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BALINâShe's a shifterâ Kabal said gravely.There was a tense silence as I looked at him with a raised brow. He continued to stare at me, probably expecting me to be shocked or angry but I remained passive, just staring at him.After a while, I sighed and frowned at him.âShe's a shifter? Wow, so insightfulâ I sneered.He looked taken aback by my comment and he looked away, thinking of something so I continued.âIn case if you can't understand what I mean by that statement, allow me to break it down, it simply means that I have no idea what a shifter isâ I said to him.Now, he looked truly shocked at my revelation and his jaw dropped slightly.âYou really don't know what a shifter is?â He asked, his voice cracking.I sat up straight and stared at him weirdly. âEducate me. I never had to deal with something like it so what is it?â I asked him.His eyes fluttered close and he muttered a few words just as shadows writhed around him forming some kind of whirlwind of dust but it was showin
AYLINâAylin, wait up,â Jarek's voice sounded behind me as he rushed to catch up with me.I ignored him and kept walking briskly, only one destination in mind. My roomâWait!â He snapped, grabbing my hand making me halt.âWhat the hell is it, jarek?! Can't you just leave me alone?!â I almost yelled at him angrily.His grip tightened on my hand and he was staring into my eyes.âAylinâŠâ, he whispered.I avoided his gaze. âWhat is it?âHe sighed and looked around to make sure that we were alone in the hallway.âI need you to help me understand what all this is. I need to understand because I want to help. You know I doâ He whispered to me.Matching his gaze, I sighed, biting my lip.âI can'tâŠâ I muttered back.He released the grip on my arm slightly even though he was still holding me.âI'm not asking for much, Aylin. Just the truth. I can handle it. Are youâŠ?â He paused and was peering at me.My eyebrows furrowed in confusion before I understood what he was saying. âSeriously?!â My voic
MARILYNâWhen are you going?â Damien asked, staring at me from the doorway as I double checked the materials in my bag.âEarly morningâ I said simply as my hand hovered above a picture of me and the other mermaids In the foundation.Damien pushed himself off the doorway, looking at the picture. âYou're not going to Bold bite pack right now, are you? You said that you would be there at the wedding but that's in two days so tell me where are you going now?â His voice was soft and cracked often.âI can't⊠I can't stay hereâ I whispered.He sighed and rubbed his face. âI can cancel the meeting with him if you pleaseâ he suggested without thinking.I looked at him Incredulously. A few hours ago, we had been informed that Balin would be coming over to this pack to discuss some things with Damien and I wasn't sure If I wanted to be there. Balin didn't know I was here. I had killed off the connection between us by building a mind shield so he couldn't reach me and I always kept that shield up
MARILYNThe wind whipped past me in the early hours of the morning as I ventured through the path leading back to the Ocean.For some weird reason, I knew the way there for some weird reason, it was like my brain had mapped it out already and my body was just leading me there.A sudden voice in my head sounded. âYou want closure, isn't that?âI stiffened and looked around me, the early morning sun doing nothing to help my vision as I tried to look at the sealed off houses on the side of the road.If I had waited till the morning, I could have gone with a car from Damien but I didn't want to bother him anymore than I already had so I had just snuck out.âWho's there?â I didn't know if to shout it out or just say it in my mind. I knew that voice from somewhere but I Didn't know where.âA friend. Surely, you haven't forgotten me so soonâ the voice said, in a surprised tone.There was tense silence before the voice spoke. âit's OpheliaâOphelia⊠my brain wracked around for that name and I
MARILYNStumbling back, my heart began pounding.The woman who looked just as beautiful and ethereal as Balin was arranging some flowers in a flowerpot. Daisies.She hadn't seen me. She couldn't see me. I felt sick to my stomach.I tried to move but it seemed like my legs were rooted to the spot. Ophelia.âOphelia, let go this instant!â I yelled to her in my head.She was awfully silent but she still didn't let me move âI swear that I'll block you out from my consciousnessâ I threatened.That got her attention.âCalm down, little one. You can't even do that if you wanted to. If you succeeded then it means I was humoring you. I don't want you to leave now for some reasonsâ her tone was soft as she led me towards where the woman was humming.I took a look at the daisies and my hand reached out to touch them.âDon't! You'll blow our cover!â, Ophelia hissed and I quickly drew back my hand.âSorryâ I said sheepishly.Ophelia muttered a few obscenities that I couldn't hear and she muttered
MARILYNHe didn't move his gaze neither did he show like he could see me.I was being paranoid, he couldn't see me. Right?âOphelia?â I called out to be sure.Ophelia in my head was muttering a few things before she answered me. âno. He can't. He's just spaced out and looking here by chanceâHe turned back to his mother. I could see the uncanny resemblance between them. She was the older female vision of him and he looked just like her. The only difference being that he looked more ruthless while she looked very calm.âI remember when I was mad at your dad because he was going to become the Alpha because of Dmitriâ she said with a smile My ears were perked up to listen to this conversation. It felt wrong. Like I was listening in on something that wasn't my place to hearâHe said that it was better that he take over before you grow up to take his placeâŠeven if he's gone, I know he's proud of what you've become. He's proud.. I can feel him. He knew you'd make a great leaderâ She said w
