*Mackenzie*Fireball leaped over the log and, with a wild roar, sank her teeth into the native's shoulder, causing him to drop his ax to the ground with a groan. I stepped back, stretching my hands and summoning my flames. The natives also retreated when they saw my powers and the burning lynx, which did not hesitate to tear them to shreds."Holy shit, Starfish. You run from me again, and you won't be able to sit down for a week. Do you understand?" Conrad ran out of breath, tearing up the vines blocking his path."And you, young lady, can forget about scratching behind your ears for a month." He threatened Fireball, who reluctantly released the native and, offended, turned away from Conrad."Don't give me that shit. I'm not joking, little one." Conrad repeated, but Fireball stood unfazed."Honey, maybe it's better to focus on these people than on our punishment, ok? After all, they tried to cut me up with those axes." I pointed at the retreating people, not extinguishing my flames.Co
*MacKenzie*"When will you stop pretending, Kenzie?" Robert asked, changing my bloody bandages.I hissed when he accidentally pulled too harshly, pilling off a significant layer of skin. "When the right time comes," I replied through tears.The pain was nothing new, but Robert had never been this harsh. Why such a change today? Since we met, I could only describe him as the protective, caring, and oversensitive bigger brother I always wanted to have."I'm sorry, Kenzie. I don't know how long I can watch you suffer for nothing." He apologized and gently started to change all the dressings on my back.I met Robert when I was ten; he was thirteen. From the first moment, something between us clicked, and we stayed together through thick and thin. He became my best friend and followed me and my mom on our mission to find my father.Robert was an orphan we met in one of the rogue's camps on our way. With no relatives to take care of him, he joined us, and we spent the rest of the journey ge
*MacKenzie*"Please, Kenzie. Wake up, baby girl." I heard a distant but desperate voice begging me to open my eyes. I felt drained from all the energy, as if some mystic power sucked all my happiness, leaving behind a void, buzzing in my ears and a stinging sensation in my body.I started to stir, groaning in pain, annoyance, or some unfamiliar reason, but my chest hurt the most as if I was stabbed, yet the culprit was a novice and couldn't kill me properly."Ouch." I wined as I massaged my numb chest."Oh, my God. Kenzie. I'm so glad you're up." I felt Robbie's strong arms around me and winced in pain. "Sorry, what the hell happened to you?" He asked, almost yelling as he scanned my body.What happened? That's a pretty good question. My mind seemed to be on drugs because nothing came close to explaining why I was unconscious and in pain on my cabin's floor. I looked around, hoping to find clues, but my vision also suffered as everything spun."I remember Esther," I mumbled, remember
*MacKenzie*The last two days were hectic. We successfully escaped the hunt and stumbled upon some rogues that added problems to our already messed up situation, but we continued.We defeated them thanks to Robbie's fighting skills and ran to safety. Unfortunately, my health condition worsened, and we had no idea why. Sudden and long-lasting chest pains that appeared randomly got Robert concerned.I had suspicions of the reason, but I didn't want to worry Robbie about another problem, especially when the situation was unbelievable at its best. Robbie had already dealt with much more than he was supposed to."Kenzie. I have some great news."Robert entered our motel room with a chirpy attitude and amazingly smelling croissants in a paper bag."Hopefully, it's something fitting these deliciously smelling goodies in your hands." I pointed at the bag, already salivating at the smell."It's way much better than that." Robbie smiled and handed me the bag. "Here, eat it and listen." He sat o
*MacKenzie* I was skeptical about Robbie’s decision to join that mysterious woman and her bodyguards. Not because they all looked scary in their massive wolf forms running around us as if they were escorting us to death, not leading to the safe place. But because the trip itself doubled the uneasiness in my stomach. We’ve traveled the entire day and didn’t reach the rogue King’s territory. We have camped the night at some cabin in the middle of nowhere where the five wolves guarded it like a fortress with their queen inside. That’s how I’d describe the way they treated Claire. Like the queen, they vowed to protect with their lives. The next day, we woke up with the sunrise, and after eating breakfast, we continued our journey. My ass was as sore as ever, straddling for so many hours, the wolf running at his most speed. My knuckles turned white with the intensity I gripped his fur, preventing me from falling. I have ridden on Seath before, but it was just for a few minutes and never
*MacKenzie* The sun shone through the not-fully-drawn curtains in my bedroom, teasing me to wake up. I reluctantly opened one eye and peeked at the clock on my nightstand. I groaned, seeing it was too soon to wake up. I rolled onto my back and turned my head, avoiding the persistent rays. „I’m up. I’m up!” I groaned into the space. I sighed, enjoying the velvety softness of my bedding. I have never laid in such luxurious fabrics. Not that I didn’t know them. It’s just they were never meant to be mine. Esther ensured that everything luxurious was sent to her dear viper daughter, Daniella. Yes, I have siblings. Technically, we are half-siblings, as we only share a father, which I wasn’t sure about. How can a father be so different with all his children? When Danielle was treated like a princess, I was barely acknowledged. I knew I was born out of wedlock, but a man should take responsibility for his actions, right? Not. I exhaled and shook my head, dismissing all the negative thoug
