I couldn’t answer his question.
What do I want? More than anything, I want to live. I want to belong. I want to be in charge of my own life, which is something I’ve never really done.
With Dane, I can explore a lot of things and in the last few months, his intentions have been noble. And despite my uneasiness and the other side of me warning me to stay away, he has been true and firm with me.
I cannot hide my attraction to him, and I had zero control whenever he was around. I’d call how I feel around him the proof that he is my mate if I didn’t know better.
Alphas don’t get mated to just anyone. The moon goddess design it and it has always been. Alpha, have always found their mates amongst the strongest bloodlines, whether human or non-human. Last I checked, my bloodline possess nothing like power.
My father was a runaway werewolf and my mother a human. And despite turning twenty in a few months, I st
The doctor told us mama’s heart condition was back to normal, and the scan they ran showed no major damage done. He informed us she’s fine but insisted on the need to keep her under their supervision for at least another twenty-four hours. As much as I wanted to be here, my mind wandered back to the trial. From Dane’s past tempering in my assignment during the trial, I know he would gladly rig it just to see me win. But I want to win purely on my merit, not because of him. I want to know I can do this and not be limited by my dormant gene, or because the Alpha Dane is my mate. I want my shot like everyone else and I want fairness. “You’re worried,” Dane speaks up and I snap out of my thought to look at him. I flash him a wry smile, then drop my gaze to my fingers. “Yeah, but it’s just thinking about the trial and how it’s going, that’s all.” Lorenzo just arrived after the whole morning of being at work and I ste
On our way back to Beverly Hill, Dane and I talked about what we both wanted and while he wanted to declare me as his mate, I wanted to keep our relationship a secret, at least until the end of the trial. I also told him I didn’t want him tampering with the process of the trial. I expressed wanting to win based on my merits and if I didn’t win, I’d know that I did my best at least. Dane was reluctant when I laid my cards on the table, he told me he had harboured how he felt and watch from a corner for so long and didn’t want to do it again, but I reminded him that two weeks wasn’t as long as he thought. He agreed and nodded, sealing my lips once more with a deep and mind-shattering kiss before pulling away. He mumbled, an ‘I love you’ while placing his head against mine and I think I do too, but didn’t say it back. Dane was understanding, maybe even more than I expected. I learnt a lot about male wolves and their tendency to be domin
Agreeing to go on a date with Dane was the only option that remained after the long, heartfelt discussion we had. At first, I told him I needed to think about it, but he pulled me against himself and told me the party was today and I had no more time to think. When I tried to protest, he kissed my mouth, and I had no other choice but to accept his offer. A victorious smile came onto his face and he kisses my lips again before telling me when he’d pick me up. Going out together wasn’t really the idea of keeping apart and taking things slow, but none of us cared at this point. I miss him and my want for him grows with every passing day, and the trial is still in process and the last thing I want is complicated issues with my union with Dane, but I am believing we can find balance in all of this. Dane assured me that since we were going to a masquerade party, it would hide my true identity because everyone would have
When the bus came to a stop before the passage that lead into the woods, we thought it had developed some mechanical issues that needed to be resolved. Not until Hunter announced our arrival at the trial location did I know.“Welcome to your third day on your eight weeks of trial. I will be your supervisor,” Liam announces, stepping up before us with his hands tucked behind him. He has black leather, long sleeve jacket on a pair of black Jeans. His head, unlike before, bald of hair and now thinking about it, looks good on him. The first time I saw him was many weeks ago during the recruitment period and I didn’t expect to see him here.Seeing him now makes me wonder how today’s training would go. He looks like the no-nonsense type of guy and the woods is a no-nonsense type of place.I already feel cold and I’m sure not the only one.“In the last few weeks and under the leadership of Avril, Ian, Joodas and Sam, you
“Thank you,” I say to the ice cream man who just handed me a strawberry ice cream along with my change and he flashes me a radiant smile. I discovered this place sometime last week, and it’s been the only place I’ve gotten strawberry ice cream that tastes almost like the one Aliyah used to make Ken and me. I’d still pick hers any day over anyone else, but since I can’t get hers now, this would suffice. It’s now lunch break, and while the rest four are at the company’s lunchroom getting their own food, I stepped out and get ice cream instead and meat pie. I also needed the breath of fresh air. Being cooked up in my corner barely gives room to even a stretch of one’s leg, but with this, I stretch my leg, breathe in the fresh air and admire the view of the city side. Three birds with one stone. My phone vibrates in my pocket and lowering my head, I dip my hand in to pick it out. I slow down on my steps as I stare at my screen to see a message
