Chapter 28: Partners
JADE:
“A ball? He’s going to a ball?”
“Yes. Those students over there were the organizers. They said that that boy was part of the band, and he’ll play for the ball this weekend. I figured it’s a good way for us to investigate and corner him up.”
I pondered at the thought. Kix was right. If that guy was really Marian’s killer, and he’s going to a ball, there’s a high chance that he must be looking for his next victim. We would be able to investigate about him and confirm our suspicions if we go there, and at the same time, we could prevent him from doing something bad should his impulse be was to really kill again…
“What do you say, Jadey? I bet we could also find more about Marian too from there. We could kill two birds in one stone, right?”
“Fine, but Kix,” I said, peering closely at his eyes, “why do you want to help me? What’s in it for you?”
He dropped his voice considerably. “Do you know Misha? Misha Reyes?”
I thought for a while. “Wasn’t she the first of the three college student victims?”
“Uh huh… Misha is part of my pack. She’s also one of my closest friends.”
Close friends… Somehow, the words gave me a bit of pain in the chest. Why was it painful to hear Kix say that he was close friends with another female at this point? Everything was over between the two of us for a long time already… It really was possible that Kix will have another close female ‘friend’ beside me after all those years…
I mentally shook myself awake. This was no time to feel hurt.
“Misha – was she also a werewolf?”
Kix nodded. “Her parents pleaded to get news about her death, but everything still remains a mystery until now. I couldn’t stand waiting to find out the truth, so I figured I should just investigate it myself…”
Kix paused, and then he went one step closer towards me. “Then, of course, there was also you… How can I leave you alone when I learned you saw the recent killing?”
I looked at Kix’s lovely eyes. How can they still give me butterflies in the stomach despite what had happened between us?
I stepped away from him… I mustn’t be swayed by his charms again…
“Alright… Since you have a valid reason to look for the killer, I’ll accept your offer of partnership. Let me make this clear, however. This partnership only lasts until the day of the ball. After that we’re on our own again. I leave you alone, and you leave me alone, got it?”
Kix’s face split into a bright smile. “Alright… Let’s be partners until then.”
Despite the many advantages of this partnership, why do I have a sickening feeling at the pit of my stomach as if I had utterly lost in this deal?
**********************
KIX:
Jade said yes! I scored big time.
That morning, before Jade could wake up, I looked over at some of the stuff that she left lying around in her dorm room to confirm my suspicions.
Jade was always very determined. She may appear weak and frail because she’s very cute, but she could definitely stand her ground if she wanted to. Man, she really would make a perfect luna for my pack!
I can’t believe that my parents had thought of my Jade as someone undeserving of being my mate back then. Even though she’s human, she’s very talented and capable. In three years time, she was able to rebuild the life that was taken away from her. She had also completely gotten over me and has already started her life in a different path…
Or not… At my mention of Misha, why did her eyebrows suddenly twitch as if she was displeased?
Plus, she did welcome me and Riley last night. Although I was in my wolf form, wouldn’t it also count as proof that Jade still liked me a lot? She had easily spent the night with the furry version of me and not with that rat… I’m sure I’m still Jade’s number one boy, right?...
Anyway, if it means I have to stay as a wolf each night to get close to my Jade, I don’t mind. I wouldn’t miss being with her in all the world.
That night, I channeled Riley’s form yet again and went straight into Jade’s balcony, which I had memorized by heart.
Just like last night, I saw Jade’s beautiful back bent over the table in front of her laptop. She had her hair up into a ponytail. She looked more beautiful when she’s dead serious like this.
I whimpered and scratched on the balcony. She came right over to me with a smile on her face.
“Hey, there! You’re back!”
I jumped to Jade’s open arms. She was almost knocked into the ground due to my excitement, which I deeply regretted afterwards.
“Ugh, you’re quite heavy,” she retorted back while laughing. I made a mental note to make Riley go on a diet afterwards…
“Where did you go this morning, hmm? Did you go home to your owner? Do you live near here?”
Jade stroke my fur and then peered closer to my face, turning me from left and right by the ears.
Goddess, did she finally discover my disguise? Did she remember who I was?
“Hmm, you do look like you have an owner. You’re very clean and well-kept, but you’ve got no collar on… I wonder what your name is though…”
Damn this heartbeat! I wasn’t discovered after all!
“What is your name, little fella? What should I call you,” she said, still stroking the back of my left ear that it tickled.
“You have ticklish ears, I see… You know, you really remind me of someone,” Jade muttered under her breath.
At that same instant, Jade’s countenance suddenly dropped. It was as if she remembered something utterly unpleasant.
Could it be she was actually reminded of the human me?
As soon as I thought of it, I was proven correct. “Hmm, I think I know what to call you… How about I call you Kix?”
If I were human, my mouth would have hung open as response.
“You like that name, right? Do you like it, Kix?”
I didn’t know if Jade was joking, or if she was dead serious about what she just said...
Just then, a light knock came from the door. Jade immediately stood up and opened it, and as soon as she did, a stinky, ratty smell permeated the room.
“Hey, come on in,” I heard Jade happily said.
As quickly as Jade stepped away from the door, I was greeted by the unpleasant sight of the creature I hated the most at the moment – Liam “the rat” Cruz.
