I
Grazziena has been frozen. She felt herself quivered as the governor’s scent filled her lungs. Something within her gallops and jumped as if triggered by such a smell. She was drawn into his eyes and his inviting lips made her quivered more.
“Sister Teresa, I repeat stopped looking at me like that or else, I will devour your lips right here, right now.” Governor Draeko whispered once more, his hand reached for Grazziena’s hand.
As if awakened from her deep sleep, Grazziena back off. She made two steps backward away from the seducing gaze of the young Governor. “I am not Sister Teresa.” All she could murmur.
Governor Draeko made a chuckle. “The reincarnation of Sister Teresa then,” he said teasing the newly crowned beauty Queen.
Grazziena made a little laugh to ease the confusing feeling that she is into at the moment.
The two runners-up of Grazziena who were on the far end side of the float seem to sense something between their young Governor and their newly crowned Ms. Albaya. They looked at each other and smiled meaningfully.
The parade has been finished with Grazziena not feeling relax all throughout the time. The young Governor’s appealing stares at her most of the time made her heart leaped repeatedly.
“What is wrong with me?” Grazziena thought confused.
An inner voice answered her question. “We found our mate … we found our mate.” The said voice echoed over and over again.
Grazziena closed her eyes and shook her head as if trying to remove whatever confusion she is into. She is appalled. She could not fell-in love too early. She is still young and has many dreams to look forward to. Getting into a relationship might be her downfall and she never wanted that to happen.
“Ms. Albaya, are you okay? I have been noticing that you are not feeling comfortable. What’s the matter?” Governor Draeko asked with the furrowed forehead.
“I just remembered something unfinished at home. That’s all.” Grazziena made such a white lie to stop the governor from asking further.
“I see, but I do not believe you. You are not a good liar,” he retorted while shaking his head. His eyes seem to be scanning the whole soul of Grazziena.
She could not look straight into his eyes. She doesn’t want to. She does not want him to read whatever is in her thoughts.
II
The next thing Grazziena did was to search online for any sorcerer, faith healer, or even a psychic who could be able to help her solve her rare condition. How on earth did she become a shifting human to a wolf? Is there any family history that her parents are not telling her? She needs to ask them; she needs to know.
During dinner, Grazziena started to ask some questions making both of her parents became uneasy.
“Papang, do you have any relative with supernatural power?” she asked. Her father furrowed not able to fully understand her query at first.
“Like someone who can do magic, shift into animals, vampires etc.” Grazziena explained but her father just laughed.
“None. I cannot remember that I have a relative like that.” Her Papang replied as if trying to reminisce something in the past. Thereafter, he shook his end. “There is really none Ga.”
“How about you Mamang?” She looked at her mother this time.
“Ahh ahh, none that I could think of Ga.” Her mother smiled shaking her head.
“I see.” Suddenly, Grazziena became frustrated. She did not find any worthy information from her parents that might link or be a hint as to why she is different.
Her father observed her sudden change of mood. “Why are you asking by the way?” Curious, he asked.
“Nothing Papang, just curious,” she replied but deep in her heart, she is now questioning where on earth she came from. Why is she different? Her features are even different from her parents. All of a sudden, she shot her parents with a wondering look.
“What? You look like in full confusion.” It was Gazziena’s mother who suddenly asked as she noticed her daughter’s expression.
Grazziena decided to be frank. “I am just wondering why my features are too different from yours.”
Grazziena’s parents looked at each other. “Did you not remember what I told you before Ga? When I was still in my pregnancy days with you, I was too drawn-up looking at the Barbie Doll of our neighbor. That is why you came out so pretty.” Her mother is trying to tease her to divert her attention.
Grazziena just nodded. Deep inside her, she could feel that her parents are hiding something from her, which she ought to know. She needs to unravel her parents’ secret to solve the mystery that is clothing her whole being now.
