In the multitude of Arda’s troubling thoughts of escape, her gaze was cast down to the floor and she didn’t know until she felt his finger lifting her chin.Again, his movement had been swift, sudden, and silent. Her breath came up sharply as she was forced to meet his intense gaze. Who was she kidding? She would never get used to his unpredictable moves.“Please.” She said breathlessly. “Will you move normally around me?”“What is normal?”“Like a normal person,” Arda said. She didn’t know how else to say it but she knew that he understood what she meant. He was just being difficult.“What is normal?” He repeated. “By whose standard is normalcy defined?”“You know, like me. Like...like a human.”“A spade is not a shovel and a lion is not a cat. I am not completely human. I am a werewolf vampire. Get used to my movement.”In a flash, he was at the door, his hand on the knob. Arda’s breath caught in her throat and a small gasp escaped her lips.“Get used to it, Arda.” He said dismissive
Arda took a few seconds to catch her breath. Afterward, she let herself fall back to the bed and managed to fall asleep, her thoughts disappearing with that temporary welcome unconsciousness.Arda slept for a long time and when she finally awoke, it was daytime. Her eyes scanned the walls, searching for a wall clock. The Indian ethnic wall clock she found which matched the house’s contemporary traditional vintage style, told her it was 8:07 am.She couldn’t believe she had slept so peacefully. But with consciousness came the unpleasant reality of her current situation. She picked up her phone and found a missed call from Jacob. Great, she thought. Maybe he would offer her some explanation. She still trusted him.She was about to return his call when a knock sounded at the door and she sat up quickly, surprised by such a show of courtesy. She had already written off the Alpha’s people as brutes, well, except for Karina.The door opened and the guard who had carried her unceremoniously p
Arda seemed frozen under his perusal until her phone vibrated as it began to ring. Then her eyes dropped to the ground, focusing on her phone. She saw Jacob’s name flashing across the screen.She was eager to speak with Jacob. At the same time, she was frightened, considering what the Alpha had said about him. She was still trying to wrap her head around the information that Jacob was a werewolf and the son of an Alpha who was out for her life.A sudden movement had her looking back up and she found Gillow standing right before her.As her breath continued to rise and fall, he let his eyes drop to the phone. Then in an instant, he had retrieved the towel from the bag, unwrapped it, and was handing it over to her. She was afraid but managed to receive it.Arda went from being scared to be shocked as he turned his back on her. Without his words, just by his action, she understood that he was giving her some privacy. Coming from him, she was astonished. There seemed to be some gentility i
Arda fought to control her anxiety. “He just wanted to check on me.” She said. “Arda.” “Alpha.” “You are a terrible liar.” “I’m not lying.” Arda’s eyes watered as her anxiety increased, her voice starting to waver. He paused in silence for a moment as he studied her. She looked helpless and he began to feel sorry for her. Still, he was desperate to see if he had even a bit of her trust. And he would never get used to the fact that he could not hear her thoughts. “What’s going on in that mind of yours?” Arda did not miss the note of curiosity in his voice. “This is the second time you’re asking me that question.” She responded. “Does it bother you?” “It is a weird question, so yes, it does bother me.” “I understand.” He said and placed his palm on her chest. “I hate that I can’t read your mind. That I can’t hear your thoughts.” His voice sounded quiet and contemplative. Her eyes widened as she remembered how he had once put his hands on her like that. So this was the reason.
He continued leading her along the beautiful stone path of the garden and past a rocky pool that seemed natural with an undying flow of water that cascaded from a heap of rocks and poured slightly with a splashing motion inside the pool.Her eyes lingered on it. She could imagine herself sitting on one of the rocks surrounding the pool and writing her thesis. Too bad she didn't belong there. She would run away."It's beautiful, right?" He asked having noticed her interest in the surreal-like beauty of the pool. He often admired it too."Yes." She responded."It's not man-made.""Wow. Well, it seems that way."Arda decided to distract him further from the subject of her possible escape. He may have gotten suspicious and she feared him putting measures to make it impossible for her."I would love to sit there and work on my thesis.""Okay.""Really?" Arda had been expecting a no. He was a bad guy, after all. This was someone who would still not free Karina from her mistake."Yes. Really.
