31

***ERIC.***

Sauntering away from Katniss, understanding she's in pain, took everything in me.

I know she brought this upon herself by imperilling the life, and endeavouring to take a life of an innocent, but I can't help but feel this is all my fault.

I've known Katniss since she was a kid, and she was never like this. That little girl was nothing like the bitter woman that settles within the walls of that penitentiary right now. That little girl was who saved me, and I failed to do the same to her.

I knew the moment she was no longer herself. The moment she sacrificed herself just to be with the man she's in love with; even if it means in the wrong way.

Katniss has been in love with Theodore since she grew to know what that word means, and she did everything to capture his interest. She ruined herself for him, and sometimes, I want to blame Theodore for it.

I want to blame him for what he did to that kid, but I know it's not his fault. Neither is Katniss's.

It was all *my* fault.

I *sat* back, and *watched* as she turned into a whore just for him; each moment breaking my heart.

I *sat* back, and *watched* as she destroyed her happiness with her hands... All in the name of love.

I *sat* back, and *watched*, because I thought she deserved that much from me.

I was so in love with that woman... *Oh,* so fucking in love with her. I was willing to do anything for her, and she was willing to do anything for Theodore.

Knowing she'll never find happiness with me when her happiness lies in the presence of another; I let her go. I let her chase her happiness, and it's one of the biggest mistakes of my life— *One that I'll always regret.*.

I thought letting Katniss go to Theodore was the right thing, but I was wrong... *Oh, I was so fucking wrong.*. Letting her go to him **wrecked** her. It **scarred** her, and she *lost* that happiness before she could even get it.

And now, there's nothing but *splinters* of the kid I used to know.

Now, there's only a bitter woman that's willing to go miles, *and thousands more*, destroying everything, and anything in her way *including her humanity* just to be with a man that doesn't give two shits about her.

"*Eric, you okay*?" The voice is restrained in my head, and I wriggle my head to take in the sight of a troubled Isberlt before me.

"Are you okay?" She queries again with dread crossing over her features as she slowly strides towards me.

*And everything Katniss ever wanted, is what Isberlt have without even realising it.*

"Yes, I am, " I smile up at her, watching her features loosen. "Sorry, I got lost in thoughts for a while. " I wave my hand with a chuckle, and she follows along with a smile of hers, and a bob of her head.

"We all do. It's fine. "

"And you? Are you okay? Where are you heading to?" I lift my brows at her; noticing the slight change in her outlook, and the unsteady beats of her heart.

"Oh, yes. I'm fine. Thank you. I was just heading to get my things. Theo..." She stops herself with a shake of her head before she can complete the word, and an amused smile makes its way to my face as I cross my arms against my chest, and lean against the wall. Theodore, uh? So it's Theodore now? What the hell have I missed? Oh, Theodore, *you dirty bastard*. Keeping things from me now?

Isberlt is the colour of a tomato as she catches on. I've never seen this woman like this before, and it's such an amazing sight to watch. The woman that's always so rigorous, and brave practically blushing at the thought of almost saying her mate's name.

*Now, isn't love great, you all?*

"The Alpha King, I mean, " she clears her throat, composing herself while I continue to watch her in amusement. "He wants me to get prepared to show the evidence to the rest of the council so I'm heading to do that. " She finally meets my gaze again, and I hum with a chuckle.

"It's alright to call him Theodore, you know that, right?" Knowing Theodore, I know it's not. He's a man that *demands* *respect*, but these two fuckers are taking so fucking long. Isn't it been a month already? And they are still in the denial stage? Or rather... *He* is still in the denial stage because Isberlt knows nothing about this with the absence of her wolf. But I know she feels the pull towards him, and I just want that fucker to make a move already! If he wasn't always so fucking stubborn.

"No, that was a slip of tongue, and it's never going to happen again. " She states, rather too hardly if you ask me.

"Okay, calm down, tiger, " I chuckle, raising my hands in the air, and she moans, "I was only fooling. " She nods, but it doesn't take long to have her glaring back at me when I say, "But you can ask him if you love that name so much. "

"I will be taking my leave. It was nice speaking to you, Alpha. " She bows before running out of my sight, and I can't help the laugh that slips through my throat as I watch her frame slowly become distant.

*The more you both try to ignore it; the harder it'll be for you to resist.*

***COREY.***

Something doesn't feel right.

I've been feeling this way since that night, and I can't fucking tell what it is.

I still can't remember anything, and the most annoying part is having only blurred flickers about scenes I'm yet to figure out if it's a reality, or just my brain messing with me.

"It's not a wolf bite, " Doctor Shelley voice pulls me out of my thoughts as he backs away from me, dropping the flash on the tray feet away.

"Are you sure?" I question, buttoning my shirt, and he nods, crossing his arms against his chest.

"We've been studying wolves for months, Corey, so of course I know what a wolf bite looks like before I ever started. That isn't one. This bite is like nothing I've ever seen, and I think we are going to carry out a few tests on you. You know, to see if it's affecting you in any way. " He says with a wave of his fingers, and I whimper; moving to my stand.

"Are you sure you don't want to inform Doctor Zion about this though? He knows much more about these things than any of us, and I believe he'll have more knowledge about what's going on with you. "

I don't think I've ever moved so fast in my life, and judging by the fear in Doctor Shelley's eyes; I know he wasn't expecting it either as I virtually shove my finger in his face.

"There will be no telling Doctor Zion about this. Okay? You promised me. You can't tell him about it. You can't tell anyone. Not until I find out what the fuck is wrong with me. "

Knowing Doctor Zion, he's going to lock me up, and have me put into a cage-like one of his fucking experiments, and that's not the life I want for myself.

I'm going to figure out what's wrong. Even if I die trying.

"Okay, fine! I promise! I won't say a thing to anyone. " He raises his hands in surrender, and I nod before backing away from him.

"Now," I'm unable to complete the rest of my words as the door bursts open, and a grinning doctor Philips walks in.

"Doctor Zion just found out a theory! We have good news, colleagues! Come on, he's waiting for us. " He grins happily, waving for us to follow behind him, and Doctor Shelley trails behind him; the both of them walking out of the room.

"Corey, you coming?"

"Yes, I'll be with you guys in a minute. Just need to clear this place. " Thankfully, Philips doesn't try to urge me any further, and Doctor Shelley gives me a look of acknowledgement before their frames fade through the door.

A shiver runs across my body, and I wince; collapsing against the desk.

It's like a jolt of electricity is running through my body, and I can't decide if it fucking hurts, or feels so damn good.

Moaning, I feel my skin stretches, and I grab the glass before me, bringing it up to my bite marks; my mouth hanging.

The marks... Oh my God! **It vanished**!

*Phew! Another one! So thoughts about this chapter, Sweethearts? The next one will be longer than the usual so be prepared, Hunnies! Don't forget to drop those thoughts!!!*