I In a village situated at the heart of Mt. Reveree; Lumaro the son of the Alpha of the Cold Mountain Pack will soon celebrate his twentieth birthday. He will be the next Alpha and his father’s challenge for him is to find his mate, soon to be the Luna of their pack. Once he found her; only then that he can replace his father as the new Alpha of the Cold Mountain Pack. “What else could I do father? I have visited every other pack’s full moon parties to find my mate but I failed. I cannot feel any connection with those numbers of the unmated she-wolves that I have met. Could it be that my mate is still yet to be borne?” Lumaro asked his Alpha father with so much frustration. Suddenly, Alpha Maro remembered something. Didn’t he and his best friend Gregor make a pack and a prayer to the moon goddess that should, the Luna will give birth to a daughter, they wished her to be the mate of his son Lumaro, who was just one year old at that time? Alpha Maro has
I Lumaro tried to look further for his mate. He traveled in nearby pack villages, even in the rouge pack but he could feel the sign of his mate; he could not even smell her. After almost one month of traveling to different places looking for his mate, Lumaro went home feeling like a failure. He was not able to find his mate yet. “My son, I need to tell you something; I guess this is the most opportune time to let you know this thing.” It was Lumaro’s Alpha father who has spoken when he saw Lumaro arrived with a depressed expression. Lumaro suddenly looked at his father, with eyes on their inquisitive form. “What is it Father?” he asked curiously. “It is about your possible mate.” Lumaro’s Father replied as he sat on the wooden, well-sculptured chair in their living area. “I am excited to listen now my Alpha Father.” Lumaro also sat on the wooden chair in front of his Father, readying himself to listen. “Your possible mat
I Grazziena received a bouquet of red roses early in the morning. It has been delivered by a known flower delivery shop from the city. Surprised, Grazziena looked at the words written on the attached card. The note written in the attached card said, “To the woman who is giving me beautiful mornings just by thinking about her. . . See you this afternoon at our hotel Ms. Grazziena… Waiting with love, Jervin Ty.” Grazziena became uneasy. In a recent F******k live interview with a reporter from a local branch of a known TV Station, Jervin Ty vocally admitted that it was him who insisted to his father to invite the reigning Ms. Albaya 2020 to grace the opening of Ty’s second-biggest hotel in the province. When asked by the local reporter why he insisted so, Jervin Ty smiled warmly and pointed his finger on his heart part then softly said, “She hit me here.” The reporter’s eyes grew big and giggled as she looked at the camera, winked, and bade goodbye.
I And they said for a man to gain more allies and powers, he needs to know the real meaning of the word, “Control”. Control means, not only manipulating people to follow you but more so, manipulating yourself, your emotion to never burst out in anger, hatred, jealousy, or any other bad emotions in front of other people. This is what Governor Draeko has in mind when he saw the son of the Hotel Magnate and Business Tycon, Ty holding the hand of Ms. Albaya 2020 while helping her get out of his Mercedez Benz. It never occurred in him that this young man of the Ty family would be so persistent, to the extent of fetching Grazziena personally from her home going to the hotel. This is his problem; he cannot just do that right now. He cannot just go to Grazziena’s house without a valid or legitimate purpose being the Governor of Albaya Province. What would be a good purpose to visit her and her family using his Governor position? That he needs to think deeply. He cann
I She opened her eyes when she felt the nearness and the hard breathing of Governor Draeko. Unable to control herself, she touched the heart part of Governor Draeko. She even managed to caress it gently and then innocently checked on the expression of the young Governor, who is now closing the gap between them. “Grazziena, I really like you. At the onset that I saw you there on the ramp, I felt something different and I want you to be mine.” Governor Draeko whispered as his eyes are closely focused on Grazziena’s innocent-looking face. Grazziena kept her silence. She did not know what to say actually. Her heartbeats overwhelmed her senses. When Governor Draeko’s lips slowly came closer to her own lips, her eyes automatically shut and her lips trembled. She felt nervous at the same time excited. What could be the taste of the lips of a young and gorgeous Governor? She thought and then something inside her willowed with joy. Seeing that Grazziena cl
I Lumaro consulted his Alpha father where to go next. He tried to travel again in another pack’s land but to no avail. Sadly, he was not able yet to find his mate. “Father, I’m tired of looking for my mate. Where can I find her?” Lumaro with a weary heart asked his father Roilo, who suddenly brought his mind into the past. Alpha Roilo, who was then the Beta of Alpha Gregor clearly heard it when the most feared witch Tuthaara curse the daughter of their Alpha and Luna at that time. “Your father rejected me despite all the love I showered him; you, their only heir will suffer my final curse to your pack. You will be thrown to a far-away land where wolves are considered deadly animals and after the day of your adulthood, you will shift every midnight into your most dreadful wolf form that the wolves’ world and even the human’s world will ever see! Let my curse be done to you!” “Far away land… in the human world Lumaro! You can find your mate in t
I Lumaro can still visibly describes to himself the she-wolf in his dream last night. If she is his mate, he did not know how he could take her when she is in her wolf form. But she is beautiful as a human; too beautiful to be rejected. A thin smile peeped through the glistening eyes of Lumaro. “Father, it is time for me to travel again… into the human world,” Lumaro told his father the next day. He is fully decided to find the woman in his dream. He sat on the chair at their Pack House’s dining hall and requested for a cup of coffee and waffles from one of their maid omegas. His Alpha Father glanced at Lumaro whose eyes are showing some signs of excitement. “Why did you decide suddenly to travel to the human world now?” “Because I saw her father; I saw the cursed daughter of the former Alpha and Luna of our pack,” Lumaro replied smiling. “How?” Curiosity covered the face of the Alpha father of Lumaro while waiting for his son's reply.
