Luster Falls, 27 Years AgoRATIO"You will not walk out on me, Darren Greywolf! I am your grandfather and Alpha!"Hearing that shout, I spun around and looked at the frail injured man on the bed. His face was twisted, but it wasn't due to pain like before. It was a frown of hatred. One that I had seen far too many times. Why was I even surprised?I laughed. "You call yourself my grandfather, yet you have never loved me as your own. Why was I born as your grandson if I was never destined to be loved by you? I'm done with this bullshit, Grandpa. No matter what you say, I'll be the Alpha of Blood Crest Pack. If you can't handle it, die now!"A shocked look was slapped on my grandfather's face. He raised his shaky hand and pointed at me. "You'll never become the Alpha. Luka has been chosen, and that's final!""You don't make the rules, old man. In case you haven't noticed, death is knocking on your door. Over my dead body would I allow my younger cousin or anyone else to become the Alpha.
RATIOI couldn't sleep a wink that night. Although this wasn't the first time I was going to take a life, I was still anxious. One of the reasons why my stupid grandfather and his cohorts thought Luka would make a good Alpha was that he was stronger than most of his peers. He wasn't yet of age, but I sometimes feared that he was stronger than me.This was exactly why he was a threat. He has to be out of the picture, or else...I tossed on the bed. My eyes fell on the small picture frame on the nightstand. It was a picture of me and Luka when we were just kids. As his elder and only cousin, Luka used to look up to me. We only grew apart when I noticed that Grandpa was playing favorites.I had tried to make Grandpa proud, but why did all that work get me? The sicko told me to my face that I would never be Alpha.It was high time I proved all my haters wrong!At 5:30 a.m. the next morning, I gave my men access to the house. I was certain that Luka was dead meat, so we attacked without an
Present DayRATIOI woke up to find a small spot of blood on the bandage placed on my chest. Walking out of my room with just my shorts on, I looked downstairs to find Dr. Longman seated in front of the computers as usual."Good morning, boss. Did you sleep well?""No," I replied irritantly, remembering the series of nightmares I had the night before. "It's bleeding again!" he exclaimed once he turned to see the blood on my chest.I sighed. "As you can tell."Hearing this, Dr. Longman leaped to his feet and grabbed the first aid kit. I took it from him and said, "Don't worry. I have got this."As I was wrapping up the wound in a fresh gaze, a beeping sound went off. Dr. Longman went back to his computer, but before he could find out what was wrong, the metal door was dragged up.A curvy female figure appeared. She looked around before walking over to me. I couldn't help but notice that she looked a lot younger for an almost fifty-year-old."Why did you come here? When I gave you the
WINTERI sat in the garden, reflecting on my life like I usually did whenever I had some alone time. Dawn was taking a nap at the moment and Pat was keeping watch over her. As I leaned back on the rocking chair, I took a deep, long breath.To say that I had gotten over the events of the last weeks would be an understatement. It had taken my days before I was finally able to walk back into this garden. It used to be my favorite place, but I wasn't so sure now.I only came here because staying holed up in the room only made me feel more like a prisoner. Out here, at least, I didn't feel that bad and I could think a little more clearly."Hey!" someone suddenly called out to me.I turned around to find Kai walking over with his hands in his pockets. I hadn't seen much of him lately. Why was he here? Did he want to get on my nerves like he usually did?"Ermm..." I mumbled, not knowing what to say in response to the Hey.When he came before me, I straightened up on the chair. Then I noticed
WINTERThere was dead silence in my head when I opened my eyes again. The world seemed to be tilted sideways. It took several blinks before I realized that my head was hanging low. I raised it slowly, feeling cramps in my neck."Where am I? How did I get here?" I looked around.The bedroom I was in was unrecognizable. The only furniture in the room was a dressing table and a mirror. There wasn't even a nightstand. At this moment, I remembered how we were ambushed on the road.Did that impostor die?I asked myself when I recalled Kai being shot by one of the masked men. His death would be good news, but I was faced with a predicament. Where was I? And who in the world brought me here?I tried to stand up, but something dragged me back down. I looked to the side. Only then did I realize that my wrist was cuffed to the metal headboard."Anybody there! Why are you keeping me here? Let me go!" I shouted towards the door.No response came. Not even a sound. Unwilling to give up, I shouted
WINTERMy jaw dropped to the floor as soon as my eyes fell on the new man's face. "What the..."With a frown, he walked into the room, heading straight to the perverted man. He punched him in the face before any words were said. "How dare you put cuffs on her and also attempt to hit her? Have you lost your mind?""I'm sorry, boss. It was stupid of me," the pervert pleaded, holding his nose in pain."Get lost!" the new man commanded. "I will deal with you later."As soon as the first two men hurried out of the room and shut the door, I finally closed my mouth and swallowed. My wrist was released from the cuff at the same time."Please tell me that I am dreaming?" I asked once I found my voice.The man smiled. "Fortunately, you are not. It's really me.""It was you that sent those guys to kidnap me?" I asked again, my head feeling very full. "Why did you do that, Eric?"Eric sat on the edge of the bed and flashed me a warm smile. "I promised to get you out of that hellhole, didn't I?"I
KAI-VII"You guys are so incompetent? How many days would it take you to find me that goddamn SUV?" I roared at the group of men who had brought me nothing but bad news.They all flinched, making me even more annoyed. "Are you trying to tell me that those who attacked my car were ghosts? Or that it was all an illusion? Ivan, your colleague, fucking died! Can't you see that this is a serious matter?"Seeing as they lowered their heads and didn't say a word, I continued, "I never knew you were this incompetent. If you fail to trace who kidnapped Winter. Be sure that you no longer have jobs. I can't continue to keep spineless and brainless folks around me!""Please, Alpha!" they begged in unison.One of them said boldly, "I promise not to let you down, Alpha. I promise to fish out the culprits--""Enough with the promises!" I growled. "I want results! Until you give me that, your empty words don't mean shit to me!"I looked at all their pale faces. "This task shouldn't have taken this lo
KAI-VIIThe boom was so loud that the coasters on my desk slipped and clattered on the floor. The windows also rattled a little. I ran over to the one closest to me, only to find that there was a huge cloud of smoke outside. Nothing, not even my fleet of cars in the driveway, was visible. What the hell just made that sound? What was going on out there?I went to the side window and found that the garden was covered in smoke too. It wasn't as thick, but I didn't see anyone there. As I looked around desperately, more booms came from outside. They were less louder than the first but equally concerning."Ivan!" I yelled for my bodyguard.When I turned around and saw that he wasn't behind me and he didn't come running at my call, I stood frozen. It took me a while to remember that he was dead.I jumped over Pat who was crouching on the floor with Dawn still in her embrace. Rushing into the corridor, I saw that it was empty. There was no sign of my men."What's happening!" I asked, but no
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