SEVEN"Dad! Dad! Where are you?"Debris of concrete and glass fell on my body as I was on all fours. There was a sharp sound in my ears. So loud that I could barely hear the words that were coming out of my mouth.There was smoke and dust everywhere. I couldn't see anything. My eyes were on fire. My body was on fire. Everything was on fire.It was as if my skin was peeling off my bones. The pain was like nothing I had ever felt. Even when I shifted for the first time, I was able to handle the excruciating pain.This particular one was hellish. I was in hell. The deepest parts of hell!"Aargh!" My roar echoed in my ears. It set off something I couldn't place my finger on. My fingernails sank into the dirt on the floor. I slowly came to my feet and looked around."No, this can't be!" I shook my head in denial. A party had been ongoing a few moments ago. What happened? What was that book I heard? How did my birthday party resort to this?"Dad!" I called out again, waving my hands in t
WINTERIt had been a couple of days since I fainted in the bathroom. Although I woke up hours later in the same spot, it got me another good rest.A hundred and sixty-two missed calls. That is how much I woke up to on my phone the next morning. I had left Melanie hanging on the phone, so she was dead worried. She was already making plans to catch the first flight to New York when I finally answered her calls.Of course, it took me a lot of effort to convince Melanie and Nico that I was good.The only explanation for my fainting was a stomach bug. It was strange, but after changing my diet, I hadn't felt this good in a long time."That would be all, class," said the professor who had been babbling about the print media in the 18th century.Most of the students in the class stood to their feet and rushed out through the door. Again, I didn't know why they were always in a hurry to leave. I never sprinted even when I had other classes to attend.This was my last class for today. I inten
WINTERIt was as if someone was beating a drum in my head by the time I regained consciousness. From the antiseptic smell in the air, I knew that I was in a hospital even without looking.I held my banging head and winced in pain. I tried to open my eyes, but the light above was too blinding. It was as if someone was shining a torch straight on my face.With my face scrunched up, I covered my eyes and took a deep breath."Hey, you are awake!"I felt a squeeze of panic as soon as I heard that voice. Oh, Moon Goddess! No! "Thank goodness!" The familiar voice came into my ears again. I thought I was hallucinating, but it seemed I wasn't. That was Seven's voice, wasn't it?As a chill chased up my spine, I opened one of my eyes. His face instantly came into view in the blinding light. Seven! What was he doing here?"I was so worried about you, Winter. Are you okay?"A mixture of sadness and anger swirled in my heart at this moment. "Of course, I am not okay. How could you even ask me tha
WINTER"I am what?"In a flash, I jolted up from the bed. The pillow that was on my back instantly fell to the floor. "You are pregnant. Congratulations!" the doctor repeated, his smile annoyingly broader.I burst out laughing. "Doc, you have got to be kidding me! I am not pregnant."Lines of confusion appeared on his forehead. He glanced at the file and then looked at me again. "It says here that you are about four weeks pregnant. That explains the nausea and constant dizziness. You really are preg—""No! Don't say that again!" I screamed. "I can't be pregnant. I am not pregnant!"The doctor was taken aback. He flipped the file close and looked at the name on it. "You are Winter Sharp, aren't you?"I didn't respond. There were several tabs opened in my head. It was a mess. I struggled to get my thoughts straight, but failed.The room was silent, and the only noise that could be heard was my breathing.Eric walked over to the doctor, took the file, and peered into it. "Doc, are you s
SEVENThe air was serene as I stood by the window and I looked out at the sea. Waves were slapping the rocks on the shore. This has been my view for the past one month. Life with the Williamson family was going good. It was nice to finally be away from all the drama that happened in my pack, but I still wanted to return.Not because I loved to be saddled with so much responsibility. Actually, I missed Winter. And I wanted to make sure she was okay.I'd have called her, but I had no phone and I was almost cut out of this world. My wounds had healed long ago, but I still suffered pain in my chest and head.After the move Becky Williamson pulled when I tried to leave weeks ago, I couldn't trust that she would allow me to go before I completely recuperated. The young lady was bossy!Suddenly, someone knocked on the door of my room. "Seven, hey! Come down for dinner."Speak of the devil!I threw on some clothes and went downstairs minutes later."Have you forgotten what I told you, miste
SEVENThe muscles in my jaw tensed. My eyes grew impossibly wide. I felt the blood in my veins drain within seconds. My arms were thrown wide with my fingers splayed.Becky had her eyes closed as she tilted her head a few times. Her lips moved on mine even though mine was pursed hard. When I felt her tongue brush over them, an alarm rang in my head.I grabbed her by the arms and pushed her away with inexplicable force. Becky staggered backward and hit her back on the dresser. She cried, holding the small of her back, "Ouch!"I wiped my lips hard several times. "What did you do that for? Are you fucking nuts?"The color on Becky's face was drained. With a chalk-white face, she frowned pitifully and said, "That hurts, Seven."Ignoring her pitiful expression, I took out several pieces of tissue and wiped my lips desperately. I had never felt more disgusted. How could she kiss me? Was she crazy?Becky shamelessly walked over to my side. "I like you, Seven. I really do. And I thought you l
KAI-VII The days I spent reading through Dawn Holland's diary were extraordinarily long. I got to learn only two things from the first journal. One, she carried out far too many experiments for a supposed medical doctor. Two, she was a psycho! Her entries in the journal showed that she was desperate to make something. Something that would change the game in our world. For the most part, she called the thing "IT". Sitting in Seven's studying, the air was stuffy as I opened all the diaries in front of me. Curiosity was getting the best of me. Worse still, time wasn't on my side. I had to find a lead now that Ratio was breathing down my neck. I picked up a diary and opened it in half. The first few lines were all German to me. But just as I was about to flip another page, my eyes caught a glimpse of a few words at the end of the page. It read, "The Phoenix Orb is almost complete. It's still too dangerous to use, but I and the others are working on making it safe before the D-Day."
