[~♠CORAL♠~]“He’s been like that for a few days,” Mother explains, her voice croaks as she turns to look at Raegan. She looks as though she was about to cry. Now that I look at her she does seem worn out, like she’s been crying all week.As a matter-of-fact, everyone looked worn out in some way or the other. Even father. His hair is slightly ruffled and his shoulders are tensed. There’s a worried look in his gaze even though he’s trying to hide it, it slips out sometimes when he looks at mother.Damien looks like he hasn’t had a wink of rest. Even though he looks somewhat composed on the surface, I can tell he hasn’t had a moment of rest. He’s even spotting a scruffy five o’clock shadow and a slight dark circle underneath his eyes. Why was this happening? It didn’t have something to do with me leaving, did it? And why was I the only one that seems unaffected physically, despite all the turbulences.Catching my bottom lip between my teeth again, I let my shaky gaze fall scrutiny aroun
[~♣RAEGAN♣~]I stir when I catch a familiar scent. It was sweet and warm and caused a deep aching stir in my gut. But not the kind of ache you get from a stomach trouble. It’s the kind of sensation you feel when you know someone that means the world to you is close.And I feel it, in every fiber of my being as her scent washes over me like rain on a steep hill.My eyes peel open and her close proximity jerks me up. I blink, assuming her presence was a façade and that my desperate need for her must have conjured my mind to dream her up and placed her here. After all, it was in her bedroom that I had purged myself into, on her bed, where the sheets still had her scent on.It was the closest I could get to being close to her after falling prey to her scorn. I had wanted to apologize, for the pain and distraught that I’d unimaginably put her through because of my selfishness.When she pushed me away, I felt a cord in my soul snap and I let my anxiety take over me. It felt as though my so
[~♠CORAL♠~]“Raegan…” I rasp out, my heart waging a war inside me. “I would never hate you or Damian or Rune… never.”Raegan’s gaze widens at my words, “But… you said—”“I know what I said… but I was angry… and I said things,” my gaze waver before holding his icy blue smothering orbs again. “But I don’t hate you.” A sea of relief floods his orbs. “Then… do you forgive me?” His voice still held uncertainty.“Raegan… I… I don’t know…” I mutter, tearing my gaze away from his. “It’s just…”A part of my heart shifted at the wounded look in his eyes but I couldn’t bring myself to say the words. Growing up, Raegan, Damian and Rune has always been my biggest mountains. They were who I wanted to be like when I grow up; strong, brave, powerful and confident. A protector as they were my protectors but the secret they’d kept caused an enormous rift in my heart and left me in a sea of hurt and confusion.Even though I still care about them, after all, they’ve been my brothers for years, I couldn
[~♠CORAL♠~] “His vitals seems stable…” Theo, our pack’s theta states once he was done checking Raegan. The morning sun peeks in from the windows. He stands up straight and adjust his glasses on his nose bridge. He wears a riddled expression on his face as he shares a look with father, the former pack leader and mother. “But?” Father asked, his left arm clings around mother’s waist but his gaze was focused on Theo. “Oh no, nothing’s wrong. I’m just a bit surprised about his sudden shift back to his human form, plus nothing seems out of the ordinary, especially when we couldn’t exactly deter the reason why,” he answers, and weighs his glasses over his nose bridge then tucks his hands into the pockets of his white overall. “It’s just a marveling sight.” He adds with an intrigued smile. “I see… my daughter might have been responsible for that,” father’s sudden input startles me and I stare up at him, wide eyed and open mouthed. “F-Father!” I hiss at him, feeling flush from the atte
[~♠CORAL♠~]Raegan doesn’t say a word as he follows father out of my bedroom. I didn’t know what father wanted to discuss with him and I could sense it was really important too and yet, it unnerves me.I feel a pair of soft, warm, slender hands glide up and down the length of my arms. It’s soothing and slowly warms away my growing unease.“You don’t have to look so worried,” Mother’s powdery voice turns my attention away from the doorway, to her. Her deep, enchanting, rich cobalt blue eyes with a hint of purple undertones that sparkles with an inner light wears a smile as they hold my bright green gaze. “I’m sure your father and… Raegan just have a lot to catch up on regarding the pack duties and all.” She reassures. I knew the words she had wanted to say and she was being considerate enough not to say it. It still made me feel all type of ways and I wasn’t exactly sure how to deal with them— all these overwhelming feelings that I carried inside of me. It still felt a little weird.Y
[~♠CORAL♠~] I sigh for the umptieth time, unable to concentrate on the book I was reading. I close the book, collapsing into the wall of pillows behind me, another sigh breaks out of me and I toss the book to the side and close my eyes, letting my mind drift off to an endless plane. Mother's words play subtly in my mind, drifting like a cloud in the silent dark. My mind becomes a place I’m trapped in and suddenly I start to feel lonely in my own thoughts. My nostrils tingle and my eyes peel open as I catch a certain scent in my room, “Kiara?” A hitched breath makes me smile as I sit up, locking eyes with her as she stood frozen in the middle of my room like a statue with her hands clamped against her mouth. I sigh, shaking my head at her ludicrous antic. “Aw, I almost had you.” She confesses sulkily. “Yeah, right… you didn’t even attempt to hide your scent, did you think you were going to scare me if you sneaked up on me?” “Your senses are just too sharp.” “No, you’re just ver
