Before I slid to the humans, I waited for them to finish building those triangular homes made up of linen and metal sticks. There were three of them. Perhaps it was where they will stay the night. "Show yourself!" Says one of the six men in a furious tone. He then cocked that metallic weapon he was holding and pointed the tip of it in my direction. It shapes the same weapon that the policemen used in shooting me in my first experience landing in New York City. And as far as I could remember, the wounds I got from them were fatal. To make sure they will not shoot right away, I lifted my hands horizontally before I moved out of the huge trunk I was hiding. "I'm not here to cause trouble," I said in a calm tone. But my eyes were as sharp as an eagle, studying their facial expressions and hand gestures, one by one. "What are you doing in the woods this very late?" The woman standing behind the man holding the weapon asked. Compared to the six of them, she was the o
Because of too much excitement, all the letters I wrote on our journey through the sea dropped to the ground as I tried pulling them out of my pocket. I quickly picked them up and hand them over to the woman. "Could you please give these letters to your boss? I mean... I'm not that close to her. We haven't met in person yet. But Nathalie knows me by the letters. Please?" The old man and woman suddenly exchanged partly confused and partly curious glances at each other before staring at those letters in their hands. "But I'm not sure if Lady Nathalie can have time for these nonsense letters, young man. After what happened to his dad and the wolf's attack on the mansion, she might not get out of her room anymore." The man said back. "Why? What happens to his dad? And what wolf attacks are you talking about?" It has been days since I got my last letter from Nathalie. Since I stopped writing letters, I did not get the chance to visit the seashore either. The news th
In the middle of my trip back to the boat, I suddenly bumped into someone who also happened that he was heading to the mansion where Nathalie lives. Based on my quick observation of the man's aura, he seems to be someone close to Nathalie when he was carrying a bunch of scented flowers and chocolate. Or perhaps he is one of her suitors as they referred to it. However, I could barely sense any signs of threats from his impressions when his face was similar to an angel's. He wears too formal, calm, and full of enthusiasm, and I guessed that expression is what defines love when he kept on smiling while staring at those flowers he was holding. One thing is for certain, he's a pure human. There's no werewolf or any unusual blood that runs through his veins. Perhaps he still doesn't know about Nathalie's secret. Aside from that, he can't sense the werewolf blood that runs through my veins. And that's a good thing, right? There's no chance Nathalie would mate or boyfrien
"Hi," I smiled back. Jasper then hand me over the bouquet and a plastic bag full of chocolates. "Is this your way of making it up to me?" "Before you guys talk privately, join me in the kitchen first. I kept hearing Jasper's stomach rumbling the second he stood. It's best to talk when your stomach is full, right?" Mum snatched the bouquet and plastic bag from me and led the way to the dining area. Before Jasper could lift his foot forward to follow mum to the kitchen, I immediately wrapped my arms around him. "Thank you, Jas. I thought you already hates me because of what happened." "I will never hate you, Nathalie. Your secret is not new to me. I was looking at you all over our house, thinking you stayed." Jasper said back. His wrap was tighter than mine. "How did you know I went home?" I curiously asked. "I guess your mum was right, Nathalie. I need to fill something in my stomach before we could discuss more." Jasper let go of his wrap and rubbed my head. Th
"Nathalie, honey, there will be an investors' meeting tomorrow morning here at the mansion. You need to be present so I can introduce you to them." Mum announced as soon as he stepped foot into the room. Startled, I did not get the chance to switch off my phone as I quickly let go of it and dropped it on the bed. Earlier before she stepped inside, I kept staring at the CCTV footage where Joshua showed up. I've studied his facial expressions, hand gestures, or anything that could help me answer to clear mum's and Jasper's doubts about him. And I've been staring at it for two hours already. Yet, I haven't found any answer to it. "What does it have to do with me, mum? I mean... Why do you need to introduce me to them?" I asked back. Mum deliberately slid to the bed next to me. But before she could grab her seat, I immediately picked up the phone and switched it off. "Honey, I have to introduce you to them. Your dad was already gone. It was written in his will and tes
"What was that for?" Joshua gently rubbed his cheek with the tip of his brows bent downward. So, it happened that I laughed at his cute reactions. "I'm just making sure I wasn't dreaming. That's what the slap all about was. I'm so sorry. Is it painful?" I reached out to his left cheek and gently rubbed it. Joshua simply let me rub his cheek for a few seconds before he said, "not anymore now." then he changed his surprising facial expression to a smile. "And you're not dreaming. Have you received the letters I gave to your mum yesterday?" Because of the question, I dropped my gaze to the floor. As far as I could remember, mum told me earlier that she threw the letter into the trash bin, thinking those letters were nonsense. "Umm... Yeah. I got all of them. But I haven't got the chance to read them. You won't get at me because of that, will you?" And that was a fucking lie. I don't want him to feel bad about my mum or at me. So, I have to lie. Could not believe I hav
