Karina.Stepping into my home, my search immediately took me to the closet. I rifled through the clothes quickly.‘Nothing too flashy. Too long. Nothing too bland. Not my style anymore.’ I muttered as I pulled away clothing after clothing that didn't fit my aim.I had to fit in perfectly, like a viper to the grass. Using clothing as a guide or even better, as a shield was one of the ways I had survived through the years.That was why I had to be picky. Only then could I be avoided.Not to mention that the majority of the clothes that fit me in the past didn't anymore. I had just given birth after all, and even though I had bounced back in no time, it wasn't the same.I huffed out in displeasure, shutting my eyes to calm down.The sooner I did this and came there, the sooner I could leave.I finally settled in on a teal cotton dress I got half a year ago while I was going through the earlier stages. It was able to hide any signs of my pregnancy whilst being good enough to not be overly
Karina.Shit.I could have cursed for hours and the days beyond if I could. I would scream out curses like they did in the movies and within all the seedy parts of the city. This was the last thing I wanted. Yet here I was, facing him.My gaze roved over his face. His jaw, chiselled and angled. The tiny bit of stubble that shadowed his face. His hair, though seemingly darker in my view, flopped on his forehead.His lips. My heart skipped a beat despite everything.I was in the forest, alone with him. Even with my natural strengths and evasion, he was far larger and stronger than me. I could easily be overpowered when push came to shove. It was a situation to be afraid of. I should be afraid.Yet, looking at him, against every survival instinct I bore and had honed for years, there was still no ounce of fear in me. Even now, as he stood by the door, he didn't look like he would harm me.What happened to my gut instincts?“Long time no see." I tilted my head to the side, trying to g
Connor.Seconds passed after she stormed out, drawing longer than an eternity.Every single word, the daring look in her eyes. It all reverberated in my mind.I gripped the nearest tree trunk, leaning on it as the memory almost brought me to my knees.She was here.Seeing her for the second time didn't make it any more unbelievable.Almost a whole year had passed. A year of hopelessness, of searching for her and continuously pining for her existence.And all this time, she was here.Under a different name no less.‘Kiara' That was what Isabella had called her the first time. Which one was a different name from the one I knew her with. ‘Not too different.,' Aster, my wolf, agreed.Which one was real? Between the woman I'd seen in the diner or this bitter one that ran from me at every turn, who was the real her?Who was she?I shut my eyes tightly against the onslaught of questions. Whatever I needed to know, I wasn't going to find it here.The not-too-distant music and squeals behind
Karina.Waking up the next morning was a breeze. I was filled with enough determination and adrenaline to fill a horse.A sharp wail rang out and I rushed toward the sound, only to see that it was none other than my son wailing.“It's okay, baby.” I patted him comfortingly as I prepared to feed him. “Mommy's here.”He was returned to me by Sam, who was called on by an exhausted Agathe. Seeing him again filled me with relief, but then I couldn't get Connor's words off my mind.There was that human phrase; once bitten, twice shy. I never made the same mistake twice.Which was why I had devised a new strategy.With a bath that left us both refreshed, I quickly started dressing up, preparing to head to the city.I didn't want to take any chances this time. Taking Levi with me was also for safety. Even though I was sure neither Sam or Isabella would let out the location of my house, there was no chance of him finding out for himself.It also helped, considering I had a job shift there.‘Ru
Karina.I returned back to the pack when the sky glowed a deep orange, Levi in my arms and exhausted and tired from the work I'd gone through for the day. Against better judgment and Willa's complaints, I took both the morning and afternoon shift.It was better than the alternative of being seen.Now that I was back in the pack, there was very little to worry about. I could go home in peace without being disturbed.Finally, everything was alright. “Ki… Kiara?”I spun to meet Sam, struggling as she hefted a bag.“Need… a little… help.” She choked out. Without hesitation, I rushed toward her. Thankfully, I was strong enough. With Levi and my bag in one hand and her load in the other, we were able to reach her home.“Thanks. I wouldn't know what to do without you.” She sighed out in relief.“What have you been carrying?” I said, eyeing the large obscure load and leaning in to touch it.Before I could check it, she slapped my hand away, shaking her head frantically.“It's nothing.” She
The next day, I woke up to two new messages on my phone.The first was from an unknown number. I couldn't recognize it until I read it.‘Hi. It's the guy from the cafe. Will you be working today?'Looking at it for a few more seconds, I didn't know what to reply to him or why I had collected the number in the first place. Instead, I looked at the second one.The second was from a familiar number. Lola's number to be more specific.‘I heard that you took a shift for almost the entire day. Don't try coming over for the next two days.'Immediately, a growl left me as I rested back on my pillow, shutting my eyes tightly.I should have known this would happen or, at least, predicted it.Even before finding the Rogue pack, she was plenty weary about letting me work for long hours, especially considering my pregnancy situation. As such, I was only limited to working slight shifts with the same pay.The same was true now. As a nursing mother, she didn't let me work more than one or two shifts