[~♣RAEGAN♣~]The unblinking gazes of the elders directed at me was starting to hurt my head ‘cause they’ve been staring since the minute I walked into this room with my brothers. Being an elder didn’t only imply having grey hair and beards and nursing knowledge as old as time with the inability to fight to protect their lives when it really matters. No, maybe in some packs it was but in my pack, it was simply made up of the strongest which, of course, were the heads of each faction under my rule.It’s been that way since the foundation of the pack. Elder simply implied that one had a vast amount of the historical knowledge of the pack that has been passed down through generation in both written and oral form. I take my seat at the head table; father sits at the other end and my brothers, Damian and Rune take each seat next to me at both my right and left hand. I didn’t have to hold each of their gazes to see it, I could clearly sense the unease riding the hues of their piercing
[~♣RAEGAN♣~]The sun has finally set by the time I make it back home with Rune and he goes right up into his room as though he was hypnotized to do so.Our walk back home was mostly quiet but it wasn't uncomfortable. Besides, I was lost in my own head thinking of the next step to take from this storm. And if I was to pull us out of it, we would have to talk about our way forward and that includes talking to her about it.That is the hardest part after all. Convincing her… And that on its own would not be easy. Hell, it might even be downright impossible.Right now, I’m just grateful that she hasn’t rejected us yet— A week ago we would have lost her completely if mother hadn’t intervened. I made sure to show my gratitude for that. Mother never hit us nor did she show any displeasure for our sin. I was grateful for that, we had enough beating from father to last a lifetime, It hurts to even think about it.I was also grateful that she didn’t feel any resentment for us, she reassured me
[~♥CORAL♥~]“Do you need me to come with you?” Reagan asks. There's a look of worry etch on his face when I turn around, my hand pausing mid-air from reaching for the front door, to face him.My red hair bobs around me, caressing my face and shoulders. “No, I'll be fine.”“Are you sure?” His pries, his soft ice blue gaze narrows as he watches me intently and I force down a bundle of nerve threatening to push it's way through.Gifting him a warm smile, I grab unto my bag’s straps on my shoulders. “It's not my first day in school, Reagan. I'll be fine.”I tell him, trying to tamper his worries but even my false affirmation doesn't seem to be working either.My smile cracks when he says, “Yes, I know that but, this is different.” He takes few steps towards me until he was closing in on me. I don't drift in my step and let the soothing aroma of his scent seep into me.“We've not exactly made a public announcement.”He was referring to our mating bond. A lot of things has definitely happen
[~♥CORAL♥~]Today's been like a dream. A fluffy, fairytale like dream and I'm floating on clouds, delirious from the ecstasy I feel swirling in me. The sun is slowly setting, casting warm, bright light over us. The river overhead glimmers with the reddish orange hues of the setting sun. The fairy lights glow brighter under the glow it casts over them, it makes the flowers look like they're surrounded by a couple of fireflies.It's perfect. It's beautiful and serene, just like today and I can't help but feel grateful. Being outside has never felt so refreshing and it's because of them.This moment has unexpectedly been exactly what I needed. And as I watch them, sharing in the many snacks and dessert that they'd prepared—mostly by Reagan—a feeling of serenity percolates in my chest.I'm stuffed with so much food and desserts but I slowly munch on the last of my biscuits, enjoying the sweet, creamy flavor and chewy texture when I catch Reagan make an eye gesture to Damian and Rune and
[~♥CORAL♥~] We follow a hidden part into the forest grounds. The part resonates with my memories with every step I take. Rune leads, his hold on my arm, firm, he touch feels gentle, like he wants to keep hold onto it infinitely.Above us, the sky is clear and the trees shield us from the late-noon sunlight, casting shadows around us. Birds chirps in the distance and I could hear the soft rustling of the little forest creatures that move about their nature land.My blood steams with excitement; the smell of the forest—the deep earthy roots, the smell of grass and plants—is something I’ve missed in a while and walking down the familiar part again has an even deeper curiosity festering through me. Rune has remained quiet, refusing to give out any other piece of information that could damper my curiosity. But I did find out that Reagan and Damian were a part of this dern plan that he’d refused to lay out for me. And now the suspense is just really eating at me to know.“We’re here.” Rune