"What the hell?" I muttered to myself before I picked up on the papers. The letter was made two days ago. "Dear Nathalie, The sky was open and the sun was so bright. As bright as the possibility that I could see you for the first time in my second time visiting New York City. I'm so sorry if my first try visiting New York City did not work out according to plan. I missed spending with you on your eighteenth birthday. That saddens me. However, most parts of me believed that this time, destiny will meet us by accident. Do you believe in destiny? I believe in how destiny works. Just so you know, I am with a hundred of us in our pack. We used three large wooden boats. Who could have thought that our alpha pack entrusted me with a mission here in New York City?. I am just a no-one but my papa and our alpha somehow believe in me. And I find it ridiculous. I know nothing about everything. Yet, they believed I deserve to be the next alpha of our pack. Another ridiculou
Unfortunately, I can't force my heart on whom to love in particular. It will be unfair if I accept Jasper's love out of pity. He might be happy with that. But it will be a nightmare for me every single day. In the long run, if given the chance, it will leave me brokenhearted. The next morning, Jasper was no longer in the guest room. Mum said that Jasper has to get back to his hotel room since the investors' meeting was crucial to the wolf world and that he can come back as soon it was all done. Good thing mum told me that. I was about to feel guilty for what happened last night, rejecting his precious gift. After the meal, mum and I had a few preparations for the investors' meeting. About how I should say and react when they speak up. While she was busy discussing the preparation in front of me, I could barely stare at her directly into her eyes when I will only remember how she lied to me about Joshua's letters. So, I pace my gaze sideways. But my ears were all focu
"Do you believe in what the news is saying? That's completely ridiculous, right?" The cab driver broke the bridge of silence between us in the car. "I mean... There were a lot of problems Chicago was facing these days - heavy traffic, death rates, and poverty. It's not that I am against their plan of eliminating those monsters, but, I've heard no such thing as werewolves." I dont know if I should be pleased or not with what the cab driver told me. He sounded like monsters such as werewolves are not the main problem to society but the government itself. However, the government was right. We are monsters. "... Now, we have on the other line of the phone, the man behind the list. And he wants the public to address him as the Benefactor of this werewolf hunting trip. However, his safety is our main concern. So, we secure his basic information such as name, address, and contact number." added the reporter on the news. "People of the United States. Recently, we, the people o
"Josh, wait up!" Nathaniel whispered as he removed his clothes and shifted into a big bad wolf before he jumped over the fence and followed me. As soon as we heard the sounds of the gunshots, I bumped my body into the door by force, especially when it was locked. When we got the chance to see the image of the house, a flood of fresh drops of blood greeted us. The worst part is that I could barely sense anyone's presence in the house anymore aside from the body lying on the floor with an axe dug in straight to the woman's heart. "We're late," I muttered to myself with much regret that pinched the deepest part of my conscience. I could barely sense the woman's breathing anymore. Neither was her heartbeat. "She's dead." Nathaniel roamed around shortly, checking every corner of the house. We sensed the murderer's scent ten seconds ago but it disappeared like thin air all of a sudden before we could get in. But the house was already deserted. So, he went back to the
{Joshua's POV} "Baby, always remember what I told you, okay?" I muttered to Justine as soon as we stepped foot in front of his classroom. Undeniably, an entire part of me was feeling skeptical of the idea that he will go to class despite the situation he was in. Justine doesn't know yet that someone has put a price on his head amounting to four million dollars. I mean, my little brother was just a grade-schooler. He hurts no one and barely knows about Chicago werewolves. He doesn't deserve to be part of this nonsense and unreasonable dilemma. I don't want him to worry about his life either. All I want for him is to continue his study to have a better future similar to most humans. "That I should reach out to you or Lady Nathalie in case of emergency? Are we in danger, brother Josh? I heard you guys back in Lady Nathalie's place talking about werewolves who are in danger. Are we included in the list?" Justine asked back. And he's started to worry. "No, we're not
