~ Leigh's POV ~Everything was a mess. It was almost like a curse that I never got what I wanted. I always wanted a perfect family like every other person. A happy mother, a loving father and a caring sibling.My mother died of depression, my father only ever loved his gains and my brother was the biggest ass in history.I sighed as I stood beneath the scorching shower, letting the torrent of water cascade down my skin like a deluge of despair. Anger and sorrow swirled within me, a maelstrom of emotions that threatened to consume me whole. My heart ached as I recalled what Iris had said. She wanted nothing to do with me but I couldn't help my feelings for her.'You are just a coward Leigh' her words echoed inside of my head. Yes, I was a coward, always running away from the real problem and going towards the path I knew was impossible.My fists clenched, and I slammed them into the bathroom walls, the impact echoing through the tiled space like a scream of rage. The only sounds were t
If I wanted to change myself and possibly my feelings, I had to start by getting close to Eleanor. It's not like we weren't close, but only as friends. I had told her over and over again since we were kids that I wasn't into her, and she also didn't seem that interested in me too. Except that only recently, she suddenly wanted to play the perfect future mate with me and I found it cringe since we both saw ourselves like siblings."Have dinner with us tonight Leigh," her voice calm and commanding.I lowered my eyes and didn't say a word. I could feel her moving restlessly behind me but I didn't care and just kept feeding my bird. Iris had already excused herself, so it was only Eleanor and I that were present.She walked out of the balcony and moved into the room, probably examining the place. I sighed as I watched my feathered friend move around in his little cage. He was full and wouldn't eat again. I had bought the prettiest of cage for Claws, but no matter how pretty the cage was o
I sat quietly at dinner. The food looked good but it tasted so bland. Maybe it was my heart that was bland."Have a taste of the fish sauce," Eleanor said with a bright smile. I didn't respond and let her do as she pleased. Iris was standing just besides her and I couldn't bear to look at her."It's so nice seeing the both of you so happy together." Father said, distracting me from my line of thoughts."I would be happier if Leigh isn't so busy all the time and have meals with us." Eleanor pouted and father laughed."You would have to convince him then to not work so hard," he turned to face me."And make him understand that there is more to life than work," he said with fixed gaze. "Maybe you could even make him come home more often." He shifted his gaze to Eleanor and gave a smile. I rolled my eyes because I knew he was just trying to scold me indirectly."I guess I have to work hard as the future Luna of this pack." She smiled as she glanced at Iris. I caught her sly peek and I pee
I stared at the clock ticking continuously as I arranged my files in my room. The smell of freshly baked cookies filled the air as Miss Felice just delivered them to my room."You hardly ate anything my dear boy. Have these for now." She said with a warm smile and I smiled back at her. She stared at me and hesitated to speak."Do you have something to say?" I asked her."It's just that I wish you could be genuinely happy." She said with sad eyes and I smiled brightly at her as I moved closer and held her cheeks with both arms in a playful manner."Don't I look happy enough?" She sighed and pushed my hands away."At least you can still joke around. I just hope you do the right thing. I can't outrightly advice you to follow your heart, but I do hope you make the right decision that is best for everyone." She said and I contemplated her words.A decision that was best for everyone, it was probably that decision that could cost me my happiness. Oh well, I didn't have time for that thought
The air was crisp and clean, with a hint of freshly brewed coffee that the servants just served. I sat poised reviewing the files from the Lane packs representative, Archie Addams.On a sleek, silver platter, a delicate arrangement of pastries beckoned flaky croissants, buttery Danish, and crispy bagels. Atop each pastry, a delicate slice of smoked salmon glistened. Dollops of cream cheese, infused with a hint of lemon and dill, added a tangy contrast.Archie and his assistant helped themselves, while Nicolas had been stuffing his mouth since the beginning anyway."So as you must have already been informed," I said just as Archie was about to pick up another buttery Danish from the platter, he paused and turned to look at me."Hmm, like I was saying. You must have already been informed that we would be working with the Crescent Moon Pack to solve this case." I said to him and he nodded as he sat up."I have been pre informed. Although, the Lane and the Crescent Moon Packs have been at
~ Iris POV ~For the past few days, I have been doing nothing but running around the whole house all in the name of running an errand for Miss Eleanor. Sometimes I felt like she hated me, but that couldn't be the case. She was really nice to me.I went back to my room, all exhausted and tired from today's work. It felt like I was training for the Olympics or something."Do you feel better now?" Anne said as she massaged my legs with medicinal ointment. My legs were trembling."I feel relieved. Thank you Anne.""My pleasure." She said with a smile."Did you do something to Miss Eleanor? Or is it just me that feels like she's pissed off with you?" Gina asked abruptly."I don't think so." I replied as I stretched my legs, but I could still feel little pains."Why does it look like she's bullying you? I don't understand?" Gina said as she looked like she was seriously thinking about the issue."I don't think she's bullying Iris," Anne said. "She's probably just being a spoilt rich girl."