I wake up from bed with a slightly puffy face, but clinging to what lies ahead, I rise from bed and spruce it. Today is the last day of the trial. In order words, the top three will get picked and the one with the best performance would be the winner of the trial. I’ve had dreams about the winners of the trial and in all my dreams, though I didn’t grasp the names mentioned, it wasn’t my name. Well, today will clarify everything. The top five others, except they decline, will receive induction into the Rogue pack (which is one of the city’s most feared and respected packs). They will also receive scholarships to study at the University of their choice, while the top three will get a position at the company to work and earn even while they further their studies. The overall best will get to choose their desired position at the company. I glance at myself once more in the mirror. I am wearing a turtlenecked blouse and black trousers. My hair
My eyes narrowed as I comprehend his words and I slowly withdraw my hand from his, feeling cold at his confession. I tossed the novel onto the couch. “You are not in love with me, Ken. That’s a joke, and it’s not funny.” “I wish it was, but I am. I’ve been for a while now, but you’re obviously in love with the alpha and as soon as the trial ends, he will claim you as his mate.” I stepped away from him as if the distance was what’s going to change his mind. “I didn’t know you harboured more than the feeling of friendship.” He let out painful laughter. “I did. Mom wasn’t the only one rooting for you to be my mate, Jaclyn. I was too. I felt it long before India.” “What?!” I run a hand through my hair and tug on it. Why is he telling me this now? Why is he choosing to ruin me a day before the finals? How did I not see the signs? Ken harboured feeling all along. Feeling he never acted upon and probably never will. I t
Arriving at the company, we make our way in just as we always do and my eyes dart to the side and I catch Ace not so far away staring at me with a smile on his face. He waves at me, realising I’ve seen him. I wave back but do it in a subtle manner to not bring attention of the rest four and nod my head at him before entering the building. The trial of each began and the rest of us wait outside the evaluation room. Each trial takes a minimum of twenty minutes, which is the time Indian spent with the judges and the maximum of forty-five minutes, which is the time Quinton spent with the judges. Once it’s lunch time, they release us to go for break. Those who have had their trial, Quinton, India and Caroline ate separately from those who haven’t, Ken and me. We get served stake and plantain with sauce and orange juice, and while Ken eats heartily, I can’t. Our relationship has remained the same with less awkwardness despite Ken's revelation about his
Jaclyn entered the room where they laid the body of Ken and approached the bed. Silas sits beside Ken with his hand by his side him and when he senses Jaclyn's presence in the room, he rises to his feet and nods his head at his daughter before taking his leave. Her eyes well up with unshed tears, now being alone with Ken’s dead body. She tries to control herself and her emotions, but she can’t help it. So many times, Ken had told her to let the past go. He told her revenge will not bring her happiness, but sadness and pain. She never understood, but after the unfortunate event of the night, she knows he was right all along. His blood was on her hands and she would never forgive herself. She takes his chilly hands into hers, rubbing small circles all over them. “You were right. We should have stayed in that cottage. We were free to be ourselves, free to laugh, free to live, free to love each other. We shouldn’t have left. Everything was perfect there.” Her tears ran d
Jaclyn rose to her feet, her eyes glowing yellow just like her skin. She storms through the fighting crowd like a whirlwind, heading to where Allen is.“I see you found out the truth already!” he says, acknowledging her fury.“And you die now.” she seethes.She reached for him but felt a block around him, although not seeing it.“I came with my fortification in case things turned sour, little fire wolf.” he informs her as if reading into her mind and seeing her dilemma.He grabbed her by the hair and threw her onto the ground. She lands hard and her hand cracks.“I taught you all the tricks you know, and you really think you can use them on me?” his leg swings forward and he kicks her in the face as she falls to the ground again, groaning.He reaches out and grabs her by the hair, pulling her onto her feet and delivering punches after
Ace lay spread out on his gigantic bed with his eyes closed. Two women are resting beside him. He had brought them along to celebrate his victory over his brother and claiming the rogue pack. Now, as midnight passed, they needed rest. However, Ian stepped into the room to interrupt his much-needed rest.“Someone is here to see you.”“Who is he?” Ace moans, his lashes cracking open. The girls beside him wake as well.“His name is Kenneth Miller. He once trained with the rogue pack alongside the fire wolf and Caroline Matters. He’s like me, a witch.” Ian answers.Ace doesn’t need all the information. He knows who the kid was. He had faced him about a year ago when he came to the safe house. “What did he say?” he asks, helping himself up with his elbows on the bed.“He said he needed an audience with you. He believes what he has to say is important.”“Let him speak to you, then.” Ace