Arda hated the confidence he had in himself and his pack. She also wondered why they were so comfortable just because the enemy packs sort of feared them. She let her eyes dwell across the group. “That doesn’t mean that the enemy packs are not planning anything.” She couldn’t help but tell them even though she was sort of afraid of them all. They weren’t humans. She was the only human among them. “She is a wise one.” The Elder said. “Sure.” Gillow agreed, his eyes on Arda’s face. “Fate has chosen correctly.” Arda carefully avoided his gaze, looking at every other place but him. “Now just one person is missing to complete this fearless pack.” He said loudly, drawing her attention back to him as shown by her eyes which had returned to his. “Who?” she asked. “There’s someone else in the pack but the one I’m talking about right now is you, my mate.” His hand squeezed hers and she knew not to antagonize him by denying him, at least not verbally. Arda felt hot tears stinging the backs
Arda peeked through the window curtains of the bedroom. From there, she could see the pack still seated around the meeting table down in the garden. Gillow comfortably dominated the ruler seat. Felicia was explaining something to him. He stayed poised, listening to her. The sight of him was intimidating. Arda wondered why Felicia was not afraid of him. She figured it was because they had dated before. No, she corrected herself. They had been mates before. That was their language. At this point, she had no choice other than to familiarize herself with her new environment and inherent terms. It would help her escape the castle. She watched Felicia as she spoke with Gillow. Envy for Felicia encompassed her because she found herself envying Felicia's carriage. Arda wondered what they were discussing. She also recalled Gillow's unceremonious dismissal of her. After her awkward moment with Felicia, he had just turned to her and said "I want you upstairs." "But..." She had begun to prot
Troubled by the Professor's call, Arda poured herself into her thesis that evening. Seated in the Alpha's bedroom at the table, she attempted to write the first chapter of her work. It should be easier now that she had her research materials with her, she thought.But she was distracted by the threat of the enemy packs on her life.She decided to stroll around the garden to clear her head before returning to her studies. She believed it would help her concentrate. A glance at the table clock told her it was about 7:00 pm.She rose to her feet and headed towards the door. Just as she placed her hand on the handle, the door opened and she had to step back a bit as Gillow strode in, wearing casual slacks and a Vest that revealed toned muscled arms and concealed a brawny chest.As usual, her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. She could not tell if it was out of fear or admiration at his ethereal handsome looks.His hair was held in a ponytail. He paused before her. She tried not t
The cornered spy, Jack regarded Raina his renounced mate, giving her an intense look. Gillow could sense that he was trying to communicate something to her. He could feel it was a message. He listened for the sound of a telepathic voice and heard it immediately. He was indeed sending her a message. Jack Setting my betrayal aside, we both know you were not supposed to hunt tonight. A confused look marked her face as she stared at him but Gillow was prepared as he listened to her response. Raina I changed my mind because you refused to tell me why you were insisting I don’t join the pack for tonight’s hunt. Jack That was for your good. The least I can do for you is keep you safe and alive. Raina stared at him, incredulous. Raina What are you talking about? Following his defensive instincts, Gillow’s ruddy eyes scanned the surrounding bushes and within seconds he had the spy in his grip. At the same time, he heard ruffling coming from the bushes He concentrated on the sounds
Hours passed, leading into the night. The full moon had not lost its shape, round and glowing bright as it cast its brilliance onto the earth. Somewhere in the eastern region, mystic creatures - werewolves wandered far into the surrounding forests in their hunt for food. Among the werewolves, distinct ones glowed, marking them as werewolf vampires. Together, they hunted down unfortunate animals, gathered them, and devoured the fresh meat as a pack. Soon after they are done, Gillow the alpha of the pack, with a glowing form and intense ruby eyes, began to sniff the air. The others sensed that he was smelling something and emulated him, but he was already advancing further into the bush. The pack followed him and soon they discovered a retreating werewolf. Gillow immediately led a pursuit and a chase ensued as they advanced behind the escaping werewolf who spotted a light brown color. The alpha of the pursuing pack rapidly gained in on the escaping werewolf. Heavy thuds pounded the
“This pack has a goal.” Cain continued. To unite the packs into one with only one Alpha. And in that one pack, to start a monarchy beginning with me. Then my son takes over. In this new dispensation, humans will know that we exist. We will rule over them. Our members are already everywhere. The only thing remaining is the unity of packs and the threat of your kind.” He looked disdainfully at Karina. “The complete prophecy still needs to be found. The moon child and her sister must be eliminated. The complete prophecy is rumored to be with your pack. This is why my son had to join that school and get close to you.” Karina started to cry. “It is nothing personal,” Jacob said to her. “You should have stayed loyal to your pack.” “My Alpha is cruel.” Karina cried out in frustration. “You know that already.” “Not my problem,” Jacob answered. “You have lived long enough to hear the phrase that the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know,” Cain remarked and let out a mockin