And I know he somehow noticed our surprised expressions, especially his brother, Justine. He cared for his brother very much. His little decision, whatever it is, also matters to Joshua. "My entire week is available. But once the clinic gets back its operation, I'm gonna focus my undivided attention so Justine and I could save enough to get back to the island." Joshua said back, trying to ease off Justine's awful expression. "But I thought we are going to stay with Lady Nathalie, brother Josh. Does that mean you're lying to me?" Justine said back in an unhappy tone. My brain was frozen for a few seconds. They only have each other's back if Joshua will insist on ignoring my help. Breaking them apart would be the last thing I would do. So, I tried digging into my brain about how to convince Joshua to stay in Chicago instead of going back to the island knowing they are no longer welcome to live there as her mama told us. That's why she willingly entrusted her two sons
Every one of us, including Justine, exchanged glances, trying to read each other's minds to know which side of the choice we are on. But no matter which side Joshua chooses, I will forever be supporting him. "Then, we'll help them. But, for the record, this is not an assurance that we could protect all of them," had to point that out. I don't Joshua would blame not just me when things go south. My family may be that wealthy enough to have billions of dollars in my bank accounts but I'm not desperate enough to kill the wolves, including our pack members. What good could I get about that? Let alone paying millions of dollars to eliminate thousands of them. "Besides, we still don't know who's madman is behind all these. Putting millions of dollars in our heads requires a massive amount of money in their bank accounts." "So, does this mean my head was priced at a hundred million dollars? 'Cause that was the figure written parallel to my name." Joshua's confrontation ma
Despite Joshua's weakened wolf, he still has the strength to punch Nathaniel in the face. His rage exploded like a volcanic eruption. Aside from that his explosion was extremely hot, no one would dare block his way unless you were ready to get a punch from him too. "Wait... You told him?" Could not help but lush out my frustration to Nathaniel instead of taking his side. I pushed him by force when I could not believe he preceded me even if he knows there was no slight chance between us. And I thought of our sex as a huge mistake driven by the call of alcohol in our systems. "No. I didn't. But I thought you already told him since you heard it yourself, he was referring to our..." Nathaniel cut off his words before making things worse. "No. I haven't told him yet, you idiot. That was already part of my plan, but not now when all our lives are in great danger including the kid. I'm afraid my name was already included on the list." "What list are you talking about?" Jo
"Rescue was on their way, Nathalie. Please hold until we reached the road you're in, okay?" Those were the last words coming from Nathaniel from the other line of the phone before the call got ended. "Okay. Thank you so much, Mr Nathaniel. But, please, come quick. Brother Josh started not to look good." Justine's words made me stealth a glimpse at the rearview mirror and found out indeed, his brother doesn't look good. The colour of his skin started losing its normal glow and was soaked in profuse sweat. I could barely hear his heartbeat either. Neither was his breathing. "Joshua, can you talk? How are you feeling?" I asked and stayed focused on driving the car to avoid getting hit by those arrows and axes as much as possible. "Lady Nathalie, please, help Brother Josh. He's not breathing anymore." Justine's voice even increased my worries and fears, especially when Joshua is not responding to my inquiries. Justine suddenly screamed when Joshua's half of his bod
"Young man, is she your girlfriend?" the cab driver asked. "Are you dumping that kind of woman? Are you kidding me?" "First of all, she's someone's girlfriend. Next to that, I'm not talking to her. So, please, tell her that she needs to move away if she doesn't want to get hit by the car." Joshua said back. "You heard the man, Miss gorgeous. So, please, I'm not gonna say it again. There are a few cab drivers and passengers at the back who are more furious than you are. If I'm not gonna move away, they will put the blame me." Indeed there were a few cab drivers who just hopped out of their respective cars and some continued beeping their horns, making the entire waiting area into chaos. "I'm so sorry, Josh. What you see back there is not what you think it is. I tried to explain to you the reason but you were gone already. But, please, give me a chance to hear my reason. If you don't want to believe me afterwards, then I'm letting you go." "Hey, you? Will you mov
Nevertheless, the only face I see was Nathaniel who was heading in my direction, somewhat bothered. "Nathalie, you need to get back to the unit. Now. The guests are staring at you." "It's all your fucking fault he left." I made sure most guests on the ground floor heard it to make sure their sharp eyes were pointed at him. Then, I rushed back to the elevator and ascended to my unit alone. In a few minutes, Nathaniel followed with a blushing face and sharp eyes. He slid to the fridge and gulped a bottle of water in one go but I could sense the anger that was bothering him. "You know what, Nathalie? If you fucking want to blame it on me. Better say it in front of my face, not in front of the other people. And don't forget, it's also your fault since you've done nothing to make things right. Grow up." Nathaniel let go of the empty bottle of water and threw it into the trash bin. Then, he slid to the couch and switched on the television. And I just stood in front of