Katana "Get dressed, I'm taking you out," Damien said to me and turned off the TV in his bedroom. "Can't it wait?" I groaned. "I was enjoying my movie." Damien rolled his eyes and ruffled my hair playfully. "Trust me, you'll love this." True to his word, Damien moved me into the pack house. Leo and his wife gave me dirty looks and Xena welcomed me with open arms. I felt guilty for Anysia but Damien informed me that she was in one of the duplexes in the pack house because of his daughter. Rising, I grumbled making Damien laugh. I changed into a black tank top and jeans and Damien lifted me off my feet, making me giggle like a baby. Downstairs, we got into the car and he sped off, turning up the volume of the music, and singing to the pop music playing from the speakers. Damien sang with me and I gagged. "I used to think you were perfect, but now I know one of your flaws. Your voice is terrible!" He threw his head back in laughter. "Who cares?" We headed to an ice cream p
Katana The weekend passed in a blur and I prepared for school, sitting behind the dressing mirror and applying my basic makeup, brow gel, highlighter, blush, and mascara. I had so much fun with Damien and saw the side of him I never knew existed. He was funnier than I thought and never ceased to amuse me. And the lovemaking…ugh, it was perfect. He made me feel like a woman and drove me to waves and waves of ecstasy, so much that my body was awash with overlapping waves of pleasure I stared at my hair in the fancy vanity mirror Damien got for me and noticed a difference in my hair texture. Thanks to Xena, who recommended shampoo to help my frizzy hair, I no longer had to worry about a bad hair day. I saw the sides of Xena and her mate, Grey that endeared me to them. They were nice and friendly, and I bonded with Grey because he was a robotics engineer, my dream profession. The other day we spent the whole day in his makeshift office and I learned a lot from him. He, o
Katana Prom Day Music swelled and diminished as the doors opened and closed. My Jimmy Choo lace strappy sandals clicked on the wooden gym hall, where the sounds of chatter and laughter rang throughout the hall. A few of my classmates were sitting in their designated seats, talking amongst themselves. I was late and scanned around, trying to find an empty seat. "A queen doesn't arrive early," Xena beamed earlier while helping me with my makeup. She had a mischievous glint in her eye, and I giggled at her comment. "Isn't this rather much for prom?" I asked while gazing at my reflection. "I look quite overdressed, and I don't want to be the center of attraction." She laughed softly as she applied mascara. "You look wonderful. Who cares about what others say? Prom is a once-in-a-lifetime event." I lifted my dress, which hugged my chest and exposed way too much cleavage. She pinned my hair into place and styled it into a sleek updo. "You look perfect!" She clapped her hands in excit
Damien The clock struck eleven, and I anxiously glanced at the front door, wondering why Katana wasn't home. My worry grew with each passing minute. I grabbed my phone and dialed her number, but her phone rang from the dresser Great, she forgot her damn phone. I paced around the patio, waiting for her, my concern increasing by the second. Tired of waiting, I headed to the room and lay on the bed. My eyes were shut when my phone rang. It was a call from the pack house security unit. "What's going on?" I asked, sitting up. "Sir, the omegas are here. They are demanding to see you." I got on my feet immediately, and my mind screamed a warning. Something was wrong. I raced downstairs. Leo sat alone on the couch in the semi-dark living room, and when he heard my footsteps, he jumped to his feet. "Alpha, what's the matter?" "Katana isn't home yet.” I got to the gates to find Irene, Katana’s mum in tears and Zayn, shaking with fright. "What's going on? Where's Katana?" "I- she's
Katana The moon was almost completely hidden from view, and the sky itself was blacker than normal, leaving only a few stars shining above me. It was late, far later than any reasonable person should be awake; yet here I was, following a ghost and running as fast as I could. Running away from those who could save me… From Zayn, my mum… and Damien. I had no control over my body. I heard the steady rhythm of my breathing, each exhale leaving a ghostly mist in the air. A soft breeze blew through my hair, and the night air cooled as I ran as fast as I could. The light from the streetlights cast a faint glow onto the ground that made everything look like an illuminated shadow. "Go left," the ghost commanded me. I was headed to the borders. I'd been running for over two hours, and I was exhausted and cold. My breath made little puffs of mist as I ran, my body already feeling numb from the loss of blood. The trees started getting denser, and I started to lose my bearings. Suddenly m
Katana My heart pounded with terror as a river of tears cascaded down my cheeks. I was in trouble and had no means of escape. Two lunatics bound and gagged me in their living room. That ghost was Aiden, Damien's best friend. The moment I showed up at his mother's door, they held me hostage. To be here against my will was like a nasty dream. I couldn't believe it. My hands and feet felt sore from walking for two days. My mum and Damien must be worried sick by now. Hunger pangs gnawed at the pit of my stomach. Even though I crave food, I could never eat in this strange house. I'd rather die. The ghost was back, haunting the room. I bristled with unease and disgust. Sometimes, the dead longed to communicate with the living and show them that they loved and missed them but I didn't wish to be involved in this because I didn't even know the ghost while he was alive. "Let me warn you, you wicked ghost. You're dead and nothing can be done to bring you back to life. Your mum is gett
