~OtsanaI stared at him, puzzled by his strange response. His voice had carried an unsettling tone, and I was unsure how to react. Suddenly, he burst into laughter, shaking me from my confusion. Seeing his amusement, I couldn’t help but laugh along, though I was still bewildered by his behavior.“You should have seen your face,” he chuckled. “You looked like I was about to eat you or something. Seriously, calm down. I don't have time for all this drama.”With that, he dropped the bow and arrow and walked away, leaving Kate and me exchanging puzzled glances. His odd behavior was starting to get on my nerves, and I wondered how long he’d be around.“Such a weirdo,” I muttered under my breath, returning to my practice as I tried to shake off the strange encounter.“You're getting better at this,” a familiar voice said, causing me to turn and see Ralph walking toward us with his hands tucked into his pockets.Oh no!Was he going to punish me for practicing archery? He had no idea I’d been
~ RalphI felt a surge of anger building up inside me as I watched her intently. She was staring at him while he cooked, and a familiar sense of irritation took hold. I didn’t like the way they were looking at each other, nor did I appreciate the way she smiled at him.The sight of her expression only fueled my anger. “So, you really like this, huh? A man who can cook for you and do things that you enjoy?” I asked sharply.She turned to me, confusion evident on her face. “I don’t mean it like that,” she said quickly. “I just think it’s nice that he can do things on his own and isn’t just waiting around for someone else to do them for him.”“So you think the others can’t do things for themselves?” I interrupted, not giving her a chance to finish. She tried to clarify, but I wasn’t in the mood to listen. Instead, I grabbed an apron and tied it around myself, ready to jump into the situation.“Let me show you what a real man can do in the kitchen,” I said with determination.She looked a
~RalphAt that moment, I felt completely lost. The weight of everything that was happening was pressing down on me, threatening to crush me under its sheer force. The situation was spiraling out of control, and despite all the power I wielded as the alpha, I felt helpless. There was only one person I could think of who might be able to help, and the thought of relying on him made my stomach turn.Alec, with that insufferable grin plastered across his face, sat down across from me. It was as if he was enjoying my misery, relishing the fact that I was now the one coming to him. The smug look in his eyes made me want to rip him apart, but I couldn’t afford to let my emotions get the better of me. I had to play this carefully.“What’s up?” he asked casually, as if we were old friends catching up over drinks instead of facing a life-and-death crisis. His nonchalance only fueled my anger, but I forced myself to remain calm. Losing my temper wouldn’t do me any good right now.I glanced over
~RalphAt that moment, I felt completely lost. The weight of everything that was happening was pressing down on me, threatening to crush me under its sheer force. The situation was spiraling out of control, and despite all the power I wielded as the alpha, I felt helpless. There was only one person I could think of who might be able to help, and the thought of relying on him made my stomach turn.Alec, with that insufferable grin plastered across his face, sat down across from me. It was as if he was enjoying my misery, relishing the fact that I was now the one coming to him. The smug look in his eyes made me want to rip him apart, but I couldn’t afford to let my emotions get the better of me. I had to play this carefully.“What’s up?” he asked casually, as if we were old friends catching up over drinks instead of facing a life-and-death crisis. His nonchalance only fueled my anger, but I forced myself to remain calm. Losing my temper wouldn’t do me any good right now.I glanced over
~Otsana"We had a deal, and I'm not backing down until he shows up," Cabin repeated, his voice cold and menacing.As much as I wanted him gone, a part of me was torn about Ralph's return. It wasn’t that I wished him harm, but the thought of him coming back didn’t exactly fill me with excitement either.Cabin, the head of the rogues, was seething with anger. His rage was palpable, and he looked ready to lash out at Jasper and Callan, who stood before him, unfazed. They were clearly not intimidated by his fury."Are you going to say something?" Cabin demanded, his patience wearing thin, each word dripping with venom.I cringed, fearing what might come next. Callan, however, remained unfazed, ignoring Cabin as if he wasn’t even part of the room or the conversation.Suddenly, in a fit of rage, Cabin swept everything off the desk, sending papers and objects flying. I gasped, shocked at his outburst, anxiety gnawing at me as I imagined how much worse this could get."I'm not stepping down f
~RalphThe tunnel was darker and more foreboding than I had ever imagined. Shadows seemed to swallow the dim light from the flickering torch I held, leaving everything else in a thick, oppressive blackness. Each step echoed ominously against the damp walls, a constant reminder that danger could be lurking in any corner. I was thankful I had brought Cormac with me—his presence behind me provided a small comfort in this eerie place.He had stayed close throughout our journey, silent but steadfast. There was no other light but our torch, no sound but our breathing and the distant, unsettling whispers that seemed to come from the walls themselves. The uncertainty of time gnawed at me; I couldn’t tell whether it was day or night anymore. The darkness in the tunnel was all-consuming, leaving me disoriented."Alpha," Cormac’s voice broke the silence.I turned to face him, curiosity mixed with a hint of irritation. "What is it, Cormac? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of backing out now," I said
~OtsanaFLASHBACKI gazed up at the faint sliver of sunlight that pierced through the small peephole in my dungeon. It was a cruel reminder of the world outside, a world I hadn’t seen for nearly three days. My throat burned with thirst, and my stomach twisted painfully with hunger. It felt like an eternity since I had tasted food or water, and my strength was rapidly fading. Cabin was a monster. That much I knew for certain. The mere thought of him filled me with a deep, seething hatred. He was the kind of man I couldn’t stand to be around for even a second. The resentment I harbored for him was overwhelming, and it only grew with each passing hour in this miserable place.Suddenly, the heavy door to the dungeon creaked open, and I squinted against the sudden influx of light. My heart skipped a beat when I saw who stood in the doorway. It was Callan and Jasper. Relief surged through me at the sight of them, but a pang of disappointment followed when I realized Ralph was not with them
~OtsanaIt's been two days since Ralph returned, and I couldn’t shake the persistent urge to check on him. I didn’t exactly know why. It wasn’t like he cared about my sympathy or would even acknowledge it, but the need lingered. Maybe it was my subconscious trying to connect with him in a way that defied logic. Regardless, I found myself standing outside his office, heart racing.The thought of entering his office made my nerves jangle. I wasn’t sure what kind of reaction I’d get from him. Would he be cold? Dismissive? Or worse, angry? Still, I couldn’t seem to let it go. I had already brewed him a cup of coffee, something simple, yet it felt like an offering, a peace gesture that I wasn't even sure he would appreciate. I took a deep breath, then another, gathering my strength before knocking on the door. When the door finally opened, my anticipation plummeted. It wasn’t Ralph who answered, but Callan. He stood there with a welcoming smile, his presence immediately putting me somewha