Eric looked surprised by my question. I should tell him the truth that the question I asked is as a result of the inaccessible memories I locked away but is it? Surely, my mate couldn't be part of that memory? I consider the name carefully and repeats it to myself several times... 'Ash. Ash... Ash should be shortened for Ashley, right?' I wonder about the surprise expression on Eric's face especially when the truly doesn't ring any bells with me. I was with my mate yesterday night. And since I can still recall what she looks like, doesn't that mean she's not part of the memory I locked?... Why I can't remember her name then? I look back at Eric with confusion "Is that her name?" I ask "Her?" He replies, looking confused himself. He knows who I'm speaking of course so why is he looking at me as if he's the one with no memory and not me. "My mate... Is Ash my mate's name?" I ask somewhat impatiently this time. "I don't understand, why are you asking me? She's your mate, isn't
'Hyena!'By god, that one guts me and got me by surprise "What!– What did you just say to me?" I ask but the bastard just continues to smile mischievously while challenging me with his eyes.What he said, coupled with the way he's smiling smugly at me makes me want to kill him. I always hate it when he attacks me with the way I smile or laugh. I wish I knew what to say to wipe the stupid smile off his face but I don't. The asshole has the most poisonous tongue that I've ever heard speak and always knows how to render me speechless with the words he hit me with and how hard he hits.My two backups, Ivar and Henrik, are not with us, making me feel more vulnerable."A hyena! A grinning hyena! I look like a grinning hyena when I laugh? C'mon bro, are you crazy? You couldn't compare me to a more majestic animal like a– a Lion? It had to be a Hyena!""What!?..." He says, still chuckling. "You compared me to a pussy, chicken, and many more some minutes ago. They're not majestic so what's th
Thor's POV"Thor! Thor, wait up! Eric calls after me. I don't stop since I'm not in the mood to talk. I just want to be left alone in the meantime to think.'Not right now Eric. I need to go for a run and clear my head.' I replied to him through our mind link.There's a need for balance in life. Balance helps maintain stability. It enables something or someone for that matter to remain upright and steady. Especially if you're a shifter, half human half beast, where the two different beings that you're made of must be in the correct proportion. Then balance must be ensured by all meansBlocking off that important part of my memories in order for me to maintain my stability seemed to me like a very good idea then. I thought it would do me and the shifters around me a world of good before I took that bold step but instead of what I expected, I think it made things worse for me. But did it really?... Like Eric pointed out to me earlier... Feral werewolves hardly act sane, especially wh
Ash's POVMy eyes flew open as a loud siren-like sound rent the air. While I'm still lying on my hard brick bed, trying to get used to this new development in my life, I hear a flurry of activity come to life as the other inmates around me begin to wake up. I guess the siren-like sound is a kind of alarm to wake all inmates. 'I wonder what the time is' I thought as I forced myself up from the bed, walking toward the space between the brick bed and the wall where the bag Ella gave to me was kept. I search through the contents of the bag and bring out a toothbrush and toothpaste before moving to the sink to brush my teeth.I yawn loudly as I stand by the sink to apply toothpaste to my toothbrush. I couldn't fall asleep the previous night since my mind was occupied by the thoughts of Martha. The scene where she lay dead on a carpet that completely soaked her blood kept on playing like it was on repeat inside my mind.It took me some tossing and turning on the prison hard bed, and I also
Thor's POV"Even if we're expecting trouble, I don't think we should go home and just wait for it to come to us. I think we should do something about it. Deal with it, you know." Bear speaks for the first time since we arrived at the border and we all turn to look at him as he continues talking."Like this fence. I think we should first do something about it. I mean what if those mean motherfucking rouges are the ones responsible for damaging it? If this is truly them, then do you guys think their target would just be Alpha's mansion?... Cos I don't think so. I think they would target the whole pack. All five of us can defend ourselves because we're trained fighters. We're warriors but what about the pack members? Not all pack members can defend themselves. The pups for example can't. Some she-wolves can't either. Not all she-wolves can fight like Ella you know– and what about the old and feeble?..." He finished saying with his eyes level with mine and I nodded in agreement.Bear jus
"I'd still like to know, even if you think I wouldn't be pleased with what you would tell me," Eric replies. We talk as we walk back in the direction we came from while the others walk behind us, hoping Ella will meet us quickly with the car."You once told me something that my mom said to you before they went to war with the dark wolves. Do you still remember what you said?""Of course. As if I could ever forget that...""Yeah... You told me my mom said, you and I only have each other now. We can only trust each other above anyone else. Do you understand that, Thor?... We have each other so you're not allowed to keep your worries bottled in. You have to say them out. You have to free your mind of all worries so it doesn't worsen your situation" He says seriously.I nod in understanding "I was thinking about Ivar and Ella's relationship when I found myself wondering why the relationship between my mate and I had to be so different.""Different how?""Well, didn't we have a special ma