Gillow’s message sent her heartbeat on a roller coaster of panic, but she managed to get a hold of herself. He couldn’t find her. She was safe with Jacob. Maybe she was, but she would not know until she tried.With that consoling thought in mind, she blocked out every negative and suspicious thought from her mind and concentrated on the present.Cain called upon pack members who helped to show them to the rooms prepared for them.Later, Arda was happy to get a room across from Chester’s with Karina’s room beside hers.Karina strolled into her room moments later and complained about how she expected Jacob to take her around but Arda told her they had just arrived and needed to rest. Then Karina mentioned that she didn’t like the way a certain girl was staring at her and Jacob.“I noticed it too.” Arda had responded. “But I don’t think it’s important.”“Well, I plan to ask Jacob as soon as he comes to see me. I have lived on this earth long enough to see a jealous lover’s look when I see
Gillow’s athletic smooth skin split like the bark of a tree. Wiry silver hairs sprouted forth. His already wolf-turned piercing and intense crimson eyes seemed ruddier as his transformation progressed. His bones moved beneath his skin like mechanical vipers; audible cracks cut through the air as his limbs cracked, ripping his pants open. He fell to his knees and then forward on his contorting hands. On all fours, he proudly gave himself over to his darker nature. His flesh visibly moved, his tissues rearranging. His mouth spotted emerging fangs. His handsome face distorted as his jaw extended, with his skull changing shape and longer beastly hairs sprouting forth. His hands gnarled and his fingers curled back as claws burst out. As howls continued to fill the air from surrounding pack members, low guttural growls escaped him, his claws firm on the ground. He was no longer himself. He was a werewolf vampire in his beastly form. He was distinct from the pack, being the only one with
A hill surfaced ahead of the lonely expressway that Chester was driving on. Karina informed Arda that Cain’s pack was on the other side of the hill.Their journey was elongating as Chester had to fix the car due to overheating. Karina and Arda waited out of earshot for him as he worked.“So how do you feel about Chester’s confession?” Arda asked.“I guess you’re talking about his feelings for me and not his betrayal.”“Yes.”“I’m still trying to process it,” Karina answered.“Do you still love Jacob?”Karina gave her a look of incredulity. “Why would you even ask me that?”Arda shrugged. “Sorry. I just felt, with the distance and Chester’s revelation, maybe your mind is getting a double feeling.”“I see. Anyway, how do you feel about Gillow Rain? Have you fallen in love with him?”Arda’s eyes expanded with indignation. “How can you even think that?” Karina let out a light chuckle, causing Arda to sigh.“That is exactly how I felt when you asked about my feelings for Chester. Disappoi
Following Karina’s haste, Arda was back inside the car where Chester was waiting for them. “You guys wasted time.” He remarked as they settled down in the vehicle. “And you both look tensed up.” He observed, at the same time, starting the car. “Yeah. She was having some issues with her Prof,” Karina explained. “He happens to be a werewolf.” She added gravely. “What? Which pack? And what kind of problem?” “I don’t know. Let’s just get out of here first.” Chester opened his mouth to inquire more, decided against it, and moved the car. Dappled sunlight shone through the surrounding trees, bringing about, mysterious shadows. The car was on the road, progressing towards another part of town. “Do you guys mind giving me the details now?” Chester pressed. “Prof. Ray has been asking me out, but I refused. He recently started being forceful about it, threatening to ruin my scholarship by ruining my grades.” Arda summarized. “Oh Gosh,” Chester muttered with disdain. “Yeah,” Arda comm
"I am in school, remember?" She told him. "I know. I'm just confirming." "Okay." "Call me as soon as you're home." "Okay." "Enjoy your day. And let me know if your professor gives you any issues." "He did not." "I see. Okay. That is a good one. I will call you soon." "Okay." The call ended and she looked at Karina. "That was not so bad." She commented. "I guess he would have been suspicious if you didn't take the call." "Yeah." Back inside the car, Arda questioned herself about keeping with the escape plan, especially since it appeared that all the Alphas were against Gillow. The only support Gillow had which was not established yet was the alpha of the West. As the car swerved off the school gates, she questioned Karina and Chester. "Are you sure we are doing the right thing?" "What are your fears?" Asked Chester and Arda revealed exactly where her fears lay. "You have nothing to worry about," Chester told her. "I will say the same." Was Karina's response. Arda le
Karina hung around outside Ray’s Office, waiting for Arda who was inside.In Ray’s office, Arda walked in and greeted Ray who was watching her from his desk, a cold look on his face.“Good morning Sir.” She greeted.“Let’s dispense with the pleasantries, Arda. Now, since this is not our official thesis meeting time, tell me what I need to hear.”“The answer is no.”“What?”“I said, the answer is no.”He rose and started walking over to where she stood.“Is that your final answer?” he pressed.“Yes.”“Then prepare to fail and lose your last scholarship payment.”Arda looked at him squarely in the eyes.“I know what you are.” She blurted.He looked slightly taken aback by her assertion.“What did you say?”“I know what you are.” She repeated.“And what is that?”She lowered her voice as though still trying to hide his identity. “You’re a werewolf.”He laughed. Offended by his laughter, Arda retrieved a lighter from her pocket and switched it on. Upon seeing the fire, he stepped back sha