Connor. There it was, I had placed the verdict on myself. I closed my eyes and looked away from her.Everything that happened after; finally stripping Darius of the Beta position and watching him get humiliated by the pack, living separated from the rest of us felt like hollow victories. It didn't matter if the Council made a decision by then or if the pack members prostrated for a public apology, because she was gone. They could move on easily with the depth of the guilt without her to haunt them.Neither of Isabella's parents came out weeks after she'd left. I'd overheard whispers that it was out of shame or fear if the pack scrutiny —Rumours that I threatened in order to quell. I knew it was solely out of grief. Grief for losing a daughter they had only reunited with. My parents also grieved in their own way. My mother had done her best to quell the rumours, calling all the servants to ensure no lips went. She retreated into her shell, turning frosty and it was only my presence t
Karina.After almost an hour of peaceful reprieve, it was the trills of a ringtone that ended it. I opened my eyes slowly. Even though I wasn't completely asleep my mind had relaxed somewhat until the noise came but I could tell that it wasn't from my phone.I sat up just in time to see Connor take out the phone from his pocket to receive the call. “Yeah?” He spoke. There was silence for a few moments. I couldn't tell what the other person said and even though I could have easily heightened my hearing to do so, I wouldn't. It wouldn't concern me anyways.Instead, I focused on the contours of his face. He looked slightly more relaxed and dare I say, peaceful.“I'll be there.” He said.By the time he turned off the call I could easily guess what would come next from those three words.“Its Ralph,” he said, “hes telling him to come over to the pack site.”He was reluctant to go. I could see it in the way his eyes shifted at me. He was reluctant to destroy the peaceful lightness we had r
KarinaNot following him meant I would have to leave without him. Apparently the site they were referring to was on the farther side of the pack, opposite the direction of his home, meaning I would have to find my way home by myself.He looked even more unwilling to do so, So I steeled myself to snap at him lightly.“I’m not a child and I'm not completely helpless. Just give me the directions and I'll be fine.” I said.Before Connor left he gave me a different, more discrete set of directions to move through to avoid meeting anyone and the pack's prying gaze at large. His wariness was evident and I could understand why after everything he'd said. It soothed me even.I wandered the meadow for twenty more minutes after he'd left before I made my move. His directions were lodged directly at the forefront of my mind and I was always good at tracking so I didn't fear losing my way. The walk back rather let my mind veer towards other thoughts, especially the most recent ones.I was stuck
Karina ‘Future Luna.’ Goodness, I was already tired of hearing it. She looked at me expectantly while I was reeling from the sidedness.I was stiff but nodded. There was no use denying it.Everything that happened next was…unexpected to say the least.“Oh. Oh shit.” She suddenly cursed to my surprise, stumbling back. She shook her head frantically looking at me wide eyed.“I'm so sorry. I've been on guard duty at the border for the past two weeks and this was my day off. I only heard the news but I hadn't seen you. I just realised…oh Goddess.” She whimpered the last part out, shaking her head once more and turning away from me. I could only watch in stunned silence.“Stupid, stupid. Goddess I'd just embarrassed myself in front of…shit. Ralph's going to get a laugh with this one.” She kept rambling now, seemingly aimed at herself.I was bewildered at the sudden twist of events, blinking as she spoke to herself. When she began pacing I finally broke out of my shock to speak.“Excuse m
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
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
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
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.