Return ↠ Argent [2]

08. Vulnerable

Jade hasn't said a single thing to me yet. The moment Allison had put two and two together she pleaded for Mr. Harris to switch the partnerships around, but he kept his foot planted. I never thought I'd hate a man that much in my life before. He's a close tie next to Matt.

Our job was to restock the soda machines; one of the most lamest jobs in existence. Sure, you could snatch a soda real quick without anyone noticing, but it was a tiring process. My back was already starting to hurt, but the worst part about it was that Jade was next to me helping me do it, making me dread the job even more. I prayed that she wouldn't say anything to me, but of course not all prayers are answered.

I notice her glance over at me out of the corner of my eye. "I'm sorry for pushing you down back at the vault. It wasn't intentional-"

"Save it," I snap back quickly, not wanting to hear another damn apology. "I get it, you're sorry. You won't ever be able to say that enough to where you actually mean it."

She stops what she's doing, grasping a mountain dew can in her hand. "Corey, why can't you realize that I didn't have a choice for any of this to happen? I couldn't control it-"

"I saw you kill that girl," I grit, stopping what I was doing as well as my eyes glare at her. "I saw what you did, Jade. Yeah, maybe you didn't have a choice, but you enjoyed it. You enjoyed taking her life, and you can't deny that."

Jade's eyes smooth over, like the calm before a storm. "You wouldn't understand, Corey. Being a werewolf...it's different. Especially when you first turn. You can't think straight and you feel as if your skin is on fire all of the time. When Kali made me do that, it was like a temporary relief—like I acted on pure instinct."

I slam the soda can in my hand down on the table next to me. "You're right, I don't know what it's like to be a wolf. Sure, you were forced to do what you did, but you still did it, Jade. None of those things effect what you did. That girl..."

"That girl wasn't innocent either," Jade snaps back at me, the storm finally returning to her eyes. "Kali tracked her down, knowing that it would be easier for me to kill someone who deserved it. That girl was a murderer, a liar, and most importantly, she threatened the lives of many others."

A little laugh escapes my throat. "Are you even listening to yourself? You're accusing someone of murder when the real murderer is standing right in front of me."

Jade's eyes flash red for a moment, indicating that she was starting to lose it, but I didn't care. She knew everything I was saying was the truth. "You know, Corey? You're right. I won't ever be able to earn your trust back again, and I deserve it. The only thing I ask of you is to remember. Remember all of the laughs we used to have; the times we stayed out too late...don't you remember? We're best friends Corey. You can't change that."

My mind starts to let all of the memories back in, but soon I'm stopping. I knew what she was doing; playing the pity card. "I can't do that, Jade, I'm sorry. I can't remember how you--we, were, and you know that. I can't try and remember the person you used to be, because she's long gone now. We won't ever be the same again, so don't ask me to think back to those moments. It only makes me wish that things had happened differently."

Jade stares doe eyed at me before her look turns sour. "Fine. I get it. Just don't come crawling to me when Deucalion takes everything from you and your friends. I won't be able to stop it."

"What are you talking about?" I say, furrowing my eyebrows. "What is Deucalion here for exactly?"

Jade is hesitant to say anything, but something possesses her to. "You mostly. He wants to add more members to his pack, alphas-"