Katherine. The tension was thick in the air as the silence lingered. Only the faint sound of breathing filled the air.The urge to scratch at my wrist was overwhelming, but it was hard to consider moving for a moment.More seconds passed, and I felt a tingling sensation at the back of my head.I finally broke out of my frozen state and looked away, yet I could still feel his gaze penetrating mine. ‘Ignore him,' I told myself. Clenching my jaw, I turned away, settling all the discarded jewelry in its place. One by one, I focused on my task as if it was the most important thing on earth.Anything to not face him.“Are you going to ignore me the whole time?”I stiffened at the sound of his voice for a moment, shutting my eyes tightly. I quickly regained my composure before moving again. Every second that passed felt more like torture. I could barely focus on my task anymore, placing jewelry in odd places. Kayla, like the perfectionist she was, would no doubt be livid once she found
Kiara.By the time we were done, I was ready to race out of the place. I did so, eventually, but not before receiving one of Kayla's pack-famous lectures.This time unlike others, she didn't seem as passionate and into it as usual. Perhaps because she noticed that I was so out of it, or perhaps because I was so out of it that I didn't take the full brunt of what she said.Either way, by the time she was done, I ran out like the devil was hot on my heels. Entering my house was the greatest reprieve, only that Mary was there.“Kiara?” She spoke in a hushed tone, her eyes filled with evident worry.Swallowing my pants and attempting to regain my lost composure, I shook my head.“I think I've had enough of Kayla now,” I sputtered out without any hesitation. Inside, I grasped myself.‘Please let her believe me.’ I inwardly prayed, sucking in the guilt that came from lying.Thankfully she did, her face twisting into a sympathetic expression.“That bad, huh?” She asked, moving toward me.A t
Connor‘Alpha? Alpha!”I snapped back to reality to face Fallon who looked at me with a mix of worry and confusion. Rightfully so, considering how I'd just acted. Had I spaced out for that long? I wondered. Shaking my head I gave him a terse smile.“I'm sorry Fallon, but I'll have to talk to you later. Tell the others not to worry, I think I have the solution but I can't give much details yet.” I said, patting his shoulder firmly to affirm myself.He didn't look too pleased or assured despite it all, but I fully understood.“Why don't you guys take a break for today? You can get drinks at Aunt Abby’s place, my treat.” I smiled, encouragingly at him.I could tell how the idea circled his mind temptingly by the way his frowning eased slightly. It was a good idea on both ends to relieve stress and boost morale by a little bit. They had been working hard nonstop since I proposed the project and I had to help them now.Finally he conceded, nodding.“Okay then. I trust you Alpha.” He said.
Chapter 227Elizabeth's POV I woke up later that day and realized that I was in a different room. It was all white and had a window that led out to the hospital courtyard. I got up from my bed and stood by the window looking out at the garden and watched as the wind blew the leaves of the plants gently. I had to admit that the garden was beautiful.As I continued to gaze at the scenery, I heard a knock on the door and I turned around to see who it was. It was Winston."You're awake" he said as he came to stand beside me."Hi" I smiled at him and he smiled back. "Hi""I'm so glad to see you looking much better," he said and I nodded."I'm also glad that the surgery was a success. How is Tiana doing?" I asked and he gave me a genuine smile."She's doing so much better. The doctors say she's progressing very well" he replied and I heaved a sigh of relief."That's good to know. When can I go see her?" I asked eagerly. I was eager to see how she was doing for myself."The doctors say that
Karina.“Hi.” I blinked in surprise as it wasn't only my voice but his. Concern was all over his face as he closed the door behind me. And despite everything that I thought could have gone wrong between us all these while, I still couldn't believe that he would be surprised by everything that was going on. But then again, it was not just him that has been surprised by it all. I also have been.“You seemed strange in the dining room. Did something happen?” he asked. I could read two expressions on his face as he asked the question.One was that of curiosity, the other was that of annoyance. And maybe a hint of worry was etched on the sides of his face despite how obvious he tried to make it appear like it wasn't so.But then again...Oh the irony. I had asked him that same question once before. I shook my head in negative.“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked. It made me huff in response. Small talk, that was what we mostly went for now. I was already getting tired and bored of stu
