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I woke up in the morning, and Jennifer was gone. She must have left early to freshen up before returning to the pack house. I yawned, stretching my arms straight to the ceiling as I sat up. I shuffled with squinted eyes to the bathroom to freshen up. When I returned to the room, I found a note on the vanity table. It was from Jennifer.Hi, Muriel. I had to freshen up before returning to the pack house. I brought you breakfast already. It’s on the dining table. If Russell returns, tell him he is terribly handsome. (•‿•) Jenny.I read the note with a broad smile on my face. I looked over to the dining table and saw the food. I finished with applying light makeup and headed on to go eat.~Jennifer~When I was done with my chores in the afternoon, I decided to take lunch to Muriel. I headed to her room with the food. On my way, I came across Alpha Lucian. I hung my head low immediately and stopped for him to pass first. He walkeA knock came up at the door. I turned abruptly to the door, freeing myself from Lucian’s hold. “Come in,” Lucian permitted. The door opened and three scouts entered. I looked between them with a banging heart. I searched through them, but Jennifer wasn’t with them.“Where is she?” I queried in a sobby tone.“We couldn’t find her,” one of the scouts said. The reply hit me hard, pulsing in my head.“Where did you search for her?” Lucian asked.“We searched everywhere in the forest. We had to return when we almost crossed the border between Bluemoon pack and Newmoon pack, Alpha,” answered the second scout. Their words numbed my legs, making me lose my balance and I fell to the floor. Unconscious. ~Lucian~I carried Muriel up in my arms and lay her on the bed. I gestured for the guards to leave. I sat on the bed beside her, watching her sleep like an angel. How could I have hated such a beautiful girl all my life? Even if the Beta h
~Muriel~I was faced with the pack house of Newmoon pack. I saw soldiers, tramping around the compound, training. An old man, probably in his late 60s stood on a platform, commanding the soldiers on what to do. I bet he is the Gamma. I headed toward him. On my way, two scouts came along.“Hey, who are you?” one of them asked. His husky tone left a lump in my throat. I exhaled and looked up at him.“I want to see the Gamma,” I stated.“Does that answer my question?” he groaned and I scowled at him, clenching my jaw.“Hey, what’s going on there?” the manly, deep hoarse voice of the old Gamma reached to us. The scouts turned to him.“She doesn’t want to say who she is,” voiced out the second scout.“Let her be!” the Gamma said. I walked out on them and headed to the Gamma. When I moved closer to him, his features became apparent to me. His face was wrinkled with age. His long, back-length ash-brown hair had white strands. H
I ran till I was faced with a door. I missed my way. I stopped, catching my breath before looking behind me. He stood a few distance away, looking at me.“What do you want? Why are you following me?” I queried. He began walking close without a word. I pulled out a knife from the waist side of my pants and pointed it at him. “One more step and I will kill you?” I warned.“Hahaha!” he began laughing. I was confused, looking around me.“Hey, what is funny?”“Come on, Miss, have you ever killed before?” he teased, moving close. “You don’t even know how to aim a knife at someone, see how you are shaking with it. If I ask you to stab me, can you do it? You know, when I was 7 years old, Grandpa would take me hunting with him. The first time I targeted a hare with my arrow, it shot straight into its head. Bam! It died instantly. Grandpa was impressed by my talent. I began following him every time he went hunting and it became my perfect hobby. From huntin
“You must be hungry, Muriel. Let’s go eat,” Ian told me as we were seated on the ground amid the flowers, staring across the beauty of nature. Being among the warmth of nature made me not notice the fast passage of time. I wasn’t even bothered by my growling stomach, as long as I felt peace among the flowers, everything else didn’t seem to matter. I nodded and we stood up.“So, where are you taking me now?” I asked, wiping off my clothes.“We will go to my room and I will get you something to eat,” he said. I stared mutely at him.“Uh…! Get crazy thinking off your head, Muriel, you are my cousin. Besides, my room is spacious, you will love it,” he stated and I smiled. We headed out of the garden.“I wasn’t thinking anything crazy,” I giggled in defense.“Why then did you wear that what-the-hell-did-you-just-say look? I mean no harm, trust me,” he assured.“Get off it, Ian. I honestly wasn’t thinking anything stupid,” I declared. “What about the person I came to look for? How can I fin