Katana My eyelids slowly blinked open, and I was instantly attacked by the harsh, piercing flash of an overhead fluorescent bulb. The blinding light burned into my retinas, painting everything in a yellow tint. I trembled and pinched my eyes shut, trying to guard myself from the brightness, but it only worsened the throbbing ache in my head pounding with every beat as if a tiny construction crew was hammering away inside my skull. My senses gradually regained consciousness, and I realized I wasn't alone. The shadows of two figures lurking in the corner urged me to open my eyes. I slowly peeled open my eyelids. They weren't looking in my direction. My mouth felt so dry as if the Sahara Desert had taken refuge within it. Also, tiny prickles danced along the nape of my neck, causing a slight shiver to ripple down my backbone. It was then that I noticed the thin, translucent tube connecting me to an intravenous drip. Confused, I scanned my surroundings, desperately trying to det
Being cooped up indoors for so long was driving me mad. I've been itching to break free and do something new, but my mom was a wall of protectiveness, shielding me from the outside world. I sat restlessly on the couch in the living room, flipping through channels on the TV. I was bored and tired of doing the same things day after day. Kenneth was preparing his daughter, Angie, for school while my mom was cooking in the kitchen. I headed to the kitchen and began pacing around, tapping my fingers on the countertop and gazing outside the window. "Honey, is everything OK? You seem restless." "I'm fine," I groaned, "just tired of staying home all the time. I need something different." She gave me a knowing look and opened the fridge to get a bottle of the drink, but I didn't want the drink; I wanted to mingle with people. "Mom, can you permit me to work in the coffee shop nearby, please?" Her smile dissolved, and three visible lines appeared on her forehead. "Honey, I'm worried about
Alexis "Shit. That was close. He rasped out, his eyes glowing like a wildcat's and bulging with fear. "These bastards are mean and are out for us." "What are we going to do?" I said to Craig with my voice trembling. Craig grimaced, glancing outside the window, and swallowed hard, trying desperately to form coherent words. "I have no idea. But we have to stay here for now and run for our lives when this blows over. It's only a matter of time before they find us." "Fuck," Zarek winced while I paced frantically. Zarek broke the silence. "Are these buildings connected? They could destroy innocent lives while searching for us." "We need help," I said with every fiber in my body trembling nonstop. "We cannot do this on our own. They have outnumbered us." Craig turned to face me, his face congested with fear "Alexis, you have to stay here for now. I don't want you to get hurt." "Stay here?" I gasped, my eyes doubling in size. "Are you kidding me? I can't and I won't leave your si
Alexis My heart was racing so fast. I heard Craig and Zarek coming up, and I composed myself, watching them enter the room, laughing. Craig came to my side and knelt in front of me, kissing my stomach, and Zarek looked away. "How do you feel now? Better?" Craig said, concerned. I shook my head in a no, and Craig frowned. "Do you want me to get you something?" I got on my feet. "Craig, I called my dad," I blurted. "He thinks we are not safe, and is on his way to get me." Craig cursed under his breath. "We need to leave," he said firmly. "I don't trust your dad." "Come on, Craig. My dad may be an enemy to you, but he's my father. He's going to help us." Just as I made that statement, we heard a commotion downstairs, as if a riot was taking place. My heart skipped so fast. "Did you hear that?" I whispered to Craig. My breathing became raspy, and my lips trembled with fear. "I think they are here," Craig trembled and grabbed the bag where the staff was. Zarek rushed to the windo
Alexis Dora had warned us to be very careful and lay low because Dimitri had informants everywhere. It was even dangerous for us to call her, as Dimitri could trace the call and hurt her. Craig couldn't sleep and kept thinking the worst. Zarek joined us the next day and my thoughts were filled with self-loathing and the nagging urge to ask for my dad's help tugged in my heartstrings. But it was very unlikely that my dad, a werewolf, would help Craig and the vampire king. The possibility was almost impossible. He was never going to hand that staff to me. I could sense the frustration in Craig's eyes. He was like a locked-up bull, searching for a means of escape. He had stopped smiling, answering questions with minimal responses, and kept sighing constantly. He seemed to prefer talking to Zarek more than me, and that infuriated me because he made me feel like I had betrayed him in some way. And he poured out his frustration when I asked Dora how Oliver was doing. "I've warned
Alexis Craig's lips kissed my throat up before capturing my lips, and our breaths fused into our mouths. I was in divine ecstasy, and my wolf almost threatened to come out of my body. Our kiss was raw, rough, sloppy, and filled with weeks of longing and a mountain of passion. He went hard, soft, then hard again, and I had no desire to back out. Burying my hands into his thick hair, I let him scoop me up, nibbling his lips. Our kisses were messy because of my tears and the world disappeared around me. I pulled away, staring into his eyes with so much love. "I can't believe I'm seeing you. I hope someone doesn't wake me up if this is a dream." "It's me," he said. His voice thickened with emotion. "I'm here in flesh and blood." A comfortable silence settled between us and we exchanged glances, smiling. His gaze was mad with lust and molten desire, and a raging beast of need was in his eyes. "I dreamt of this day for weeks,"he whispered, kissing my neck and making my knees loosen.