[~♥CORAL♥~]A Week Later…“Where are we going?” I ask Rune as he rummages through my wardrobe, finally picking out a blue sun dress, he finally turns around to face me.He had come into my few minutes ago, demanding that I get dressed but he wouldn’t spill a word about what the occasion was. Then he proceeds to run through my closet of clothes to fasten my prep up when I’d all but assault him with question after question; my curiosity and confusion remains unattended to.What is he up to now?“This would look lovely on you.” He says with a little smile, the pale cotton dress hangs down the length of his sturdy body and I run my gaze over it, agreeing with him.Taking a proper look at the dress though, I realize it's one of the dresses he bought me last year at a festival. Did he pick it out intentionally? Did he recognize it as well?I don’t get any chance to find the answers when I’m pulled off my bed to my feet and driven to the doorway of my bathroom. “Go on. Freshen up.”“But—”“I
[~♥CORAL♥~]“Hmm, those would definitely taste as good as they smell.” Damian’s voice fills the air, his large frame filling the entrance as he walks into the kitchen. “I hear we’re having a picnic.” His ember eyes find mine the instant he crosses the threshold and they immediately flash with excitement and something else as he stalks towards me with measured steps.“That’s right, and it’s going to be a big one!” Kiara chirps enthusiastically from the corner but without taking his eyes off me or responding to her, Damian stops two feet away from me and cocks his head to the side. A thin layer of his combed back hair falls free, the dark lock feathers his temple with the movement.“Hmm? Was this your grand idea, sweet girl?” He flashes a smile that could steal breaths away. With his left hand inside his pocket, his right hand reaches for my face and his fingertips caresses the hollow of my cheek.A subtle shiver runs down my skin at the contact but I make a manageable attempt to respon
[~♥CORAL♥~]“We’re having a picnic!” Kiara sing-songs, throwing her hands up as she waltz into Reagan's office like she owned the place.“Kiara, you can't just burst in without knocking, what if he's busy or something?” I complain, my voice a low yell as I tail behind her, entering the office without taking my eyes off her.“Nah, he wouldn't mind at all.” She says over her shoulder, her hazel gaze catches mine monetarily before she faces front again, flipping her curly blonde hair and the short length bounces on her shoulder.I knew it wasn't routine and Reagan doesn't let anyone into his office without his permission, I also knew she hadn't been in here, often and without me being present with her but the confidence she oozed walking into Reagan's office like she's been in it countlessly, gave room for an unfamiliar feeling to curl in my belly.“Right, Reagan?” Kiara face breaks open with a smile and that's when I turn to face him too.He has his gaze locked on Kiara and there's a lo
[~♥CORAL♥~]“Y-You’re going to give them a chance?!” My best friend shoots as she abruptly gets off her feet, surprise riding the fine, smooth lines of her face as she holds my gaze. “Which technically means, no rejection? You're willing to accept them as your mates?” She adds, still seeped in shock and I almost chuckle at her outburst.As before, my response to her stunned expression is a simple, vehement nod.“Just to be sure,” She puts her hands out between us and twirls an index finger in a circular motion before adding. “All three of them?”I nod again, my resolve getting firmer with every answer I give, with every moment I think about it.Her gaze shifts to the door, lingering as though she’s expecting someone to pop out from the corner. A look crosses her features before she mutters.“Why?”There’s a hint of an emotion in her voice that I don't recognise but it almost sounded wistful. It sparks an alarm in my head and I frown, my brows lowering with confusion.“What do you mean
[~♥CORAL♥~]Overwhelming.Everything in this moment is utterly overwhelming and I feel it all at once. The fast pacing of my heart, the warming body heat of my mates around me, the sudden sense of warmth and safety I’ve always not let myself sink into, the happiness and heat in their stunned gazes but most of all… relief. It encompasses all other emotions that I feel in this moment.Relief that they still want me even through my tantrums…Shifting my gaze between all three of them, waiting for the flash moment where I’d catch a hint of hesitation or something that would set them back on their decision but also making sure this moment was real and not a dream. If my hands were free, I’d probably pinch myself to check if I was awake or still asleep and this was all a blissful dream.They didn’t hate me for it.“Thank you.” I say, my voice a quiet whisper.“No, moonbeam,” Reagan supplies quickly. His smile is warm and bright and beautiful when I look at him, his beautiful ice-blue eyes s
[~♣REAGAN♣~] The air is thick with something heavy and the curator of this burning nerve is our very much antsy looking mate sitting across from us in the living room. Her summon this morning had been abrupt and unexpected but it had left an air of intuitive preconception in its wake, though even without that feeling, her summon alone would have stirred the same pull it did right now, to respond to her call and it was the same for my brothers as well. And that was why we were all seated here, awaiting the moment she’d speak. The tension swirling even though I’m trying not to let my nerves get to me because I think deep down, I have an inkling of what this moment was all about as I try not to let the negative thoughts break free in my mind. Curiosity and wariness races through my bloodstream. This was probably that moment. The one that hangs the fate of our new relationship in the balance; one that could build or destroy us. The last few hours have been a whirlpool of gut twis