“She is, Bryson,” the voice of the Gamma stretched to us from a distance. All eyes turned to him. I dropped my head to the floor, itching to be out of everyone’s gaze. I can’t control my temper when it comes to the Gamma. And I don’t want to create a scene in front of everyone. The Gamma walked down to us. The sense of hate and resentment reserved in my heart for him slowly crept to the surface, making me swell with anger, yet I couldn’t explode.“Greetings, Alpha Lucian. Nice having you in our pack,” the Alpha saluted.“It’s a pleasure. You must be Gamma…”“Gamma Foster,” the Gamma interrupted. “I learned my granddaughter is your mate,” he smiled. Lucian shot a puzzled look at me. I returned a cold glare at him. Alpha Bryson peered his soft, yet piercing eyes at me, making me itch to scratch. What if he thinks I am a liar?“Don’t you dare shout at me!” I barked at Lucian when we went into his given room. “What were you expecting from me, cuddle him, roll on the floor because I disco
~Muriel~Having a meal with so many people made me drip down in sweat. I couldn’t meet anyone’s gaze. It was a lively feast. We were all seated opposite each other around a large, long folding banquet table, 96 inches long to the end of the dining room, 42 inches wide to the rounding chairs, and 30 inches high from the floor. The men were talking about their political ambitions and stuff like that while the women recalled Alpha Bryson’s last ball. Only me and Jennifer, the newly lifted Omegas were as silent as the grave.“Why are you silent, Miss Jennifer?” one of the girls, the Beta’s fifteen-year-old twin daughter queried. Scarlett was adorned with strawberry blonde hair, cascading in a short wave over her shoulders. Her wide crimson irises twinkled in her eyeballs. And her short, flared, magenta gown sparkled with the colorful dining chandelier. Jennifer vibrated in her seat.“Um, it’s nothing, Scarlett, I just love listening and your story is fun,” Jennifer replied awkwardly. I se
~Muriel~I opened my eyes when the sun poured its shaft on my face. The chirping of birds echoed in my ears. I sat up, turning my face to the opposite side of the bed, yawning.“Aaaaaaa!” I screamed, covering my mouth when I saw Lucian lying beside me. He sprang up instantly.“Muriel? Are you okay?” he asked. I stared at him with a fast-breathing heart, wanting to punch him right in the face.“What have you done? Argh!” I groaned, clamping my head.“Done what? Why are you shouting?” he questioned.“Why am I shouting? Why are you on the same bed with me, huh?” I questioned, red in the face. A smile brimmed up his face. “You think it’s funny?” I tugged at his shirt, pegging it to his neck.“Are you going to kill me, Muriel?” he teased, fondling my hair.“Argh!” I groaned, pushing him away. I jumped down from the bed.“Where are you going? It’s too early to be out, Muriel,” he stated.“I hate you so much, Lucian. You are not only evil but a promise-breaker. You are not capable of keeping
I looked behind me. No one was there. I looked back at him, he was already going. “Hey, wait,” I hurried after him “What demon are you talking about?” I queried curiously.“Come with me,” he said. I followed him down to his room. He sat on a mat in front of what seemed like a temple. I sat on a small wooden chair in front of him.“A demon, I see a demon,” he repeated his words. My heart thumbs up. I have heard a lot about demons; manipulative, destructive, and heartless being from the pit of hell. Zeta Irene told us lots of stories about them, but she said they no longer exist on Earth so, what demon was Epsilon Cadman talking about? “A demon after what pleases him. A demon of pain and sorrow. No demon has ever dared to enter Newmoon pack under my watch, Lucian, but this demon broke out of the sacred circle and achieved his aim before leaving,” Epsilon Cadman explained.“What are you talking about, Mr. Cadman?” I queried curiously.“He came to vis
