It's Dark Within

Three on One

        “Jack…”

        “Rain, you need to stop calling for me in your sleep. You’re going to give me a complex.” Jack said as he leaned over to tuck a strand behind my ear.

        I groaned, opening my eyes to see light coming in through the window and Jack looking over to my with a smile on his handsome face. “You’re up early.”

        He laughed a little, knowing I had no idea that I woke him up after saying him name four times in a row. “How are you feeling, Christelle?”

        That got me to come to my senses. The only other time he called me by my name was the day after I killed the hunter. “I’m okay. How about you? How’s your back?”

        He turned over to show me that the wounds were nearly all the way healed. “That medicine of yours took care of that. Why don’t you go take a shower first, love.”

        I nodded moving to slide out from the bed. “Hey, after breakfast we should come back and take a nap. I’m still tired.”

        “Oh yeah, I’m up for that.” Jack said as he laid back down.

        After both of us got showers, Jack got new medicine applied, then we both got dressed before heading down for food.

        Breakfast was happening in the great hall, and the moment we walked in all eyes were on us again. Jack had his hand on my shoulder while I yawned. As we went to the buffet, my eyes spotted Malcom and his family sitting down watching us. Jack felt me start to go over there, but instantly he spun me around and was right in my ear.

        “Let him be, rain. Now is not the time to confront him.” He said, leaning back to look into my eyes to see if I would listen.

        I nodded, having to catch my breath with how close we were and his arm wrapped around me. “Fine, let’s just eat and go back to bed.”

        He couldn’t help looking down at my lips. “You won’t see me complaining about that plan.”

        Both of us completely forgetting everyone in the room could hear what we were saying, that or at the moment neither of us cared.

        We got our food and headed to a table by ourselves after noticing none of my brothers were present. Nearly finished, and hopeful to be left alone, we were disrupted.

        “Christelle Carter, good morning.”

        When I looked up from my plate I saw Malcom’s father Luis, and I forced a smile. Luis Holmes was the Alpha leader of their pack, and someone I didn’t want to annoy if possible.

        “Morning, Mr. Holmes. Was there something you needed of me?” I tried to sound as polite as I could.

        He nodded. “Yes, my son told me that you declined his invitation to accompany him to the formal tomorrow evening.”

        I swallowed hard while nodding. “Yes, I did.”

        Luis raised an eyebrow. “May I ask why?”

        “Mr. Holmes, not to offend, but do you not see the man to your right?” I asked, gesturing to Jack. “This is Jack Avery, and he’s my date to the formal.”

        Jack nodded up to the man as he leaned back in his chair to give the conversation his full attention. “Morning.”

        Luis looked over Jack with calculating eyes before going back to me. “I see. Is this the new wolf I keep hearing about? I figured you would be…different.”

        Appalled, I stood up to be face to face with him. “Mr. Holmes, I please request that you keep your disrespectful remarks to yourself. Jack is new, sure, but that doesn’t give you or anyone else the right to treat him badly. I will not just sit back and let you berate him in front of me. Your son is forceful, creepy, and overall is a horrible person. Even if Jack wasn’t here to accompany me, I still would have declined your son. I have no interest in being with a man like that. So, with respect I will please ask you and everyone else who is listening to back off and leave Jack and I alone. Thank you, sir. Jack, are you ready to go?”

        Jack got to his feet and held out his hand for me to take. “I’m ready whenever you are, rain.”

        As I moved around Luis he grumbled, reaching out to grab my arm. “I’m not through talking to you, Christelle Carter. You will not treat my son like this.”

        Jack moved to block me from his hand, glancing over his shoulder with expressionless nothingness filling his eyes. “Don’t grab her like that. She said she wasn’t interested in your son, and that’s enough. Ell is a woman, not an object you and your son can toss about.”

        Luis snorted. “Wulfkin follow a set of rules, and both of you will obey. Christelle is set to marry my son, has been for almost twelve years. What do you have that Malcom doesn’t?”