BALIN I walked away as briskly as I could before I would do something I'd regret. She was hiding for some reason and even though I wanted to pull her out of her shell, I knew that would only make her more mad at me.I don't know how she managed to be there but not quite there. I couldn't see her but her essence was everywhere, I could feel her, scent her.As I reached the end of the path, my head turned around to look back at the bike. It was gone but the trace of tires on the ground made me smile. She had pushed it away and left.The revv of the engines from afar reached my ears and I wanted to smile. I was agitated, I didn't see her but with so many interactions with her, I was fine already. She soothed my heart. I wanted her back.As I reached the party of my guards and Kabal, I nodded to themâLet's go. Damien must be waiting for usâ I said to them.Kabal looked me over and nodded. âIndeedâ with that, he dissolved into black dust and disappeared.A guard opened the car door for m
MARILYNThe mermaid foundation was just a stones breath away and I sighed getting down from the bike.âI hate youâ I whispered to Ophelia, hoping she could hear the anger in my voice.She tsked.âOh well at least you learnt somethingâ she said to me.âYeah, not to trust youâ I said sarcastically.There was a brief silence. âBut at least you now know some thingsââThat doesn't change the fact that he cheatedâ I said stubbornly, leaning on the bike âDid he?â She asked suddenly.I stuck my hands in my pockets and huffed. âYou know, for someone who was hell bent on letting him die, you sure as hell want to defend himâ I noted.I felt it. Anger.She was angry.âHell noâ she snapped. âI still want him to dieâ, she said nonchalantly.âWeird because your actions don't actually show thatâ I reminded her.âOh well, I⊠I can't explain myself at this point. Anyways, why are we here?â She asked suddenly changing the topic I looked at the gates that I called home for so long. It was filled with m
MARILYNIt had been two days already since I had that talk with Aylin and following after, I had a discussion with Balin. I felt like we couldn't be walking on eggshells anymore and we needed to address the issue and we did.Which was namely the reason why the celebration in the pack house had started but I was still standing in my room, my gaze locked on the vanity mirror, staring at my reflection. I looked different. And it was in a good way.The slight knock on my door made me jolt back to reality and quickly grab my lipstick knowing that it was probably Aylin.The door pushed open and Aylin shambled in, her green maxi dress accentuating her curves while her hair was tied up in a bun and adorned with flowers.That was the event of today. We had faced devastation not long ago but tonightâŠIt was the celebration of summer and apparently flowers were a big part of the night which is why everyone had a flower on their person tonight.My hair was still casually dropped down as I was stil
MARILYNIt has been two days and Balin was out of bed already and already resumed his duties in the pack while I still hung around.I don't even know what I was still doing here, I should leave but I was in no hurry, everyone was nice to me and kept thanking me for saving them.Even though I wanted to be angry at them, I knew how they must feel at this point. They didn't even know what to believe. Alicia had turned out to be a demon, I turned out to be not as weak as they knew, Dmitri finally attacked, they lost people. Things must be hard for them.So because of that, I was nice to them and accepted their every apology while listening to them and getting to know them on a more personal level.I think something that earned me more respect was the fact that everyone now knew that I was a Maren. Occasionally my mind would drift back to the mermaid foundation and I wondered if they were okay.Yes, the mermaids there hurt me and mae life a living hell for me. But I couldnât stop myself fro
MARILYNThe cool stone of the fountain stood in sharp contrast to the warmth of my own stormy feelings. I sat by myself, the soothing splashing of water providing background for the recurring scenes in my head.Balin intertwined with another woman, the vision of that night came back agonizingly clearly. It had been the reason for my leaving and the reason I was still madI felt doubt biting at me. Should I have judged more quickly? Had I let wrath distort my view?Aylin joined me beside the fountain, a consoling presence among my swirling thoughts."Marilyn," she asked softly, "are you okay?"Though it felt empty and stupid, I forced a grin. âAylin, I'm good. Just... contemplating.âShe sat next to me, staring across my field of vision. "Regarding Balin?"Not sure I could meet her eyes, I nodded."I know you're hurting," she said gently. âStill, I know Balin as well from the short time I spent here. And I would never think he would act in such a manner."Her remarks caught me off guar