We reached Russell’s room, having landed in the middle of the bedroom. I disengaged the hug, looking around. Everything was still in place. I can’t believe I’m back here to stay. Even if I get angry this time, I can’t say I’m going home.“I won’t let you get angry,” Russell said, walking behind me. I turned and glared at him. “Did you enter my head again?” I groaned.“Oh-oh! I already said I won’t let you get angry and you are already furious. Tsk! I didn’t intrude on your private talk,” he said with a funny head shake and I chuckled. Now I noticed.“Wait, what happened to the old dining table?” I asked, walking to the dining table.“Uh, I… I broke it,” he stuttered. I looked at him and shook my head. The new one wasn’t bad anyway. It’s a porcelain-designed table with three golden chairs rounding it. I felt the smooth tabletop with my hand and sighed. Finally, I can sleep in peace. Russell was already on the bed, relaxing with his arms forming a pillow behind his head.“Russell?” I
~Muriel~Falling off, strong arms wrapped around my body. I quickly opened my eyes and I was back on the cliff. What just happened? Was I imagining my fall?“How can you die without me, Beauty?” I heard Russell’s voice from my back and I turned to him. I stood frozen for a moment. I thought he wouldn’t ever come for me. I hurried into his arms, wrapping my arms around his torso while sobbing.“I love you, Russell,” I expressed.“I love you too. Sorry I took so long to come,” he apologized and I disengaged the hug.“Don’t be sorry, Russell,” I said. “I am sorry. I know I betrayed you. I shouldn’t have allowed another man to touch me. I regret everything, Russell. Now I learned it was my fate. I am meant to be with you, but you have to accept my child, please,” I apologized sincerely. He ran his hand through his hair and smiled.“I accept you and I accept anyone you wish me to accept. I love you, Muriel. I was just hurt. I thought
~Ruby~I took a cabby out of town. Where am I going? There are thousands of cliffs in Richmond, how do I locate that particular cliff? All I know is that the cliff has a deep forest beside it. Which forest it is, on which land, which state, I know nothing. Even when the cabby asked me where I was going, I told him to just drive. Now I’m out of the city, facing God knows where. I began walking, trailing a dirt track. If the werewolf in my dream wants me to come to him, why wasn’t he specific? I grunted when I got pierced by a thorn as I trudged my way into the woods. After forever walking, I was faced with a sea with just two boats on it. One boat was returning with passengers and the other was about to start without passengers. I rushed down to the boatman.“Hey, excuse me!” I said. He turned to me.“Hello, where are you going, Miss?” he asked, sounding polite.“Um, I… I am going. Look, I don’t know exactly where I am going. I’m looking for a clif
~Ruby~I turned uncomfortably on the bed. It was him again. I found myself taking a flight into darkness. I screamed as everything flashed across my face. Then the flight stopped and I was right behind him on the clifftop. He was close to the edge of the clifftop, more like he would fall if he took a step forward. “Hey!” I called out, taking careful steps toward him. He looked to his side but didn’t face me. I could see his lip quirking up a smile. He faced the valley again. “Who the hell are you and why are you pestering me?” I queried. He didn’t respond. “Why aren’t you saying something? Why do I keep seeing you? Don’t you talk? Who the hell are you? Are you a werewolf?” I quizzed and stopped before reaching closer to him.“If you are interested to know me, why don’t you come and find out?” he spoke out.“What do you mean?” I asked.“See you,” he said and lunged forward, falling off the cliff. I curiously hurried to the edge, looking d