KarinaI sat up straighter at the mention of ‘connor and scrutiny.Was Connor going through anything?I recalled how stressed he previously looked when he was usually at dinner fresh from working. What were the Elders saying about him? Was he going through any problems?Was it something to do with me?She seemed to recognize my worry as she stood up straighter, frantically shaking my head.“Oh no, please don't think too much about it. It really isn't serious, at least from what I heard.” she quickly corrected.“What did you hear then?” I asked She shrugged looking down at her cup.“This talk was here far before you came, and I would hear people talking about it all the time from the moment he became Alpha.”“Apparently the Elders were complaining about how he hadn't found his mate.”‘Oh.’ I relaxed in my seat, now fully understanding.An alpha usually rises with a Luna. “Is that so?” I raised my eyebrows before taking a sip of the cider drink.“It was strange that he hadn't found hi
KarinaI spent another hour with her before leaving.Emma was kind and compassionate. She was willing to meet me with a smile and a cup of whatever new concoction she had whipped up. She also cared for Alya more than anything. There was nothing wrong with her in any way which made me even more incensed that others had simply decided to ignore her.Shed spoken about it on that same day.“I don't think that theyre doing it fully on ourpose anymore. It feels more like, that's how it is now. My parents are old, but they never reached out even though we aren't so far apart. But aside from that, other treat me relatively normal.”“I think I've also come to embrace the solitude in a way.”‘Thats what happens when your pushed into it.’ I thought to myself. I didn't want to think beyond what was necessary, but at the sane time, it felt like I had no other option other than that to do.By the end of the day after I left with a promise to come back my decision was already firm. In the evening I
Karina The air might as well have been sucked out of the room because the silence was too heavy.The more I waited the more antsy I got and the more uneasy I felt. Her fidgety attitude did nothing to ease my worries.Was this some kind of joke? What motives did she have.“Well,” she cleared her throat blinking frantically fro a moment.“I can't hide it. In all honesty I'm..nervous. and afrair.” she said, lowering herr head slightly.‘Of me.’ the unspoken word hung true.“Bevause I'm a rogue.” I deadpanned, waiting for her reaction, she stiffened before shaking her head, but I stood up already. I was thankful I didn't bring Levi here. Leaving would be easy.Standing up, I headed for the door only for a hand to stop me in place.“Wait, please don't leave just yet.” she cried out.I spun around whipping my hand harshly away from her. The hurt look on her face made guilt bubble up.“You really didn't need to invite me out if obligation. I would have done just fine without.” I said icily.
KarinaI laid there in silence. Perhaps it was that exhaustion or the overwhelming events of the day but I didn't know when I fell asleep. I was woken up by Levi's cries in what felt like hours later. The place gleamed a bright orange spelling the evening.I moved to action quickly, patting him and feeding him whilst pacing. It took time to grow fully conscious but after, it was easier to process everything that happened, especially the woman. She had invited me for tea. It was like a fever dream of sorts.After I silently agreed she had given me her directions and told me her name. I listened to it all listlessly, nodding.‘Her name was Emma.’ I noted, nodding to myself.The real question I needed to ask was if I was going. A part of me wanted to reject it, but I didn't want to be rude.Thinking back to the look in her eyes, a part of me resisted. She wouldn't want me to come in the first place.‘Then why would she ask?’ Minutes passed as I patted Levi while he fed from me. There w
My breath hitched as I recognized her. She was hanging on a tree on her own, yet didn't look bothered. About the height.It's dangerous height. How on earth did she even get there?I was moving before I could think, pulling Levi closer while my heart hammered in my chest. Nobody else was in sight. If she hadn't seen her…By the time I reached , she fell and I wanted to scream before Harriet's frame came into view. She'd caught her.Relief instantly flooded me as I came closer. Harriet put her to the ground.“That was dangerous! Where is your mother? Goddess, what if you'd gotten hurt? Goddess.” Harriet was speaking, her voice raised a full octave higher, her hands were threading through her red locks and I could practically feel the panic bleeding from her.The closer I came I could see the young girl clearly. She was staring blankly at Harriet before she caught my gaze. “Miss Karina!” She squealed, quickly recognizing me. Before I could think she ran past Harriet and towards me.As
KarinaAfter that, all the tension from earlier seems to seep away. She didn't speak a word for a moment, but peeked at the bundle in my arms several times.A minute or so passed before her voice came.“Is that Alpha Connor's baby?” she asked.I stiffly nodded, “Yeah.”Another pause came, this time lasting for half a minute before she spoke “Can I ask what his name is?”“Levi.” I quickly replied, nodding slightly. She hummed and looked away. My insides clenched. Maybe I wasn't being too forthcoming.“How old are you?” I finally asked, turning to her.Her head turned towards me and she blinked in surprise.“Twenty years old. I just turned two months ago.” She said tentatively though her gaze glittered slightly. She seemed excited that I was asking her questions.I couldn't fully read her. She was wary at first but turned a complete 180 at knowing my identity. She was young and seemed to wear her heart on her sleeve. I couldn't find a hint of ingenuity in her actions.The change I cou