BALIN"I'm awake." I blinked, my eyesight fuzzy, the world around me a hazy swirl of forms and hues. My body felt heavy, as though I had been asleep for a thousand years and my head throbbed with a dull agony.Marilyn's face came into focus as I tried to squint, her lovely features marked with a mixture of relief and... something else. Fury? Indifference?"Marilyn," I said, my voice hoarse from neglect. âYou're here.âShe showed a look of warmth, but it was fleeting and soon she was wearing a guarded look.I reached out to her, my hand shaking just a little. "I'm so glad you're safe," I said, heart aching with a love that refused to die.Her eyes hardening, she withdrew from my touch. "Don't," she murmured, her voice hard. "Just... do not."I felt confusion sweep over me. Why was she pulling away? She had not disappeared. She had stayed and she had been here. I could faintly still feel her lips on my head when I was coming back to consciousness even though I didn't hear what she ha
"I'm sure," I replied, my voice firm. "I need to make sure everyone is getting back on their feet."Jarek nodded, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "You've done a remarkable job, Marilyn. The pack... they respect you now. You're doing an amazing job even I'm not sure that I could have done."I scoffed, a bitter taste in my mouth. "Their respect is a fickle thing, Jarek. Earned through bloodshed and fear. It's not the kind of respect I wanted but it's what I got."He sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I know it's not ideal, but it's a start. You've given them hope, Marilyn. We underestimated you, you're clearly one of the best things that have happened to the pack."I sighed. âIt's fine. You know I always wanted revenge and now I'm helping rebuild. IronicâJarek cleared his throat, drawing my attention back to him. "I have the casualty report, Marilyn," he said, his voice a whisper "We lost twenty-three pack members. Another fifteen are severely injured, but the healer is hopeful they'
MarilynI didn't move for a good 5 seconds, my eyes fixed on nothing and the sounds of the battle ravaging around me faded Into nothing. All I could see was Balin, his lifeless body slumped against mine, his wordsâhis final wordsâringing in my ears."I love you, Marilyn."A sob tore through me as I realized he was still slumped against me, unmoving, I had been harsh on him, I never got the chance to tell him that I didn't hate him, and now he was gone. Because of me.A weird feeling engulfed me. Was this grief? Pain? Regret? Whatever it was, it hurt like hell.My body refused to move, paralyzed by a grief so profound it threatened to consume me whole. I slowly pushed him off me and fell to the ground, my face staring up at the sky, the sound of the demon's laughter echoing around me and the sound of the battle around me. I wouldn't mind death at this point. It was a part of me that had been torn away.Aylin, her face streaked with tears, rushed to my side, her voice a desperate plea.
MARILYNAlmost as terrible as the battle, Alicia's fall had been the cause of the silence that followed. The expressions of the people revealed confusion, incredulity, and a growing fear.Ever the protector, Balin responded first, his focus on the slumped figure of Alicia. He hurried toward Alicia's almost lifeless figure, crouching next to her, his hand extending to feel for a pulse."Alicia?" he asked, his voice full of a desperate hope that made me angry for some reason. "Alicia, can you hear me?"Many pack members, startled, gathered around Alicia, their voices a cacophony of worried questions.âSomeone got the healer!ââIs she breathing?â"What happened with her?"Her face was white and her eyes were wide with panic, Aylin grabbed my arm firmly.She said, "Marilyn," her voice shaking, "What's happening? There's a weird energy"I shook my head, confused yet my gaze fixed on Balin who was worried. "Aylin, not sure. But something doesn't seem right.""She's the demon!" Aylin yelle
MarilynAfter my shout, the stillness that followed was dense and weighted with a mix of amazement, terror, and incredulity. Once a site of wild violence, the battlefield was now terribly quiet.Rushing to my side with a look of mixed concern and shock in his eyes, Balin broke the quiet first.I staggered back unconsciously as he neared me, my heart aching in my chest. He didn't deserve to be this close to me. What was stopping me from speaking to him? Everyone said I should hear him out but what they didn't understand was that the sight I met that day was not something that I could recover from. Ever.He said, "Marilyn," his voice strained, "Are you alright?"I scowled at him, my wrath blazing with every once-over I gave him. I pushed him away quickly, my senses heightened and wary."Don't touch me," I growled, hatred tinging my voice. "You have no rights."He staggered back, his face a mixture of pain and bewilderment.Elder Oakwood, with his pale and drawn-in face, came gently up t
MARILYN"Game on," I echoed, my voice calm and my fingertips flexing as I cracked my neck. I was certain that I could kill Dmitri after practicing for a while.Dmitri unsheathed his dagger and cocked his head at me. âI think it's only fit that we face off against each otherâ he suggested.Balin immediately opened his mouth to protest but I beat him to it.âDeal.ââNo weapons? Is that how confident you are, Maren?â Dmitri asked with a smirk.My hands swirled and a blade materialized on my hand, shining with a blue unearthly glow. Dmitri's eyes flickered to the knife and I knew it unnerved him by the way his smirk wavered but he kept his ground.âSince we're playing dirty,â He muttered, tucking his blade back in his sheath.Ah, he was going to be using his wolf to attack me instead. More the challenge for me."You think you can defeat me with that?" he scoffed, his voice laced with disbelief.I merely smirked. "This is just the beginning, Dmitri," I said, my voice laced with a newfound