My heart thumps rapidly with excitement as Eric sheds light on another part of my mind that has been in total darkness for the past two days. I was wrong. I made a huge mistake. That important part of my memory that I locked away didn't push me over the edge. Something else did. Despite my promise to remain calm, I can't help the anger building up in me all over again. Although I was already aware he would be sharing incomplete information with me, I refused to accept the word 'something' again. Isn't not knowing exactly what the 'something' is the reason I went feral in the first place?He needs to be specific with me this time. Something is a thing that is unspecified or unknown. I'm not going to start wondering about this 'something' shit all over again. I want to know a bit more about the 'something' that frustrated me to the extent it made me go feral.I cover my anger and frustration with a smile since I know he would immediately stop talking to me the moment my emotions become
If you die, that is the end. Everything will be for nothing. We can't have our revenge then. My parents and your mom's death will be in vain. You're one of the four chosen ones that would restore the glory of their various houses. No one else is qualified to do that! Not me, not your dad, and certainly not not your uncles! Just you, alongside your mate! Do you understand me, Thor!?" He asks firmly and I find myself nodding in agreement. What he said was absolutely right."Now, I understand the fact that it's difficult for you to stay sane but we did it before, man! We all fought this together before and we'll do it again. Do you understand me!?"I'm much calmer now that my human side is more in control. "Yes!" I replied to him again. The others that are also looking at us also nod in approval as I nod to Eric's questions. "Now, we're moving forward. We're forging ahead. No more two steps forward and one step back. And the only way we can achieve that is if you trust us and let us
"The Council Chairman!" I exclaim with surprise when I see a familiar white-haired old man walk out from beside the villa and towards the aisle. "The Council Chairman is the officiant!?"He grins"Surprise!" He says with a flourish "Now walk. And remember, your best man is closely behind."I happily smile and nod at our guests as I walk behind the old man hobbling on his walking stick.I can't believe that the Council Chairman himself is going to officiate our wedding!? He's already so old but still makes the time. Today sure is full of pleasant surprises. He arrives at the front and turns to face the guests."Council Chairman, what an honor this is," I say as I arrive before him, my back to the guests.He smiles "Giving the opportunity to join the Chosen ones of House War-Cloud and House Howell in matrimony is a great honor that I dare not pass to another."I nod and he also nods backEveryone arrive at the front and stand at their respective places as we had rehearsed. The moment
I look at my Patek Philippe Nautilus watch before getting up to start dressing up. Just as I put on my tuxedo jacket, someone knocks on my door."Come in," Eric answers Timothy enters, already dressed for the occasion."The guests have arrived. The ceremony will begin soon." He saysI nod and reply,"We're ready. We'll be out soon." He nods and leavesEric finishes buttoning his tux before turning to me. He looks at me critically as he brushes something off my satin lapel and straightens my bowtie."Hmm..." He says satisfactorily before taking a step back. "Hair– on point. Skin– flawless. Tux– immaculate. Shoes– nice pair, they really compliment your outfit. All in all, you look good, man. Your bride will fall in love with you all over again."I smile at his compliment."What about the ring? Do you have it?" I ask to be sure he hasn't forgotten."I have it right here." He replies with a nod, patting on the area it is resting inside his tux. I exhale and nod"Then shall we?" He
Instead of going back to sleep like I tell him, he groans and slumps back into bed."Ugh!... C'mon, don't be a bitch about this."I scoff, looking at him in disbelief."Who's the bitch here? You're obviously tired and need to rest. I'm allowing you to do that but you can't see my good intentions." I guess he thinks I was being sarcastic when I apologized for disturbing his sleep.He sighs and gets out of bed then go to the wet bar. There, he gets a bottle of water and gulps it down in one go. "Now I'm awake..." He says before asking me, "Water?""Yeah, sure," I replyHe hands me the water before going to sit on the sofa."Alright, tell me about your anxiety attack.""I can't sleep. I thought I mentioned that earlier." ''Why can't you sleep?""How the hell am I supposed to know? I just can't!" I know I sounded defensive right now. That's because I know this conversation would end up with him poking fun at me."I wouldn't have found sleep difficult if I was at Alpha's mansion. My m
