Carena: "Now what? Are you going to accept her?" Yanin asked, her lips quivering. It wasn't really a fair question because on the other side was his grandmother’s life hanging by a thread. She was his only family, so I could imagine how he was feeling in the moment."I don't want to," he uttered.We were standing outside the bakery, discussing this matter."I knew she would never let it go that easily. The way she asked me to sell you to her today," Yamin broke down again, and even when Matt needed someone to comfort her, he rushed to do so."None of this should happen. I will go speak to her brother myself," I stomped my foot. Enough was enough! Sawyer cannot just ruin someone’s life like that. How can he take away the right of who should be accepted or rejected from his pack members?"But--her brother is very influential," Yamin reminded me."He has made it clear that whoever steps between his sister’s happiness and her will get punished severely," Matt recalled the words."So what
Carena: “What--” I gulped, my eyes widening at his demand.“Listen, it's not about us. If you want Payton to be happy, then find someone who will love her. Matt loves Yamin,” I finished because he wrinkled his nose."and who do you think I love?" he asked playfully, making me frown at him because this wasn't about us."Yourself. You love yourself," I spoke confidently even when my confidence was withering away."That's kind of rude to assume," he pouted, making me swiftly look away from his lips.“Hmm! And if you want them to be happy and stay together, you have to give yourself to me. You have to remain here to be the Luna Queen you are,” he spoke again, a smirk steadily playing across his lips.“And you think forcing me--” I paused when he shook his head.“Who said anything about forcing you? I'm not going to coerce you,” he clicked his tongue and for the moment, my eyes landed on his lips again.“Try them, they are yours,” he commented and I looked up. I felt quite embarrassed whe
Carena: I returned home and wondered if Sawyer would uphold his end of the deal. Then I couldn't help but think about the kiss and how strongly my body yearned to be with him. If Ashley hadn't intervened, would I have been able to stop myself? I kept shifting in bed, with so many thoughts racing through my mind -- from the woods to how Ashley must have reacted to seeing us together. Finally, after hours of contemplation, I dozed off.The next day was going to be challenging. I wanted to find out from Yamin if Sawyer had withdrawn his threats and how the couple was doing. On my way there, I received several calls from Theodore, discussing plans for lunch so he could share other job opportunities with me. I asked him to come to the bakery because I couldn't leave the workplace for too long; our lunch break was only ten minutes.The reason I was able to have more free time was that Mr. Bob had stopped bothering me after witnessing Sawyer's affectionate behavior towards me."Yamin! Where
Carena: “Let me read it,” I said, holding a sandwich in my hand and the papers in the other hand."You can work at the bakery until 12 and then join me in the office for the investigation," Theodore suggested, making me stare at the forms spread out before me. They looked so intimidating."I don't know if I'm cut out for this job," I sighed, leaning back on the staircase and eyeing the papers."You're good at everything. I know that from the investigation you did in the woods the other day. It impressed me," Theodore's admiration for my research was very tempting to accept this job.“You are saying this because you don't want to hurt my feelings,” I gave him a playful judgmental look while he shook his head to show his disagreement to my statement."So, what does the job require?" I questioned, and he straightened his back, standing before me. We were having this conversation on the street behind the bakery."The job isn't demanding. You'll accompany me to locations where crimes have
Carena: I have been visiting the sheriff’s office for work, and so far, we have only discussed minor thefts and other crimes. It was quite exciting, even more thrilling than working at a bakery. Although my interaction with people at the bakery was more frequent, and I haven't yet visited many crime scenes, I was truly enjoying working with Theodore. We would take food breaks and chat about all sorts of things. Now that I was spending time with him, I realized he wasn't that bad, to be honest."I'll be fine, don't worry," I reassured Yamin as I hurried out of the bakery after grabbing lunch for myself. It was my day off with Theodore, so I could go home and rest for the rest of the day. Working for so many hours had given me a new direction in life. I was no longer sitting alone in a corner of the room, crying all the time. This kind of life was so exhilarating and fulfilling. I don't know why I let Jack stop me from achieving so much in my life. He hated the idea of me continuing my
Carena:“Theodore, what is going on? You are sounding funny,” I laughed uncomfortably, not wanting it to be anything other than a joke. I was not truly ready for something emotional."Can you please meet me outside your house in a few minutes? I will be there soon," he said next, leaving me to wonder what was going on with him. I slipped closer to the window again and watched Sawyer and Ashley leave."Sure, I'll wait for you," I replied, puzzled by Theodore's urgency. Despite my concern, I was deeply bothered watching Sawyer and Ashley leave.What happened to all the 'I am yours and you are mine' talk?"Huh! He is such a player," I groaned and sat on my bed, rubbing my face in my hands, waiting for a call or text from Theodore. Maybe he was just feeling lonely and wanted someone to speak with.After he called and asked me to come out, I rushed downstairs to find Maanya next to the window.“Ask him to come inside. I am making some new dishes tonight,” she giggled happily, rushing back
Carena:“Tell me,” as my father insisted, I felt like I had lost my tongue."I need to go take a shower," I quickly freed my hand and ran upstairs as if my tail had been on fire. Once under the water, I began to curse at myself for not making things clear before my father spoke those words. Now it would be so embarrassing for Maanya. But why did they assume Theodore had come to express his feelings for her? He never spoke about her or to her. Every time he was home, he talked to my dad about me. They had nothing in common either.Whatever made them think he wanted to marry Maanya, it was going to be very awkward. After showering, I had to walk downstairs to eat dinner with my family, who were now awaiting an explanation from me."So? What are you going to tell him? I think he should come and talk to me directly," Dad began, and Maanya started blushing. She hadn't been able to connect with her wolf or find a mate, which was expected at eighteen. This left her weaker compared to me."Da
Carena:"It's called the Dark Wood Murders case," Theodore laid out the entire list of crimes that had taken place in the woods."200 dead bodies?" I turned to Theodore, my eyes wide in disbelief."We suspect there are more, but they may be buried deep in the woods," he added, leaning forward and placing his hand on the table."Tell me more details," I insisted, sitting down with my hands still on the open sheets on the desk."We don't know much. Just that some prominent council members have lost loved ones during these killings. There are files dating back many years, but the case is closed since then. Now, when a body is found, the news isn't shared. It stays within the circle and fades away. No leads, no suspects so far," Theodore explained, settling back into his seat across the table and watching my reaction closely."What if--just hear me out--it's the woods killing these people?" I shifted in my seat. "I mean, what if the woods themselves are responsible?"I watched him study m