        “Dignity, integrity, compassion, feelings, a heart, muscles, an Irish accent.” I said rolling my eyes, getting Jack to laugh a little.

        “I liked the muscles complement. That was very sweet of you, rain.” He said squeezing my hand teasingly.

        Luis shook his head. “We’ll see if you have that ego of yours after this afternoon, boy.”

        Jack looked over and shrugged. “See you then, old man. Let’s get out of here, rain. Hey, does that sweet lady at the front desk serve room service?”

        “Jack, this isn’t a hotel. We have some snacks in the room though, oh and ice cream and booze.” I said as he led me to the door. “We can mix the booze and ice cream?”

        Off to the right of Luis a lovely lady named Suraj laughed out loud and got up to leave too, as did many people.

        In the middle of our nap, a loud rapping at the door got me out of bed. I groaned as I yanked the door open to see a very irritated Callum. Before he could say anything, he saw a shirtless Jack laying in the bed and rolled his eyes.

        “You caused a scene in the great hall, then came back to your room to have what? Victory s*x?” Callum started his rant as he walked in.

        I shook my head as I let the door close. “Yes, we had wild and rough s*x through his sweatpants and my leggings. What the hell is wrong with you, Callum?”

        He sighed. “Everyone is raving about you and Jack going off on Luis Holmes this morning. What happened?”

        Jack groaned loudly as he sat up. “That man is as ugly as his son.”

        “Shut up, mutt. Ell, explain.” Callum said as he ushered me on.

        I shrugged. “Last night Malcom and someone else jumped Jack and stabbed him two times in his back, then left him out to die in the clearing. Luckily, I found him before he bled to death, and then this morning Mr. Holmes had the audacity to ask why I wasn’t going to the formal with Malcom. He disrespected Jack and me, saying that we had to follow the Wulfkin rules and I was supposed to be with Malcom because that’s what he wanted. I told him to back off and he lost it. Even asked what Jack had that his son didn’t, which is a long list. Would you rather I let him berate us and then me run off with horrible Malcom Holmes to be abused?”

        Callum processed what I said for a moment before running his hand through his hair. “f**k, Ell. Everyone is talking about this. I’ve been in meetings all morning…you and Jack are a pain in my ass.”

        “Sorry, but we’ve been trying to mind our own business.” I said going over to point to the wounds on Jack’s back. “Should we allow one of our pack members to attacked and have nothing to say about it?”

        He shook his head. “No, and I will address that. Right now though, we have another problem.”

        “Of course, we do.” Jack said as he laid back in bed.

        Callum rolled his eyes. “There are several fight proposals for Jack. I tried to get him out of it, but you know how the rules are. Something about you is just getting them riled up, Jack.”

        I snorted my irritation. “I hate Gatherings…”

        Jack got up and headed over to his bag to grab out his shorts from when he learned from his father to fight. He glanced over to Callum and me. “Might want to turn around, unless you want a show.”  

        Callum turned around, but I went over to touch Jack’s arm while he got ready. “Jack, this isn’t right. You shouldn’t have to do this, it’s stupid.”

        “That may be, but I doubt they will just let this go, rain. No one likes me, and that’s something I can’t fix.” He said as he pulled a solid black shirt over his head. “And like I said last night, if it’s for you, then I can do this.”

        The three of us walked out of the lodge and to the ‘settling’ rings. I hated being unable to do anything, and this whole situation was starting to get on my nerves. All because Jack was there, being Jack, people wanted to fight him.

        I saw all the people gathered around and grabbed a hold of Jack’s arm. He looked down at me and smiled.

        “It’s okay, rain.” His hand gently rested on the side of my neck, trying to calm me down.

        I shook my head. “No! No, it’s not. I’m not happy about this! Those guys are being stupid, pathetic and unreasonable! You haven’t done anything to any of them!”

