Shift

Forty-Nine

Roman

           I clapped along with the rest of the crowd, trying to hide the fury that resided inside me. I glanced over to Victoria, who was staring blankly ahead, her hands slapping against each other, and her lips parted.

           She looked… hungry. Hungry, and far, far away.

           “Victoria?” I whispered. “Victoria, are you alright?”

           Slowly, her gaze moved from Jace’s face to mine. She nodded. “Yes.”

           I raised my eyebrows. “What’s-“

           I spotted Jace, hand in hand with Ava, walking down the beach, farther and farther away from us, until they were just little black specks.

           They disappeared.

Jace

           I laughed, taking Ava into my arms, bridal-style, and sprinting down the beach with her. I felt strength like never before, my mind opened to new possibilities.

            I am invincible.

           Ava pushed me away, a playful grin painted on her face. “Let’s play a little game of cat and mouse- shall we?” she whispered.

           I smiled. “Oh, well-“

           Her shoes landed somewhere in the sand behind me, and she was off with a head start. I chuckled. Suppose it’s fair, though. After all, I am a supernatural being.

           Soon, though, I ran after her. It wasn’t long before she was in my arms again, her blue eyes bright and shining with the oddly-tinted moonlight.

           I pressed my lips to Ava’s, wanting to drown in the scent of her.

Ava

            “Jace, I love you so much,” I whispered, my gaze focused on the crashing waves in front of us. He rubbed my arms, where goose bumps had begun to arise.

           He shrugged of his suit jacket, setting it on my shoulders. I let myself fall back onto the sand, looking up at the orange moon.

           Jace soon followed suit, whispering, “I love you too, Ava.”

Jace

           “Jace! Jace! Jace! Jace! Jace! Jace! Jace! Jace! Jace! Jace! Jace! Jace! Jace! Jace! Jace!” I groaned, rolling over and successfully eating a mouthful of sand in the process.

           “What the ****-“ I began, shaking the sand out of my hair.

           A few of girls was coming down the beach towards us. I recognized the ones that I could see. They all seemed to be from my pack.

           I placed a kiss on Ava’s closed eyes before taking off down the beach. Their speed increased. 

            Victoria was at the lead. Jessica, Allison, and Caitlyn were following behind.

           “What the **** are you guys doing?”

           They all jumped on me. Now, I’m a strong, healthy were, but I had nowhere near enough strength to try to gain control over these four girls. They were absolutely insane, grabbing my hair, running their nails along all of my skin.

********************, get off of me!” I yelled. When they didn’t obey, I cried, “Get off me right now- that is an order!” They all fell to the sand, gasping. “What is wrong with you guys?”

            Victoria whispered, “It’s because you haven’t Marked anyone yet. The girls… we go crazy, Jace. Please, please Mark someone. Alex… Oh god, I can barely process his name. My mind is all fuzzy except for you, Jace. Mark someone, ************

           “I’m not Marking any of you!” I growled.

           Jessica’s hands were running through her brown hair, hazel eyes staring up at me. She said, “I don’t know what to do with myself. Jace, why do you think you need to have a Mating ceremony right after? All Alphas Mark someone and then Mate. This, apparently, is why!”

           I sighed. They were right. It all made sense. *****. I’m not Marking any one except Ava. And she’s not ready for it-“

           “Not ready for what?” a musical voice behind me asked.

           I spun around, silently cursing myself for saying anything. “Uhhh, hi Ava.”