WINTERThree months. That's how far along I was now. I already had a little bump which I spent most mornings looking at in the mirror.Some of my jean pants no longer fit. I wore more of baggy pants and shirts just to feel more comfortable and hide traces of the bump.I had yet to tell my friends that I was pregnant. I knew they would freak out. Or worse still, suggest that I take out the baby. I knew how much they hated Seven because of what he did to me.Chances were that they were going to dissuade me from keeping the baby or confront Seven and ask him to man up.I wanted neither of those things. It was bad enough that I was pregnant at such a young age. I couldn't add boy drama or friends drama to the list of my problems.Since Seven wanted to be single and sleep with everything on skirts, I was going to keep my distance and raise this child alone.There were times I felt overwhelmed with the pregnancy. The baby didn't go easy on me. I skipped classes a couple of times and dozed o
WINTER Seven allowed me to hold a small wake for Eric after his body was sent over to his father. I also intended to visit his grave with flowers once I got news about his funeral. As much as a part of me wanted to hate Eric for all the mental strain he put me through, I just couldn't. Despite being infatuated and impulsive, he was still a good friend of mine. His assurance to rescue me was one of the things that made me persevere during those six torturous years. More so, he had protected me from his sister. I wasn't sure I would have survived getting stabbed after barely surviving a gunshot wound with the aid of the Phoenix Orb. As for Becky, she was whisked away while shouting, "Seven, if I can't have you, no one else can!" Last I heard, she was going to be tried for two counts of attempted murder and murder. It turned out that after investigation, the bomb blast that almost took me and my baby's life was her doing. I had lost count of how many times Seven apologized. For some
WINTERI really died. I died with Seven's voice replaying in my head. Then his voice was replaced with a couple of others. I drifted in and out of consciousness as a bright light shone above me.When I finally woke up, Seven's face was the first thing I saw. He grabbed my hand with both of his and smiled brightly. "You're back!"My throat felt dry as I said, "What happened?""You were in a coma. The doctor took out the bullet and..."He picked up a ziplock bag from the table and held it up to me. I saw a bullet inside it. There was something else."Is that...is that what I think it is?" I muttered, staring at the strange-looking shiny ball.Seven nodded. "Yes, this is the Phoenix Orb.""How did it even get inside me?"He sighed. "On the night we had sex for the first time while we kissed, I put it inside of you. I did it to protect you, but I am sorry for not asking for your consent."I went silent for a while, replaying that night. "So, this thing has been inside my chest for six yea
SEVENEverything froze over as soon as Winter's body fell into my arms. I stared for a long time before my brain processed what just happened. "Aargh!" I roared as soon as I saw the blood on Winter's chest.Clutching her shoulders, I looked at her face which was fast becoming pale. "Winter! Why did you? Why!"She smiled at me. "Because I love you and you would have done the same?"I buried my face in her neck. "You shouldn't have. You shouldn't--""Good riddance!" A snarl interrupted my words all of a sudden.I raised my head only to find Nora still aiming the gun at me. With the swiftness of a thousand wolves, I let go of Winter and lunged at Nora. My claws pierced into her chest. And when I pulled back, her heart came with it.Her eyes bulged from the sockets as she fell to the floor with a thud. Ratio, whose head was still on her lap, growled at this moment.Blinded by immeasurable rage, I squeezed the bloodied heart in my hand. Then dropped it to the floor."You!" Ratio shouted a
SEVENEveryone froze on the spot. I looked upstairs just in time for a pair of heels to appear out of nowhere. Tracing the plump legs up, I was shocked to find the face staring down at me."Mother?"My stepmother, Nora, eyed me as she descended the stairs. The gun in her hand scrapped the banister in the process. Once she got to the end of the stairs, she barred her teeth. "I am not your mother! Don't ever call me that!"Another jolt of shock coursed through my body. I stammered, "What...what's happening? What...what are you doing here?""What does it look like I am doing here!" she barked.At this moment, Ratio growled. I saw him reach out his hand to Nora. "Come, my love."What the...My jaw dropped to the floor as I watched Nora walk over to where Ratio was lying. She placed his head on her lap and touched his face. She cried, "What have they done to you, darling? Oh, my God!""Nora!" I shouted. "What do you think you are doing? You know this guy?"At my question, Ratio flashed his
