Jackson's POV ( Set in time with the last two chapters )

As I step out of the shower, feeling relaxed and calm, I try to sort through my thoughts about Scarlett. Alex stirs just thinking about her.

Down boy. I chuckle, rolling my eyes.

I shake some of the water out of my hair and dry my face off with my towel. I smile as I look over my reflection in the mirror, admiring my chiselled face, muscular arms and torso, my six pack, and........all of the scars lining my body.

I watch as my eyes turn cold and my face hardens just by thinking about the scars, and how I got them, but....that's for another time. Centre yourself, Jackson. Alex reprimands me. We have training to get to, and you don't what to be slipping down into that hole of despair and darkness again.

He's right. Of course, he is, he's always right. I grip the bench, and take a breath, calming myself down.

Pushing away from the mirror, I stalk back into my room, pulling out my training clothes, which consists of long black trousers, and a white tee shirt, along with black running shoes.

Glancing outside, I watch as a small group of people talk to each other, sitting on one of the logs. They appeared to be in a deep conversation, and although I couldn't see or hear exactly who they were from my second story window, I gathered it was Scarlett and her new pack.

Which meant, that if they were there, then training must not have started yet.

I glance at the broken clock on the opposite wall, cursing myself for not fixing it earlier.

Oh well, no ones down there yet, and besides, If I'm a little late, I'm a little late. There's not much they could do about it, after all.

I shrug into my clothes and glance back down at the pack square, and the rest of the pack still weren't there. I frowned, contemplating heading down already, but I didn't want to be the first one there, so I decided to wait until I saw the pack down there. Besides, if I was there first, I would have to deal with Scarlett, and her pack, who no doubt hate me for what happened all those years ago.

So, with that in mind, I decide to take a quick nap, only for a few minutes. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?

Jackson. Jackson. JACKSON! I bolt upright when I hear Alex screaming my name. "What?" I snap at him. "I was trying to sleep!"

I felt him roll his eyes, before replying. Well, it's well past time to start training, so if I were you, I'd get your ass down there before Scarlett gives you a beating.

My eyes flung open, and I jump out of bed, scrambling around to get ready and head down. I glance out the window and see that everyone is down there, and Scarlett appears to be talking to them. I shrug into my clothes, and run out the door, speeding up and gaining speed as I run.

Just before I rounded the corner, I slowed down, making it appear as if I had casually walked down. Just as I get closer, I hear a clap and Scarlett's voice. "Right. I'm going to pair you off and see how well you can fi-"

I round the corner, and there she was, looking all feisty and gorgeous with her back to me. I see her turn around so I change my glance into a glare and fold my arms over my chest. Gotta keep up the pretence, right?

She smiled that captivating, beautiful smile. "Ahh, I see you've decided to join us, Mr O'Brian. You're only," she looks at her watch, "56 minutes late." My heart plummets, was I really that late? I hear the whole pack groaning behind her, as she explains to me what I have to do.

While she was talking to me, I just glared at her, even though just the sound of her voice made my heart jump and swell. However, hearing what she's making me do...well let's just say that she's lucky that she's not anyone else.

Stifling my growl, I walk over and stand in front of my pack with my arms crossed.

"Right. Jackson, you better get moving, you have 106 laps of the pack grounds to do. Chop Chop. Times running out." She says, smirking. Keeping up the pretence, I give her another scowl and take off jogging.

As I near the edge of the forest, I hear her address the rest of the pack. "I would start now if I were you, the quicker you get it done, the longer break you'll have waiting for your Alpha to finish."

Sighing, I berate myself. Why didn't I force myself to be there on time? Shaking my head, I hear Scarlett's laugh, and smile, vowing to myself that I'd be the first person to every training session.

~~~~~~~~

After 89 laps, I started to work up a sweat, so I stopped briefly to rest against a tree, and I considered shifting, but decided against it, remembering that Scarlett would know.

Sliding down to the ground, I sense Alex resting. I run my hands through my hair, but stop at the mark etched into the skin behind my ear. I wince and trace the black X with my finger. I have no idea how I got the mark, all I know is that it appeared after I rejected Scarlett, and hasn't gone away since.

I tug on the ends of my hair, groaning at the length. I absolutely hate having my hair this long, but I grew it out after Scarlett left to cover the mark. I drop my hands, and lay my head back on the tree, closing my eyes and listening to the sounds of the forest.

Less than a minute after I close my eyes, everything goes silent. I snap my eyes open, and jump to my feet, scanning the area for the cause. Yes, maybe I am just paranoid, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Backing against the tree, I hone my senses, trying to pick up any abnormality in the air. but...nothing. I stay there, holding my breath, trying to find something different in the air, but there's nothing.

I breathe out, cursing myself for being paranoid. Of course, it's nothing. If there was something - or someone - the guards would've picked up on it by now. They didn't last time though, did they?  

Swallowing, I roll my eyes at Alex and push off the tree. "Oh shut up Alex, you know that wasn't their fault," I said, waiting for a snarky comeback, but...he was silent. "Alex?"

Jackson, behind you! He yelled, startling me.

Spinning around, I see a figure clad in black rushing at me. Before I can do anything, the figure starts swinging punches at me.

I dodge the first hit, backing away from him in shock when suddenly, more and more black-clad figures start to circle me. I lunge at the figures, punching and kicking where I could, but I don't stand a chance against them, there's just too many of them.

Slowly, I start to feel them overpower me, and as much as I try and fight, I get nowhere. There's a sharp pain in my arm, snapping my attention away from my attackers for a moment. 

Slowly, I feel a burn in my arm, and it spreads. Agonisingly slowly. I start to lose feeling in my fingers...my arms...my legs...my torso...my chest...my neck...my head.

Alex's whimper rings in my ears, and it dawns on me what's happening. 

Wolfsbane.

I lose my balance, falling flat against the tree behind me. My vision starts to blur, and spots start to appear. The last thing I see as my eyes slide shut is the original black-clad, hooded figure grinning evilly, and the scar on his left cheek.

Run Scarlett...run...