*Mackenzie*Mrs. Kringle wrapped the herb bread in the cloth and shoved it into my hands before practically kicking me out of the bakery to go home. I stumbled, almost falling, but she didn’t care as she raised her finger, threatening me.„You better go home, Kenzie, this instant. I am not keeping you more than necessary, and you should have been at home for at least two hours preparing for the storm.”I listened to her with a scowl on my face. Mrs. Kringle, as she likes to be called, was the sweetest older lady I have ever met. With her warm amber-gold eyes, gray hair tied in a high bun, and a plump figure, she looked much like Santa Claus’s wife. The only difference was that Mrs. Kringle didn’t wear red. She preferred blue.„But you still need help with the rolls for the King’s manor, and the storm looks to be far enough so I could help you with the job and return
*Conrad*My paws hit the moss with a double force. Rip tried to take control and overthrow me to do what his animal instinct told him, but I couldn’t let him ruin our peaceful and simple life. I fought with my wolf, preventing him from finalizing the complete shift.’You have no right to deny me, my mate. You might not want her, but I already love her. I hate you for rejecting her!’Rip raged at my decisions and struggled with the pain of our two counterparts not working together. It was never supposed to be like that. Since werewolves were created as equal parts of one man, everything we do, we do the same. Our moves are synchronized; our bodies cannot hurt each other, and our thoughts are always in agreement. There should be no doubts about how we think, act, or feel, yet I did the unthinkable and went against nature. ’What do you want me to say? Ha!’
*Mackenzie*Fireball leaped over the log and, with a wild roar, sank her teeth into the native's shoulder, causing him to drop his ax to the ground with a groan. I stepped back, stretching my hands and summoning my flames. The natives also retreated when they saw my powers and the burning lynx, which did not hesitate to tear them to shreds."Holy shit, Starfish. You run from me again, and you won't be able to sit down for a week. Do you understand?" Conrad ran out of breath, tearing up the vines blocking his path."And you, young lady, can forget about scratching behind your ears for a month." He threatened Fireball, who reluctantly released the native and, offended, turned away from Conrad."Don't give me that shit. I'm not joking, little one." Conrad repeated, but Fireball stood unfazed."Honey, maybe it's better to focus on these people than on our punishment, ok? After all, they tried to cut me up with those axes." I pointed at the retreating people, not extinguishing my flames.Co
*Garrett*I wandered the halls, assessing what else was needed before handing the pack to the new Alpha. No one asked me to do this, but I needed to ensure everything was fixed.Caris felt obliged to meet my father and the people I grew up with, so she spent the entire day meeting them. I hope that her temperament and love of alcohol will not be perceived negatively. I love her to death, but even I got fed up with her sometimes. Ansel roared in agreement with me. Tanga could also give him a hard time from time to time.'It's just a pity you can't admit it in front of her, you coward.' I commented, knowing how meek he could be, nodding to Tanga.'It's called pampering your lady.' Ansel took offense, exhaling air through his nostrils.'Yeah, whatever makes you sleep at night, man.' I scoffed, returning to assessing our losses. "Pussy." I muttered under my breath, laughing.Ansel got angry and started growling at me, but I quickly blocked our communication, enjoying the undisturbed silen
*Conrad*I sat on the bed, staring at my bare feet. There was still dark outside; the moon gently peeked into our window, illuminating my face as I slept and waking me up at night. I sighed quietly and turned to look at my peacefully sleeping Starfish, sprawled out on the bed, taking up more than half of the mattress. I laughed under my breath. Her nickname fits her perfectly.I got up from the bed and walked around to cover Mackenzie, who had kicked the blankets out and was snoring adorably. I picked the blanket from the floor and covered her body, watching her sleep soundly, undisturbed by decisions that may affect our future.I brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her head before taking in the delicious scent of blueberry cheesecake she smelt of before I got dressed and quietly left the room for some fresh air.I was putting on a T-shirt when a woman in a messy bun, a loose T-shirt, and jeans came out from the opposite room, yawning. She stopped dead when she saw me, wonderi
