someone must have either snuck in and hurt her, or he allowed for someone completely off the rails to be in here, putting us all at risk.

For the first time today, Ren suddenly looks stressed. He leans forward, elbows resting on the surface of his desk, digging his hands through his hair. I'm not sure if it is guilt he is displaying or not.

"I've been trying to find out who has done this. But the first priority is making sure she is okay. She will be transferred back to the mainland when her condition improves," Ren tells me surely.

That should make me feel better, but it doesn't.

"None of us are going to stop until we find out what happened to her," I tell him firmly, to prove a point and maybe reassure him. "She will talk soon when she is ready. And when she does we will all be waiting. That is, if she speaks before you send her back to the mainland."

"We'll see what happens," Ren says breathing in slowly. "Now here's the itinerary for next week. Don't worry, it will be a slow one. The only thing going on will be some landscaping throughout the week. I need a change."

I don't question his change of subject. It does stick in my mind, though.

When he pushes over the paper will my instructions for the week, my gaze zones in on his fingernails. Beneath them, dried blood. I almost do a double take, my eyes widening at the sight of it. Why would he have blood under his fingernails? It seems as if he's tried scrubbing his hands but missed his fingernails.

Ren catches me staring, pulling his hands back to conceal them under his desk. "Stress gave me a blood nose. That's all."

I swallow uncomfortably, not knowing how truthful he is being. Either he could be completely innocence, or my suspicions are right and he had something to do with what happened to Charlie. I truly hope he doesn't because I like Ren. He may be my Alpha, but I do like him...

Or maybe it's dangerous to even think like that.

Picking up the itinerary, I fold it up and get up to leave. As much as I want to ask more question, that doesn't seem like a good idea. I'll find out what happens for sure when Charlie is ready to talk. If Ren even gives her the chance to.

"I'll keep an eye out for the landscapers and make sure everything goes how you pleases," I say quickly, pushing my chair back in.

Hopefully this week I am able to keep my mind on work this week. With everything going on and the diary we stole from Ren, I doubt that will be the case. I'm itching to ask him who Chase is, but there is no way I have an excuse to ask him about it without giving him the suspicion that I stole the diary and sifted through it.

Just as I was about to leave, when Ren suddenly called me to stop. "Hey, leaving so quick? I thought we had more to talk about.

"I have...some stuff to do."

It's a lame excuse for leaving, however, I can't think of anything else to say. How can I say 'you have blood under your fingernails and I'm assuming it's something more sinister than a blood nose.'

Ren narrows his eyes, significantly I'm officially making him suspicious. Swallowing uncomfortably, my hand hovers over the door handle. I'm hoping he will give me permission to leave, however, he just stares at me, that blue eye duller than it was the night we took the diary.

"Is everything okay? You seem shaken," he asks slowly, his expression softening. "If it's about Charlie, I can promise you we are trying our hardest to find out what happened to her. You don't have to worry."

But I do. As much as I want to, I can't trust Ren.

All of a sudden, something comes to my mind and I blurt it out before I have any control over myself. "Who is Chase?"

My question makes Ren flinch, as if the name has some deep rooted meaning to him. He blinks a few times, loosens a sigh and steadies himself. All while I watch and consider what he is going to say, and what my excuse will be.

"Who told you about Chase?" he questions. His tone has suddenly gotten more stern. Darker, almost. I've stepped into bad territory.

"Just some girls whispering his name or something," I say casually, trying to brush it off. "Some think he did it. I don't know who he is but maybe you do. I don't know, I try not to listen to rumours."

Ren seems to be looking through me as he thinks. "I think you should sit down."

"Like I said, I have important things to do, and I should probably get back," I tell him quickly, hoping I can get out of this room.

"As your Alpha," Ren says slowly, "I'm demanding you sit down right now."

I'm done for.

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I've also just posted the second novel in the Immortal series (in no way in correlation to book one which is Fate

It's Time!

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Instagram: Sophie_Midika

~Midika 💜🐼