        Jack sighed and gently rubbed my cheek with his thumb. “I know you’re not happy, but there is nothing either of us can do about this. Hey, rain. Do you know what I think about right before I fall asleep?”

        I shook my head at him. I was trying to stop my anger from shaking my entire body. “You are unmanageable sometimes, Jack.”

        “Maybe.” He said as he gave me a wink. “I think about you, rain.”

        Before I could respond, Callum yelled for us and Jack began to pull me by the hand to my brother.

        Callum groaned as the others around us turned to look or whispered to themselves. Jack held onto my hand as Troy and Senan came over to join us.

        “I hope one of you have a plan to get Jack out of this. I’m sure this isn’t going to go over well. Tersa and her husband said that their son is really pissed off that Jack showed up out of nowhere and is taking the position they all wanted.” Senan said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

        I rolled my eyes. “I hate their son, Elliot is a hairy crybaby that moans and groans whenever he doesn’t get his way. Jack is going to tear him apart and then his parents are going to throw a hissy fit. Then, we are going to have even more problems.”

        “That’s probably going to happen a lot tonight.” Troy said as he checked his phone.

        Callum nodded. “I agree, but if they started this fighting then they shouldn’t throw a fit if they lose. I’m going to make sure this is the last time this happens too. I’m sick of this crap already and it hasn’t even started yet.”

        All the while, Jack was completely quiet. He studied the crowd to find the people equally watching him. His eyes found Malcom and one of his buddies standing together like they owned the world. They smirked and Malcom tapped his wrist as if he had a watch. Jack raised an eyebrow before looking down at my hand in his, then back up to them with a little smirk on his own lips. Malcom’s friend flipped him off before putting his back to him, but Malcom just laughed and shrugged.

        “Jack?”

        He glanced over to me and nodded. “Yeah, rain?”

        I sighed. “Did you hear what I said?”

        “Repeat it for me, yeah?” He smiled trying to be reassuring.

        I bit down on my lip before answering. “Who do you want to tape up your knuckles? Troy usually does it for Callum and Senan.”

        He shrugged. “That’s fine, the last time I had tape on my hands was when my dad was alive. This should be kind of nice.”

        “Are you sure you are okay to do this, Jack? Please tell me what you’re thinking.” I asked as I put a hand to the side of his face to get him to focus on me. “If there is something you need or want to tell me…”

        “There is, but I’m going to wait. And rain, I’m okay. I’ve told you that at least a dozen times already.” He said before looking over to Troy and nodding.

        With one last reassuring smile from Jack, him and Troy disappeared to go get ready. Leaving Senan, me, and Callum behind.

        “Are you nervous?”

        Jack looked up to see Troy studying him before going back to the tape. He shrugged as he let out a slow breath. “Nah, fighting is nothing new to me.”

        Troy nodded. “Then why do you keep fidgeting?”

        “Don’t know.” He said, but didn’t mean it. “I guess I just don’t want Ell to see what’s going to happen.”

        “In case you lose?” Troy asked as he finished with the left hand.

        Jack shook his head. “I won’t lose.”

        Troy laughed a little. “So, you’re afraid to let her see you win?”

        “No, I’m afraid of what I’ll do to the loser in front of her.” He said as he looked off towards the crowd, knowing I was somewhere in that direction worrying about him. “I don’t want her to see how much of a monster I can really be.”

        At that, Troy nodded. “I get that. I wouldn’t want the lady I loved to see me brutally beating the hell out of someone else either. Knowing me though I would end up losing. You must really be in deep with my sister to feel like that.”

        Jack smiled, he knew Troy was trying to make him feel better and appreciated the gesture. “I am well aware of the feelings I have for your lovely sister.”

        “Then why don’t you tell her? Ell deserves to know.” He said as he finished wrapping the right fist.

        “Yeah, I will tomorrow. Or maybe after we get back home. I want to see how she reacts to this first before I burden her with anything else. Ell’s done a lot for me.” Jack said as he hopped to his feet. This whole situation wasn’t ideal and the entire family knew it, but he was going to make it go away.