SEVENIt wasn't just any white wolf. It was a she-wolf. She landed on her thin long legs with stealth and barred her equally white teeth at Ratio who was down on his knees.Suddenly, the wolf’s head turned in my direction. My heart had just taken a great leap when I locked eyes with the she-wolf. I instantly felt a sense of connection and smelled that familiar scent.“Winter?” I called out, still skeptical.The she-wolf glanced beside me. She ran behind the coffin-like box. Seconds passed before she showed up again. This time, in her human form and fully dressed in a flannel dress.“Why did you come here? It's too dangerous. Go!” I shouted worriedly.Winter shook her head hard. “I am not leaving you. I only just got you back.”“He’s going to kill you,” I said, glancing at Ratio who was still down and groaning. “Listen to me, please! Leave!”Winter walked over to the cage. She reached out her index finger and touched it slightly. Her skin instantly sizzled. Seeing this, I got even more
SEVEN I stood still, trying to figure out where exactly the voice was coming from. "It's you. Ratio?""Yes, that's me," Came the proud voice. "But you don't get to call me that, Seven. It's Uncle Darren to you."I couldn't help chuckling. "Uncle, my foot! Considering all the atrocities you have committed, you don't even deserve a name, let alone to be called uncle by me.""Ha-ha-ha!" The laugh reverberated on the walls again. "I must say I am quite surprised, nephew. You are not like your father. Unlike him, you have got a very big mouth! Luka must be turning in his grave.""Keep my father's name out of your fucking mouth!" I roared.Ratio chuckled. "And if I don't?"My breathing was getting heavier at this time. I clenched my fists despite the burns on my palms.That voice came again. "It's not like you can do anything to me. You fell right into my trap, so I can say whatever name I like. Luka...Luka! Luka! Luka, that stupid cousin of mine.""Shut the fuck up!"Ratio didn't listen.
SEVENNo one could tell me nothing. The sex Winter and I just had blew my mind. I had gone over this moment several times, but it never occurred to me that it would be this good. I couldn't have enough of her body. Fortunately, she felt the same way.When I finally came, we were both breathing heavily. I collapsed beside her and pulled her into my arms. It didn't take long before we both dozed off. It was already dark outside when I was awoken by the ringing of my phone. I looked at the pile of my clothes that lay on the floor and saw a light coming from the pocket of my pants."Shit! Who could that be?" I cursed as quietly as possible.Winter stirred in my arms. She turned away, her bare butt rubbing against my groin. I held my breath and groaned. I knew it was only a matter of seconds before my little man began to think for me.Quickly and gently, I pulled my arm from underneath Winter's head. I got out of bed and took out my phone. I pressed the volume button before even looking a
WINTERThe moistness of Seven's lips threw me off guard. I wanted to pull away, but I found myself frozen. When he bit my lower lip hard, my whole world tilted.Sparks erupted in my closed eyes. Reels upon reels of pictures filled my head. There were images of Dawn in a princess gown. Then, there was an eruption. After that came the Seven's face. He was roaring at me. No, that's not him. That's...that's...I know him. But that's not Seven. That's... Oh, God! Why can't I reach that name?I was still struggling to remember that name when Seven parted my lips with his tongue and it found its way into my mouth. It sent a shiver through my gooey body. Images continued to pour into my head. No, they were more like motion pictures...videos. Seven's face appeared again. This time, he was smiling at me. He said something. When I read his lips, he seemed to say those magic three words. "I love you!"His voice sounded in my head at this time. "I love you, Winter, and I want you to be my Luna.""
SEVENWinter let go of her head. When she looked up at me, I realized that she had lost so much weight. She wasn't this thin when I saw her at Dawn's birthday party. More so, it seemed she had been crying a lot.What happened to her?I was just about to say something when Winter pulled away from me and ran over to Alaric. She squatted beside him as the soldiers pressed him to the floor. "Honey, please tell me that guy is saying nonsense?""He is!" Alaric declared without skipping a beat. "He's a bad man. In fact, he was the one who caused your car crash.""What!" Winter and I exclaimed at the same time.I saw her look at me. Rage sparked in her eyes. I sensed her blood boiling at the same time. Suddenly, she pointed at me and cried, "So, it was you! You almost killed me. You caused the accident that took my precious daughter away from me!"For a second, I was speechless. What crash were they talking about? Winter's only bad encounter with a car recently was from the abduction which ha