*Mackenzie*I stared at Claire with a tornado of thoughts in my head. I was extremely grateful that Garrett was still holding me in his arms cause I didn‘t trust my feet. My knees almost buckled when Claire dropped that bomb suddenly."Fifty years," I mumbled, turning my gaze to Agatha.Agatha Allard. Roy's mother, my grandmother, has been dead for over fifty years.I slowly got out of Garrett's arms and cautiously approached the chest. I knelt next to her and placed my hand on the lid. I felt a strange power of attraction, as if there was something inside that belonged to me."Now, it doesn't matter whether she died half a century ago or half an hour ago. She didn't reveal anything important. Nothing except her last request to destroy that chest." I said, revealing Agatha's last words."If no one wants to take this box outside, we'll have to do it here," I announced as I slowly detached my grandmother's bony hands from the chest.Everyone gathered stared at me, wondering if they shou
*Claire*I didn't know how to feel. After over thirty years, I returned home. And even though it was no longer my home, the sentiment remained. And my heart beat faster every time I walked along a familiar path or passed a place where Levi and I spent our most precious time.Dara was in a dilemma. Although, like me, she was pleased to be back at Green Forest Pack, her heart could not forgive what happened to us here. Here in our home, everything we loved was taken away from us.'You act as if we were going to come back here. But I didn't say anything like that. Not even a thought.' I laughed when she growled at me again when I got too close to the tree swing near the school.'You don't have to say anything; I feel and hear everything. After all, I'm your smarter half.' She countered, reminding me of her importance.'Thanks for reminding me that I'm the stupidest one here. You can always count on smarty-pants.' I rolled my eyes as I left the swing and headed towards the pack house.'Yo
*Mackenzie*The day was ending, and nothing we had set out to do was ready. The wounded were still being treated. The missing people are still searched, and the dead, although there were not many of them, were waiting for their turn. We only managed to organize accommodation for over five hundred people in a banquet hall that had not been used for centuries.People asked about everything. Why did this have to happen to them? Why do they have to suffer for the sins of others, and why can't they return to their homes? I didn't know what to answer them; no one did, especially Claire, who was constantly surrounded by a group of people excited about the return of their real Luna.Even though she had a tired look, she didn't refuse anyone, even those who interrupted her meal. She always greeted everyone with a smile, kindness, and openness. And I will have to learn this from her because I avoided people like the plague.When we left the pack house and Maddox set me on my feet, Conrad relaxe
*Mackenzie*The kiss didn‘t last long, but it felt like forever. I clung to Conrad, not letting him end the kiss or our embrace. My wings fluttered playfully before fully penetrating my back, wrapping me in their soft feathers, clinging to my ribs."I guess it's over," Conrad whispered, combing my hair."I guess it's over," I confirmed, blushing after our sweet yet public display of affection.Around us, people were still confused, not knowing what to do, how to react, or what to say. I'm not surprised. Not every day you get to fight against those who want to free you. It's not every day you find out that the last decades of your life were a lie, and it's not every day you experience a fight between creatures that, according to legend, have long since existed."Why don't we clean up first and then deal with the aftermath?"Someone made a suggestion in the crowd, and hearing the multitude of unanimous cries, it must have been someone who held power."What do you say, Alpha?" The same m
*Melody*I lay semi-conscious on the cold, wet grass, staring into the empty eyes of my lover, Chase. My body wracked with sobs of despair that continued despite the pain of the completely severed bond vanishing. My body had fully processed the pain, but my soul was still mourning. My soul lost its half, my heart fell into pieces, and my mind couldn't cope with the most tremendous loss of my life."Ch-sss." I tried to say his name despite my broken jaw and howls.My poor weak wolf Isola cried mournfully for the Moon Mother to take her and reunite her with Axel. Her sense of life had just vanished, taken from her with the death of her soulmate. I didn't have the strength or desire to comfort her in her sadness because I wondered whether to ask the Moon Goddess to take me too.Despite my broken legs and arms, I tried to get closer to Chase's body and leave this world with him, embracing him until my last breath. Every inch I got closer to him hurt like hell, and every second I spent clo
*Conrad* "Now, I'll show you your failure." Esther chuckled above Mackenzie‘s head, staring intently at me, "Alpha Levi." She addressed me and dragged her nails into Mackenzie‘s neck, piercing her skin. Rip couldn't stand it, and at an alarmingly fast and excruciating pace, he shifted, tearing apart all the clothes I had on. And with a sinister roar vibrating in the air, he stood before the witch in all his glory, ready to tear her to shreds. Esther smiled even wider as if she had been waiting for this very moment. Her eyes lit up when she saw Rip, and I realized where her mad enthusiasm came from. 'She thinks we're Dad. She thinks we are Levi and King.' I noticed, and Rip growled, proud but excited to show Esther who we were. "I didn't think I'd have the opportunity to kill you twice. The first time was a pleasure. Now I'll make it historic." Despite her obviously weak body, Esther snickered, threw Mackenzie aside, and lunged at Rip. All the people gathered moved aside as Rip us