        Troy stood up and patted Jack’s back with a smile on his face. “Let’s go get this crap over with.”

        I finally caught sight of Jack as he walked over to Callum and the other Alpha’s of the packs. I wanted to desperately run over to him, drag him away from this place and make sure he was okay, but that wasn’t going to happen. All I could do now was wait and listen, and then when the match started, watch.

        My hair stood up on the back of my neck as I felt someone move in close to me. When I glanced up, Mr. Holmes was right next to me with a nasty grin plastered on his face. After letting out a massive sigh I held my head high and acknowledged him.

        “Good afternoon, Mr. Holmes. Here to enjoy the mess your son and his friends have made?” I asked, refusing to look over at him as I spoke.

        He snorted. “My son has every right to be angry with your mutt friend. This ‘Jack’ comes from another country and suddenly lands himself a very cushy position in your pack. Not to mention that you have blatantly ignored all your potential mates. Everyone is curious and irritated with that mutt.”

        I ran my tongue over my teeth. “I cannot sense my mate yet, and to think it’s obviously your son is like having blind faith. I’m curious about something now too. Is it your son that is mad that I have chosen another wolf over him, or is it you that is mad I could be sleeping with someone other than your son? You speak as if it was you I rejected as a partner.”

        “Hold your snout shut, Christelle. I am an Alpha, and will not be disrespected in front of the other packs.” Luis snapped as he turned to face me completely.

        I smirked. “You didn’t answer my question.”

        Furious and flustered, Mr. Holmes stormed off and allowed for me to go back to watching Jack.

        “Here we go.” Senan said as he came up behind me.

        Everyone focused their attention on the Alpha’s up front. Perry Manson, Luis Holmes, Vincent Danson, and Callum were standing in a row. Ben Kroger, was the neutral party and looking like he was exhausted from the day already.

        “So, as everyone here knows, this is…a dispute between four packs. Manson, Holmes, and Danson all have boys that have an issue with a new member of Carter’s pack. They have asked to settle things, and so here we are. Can I have all disputers up front and present?” Ben waved for all of them to come up.

         Malcom and Adrien were the first ones up to Ben, then Jack and lastly Elliot. When all four of them were there, Ben let out a deep breath and continued.

        “We have Malcom Holmes, Adrien Manson, and Elliot Danson as the dispute makers. While, Jack Avery is the sole defendant. Now I will give the new member a few moments to learn the rules from his pack leader while I figure out what the four packs want as an outcome of wins and losses.”

        Jack moved right over to Callum and was listening attentively to everything he said, while Ben talked to the other three. When Callum and Jack were done, Ben cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention.

        “Okay, so these three will require that Jack Avery will leave the Carter pack and sever all contact with Christelle Carter upon a win. What about you, Carter’s? What do you want?”

        Jack looked right at Malcom and smirked. “I want everyone to cease all unwanted advances and harassment towards Ell, and I mean of any kind. Just leave her alone.”

        Unable to help myself, I smiled and bit down on my bottom lip. Senan rubbed my back reassuringly, and nodded his approval. Ben clapped to get everyone’s attention.

        “Now that’s settled. How about we get on with this? Have you three decided who wanted to go first?”

        Malcom gestured to Adrien and Elliot, and as they talked to themselves, Jack became bored.

        “They can both go at once if they want.”

        Everyone in the area seemed to go quiet. Everyone except me, who groaned my disapproval. Ben shrugged and looked over to the boys.

        “Is that okay with you two?”

        Adrien nodded. “If he wants his ass kicked that bad, then we’ll let him.”

        “Jack…” I whispered.

        I watched as he glanced over and gave me a little wink before mouthing ‘I got this’.

        As if he flipped a switch, Jack was into survival mode. Focusing only on the two in front of him, bouncing in place to get his blood pumping, and letting out deep slow breaths.