"More egg Benedict Miss Eleanor?" I asked as I saw the one in her dish had nearly ran out. She frowned and didn't say a word. She took a sip of her coffee. Pack Master tried throwing in a few words but she seemed too pissed to give a proper reply."What was this atmosphere?" I muttered quietly to myself. Leigh walked in quietly and her mood was lifted at once. It makes sense now. She was waiting for him to arrive."I'll like that refill now Iris!" She said beaming with joy. "Serve Leigh as well," she ordered."No need." He said before proceeding to grab a toast and a sausage. Miss Felice came close and served him freshly brewed coffee, which he didn't refuse."I'm so happy you decided to join us this morning." Miss Eleanor said and he didn't reply. His head down as he munched slowly."It even shouldn't be a choice. Doesn't he know he should join the whole family for a meal everyday?" Master Alan said annoyed. Leigh just sat there and didn't make a comment. When he was done with the sl
I stood in front of the door, hoping and praying to the moon goddess that Miss Eleanor wouldn't find fault with the pastries this time. I said a few words of prayers before I knocked and entered."Here, Miss," I said as I served the tarts."Don't tell me they prepared this down too?" She asked with raised brows."This is a fresh batch." I replied."No fun!" She whined, tossing her phone away.What did she mean by no fun? This woman was obviously messing around with me."Bring it closer to me," she commanded and I did as I was told. Luckily, she didn't reject it or send me back, but she ate the whole thing. She got a call and she frowned as soon as she saw the caller ID."What?" She replied in the harshest of tones I had ever heard her use.They talked for a while and she frowned through out the conversation."Do whatever you want. I'm not coming back. Bye!" And she hanged up. I didn't dare ask her who it was but seems like she wanted to vent so she told me anyway."That Travis is seri
I floated in a void and it was hard to breathe. I struggled till I finally found my balance. "Here again?" I muttered to myself as I walked the familiar path and was met with the same woman that has been appearing in my dreams almost every night.I still couldn't understand what she was saying, but I knew it was something very important."Remember!" She whispered before a whirlwind blew me away and I woke up abruptly, panting heavily.I looked around and I found myself in the comfort of my own room. I sighed as I sat up and rubbed my eyelids with my palms. I tried to move, but I hissed in pain as I was still sore from last night's activity in the garden.I felt drained and tired, with my body still humming from the memories of last night's passion with Leigh. The sunlight streaming from the window seemed too bright, that I winced as I turned to look the other way. I stretched, yawned, and swung my legs over the side of the bed, with my feet dangling in the air.I went to the bathroom
It was probably 10pm or something. I wasn't exactly sure because I drifted off to sleep after Anne tucked me in and I hadn't gotten up since then. The vibration of my phone woke me up."Ugh," I sighed as my head began to throb. I reached for my phone and saw an incoming call from Leigh. Immediately, I sat up before picking up."Hello." I said carefully."Iris." He said in the calmest of voice and my previous anger and dissatisfaction with him watched away as if it was never there."Can we meet up?" He asked."Now?," I glanced over at Anne's side and she was tucked in with her earpods in, probably watching a movie. "Okay." I said as I climbed out of bed.My movement alerted Anne as she turned her attention to me. "Going somewhere?" She asked taking one bud out of her ear."Yeah. I'll be back shortly." I smiled as I put on something simple but nice. I headed to his mother's garden. He didn't have to tell me that that's where he'd be before I could go, because I could probably read his
I haven't seen or heard from Leigh all day. I was really worried and unhappy about this. I would be going back home tomorrow, so I had hoped I would be able to at least speak with him today. I sighed as I made my way back to my room. Since he isn't picking up his call, I should probably go finish packing up and sleep for a while. I headed down the corridor when someone pulled my arms to the side. Shocked and alarmed, I turned back with my fist in the air, it could be another attack, but I was surprised to see Miss Clarisse."You..!" I said shocked. "What do you want?"Her eyes scanned me as she stared as my fist. "Oh, sorry, I thought it was someone bad." I laughed awkwardly as I dropped my hands and stood properly.She just stared at me without saying anything which greatly surprised me. "Uh, do you need anything?" I asked just in case, but she was awfully quiet, but the next thing she did greatly shocked me. She started sniffing me."Hey!" I pushed her off as she grabbed my arms ho
