Sniffles and Whimpers."

"So let's move this picture to the next page, it will make it look less congested," I suggest and Nicole nods, removing the paper clip.

Thunder rolls across the sky, sending a flash of lightning. Rain hammers against the roof, the sound of it powerful and majestic, showing just how powerful Mother Nature is. Tonight it seems like Earth is unleashing her anger, because the downpour seems to be going on forever.

I hope the city doesn't get flooded like that Indian one.

The closed curtains light up for a second, like someone just clicked the flash of the world's biggest camera, before dimming. I rub my cold forearms in an attempt to warm it, and search for the glue stick in the clustered table full of things, but it's nowhere in sight.

Guess I left it in my room.

"I'll go fetch the glue stick," I stare and stand up, stretching my joints, when the door bursts open.

Beta Ezra is standing there, dripping wet from head to toe, as if he'd run all the way here, from somewhere, in the rain. He's out of breath and he's panting, but he doesn't bend or show any signs of strain.

The things training can do...

"Go to Seneca's room. Now," He orders, his voice hard and command intact, even if it's in-between hard breaths.

"What? Why?" I question, confused.

Beta Ezra eyes Nicole for a second and then his eyes meet mine again. "Because," He evades my query.

"No, She told me not to go there." I reply, and turn back to the table, collecting the completed sheets and stacking them up in a neat pile.

"Aleph Micajah, Please do as I say." He repeats, politer this time, albeit still rough.

"No, She is the one who's angry for no reason. Not me," I say defensively, not meeting his accusing gaze.

"Will you do it or not?"

"Can't you get it?! If I apologize now, she'll think I'm weak and never respect me!" I yell, turning around and glaring at him.

"Aleph boy, I'll ask you one last time, Will you do it or not?" He repeats, fury lacing his words. His fists ball and jaw clinches to a hard plane as he awaits my million dollar reply with impatient and rage-filled eyes, but I don't give in.

"No," I reply stubbornly, crossing my arms.

"Okay, then. Come to me yelling about something, and you'll see what I do." He warns threateningly. He sends a cool, loaded intimidating look Nicole's way, a one that reminds me how powerful he actually is.

Beta Ezra's easy smile, and playful attitude often makes people comfortable and we let our guard slip down, because we fail to remember how deadly he actually is—that he can kill a Wolf in 3 seconds flat, (his dialogue not mine)—and we also forget the fear we might've felt when we first saw him. We start to see him as a friend, as an acquaintance, as a funny guy, and as someone who's equal to us.

I'd say, compared to Seneca's cold attitude that keeps on reminding people that she's a lethal weapon not to be messed with and keeps everyone at arm's length, Beta Ezra's demeanor; that makes trusting him easier—is by far, the most dangerous.

He bangs the door shut on his way, rushing out. The frame rattles at the force he closed it, and just then thunder roars again, adding effect to his exit. I sigh desperately and sink into the bean bag, putting my head in my palms.

Few seconds tick by and there's absolute silence. I look up to see Nicole looking at me cautiously, with raised brows.

"What are you looking at? Continue the cutting..." I say tiredly, and go back to my chair, unable to remember the reason why I actually left it in the first place.

⍟ ⍟ ⍟

Two minutes later, I'm restless and fidgeting, not able to write down a single word. My Wolf is pacing, agitated about something; and this doesn't help the bad feeling in my stomach either.

"Go," Nicole says.

"What?"

"Don't be adamant. I know you want to. Just go." She advises, keeping her eyes fixed on the paper. I hesitate and don't stand, my pride getting the best of me, when suddenly, I'm pushed to the ground by a violent shove from the girl I call my new friend.

"Ow!" I moan, rubbing my sore butt and pushing up my glasses.

"Go!" She cajoles and I nod, getting up from the floor. I make my way out of the study room and walk down the hallway to the very end of the floor, where the black door rests.

Seneca's room.

How many times have I imagined going in there?

Okay, no need to remind yourself how pathetic you are, Micajah.

As I near the wooden door, the bad feeling in my stomach increases, churning my insides and threatening to push out the remnants of my Nutella sandwich. I gulp hard and walk faster, when lightning flashes across the curtains, followed by the boom of thunder, making me jump.

It's just lightning, Micajah. Just walk a few steps forward.

When I come closer to her room, I notice that the door is actually open a few inches and a dull orange light, like the one from a bedside lamp, is pouring out through the crack.

Strange.

I'd thought she'd be calling a meeting or something.

And then I hear something that's even more strange but for some reason that sound claws at my heart.

Sniffles and whimpers.

I rush forward and peek through the tiny opening in the door, and I'm momentarily blinded by the dullness. After a couple of seconds and numerous blinks my eyes adjust, and my heart jerks and falls to my stomach when I comprehend the reality of the situation before me.

My Mate is crying.

Beta Ezra is there as well, hugging her tightly. Seneca's arms are around his neck, clinging to him desperately, like the thirstiest man wanting the last drop of water. Visible sadness and pain surround the embracing duo, and I can feel my Wolf whining and retreating to the back of my head.

The two of them are on the floor beside the bed, curled up in the corner of the room. Seneca's mass of red curls are out of their leash, and her face is hidden in the Beta's chest, so it is obscured from my vision. She hiccups and cries softly, shivering violently and jerking.

It feels like someone just stamped my heart.

"Shh, Don't cry, my Alpha. It can't harm you. I'm here." Beta Ezra croons, patting her back in a fatherly way.

"Y-you—" She hiccups, and the sound makes gooseflesh break out across my arms, "You won't b-be there al-always," Seneca mumbles in-between her tears, hugging him closer.

"No, doll. I will be there. Forever and Always," Beta Ezra promises, his voice filled with pain and desperation. I examine his face carefully, And I'm shocked to realize that he's hurting as much as she is, and the real depth of their bond dawns on me. Suddenly, his sharp senses alert him of my presence. His head snaps to the door, and even in the dark, I can see his eyes lighting in fury and flashing gold.

Translation: I told you, you didn't listen. Now, don't you dare do something stupid.

I don't know what the actual reason is, but for every tear spilling from my Mate's eyes, for sob escaping her throat, for every shiver wracking her body, the fist around my heart squeezes tighter than before.

Fuck you, Micajah! Fuck you! You deserve this for not listening to him.

I back away from the door, leaning on the wall beside it. My knees give out and I and collapse, letting my back slide down the wall. I know that I'm punishing myself by hearing her cry, neither able to go inside and do something, nor able stay away and ignore it,—But I just can't bring myself to care.

I feel like I'm somehow responsible for hurting her even though I know full well that I'm not.

Is this what seeing your first love hurt and being able to do nothing feels like?

If that's the case, then I guess I'm in love.

With another jerk, I realize how true my thoughts were.

I am in love with my Mate.

⍟ ⍟ ⍟

{Okay, now everyone knows that something fishy is going on in the background and Micajah is slowly starting to knw what's happening.

[i knw it's giving away the story, but it's NOT because of Micajah.]