I Her dream never left her mind until the time that she met Draeko during lunch. He brought her to one of his mansions. Right now, they cannot just dine in any restaurant around the province as it might cast public scrutiny. Grazziena could simply admire in silence the proof of wealth that Draeko and his family have. The mansion itself and all the things inside and around it are showing splendidly their affluence. She chuckled in her mind and felt a bit of fear and shame, for who is she to be chosen by Draeko? She is a mere piece of tiny dirt in Draeko’s toenail. “You like here Sweetheart?” Draeko asked pulling her close to him. Grazziena just made a quick smile and nodded. “Sir, the table is ready,” said a voice coming from one of the maids of Draeko. “Come, Sweetheart, let’s eat. I am actually starving that I am now seeing you as my mouth-watering meal.” Draeko teased Grazziena as he led her going to the dining area. She blushed shyl
I SEVENTEEN YEARS AFTER: “Grazzie Ella have you seen your brother, Drazzie Drae?”Draeko asked his daughter who was in their mansion’s living room, reading an English pocketbook. Grazzie became an avid fan of some famous writers whose genres are fantasy and paranormal, especially those werewolves, vampire, and dragon stories. Grazzie removed her brownish eyes from her book and looked at her father. “Dad, as usual, Drazzie is on our beach in Matabungkay, having his diving and surfing activities. Did he not tell you yesterday? He left at around five in the afternoon.” “Oh, I remember he told me that he is going out of town. Alright. Would you want to come with us? Your Mom and I will be visiting one of our friend’s hotels; the TY’s hotel in the city.” “Oh, why Dad?” “We will discuss a possible business partnership.” “Okay. I will come. Anyway, I am getting bored in here.” “Good.” Draeko smiled
IDraeko and Grazziena visited one of the beach resorts that they owned. Actually, it was one of those many inheritances of Draeko from his deceased parents. They were walking down the beach savoring the fresh air and letting the heat of the sun's rays overwhelm their whole senses.Grazziena walked slowly as her belly is quite so big and heavy. She is in her nine-month pregnancy. Draeko’s arm has been wrapped around her shoulders to assist her while walking. They then stopped walking and gazed into the vastness of the ocean. They felt so contented. They could not ask for more.“Are they so heavy now, Sweety?” Draeko asked while caressing her belly.“Sort of. They are getting heavier each day that I am nearing to my date of giving birth to them.” She looked up at him and smiled. She then leaned her head on his shoulders. She felt in complete peace whenever she is with him.“They will be o
I“What are these, my Alpha husband?” Luna Leslie asked when Alpha Lumaro gave her two boxes. When she opened the first big box, she was surprised to see inside a beautiful sapphire blue, below the knee, sexy dress for her and then the other box, which was obviously a shoebox, containing a cute pair of stiletto shoes.“You like them, my Luna?” Alpha Lumaro asked smilingly. He wanted to surprise her, so he hoped that his effort in buying the dress and shoes will not be put to waste.“Of course, my love. I like them both. Hmm, “Where are we going my Alpha husband? Where am I going to use this dress and shoes?” With a wide smile, she asked him again.“You will know. Prepare now and get dressed. I will prepare too. We should not be late,” Alpha Lumaro said grinning at her. It seemed like he was hiding something from her.Although puzzled, Luna Leslie nodded and abided happily. The dres
IThaara's tears spilled out from her eyes like rivulets. She felt like dreaming, but she knew in her heart that everything is real. She looked at the man beside her whose eyes were focused on her, shining like a star in the dark night."Gabby, did I hear you right? You want me, forever?" she said, murmuring.Gabby Closh nodded with such a lively smile wrapping his handsome face. "I do. I want you to be in my life forever, Thaara."Thaara's eyes, although with tears glinted with such light of hope. They glistened like diamonds. "Gabby, who am I, not to want a man like you in my life, forever too? I am no one and I can't deny that we feel the same. I want you in my life too, forever, Mr. Gabby Closh.""Thaara, you made me the happiest man alive now. We have met just for a few days, but I know what I feel for you. I love you, Thaara," Gabby Closh said and with gentleness, he claimed her lips and they kissed, like t