        Ben and everyone else backed up and got ready for the start.

        “Hey, Avery. Your girl will be begging for us to be nice here in a minute. I wonder what she’ll do for us after your gone? Hope you’re ready.” Adrien said laughing.

        Jack didn’t even hear him. His mind was only on what was about to come, and was well prepared before they made their first move.

        Elliot lunged first, going right for a tackle. Jack stepped back and shoved down on Elliot’s shoulders, keeping him at a good distance before pulling up with his knee. The top of his knee connected with Elliot’s jaw with a snap, and without hesitation Jack shoved him aside to brace for Adrien.

        Adrien came up with a right hook to the side of Jack’s face, but didn’t see the kick Jack had ready to extend out to slam into his thigh. Adrien winced, but didn’t fall as he swung around with a left hook. Jack ducked under it and leaned back. Adrien rushed forward, not expecting the right jab coming right for his eye socket. The moment Jack’s fist hit Adrien’s face, he knew he was done and about to drop, which is exactly what happened. Then suddenly Jack was tackled to the ground, and when he got turned around he saw Elliot with fury in his eyes.

        Jack twisted around to get full mount, and without really thinking went to town on him. Both of his fists laid into Elliot’s face over and over until someone finally pulled Jack off. Elliot’s parents and pack members were at his side in seconds to get him up and away to get treatment.

        As he was hauled off, I saw how damaged Elliot’s face was and swallowed hard. My brothers hadn’t been exaggerating when they said Jack was good. He was like a machine, made to do this.

        Malcom smiled as he rolled his head on his neck. “I won’t go down as easy as them.”

        “I was hoping you’d say that.” Jack said as he checked his tape.

        Before anyone realized what was going on, Malcom rushed Jack. He slammed his fist twice into his face and kicked the back of his leg. Jack ate the punches like they were nothing and twisted to slam his own right fist into Malcom’s cheek.

        Malcom took a moment to appreciate the hit and felt his jaw, watching as Jack spit blood into the dirt. He was nearly taken aback at the dark look in Jack’s eyes, he almost felt like he was looking into the eyes of the devil himself. Before he was ready, Jack rushed forward to duck down under a left hook and land a solid kidney shot, but in return he suffered another blow from Malcom. Without hesitation, Jack straightened to eat another punch. He leaned back from a jab, and took the moment to grab Malcom’s wrist and yank him forward and off his balance. Jack smirked as Malcom landed in the dirt, but waited for him to get back to his feet. The second Malcom was up he charged after Jack, grabbing him around the waist. Jack countered with several elbows to the back of his head, getting him to loosen his grip enough for Jack to shove him away. Knowing he wasn’t seeing clearly, Jack took the opportunity to let Malcom eat the hardest kick he had ever landed to the side of someone’s head before.

        Gasps and shouts were heard as Malcom dropped like a sack of bricks to the dirt, and without hesitation Jack was rushing over to ground and pound him. Ben was luckily able to shove him away before he could completely demolish an unconscious Malcom, and all around the others watched in shock.

        Jack’s face was bruised and bloody, spitting again in the dirt to get the blood out of his mouth. His arms went behind his head to open his chest and calm his breathing. Never even noticing me running right for him.

        “Jack!” I yelled, pushing around someone trying to get a good look at Malcom.

        He turned to see me right before I reached him. I launched myself onto him, and with a grunt he was able to keep me from dropping. My arms and legs wrapped around him tightly, feeling everything, his bare skin, sweat, breathing. While I calmed down his arms cradled me as his own breathing steadied. When we pulled away from each other, my face was a solid shade of red and couldn’t help myself as I bit down on my bottom lip.

        “What did I tell you about that lip biting, rain? If you want I will bite it for you.” Jack said as he smirked.

        I let go of my lip. “Oh yeah? Does it bother you that bad?”

        He huffed. “You want to see?”

        “Hey lovebirds, your standing in blood.”

