WINTERA cloak of ice dropped on my body seconds before a chippy voice woke me from my hundredth slumber. "Wake up, sleepyhead!"I stirred awake, only to find my body soaked. My teeth clattered as I looked at the pool of water I was lying in. I raised my head, only to find Seven staring at me with a bucket in his hand."Seven..." I called out weakly.With a creepy smile, he waved at me. "Long time no see!"I frowned, wondering how long I had been locked inside this cage. The light was on, so it was hard to tell if it was dark out or not."Oh, you have been here for four days. How do you like it in here? Not so much, right?" He cracked a smile again.Four days? Seven locked me up for that long? That meant it had been five days since I had something good to eat. You bet, I was starving. I could eat a horse!My stomach rumbled as if on cue. I held it and swallowed hard. My throat was parched and my tongue was bitter dry. I ran it over my lips. Unsurprisingly, my lips had many cuts on the
KAI-VIIThe jig was up. Frankly, I was quite surprised that it took Winter this long to notice that I was an impostor. When Ratio told me to go after her, I thought my cover would be blown the second she set eyes on me.I wanted to keep up acting as her Seven, but she was wasting my damn time. I need to get my hands on the orb or the gemstone it was contained in now. Replacing the gemstone on the ring with a fake one hadn't worked. Winter repeatedly told me that she couldn't spot any difference. And that pissed me off.I didn't believe that someone who was the closest to Seven wouldn't know about his most-priced possession. The fact that she was pregnant threatened to spoil my plans. However, I soon saw it as a way to threaten her instead. Females were very sentimental and emotional. There was no way Winter would keep up with the offense if she knew that her baby's life was on the line. I intentionally starved her for days, vowed to rip out the baby, and even lashed her with my bel
WINTERDarkness descended on me the second that impostor walked out of the room. Once again, I was left alone. The past few days had been a blur for me. But today, I was completely in my senses. My mind processed everything that just happened once again.Seven was dead.The love of my life was dead, and I didn't know for four months. I had been living with that impostor for weeks, yet I didn't notice he wasn't my Seven.What kind of girlfriend did that make me? Did this mean my love was really fickle? The subtle differences in his behavior should have told me everything. Why in the world didn't I notice? Why did I live under the same roof with the identity thief for so long?My hand was splayed over my chest at this moment. Guilt tore at my heart, causing me inexplicable pain. I shed tears more than I had ever done before. Mucus dripped from my nose and found its way to my mouth.I could barely breathe. Every inch of my body hurt. It was as if there were pins inserted all over my bod
WINTERUnsurprisingly, the women still didn't say a word. I was beginning to wonder if they were deaf or had sworn an oath of silence or something.I alternated my gaze between them, hoping to get a clue from studying their faces. But I got nothing. They all had the same expression; serious and taut."There you are!" Suddenly, a male voice pierced the air.I looked forward. The face I saw instantly filled me with fear. It was Seven. No, no! It was the impostor. He was standing at the head of the staircase wearing a well-ironed white shirt with oxblood pants.With a deadpan, he looked at me from head to toe and quipped, "You look... blaah!"He then turned to the women and said, "I thought I told you to give her a full makeover. What is this?"The women finally let go of me. I watched as they bowed their heads in fear. The one who had picked out my dress stammered, "Alpha, we...we..."Alpha? He's nothing but an impostor! He literally stole Seven's whole face! I hissed in my mind while s
WINTERA tinge of fear crept through me. I froze on the spot, staring blankly at Mr. Impostor. I tried to come up with something, but my mind drew a blank for a long time."Have you gone deaf? Move aside!" he repeated irritably.I finally snapped out of it. Pointing at the sign on the door, I uttered defiantly, "And why would you want to go into a women's bathroom?""We'll see. Just get out of my way." He took a step further, our noses almost brushing.The extreme closeness freaked me out. I almost broke character. However, I didn't move an inch. "Can we just go home? I think I am constipated. I need to take some medication and have a good rest."The impostor balled his fists. "Get out of my way or I'll punch you in the belly."At this threat, I beat a hasty retreat from the threshold. He glared at me as he walked into the bathroom and shut the door. My back was against the wall. I watched as he looked under the washstand. When he found nothing, he turned to look at me again. "Who wa
WINTERFive years. That's how long it has been since Seven died. My pregnancy was the toughest phase of my life. I lost count of how many times I thought I would die. Not only was my mental health affected, but my physical health was also in shambles.I couldn't entirely blame my ill health on the pregnancy. After all, I was living under the same roof as the person who murdered the love of my life. Kai, as he had introduced himself, became crazier and crazier as the days ran into months.There was even a time he turned the whole house upside down in search of the Phoenix Orb or whatever he called it. I didn't know how to feel about his constant failures.On one hand, I wanted him to get his hands on what he wanted and get out of my life for good. And on the other, I couldn't help feeling that I would be doomed if he found the orb. Something told me that it was very important and he needed it badly.Sometimes, I found him on his knees while speaking on the phone. It was as if someone w
WINTERNo words had ever made my heart break so much. Dawn was naturally a cheerful child, and after she grew past the baby stage, she rarely cried. She leaned into giving anyone a piece of her mind instead of crying.So, you can guess how shocked and heartbroken I was after she made such a demand in tears.As a child, when I fantasized about having my own kids, never in a million years did I imagine that I would be raising any of them in captivity. I tried to shield Dawn from all that was going on. However, it seemed she was catching on. No child would ever ask for a parent to be replaced if they didn't sense something wrong. I dreaded the day I'd have to explain to Dawn that Kai wasn't her father, but a knockoff of the original. I thought I still had a lot of time. Little did I know that it would come knocking on my door so soon.After taking a deep breath, I said in a choked voice, "Baby, what happened? Why did you say that?""I don't like him. He slapped me!""He did what!" I exc
WINTERThe guest was none other than Eric Kester, my friend from NYU. The last time I saw him was about five years ago. He had tried to save me, but ended up jumping to his death.How the hell was he here now? And why did Kai address him as Gary Blake?Eric glanced to the side before whispering, "Shhhh! He's going to hear us."I glanced at Kai, who was staring at a series of champagne bottles while rubbing his chin. His mere back filled me with fear. A scarf was wrapped around my neck, but I couldn't forget how he almost strangled me to death. My mind also went to Dawn who was still unconscious last I checked.Curiosity was killing me. However, it was nothing compared to the fear for my life and that of my daughter. I quickly straightened up and picked up my fork, unwilling to talk to Eric anymore."Can you give me your phone number so we can talk some other time?" Eric uttered in a low voice."I can't!" I whispered, glancing at the bar. "I don't have a phone."Eric didn't take the h
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