~Muriel~After much crying, I slept off. I turned over, yawned, and opened my eyes, pulling them on Russell. He was standing close to the wall with folded arms. I sat up quickly. Does he know? My heart picked a race as I stared into his emotionless eyes. “Russell?” I uttered.“It hurts, Muriel. I didn’t know you could hurt me like this,” he expressed. His words sent cold shills to my heart. “What more do you want me to do to show that I love you with all my heart? I have never loved before and I promised myself that when I do, I will love her with all my heart. And I did, Muriel. You accepted me for who I am and I was over the moon because of that. I wanted to fight the world for you, to put a smile on your face, to make you never regret loving me and to die for you. I don’t know what I left out, Muriel. Why did you have to lead me on? You should have told me you never wish to be with me, I would have let you be, I would have let you go because I want you to be hap
~Ian~I headed to Muriel’s room at sunset. I knocked severally before she opened up. “What are you doing here?” she asked, holding the door ajar.“Can we talk, please?” I requested.“No, I don’t have time for people like you. Get out,” she said and closed the door. I stopped the shutting of the door with my clenched fist.“Ouch!” I exclaimed as I succeeded in opening the door. She swiveled abruptly to me.“What did you do, Ian?” she rushed back to me.“Let it be, Muriel. I want us to talk,” I insisted.“You are just so stubborn,” she said, pulling me to the bed. She sat me down and pulled out a drawer, bringing out an ointment. “Show me your hand,” she commented and I forwarded my hand to her. She began applying the ointment to my wrist.“You do care about me, don’t you?” I asked. She glanced at me.“That’s what I’m known for, Ian. I care about those who don’t care about me no matter how painful their a
~Autumn~Ian led me down to his room. I constantly glanced at him. He wasn’t himself, just like me. Sleepless nights made my eyes dull and achy. I bet it happened to him too. He sat me down. “What should I offer you, Miss Fury Autumn?” he asked. I pulled him down on me, pressing his lips against mine. I kissed him hungrily.“Wait,” he pulled away and sat up.“I don’t need any other thing, Ian,” I sobbed, hugging him from behind. “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have overreacted, I should have listened to you. I’m deeply sorry, Ian. Forgive me, please,” I apologized. He removed my hands from his neck and faced me.“I understand you, Miss Fury Autumn. I hold no grudges but the deed is already done, isn’t it? It shows you don’t trust me and there’s no love without trust,” he said.“I know and I’m sorry. I was hurt to see you with her. And I thought the pain I was in before running to you was a result of you cheating on me. Can you even blame me?” I
In the morning, I woke up as early as possible and began packing my bags ready for the journey to Newmoon pack. I dressed up and fixed my dagger into my armored jacket. I opened the door and was faced with Father and Grace, who hid behind Father’s back.“Where are you going, dear?” Father asked.“What is this stupid girl doing here?” I pointed angrily at Grace. She clutched Father’s robe.“You need to calm down, Autumn. She is still your sister, you know? She was indeed stupid but if you check her intentions, you will know she was just trying to help your relationship with Ian. It’s just her foolishness that allowed her to be used by Ken. Don’t be mad at her, please,” Father stated.“I’m sorry, Autumn. Forgive me,” Grace interjected.“You be quiet!” I groaned. “You don’t know the atom of what you have done. You made me reject Ian. I allowed him to go without trying to stop him. You don’t know what I went through in his absence. Just fast and pray to the Moon Goddess that Ian forgives
~Mateo~I was fully ready to be crowned the king of the demon kingdom now. No more troubles. After my shower earlier, I took a nap and I slept peacefully. Nothing feels like being normal again. I took a quill and was jotting my recent experience when the door slowly opened. Advisor Fort appeared through the door. I smiled boldly at him.“Hello, advisor Fort!” I greeted. He moved closer.“Hello, Mateo,” he responded and sat opposite me.“It has been a while, advisor,” I said, putting the quill down.“Exactly, Mateo. We all have been worried about you. What truly happened to you? Why did you confine yourself in your room?” he queried.“It’s nothing serious,” I smiled it off. “I just needed time to myself, that’s all.”“Good to know. Are you ready for your coronation tomorrow?” he asked.“More than ready, advisor. If there’s anything I will adore in this world, that’s to assume the throne of our great kingdom. And