Alexis One week later My heart pounded like a frightened bird, racing to escape, as I ran through the night. The darkness was consuming, making the hairs on my nape raise with raw fear, but I moved swiftly along, ignoring my rising panic. Oliver confessed to Dora and agreed to help us. I was heading to a vampire coven, so I couldn't shift into my wolf. Several nasty thoughts kept flying in, causing me to get frightened beyond measure, but I put a fire under my feet, attempting to lighten my mood with the hope of seeing Craig tonight. "I'll see Craig tonight," I chanted like a mantra. I hastened because it was almost midnight. The hotel Oliver recommended didn't seem to be popular. I stopped to take a breath when I began seeing spots in my vision and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to regain control. A stray cat darted behind me, sending chills down my spine. I sighed in relief when I burst out onto a surprisingly busy street with half-naked girls and men who couldn't walk
Alexis I edged closer to Dora until our eyes met. Dora held her head high and a broad smile graced her lips.My curiosity heightened, wondering what she wanted from me, considering that we had only met once. There was only one way to find out, but something in me suspected Craig sent her, but why would he when we’d gotten back together? "Hi," I formed a cheeky smile, hugging her. "What a surprise to see you here." "Hello, Alexis, right? I can never forget your name, considering how my boy never stops gushing about you," she said and hugged me back. When she pulled away, she stared at me with kind, observant eyes. The clouds darkened and it began to drizzle."You might want to come into the hall," I said to her. We found a secluded corner in the empty hall and sat opposite each other. Silence settled on us like mist, filling the air. I waited for her to speak but she didn't, making me uncomfortable. "Does Craig know you are here?" I managed to say. She let out a soft chuckle
Alexis Confusion was an understatement for how I felt right now. My spirit was in chaos. I couldn't believe that Craig had asked me for my forgiveness and wanted me back, even though I ended up whacking his face, which I had the right to, after all, he'd put me through. Something was off, no doubt. Yet, I couldn't deny that I still loved him. Our brief relationship brought me back to life in ways I'd never imagined. I lay on Tara's bunk, staring off into mid-distance at the star design on her ceiling, lost in thought. I didn't want to be involved in a game of back and forth where I would be easily swayed by Craig's seduction. I wasn't that stupid. Tara didn't see a big deal in Craig wanting to come back to me. "It was bound to happen," she chuckled, scooping the last of her vanilla ice cream."I know you don't see it that way, but I knew his relationship with Beverly was not going to last." "I'm not buying that bullshit," I sighed. "I know something triggered him to ask for my f
Craig Days and nights passed, and I was still trapped in Bloodline Manor like a helpless butterfly, but I had completely healed and grown stronger. My desperation grew by the second. I wondered what was going on in the outside world. Dimitri hadn't come to threaten me in days. For sure, he was surely up to something sinister. My only companion was a damn diary where I scribbled all my plans to escape, waiting for the perfect time to hatch my plan. I was staring at a cow giving birth. The mother lay exhausted on the ground after pushing her calves far enough out. She was too weak to stand and the smell of its dung and blood was strong enough to kill, but the cows were the only distractions I had because I was so close to going insane. I loved video games and being with my phone. Not having that luxury was killing me. My ears perched when someone knocked on my door. "It's open," I said flatly. Anna, who was the only innocent person in this manor because she had no idea I was s
Oliver I winced, rubbing my stinging cheek. The force of Alexis's slap remained. I deserved it for being so stupid to think she'd jump on me like a lovestruck puppy after I asked for her forgiveness or be easily manipulated without questioning me. Rooted on the spot, I watched her walk away, cursing under my breath. The girl was petite but bold and hostile. Thanks to that bastard, Dimitri, I'd received an unwarranted slap. My shoulders sagged like a deflated balloon. Dimitri forced me to gather information from Craig's friends, including his girlfriend, about the staff of authority. I had two days to come up with something, and the consequences of not getting sufficient information would be brutal. But how could I ask them a string of questions without them becoming suspicious? Craig's friends, especially Zarek, were discerning and were beginning to sniff my fakery. It was a miracle that I hadn't gotten caught at this point. "Oliver, you're a man. I didn't raise you a coward!"