I When Gabby Closh woke up the next day, the aromatic scent of brewed coffee filled his nostrils. He slowly climbed down the bed when he did not notice Thaara’s presence beside him. Guessing that most probably she is in the kitchen, he freshened up himself and walked towards the apartment’s kitchen. His guess was right. Thaara was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for them while humming softly a love song. She seemed so happy. Gabby smiled as he approached her. From her back, Gabby’s arms encircled her waist and he kissed her nape that tickled her and screamed in surprise but with laughter. “You surprised me. I thought you were still asleep,” she muttered with that captivating smile lined in her lips. “I woke up without you beside me, but I smelled the aromatic scent of brewed coffee, so I knew then where I am going to find you,” he said while looking at her lovingly. Gabby Closh could not understand bu
IDraeko and Grazziena were both shocked when they heard what the Doctor had said.“Goodness, Doctor, so we will be having two kids at once?” Draeko asked with eyes as wide as the full moon while Grazziena was still in shock.The Doctor smiled widely and nodded. “Yes, Mr. And Mrs. Villadela.”Draeko could not hide his excitement as he hugged his wife so tight and gave her rain of kisses on her face and lips in front of the OB-Gyne, who could not stop smiling.Grazziena suddenly looked at her husband with a mixture of emotions flashing through her eyes. “Draeko, I am getting afraid. What if my body is not good enough to carry and make them live both?”“Don’t say that Sweety. You are strong and healthy and I will always be here to support you in you and our babies' every need.” Draeko kissed her head to pacify her and looked at the Ob Gyne, seeking for help to explain everythi
I Grazziena did not know but every time she looks at Draeko she got irritated and Draeko noticed it. “Sweet, you seemed to be always getting irritated with me. Did I do something wrong?” he asked with a worried expression. He does not want Grazziena to get angry especially that she is in her early stage of pregnancy. He does not want her to be stressed. Grazziena frowned when he heard what he said. “Nothing. I don’t know. I just easily got irritated whenever I see your face,” she said while looking at him, still with a frown. Draeko’s forehead furrowed while looking at her wife then suddenly burst into laughter after realizing what is happening. “Sweety, I am sure, our child will gonna look exactly like me,” he said grinning at her. She became even more irritated. “No way, she will look like me.”
Author's Note to Editor: (Repetitive chapter, kindly delete. Thank you.) To Readers: Please don't open this chapter. Thank you. I The owner of the coffee shop grinned mysteriously as he read the note of their Cafe's beautiful customer a while ago. The offer is in his hand. What would he do? The cafe owner the next day waited for the pretty customer to come again, but he waited in vain. So, before the night falls, he prepared his heart shape chocolate, cheesecake, and frappuccino. "Guys, I will just go somewhere. Take care of our cafe," he said to his staff, who all nodded smiling. "Yes, boss. Don't worry and enjoy," his appointed cafe supervisor, said with a tease. He walked straight to Belladie's apartment and knocked on the door of Apartment number eight. He then heard sounds of steps walking slowly to the door. When the door opened, he was mesmerized by the beauty in front of him. "You indeed c
I Draeko took a small box inside the gift bag. He was curious why suddenly his wife prepared a surprise like this. Something unusual. He almost tore the small cartoon white box because of his urgent act. He then got what was inside. At first, he furrowed while looking at the two pink pregnancy testers but when he already read the blood test result, his eyes suddenly widened while looking at what was written on the sheet of paper. He then looked at Grazziena with dazzling eyes. "Sweetheart, is this true?" His eyes were wide with excitement. Grazziena nodded. "Yes, Sweety, we are having a baby." Without saying anything, Draeko hugged Grazziena so tightly. His eyes were misty. "You need to be more careful now Sweety, no overworking, please," he said tenderly while kissing her head, repeatedly. "By the way, Sweety, I also saw Mariella in the clinic. She seemed pregnant too." "Ow, that was why the urgent wedding," Draeko sai