“Alpha, there is an attack on the entrance of the pack house. I think the alpha of the fury park is leading the raid.” Liam announces, stepping into the room where Dane lay, trying to regain his strength. After the fight with his brother a few hours ago, Dane felt his strength leave him and it’s still yet to return.“How did they know we would be in fewer numbers today?” Dane asks, his tone dominated by confusion as he properly sits up.“Could this be Ace’s doing?” Liam asks, his voice rising curiously.“Ace is a lot of things, but he will never betray his own. If he wanted me dead, he wouldn’t do it through anyone. He’d challenge me up front.” he ran a hand through his hair. “How many of us are left?”“We are twelve, alpha. Yourself included.”“And them?”“They were over a hundre
“Your brother believes I have an ulterior motive for coming back to you, doesn’t he?” Jaclyn asks, leaning against the door while Dane puts on his shirt. He had brushed over everything that had happened at the party, including his brother’s challenge to Jaclyn after they left the party yesterday. He promised he will handle everything today and when Jaclyn asked to come see him before the face off; he didn’t object. Dane sighs, adjusting his shirt. “Ace has had a hard time trusting anyone but himself for the longest of time.” She turns to stare him straight in the eyes. “What about you then? Do you think I have an ulterior motive for coming back?” He doesn’t hesitate, “At first I did, but you had the chance to kill me months ago at the boxing ring and you chose not to, I’ve never been good at gambling, but I’d bet my life that you don’t want me dead. And if you do, it will be because I deserve it. It’s hard for people to see the truth
Ken stands before the white wooden door and knocks on it. After about a minute, it opens and Silas stands before him in black trousers and grey polo. The man looks surprised to see Ken, however, the look on his face remains welcoming. “Ken.” “Silas.” “Hey,” he says. “We need to talk.” Ken interrupts and pushes past him further into the room even without being invited in. If Silas took offence at this, he says nothing as he closes the door and follows Ken further into the house. “How did you find me?” he asks once they reach the living room. Ken scoffs, “I’m a witch, Silas. I know where you and ten others I passed by while coming here live.” “Fine. Why are you here?” “To ask you what it takes to be a spineless father.” Ken shoots immediately. This time, his words strikes Silas, and a frown forms on his face. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “It
Jaclyn was still working on the broadsheets on her desk before her when she sensed Dane’s presence at the door of her office. Last month, Dane had helped set her back into the Northrich university she left a year ago. The plan was to work while schooling and she told him she could take on both responsibilities. Dane saw to it to assign her the minimum work while paying her the salary as if she was a full-time employee. He also stayed off her way, only seeing her a few times a week, giving her time to adjust to the working routine.She didn’t bother to lift her head from the files she worked on. He hadn’t lurked around in the last three weeks and so she knows something is up today. But knowing Dane, she doubts he’d go straight to the point. Well, he stands in her office and she can’t ignore the hell out of him like she wants.“Hey.” He speaks, and her head slowly lifts to see him with a wide smile on his face.“Hello.
Cathy brings over the second round of the shot of vodka Jaclyn ordered. Franklin, the bartender, went on leave to see his sick mother last week and Cathy here has covered for him since. She smiles at her before bringing the glass to her mouth when she feels someone sit beside her and, without turning to see who it is, she knew it was Ken. Her mood changes slightly. These past months she’d missed him so much, but she didn’t want him here. Not now. “Hello, Jaclyn.” “Ken,” she nods in acknowledgement, rounding her finger over the mouth of the small cup she just placed down. “It’s been a while, Jaclyn. I’m left to believe you forgot about me at this point.” She didn’t, but she can’t tell him that. “I’ve been quite busy.” Pain flashes in his eyes and he clears his throat. “Caroline told me you accepted the job at the Vixon’s industry four weeks ago.” “I did.” “You didn’t tell me.” “I didn’t think I had to, besides I kn
Flashback Eight months ago, a month after Jaclyn woke. “People say the moon goddess loves all his children equally. Well, they lied because the moon goddess loves the fire wolf more.” Ken read aloud as he came to take his seat on the couch next to Jaclyn, holding two small textbooks in his hands. “How do you mean?” she asked from beside him, her legs folded in a yoga style and her hands rubbing her knee. “Remember when I told you fire wolves can never be mated or marked, but they can choose their mate and mark them?” when she nodded he continued, “This book confirms it.” “That, never having a mate sounds like a bad thing instead of good,” she said with a displeased scowl. “It’s not. The purpose of a fire wolf is more than finding a mate. The goddess, knowing this, made them unmarkable at least to an extent.” he closed the book and opened the other one, having a brown hardcover back. He did a dramatic throat-clearing before read