Who could this important guest be? I started on my way and followed the other servants to the entrance, curiosity got the better of me. Who was this important guest that had everyone scrambling?Upon arrival, we formed two precise single file lines, with guards at the front and Miss Felice leading the way."Who is the guest?" I asked the girl besides me."I don't know exactly, I just followed the others here. But it seems like someone important." She said."By the look of things, this guest would probably stay here since we have been asked to come welcome them." The other one by my side whispered."Yeah, true. This was also how we welcomed that snake Miss Eleanor." One said."Hey, don't call her that." I shot at her.She hissed in displeasure. "I can say what I want. And stop acting so noble." She spat.I turned from her because it was clear she only wanted trouble."Is it male or female? I just want to know." Another whispered and thus the gossips started."What if it's a woman? May
I felt myself floating in an endless void, I felt disoriented and I didn't know what I was doing here, or how I got to this place. My feet landed on the ground and my footing balanced."Hello?" I called out looking around, but my voice echoed back.I moved forward, searching for a reference point, but there was nothing, only emptiness. Suddenly, a figure materialized in the distance. A woman stood at the center, with her back to me."Excuse me," I said, approaching her. "Where am I?"She didn't turn it speak to me, but just stood with her back to me.I paused before going forward. "Sorry to bother you, I just want to know where I am. I am lost." I said to her while still approaching her.The woman turned to me suddenly. Our eyes met and familiarity struck me instantly, but I knew we had never met before."Who are you?" I asked as I was having this strange feeling.In a flash, the woman stood inches from me, but I could swear she was standing far away a few seconds ago.Her skin trans
Finally, me and the girls were done. It was a total mess in here. I couldn't help but wonder what sort of grown adult would mess with books and leave them scattered everywhere."I'm hungry, let's go find something to eat." One of the girls suggested and the other supported with a nod."I'll go handle something first before joining you guys." I said and they made fun of me thinking I was going back to talk to Leigh, but I was actually going back to find Miss Felice.I stepped out of the library, with my resignation letter clutched in my hand. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead. I did tell her that I had nothing to say before, but now, Leigh thinks it's a good idea to stop working here.I headed straight to her office, hopefully she was in. I knocked softly and let myself in when I heard her say 'come in' from inside."Ah! Iris, what brings you here?" She said lifting her head from a pile of paper work in front of her. She was busy calculating all the expen
As I walked away, a force pulled me back in place. I spun around, startled for a brief second before I got my composure. Leigh stood before me, his eyes blazing anger."Shit!" I whispered to myself. For a moment, I wondered if he had seen me hug Chad. A misunderstanding was the last thing I wanted right now between us."Leigh, what's wrong?" I asked carefully, trying to sound calm."Are you still seeing him?" he demanded, his tone rough and my yes shone."What do you mean?" I backed up a little.He moved closer in an intimidating way. "I am asking if you are still going in between Chad and I?" He scowled and I bristled."How dare you," I snapped at him. "You have no right to say that to me. Do I look like some cheap harlot that double dates? Hell, we aren't even in a relationship." I shot at him immediately and his expression changed as he realized he just fucked up."Look I..." "If you are going to keep talking to me this way then you better leave." I cut him off. Why does he always
I should really stop entertaining this kind of conversations and exchanges to not give anyone a wrong impression or false hope. I do not know if he's serious about his advances or not, but I have to avoid him too."Iris," Miss Felice called out to me and I hurried to meet up with her."Madam?" I said and she had this look on her face that was hard to put into words. She just stared at me for a quick second before opening her mouth to speak."You are one lucky girl Iris." She said in a rather fond tone which greatly amazed me."Ah!" Was all I could say because I didn't know how to react. She moved closer to me and placed her hands on my shoulder."Leigh is a child I watch grow up. He knows nothing about love, but since he has chosen to love you, and the goddess also seems to be in your favour, I hope you do not disappoint him." She smiled softly and I nodded."Oh, I remember you said you had something to tell me. You can say it now." She said and the words got stuck in my throat. I did
"Okay father. But I have to process my resignation. I cannot just up and leave." I said trying to sound reasonable and thankfully he listened to me."Okay." He sighed. "In two days time, I will come to pick you up. By then, everything should have been sorted out right?" He asked and I nodded."Okay dear, I will return to the hospital now. Please stay away from trouble my dear child." He patted my head and I smiled as I hugged him tightly."Bye dad." I said and he hugged me back before going his way. As I watched him leave, I clenched the resignation letter I already had prepared in my pocket. I had wanted to leave because I thought I had lost Leigh forever, but that wasn't the case now. I wanted to stay. I finally have a chance. But now, father wants me back home. What was I going to do now?"Iris!" Anne called me as she rushed towards me. "Are you okay? I heard that you were involved in a fist fight? I hope you won? Is it true that Eleanor wasn't carrying Leigh's child? So no more U