Chapter 19: The Hidden Agenda

                                    

                                          
As Jackson continued, my mind began to whir, and suddenly, a sharp pain struck my head. It felt like a jagged shard of glass slicing through my thoughts, and I screamed, clutching my temples.
"Catherine!" Alex's voice was a mix of panic and concern as he tightened his hold on me.
Jackson rushed to my side, his face etched with worry. "Don't force it. Just breathe. The memories will come back in their own time."
But it was too late. The flood of emotions and fragmented images crashed into me, each one like a tidal wave against my defenses. I saw flashes of a dark, cold room, the echo of cruel laughter, and faces twisted with malice. I felt the sharp sting of pain and the suffocating fear of being alone.
My vision blurred, and I swayed on my feet, feeling Alex's grip steady me. "Jackson, what's happening?" I gasped, struggling to stay grounded as the memories tore at the edges of my consciousness.
"You're remembering things from that time," Jackson said gently, though his voice was laced with concern. "But don't push yourself too hard. The pain will fade, and the memories will come back piece by piece."
I nodded, though I felt a wave of frustration. "I remember being in that place... the pain... I was so scared. But it's all jumbled... I can't make sense of it all."
"Just focus on calming yourself," Alex urged, his voice soothing as he rubbed my back. "We'll get through this together."
"But what if it's too late?" I whispered, feeling a deep sense of dread. "What if the answers I need are slipping away?"
"We'll find the answers," Jackson reassured me. "We'll piece it all together."
~~~~~
"Suzanne, you better start talking before we inject more wolfsbane. You know what happens, don't you?" Trent asked, smirking at her.
I was now seated on the couch, with Alex beside me, holding me together. Jackson sat at the armrest of the couch, his arms around my shoulder, comforting me. Chase stood next to Jackson, concerned for me.
Brandon, Ethan, and Trent were near Suzanne, trying to get her to talk more.
"You wouldn't," Suzanne challenged.
"Actually, we would. If you are no use to us, we wouldn't hesitate to use it on you," Caiden threatened.
"Then you wouldn't get to know the truth," Suzanne retorted.
"We always have another way," Trent mocked her.
"Fine," she agreed reluctantly.
"I was with my friends in the woods, trying to get into the Black Stone territory but somehow ended up in Mountain Light territory. There was a patrol team nearby, so we had to take cover in a nearby cave. We were waiting till it was dark to move from there, but before that, your little Luna found us and overheard our plan. We wouldn't have known of her presence if not for her stupid idea of confronting us," Suzanne mocked me.
I clenched my fists, feeling anger and confusion boiling inside me. Alex's grip tightened around me, grounding me.
"And what was this plan?" Trent pressed, leaning in closer to Suzanne.
"Why should I tell you that?" Suzanne sneered. "You've already figured out most of it, haven't you? The attacks, the rogues... It was all part of a bigger plan."
"To what end?" Ethan asked, his voice cold and steady.
"To disrupt your pack, to create chaos," Suzanne said, her eyes gleaming with malicious delight.