        Hearing Senan behind us, caused me to unhinge my legs from around Jack and go back to the ground. Another voice caught our attention. Mr. Holmes.

        “You! How dare you do that to my son! You should be ashamed of yourself.”

        Jack shrugged. “Everything I did was legal. If you have a problem with it, train your son to be a better fighter and then come get me again, yeah?”

        I tried to hold back my laughter at seeing Luis’s face. “Come on, Jack. Let’s go clean you up.”

        “Whatever you say, babe.” He said as I took his hand and pulled him away from the crowd.

        When we were away from everyone and inside the hall going to their room, I stopped and leaned back against the hall wall with a groan. Jack watched me and frowned when he saw tears streaming down my cheeks.

        “Hey, rain. What are you upset about?” He asked when I put my head back against the wall.

       “I’m upset because of what I just watched, Jack.” I let out a slow breath.

        He nodded. “I’m sorry about all that. Sometimes when I fight I don’t know what’s going on and I go too hard on the other person. I didn’t want you to see me like that. Like a monster.”

        I leaned up and raised an eyebrow at him. “You think that’s why I’m upset?”

        Jack nodded and watched my attentively.

        “No.” I said as I shook my head. “I’m upset because I just watched three people attack you. You think I like seeing you get hurt? Every time they landed a hit on you I just wanted to cry. Those fights were stupid and I’m glad they got their asses handed to them.”

        For a moment he didn’t say anything, not until he moved to surround my completely with hands on either side of me. “You are upset because I got punched a dozen times? Not because I could have easily killed those guys?”

        I nodded. “I don’t care about those guys, I care about you.”

        Jack smiled and felt like an i***t as he shook his head. “You are an amazing girl, rain.”

        “Did you mean what you said earlier? That you think of me right before you go to sleep at night?” I asked, never breaking eye contact with him.

        Jack nodded. “Lately, you’re the only thing I think of. Does that bother you, rain?”

        I bit my bottom lip unknowingly, and before I could react Jack’s lips pressed against mine. I felt like the entire world slipped away as I wrapped my arms around his neck. I longed for this for days now, and I almost didn’t think this was real. At least until Jack nipped my bottom lip, causing my whole body to shudder against him. I moved my hand to slide down his sweat soaked bare chest, and I heard a low growl come from deep in Jack’s throat. He supported his weight with one arm as his other one snaked behind my waist to pull me into him.

        “I’m sorry to interrupt you two, but Christelle is needed back out on the field.”

        We both pulled away from each other, I was panting and the smirk on Jack’s face made me scoff at him.

        “For what, Rayna?” I asked as Jack leaned a little further back.

        The small girl around their age shrugged, refusing to look at Jack and his irritated face. “I’m not sure. Lexana wants to do a dispute with you about last night and how you embarrassed her or something. I think she is more upset that your Jack beat the crap out of her cousin and you didn’t care.”

        Jack raised an eyebrow as he twisted a strand of my hair in his fingers. “Look at you, rain. Speaking your mind once and already getting in trouble for it.”

        I rolled my eyes. “This is another reason why…I hate Gatherings.”

        Rayna blushed. “I’m sorry. You know I have nothing against you or Jack. I think you two are really cute together.”

        “Why do we keep having to tell people were not dating?” I sighed. “Hey, Rayna, did it look like there was any way I could get out of this scuffle with Lexana?”

        Rayna shook her head. “I doubt it. Lexana and her mother were storming around shouting for you as they searched the packs. Your brother…I think it was Troy told them to shut their snouts and calm down. Your brothers asked me to help look for you.”

        I nodded and sighed. “I guess we have to go now if the guys are looking for me. This is going to be crap. Jack…do you think we can sneak away from this whole resort and no one will notice? We could go back to my place and hide?”

        “Come on, rain.” Jack said, taking my hand and pulled me back into him. “We can’t run away forever. I’ll be right here with you, and so will your brothers.”

        I groaned as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “Oh, this is going to be so awesome…”