Two weeks laterThor's POV 1:10 am! I glare in disbelief at the digital clock on my bedside drawer as if it's its fault that time chooses to be moving at a snail's pace today of all days. It was 12:49 the last time I checked, I can't believe that only nineteen minutes had gone by since then."Ugh!" I growl and slump back in bed as I recall all the advice I got yesterday from all the females around me. (that did not include my mate, mind you. I haven't spoken to her in two days because of some Howell's wedding tradition)"You should go to bed early, Alpha," Lily said as they were about to leave for Night Howlers Pack. (They are Ash's maids and matron of honor.)"Yes, you should." Carla chipped in, nodding, before I could ask Lily why she wanted me to go to bed early. "Poor sleep can lead to breakouts, you know?" "Breakouts?" I asked, looking at both of them with interest."Yes, breakout. Believe me, Alpha, you don't want that..." Clarita replied, looking appalled as she shook her he
I step out of the lobby's revolving door and frantically look around me. I don't see him anywhere but his essence is stronger. He's definitely here."Ma'am..." A voice questioningly calls and I turn around to see Jeremy, one of my security details that comes from my Dad. I wonder where he sprang from? "Have you seen the Alpha– I mean my mate?" I say, handing him my backpack."No, ma'am, I haven't." He replies, looking in the parking lot's direction."Yeah, maybe he's just arriving," I say and hurry towards the place. When the parking lot becomes visible, I smile when I see him leaning on his car reading a book. Immediately, he turned in my direction and grinned as if he knew I was coming. I know it's because he smells my essence.I run, speedily closing the gap between us, and then jump into his arms, tightly wrapping myself around him like a koala bear hugging a tree."Oh, hi, monkey." He says, chuckling.I laugh, slightly pulling away from him "Hello, monkey's husband," I say. "
Twelve weeks later"Prom is more than a dance, Miss Reynolds. It is also used to celebrate and honor students who excel in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities..." Mrs Jones, my homeroom teacher, lectures me. "Even though you're only spending this term with us, your excellent performance has made you popular among the teachers. You're also loved by not just your peers but also your juniors. Even though you're a new student, they voted for you to be on the prom court, and with what I've been hearing on the grapevine about you, I'm sure they would vote for you to be this year's Prom Queen. Now, won't they be disappointed if they find out you don't want to be part of the event? It would be a shame if..."'Would it? Aren't you over-exaggerating?' I think as I continue to listen to her drone on and on. Contrary to what she's been saying. As far as I know and can see, no one truly cares about anyone amongst my peers in Apex Academy. Most of them are rich, pompous, opportu
"You didn't have your wolf and you weren't aware of my existence. I just recently figured it out myself. That was why I said earlier that a lot of things about our bond recently became clear to me. Even though I was made aware of our mate bond, I didn't know it was such a big deal. Uncle Elias also didn't see it as such; otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten me a girl on my birthday. Only The Seer knew. Knowing he's one of our number one fans, I guessed he also didn't make a big deal out of me being with other women before I met you because he knew the connection between us was not complete. You were too young. You were six years old when I was sixteen..." It suddenly feels as if I've been slapped in the face with the difference in our age. Damnit! Why didn't I think about that before!? Now that he called my attention to it, I feel I've been insensitive. To think I was eight years old when he was eighteen! An eight-year-old child is too young to shift to their wolves and has no busines
"About us..." He replies, and my body stiffens. "About what happened before you left for Hill-backside." "But I thought everything was fine now. We are fine now so why do we still need to discuss that?" I say and want to stand up, but from his lap, he prevents me, holding me in place. "Please..." He says, looking at me soulfully I exhale "I just don't see any reason why we should talk about that. We're fine now, aren't we?... I love you. You love me. Nothing else should matter except that." I say, not knowing if I should confess to him my real reason for not wanting to discuss that matter. Should I tell him I'm afraid to hear what he wants to say? I'm afraid I might not be able to bear it if he tells me how he manipulated his way around our mate bond? Should I let him know I would rather pretend Delilah never happened than risk hearing about her and not be able to forgive him out of jealousy. How would I let him know that I just want to forget the bad memories. I don't want to di
Even though it bothers me, I'm not really surprised when I return from the bathroom to see Thor in his nightwear, sitting on the sofa far away from the bed. At least now I know without doubt that something is indeed bothering him.He stands when he becomes aware of my presence."Can we have a few words?" He asks seriously and my heart thumps again.I nod. Few words about what? What could be bothering him this much? I wonder as I walk towards him. He doesn't need to say another word before I know what he's about to discuss is very serious. It's written all over his face. "I sensed something was bothering you. What do you want to talk about?" Even though I asked, I dread his reply and hurriedly add"Don't tell me! I don't want to know...""You don't!" He exclaims. "But we really need to...""Okay– but please not right now!..." I plead. "I can tell from your expression that what you want to talk about is serious and I... I don't want to talk about anything serious right now, Thor! Tod