[~♠CORAL♠~] The sight before me seems unreal. Unbelievable. But the more accurate term would be, shocking. And to think I'd ever see him wear such an expression on his face. I was struck with an overwhelming sense of disbelief as I watched the colour of Rune’s orbs glow fiercely with every second I stare up at him. It’s the first time in my life that I’ve seen him wearing such an expression on his face. He looks livid and wild and so ready to shred the person that I'd bumped into. His expression makes my skin crawl with a strange feeling but not the bad sort. And my gaze doesn't leave the side image of his hardened face, too spellbound to speak that when he turns to me and his eyes catches mine, I forget, for a brief moment, how to breath. Rune’s eyes were so intense, they hurt to look at but at the same time, I couldn't bring myself to take my eyes off him. Then they soften, his fierce gaze moulting as soon as they meet mine. “Are you alright, Cor?” He asks, the harshness in
[~♠CORAL♠~] It was a reflex action on my own part but soon enough I realize my action when I feel Rune tense up from my touch when I hide behind him. He looks down at me from the corner of his eyes and watches me with slightly wide eyes and I make to move away from him but he willfully wraps an arm around me. His action surprises me but I don't move from my spot and I fluster myself by breathing in his spicy scent mixed with the soothiness of earth. His body relaxes and for a second I thought he seemed delighted before a cold, predatory look coated his features again as he faced Regent again. I follow his gaze to meet Regent’s brown eyes. There's a wide look in his gaze as he reads my face and I pray he doesn't recognise me. Their gaze made me uncomfortable and I'd always dreaded it since the night of my eighteenth birthday. Shock. Disgust. Envy. They didn't have to say anything because their faces showed a ridiculous amount of their thoughts. I saw it all that night. And m
[~♠CORAL♠~]After that ordeal, Rune returned to order.And by that I mean, he went back to how I'd told him to act before we left for the market; distant and quiet. I couldn’t quite understand why, since he’d already crossed that line when he stepped in when I bumped into Regent.Somehow, it made me feel a little… I don't know… sullen.But it was what I wanted… wasn’t it?I looked behind me, the space seeming too small for comfort. I still felt uncomfortable, knowing I was out in the open to everyone’s curious gazes. And I catch a glimpse of his tall, lean frame towering over a girl who seemed to be up in his face and holding out something to him.My forehead furrows with a frown and my steps falter. His gaze is trained to her or rather, the thing in her hands… whichever it was. And when she turns a little to the side, her face appears behind the curtain of her dark brown hair and she smiles up at him while speaking.I know Rune is good looking; his pale skin is incomparably smooth an
[~♠CORAL♠~] “Welcome home, Princess.” Damian greets at the entrance of the house, the corner of his mouth tilts with a smile, the very ones that reflect in his eyes. His body hulks the entrance as one of his hands rests against the door frame and the other one rests unto the handle. Before I can react, Damian’s fingers brush against mine as he takes the bags from my grasp and swiftly pulls me into his embrace. His hand encircles my waist and the warmth of his palm seeps into my clothes, sending a sudden shiver down my spine as he draws me closer. His chest presses against me and I inhale his familiar scent, a rich blend of vetiver; woody and earthy, rooty and citrusy with a hint of leather and smoke. His scent reminds me of a crackling campfire and the uninhabited wild, like the deeper parts of the forests, one that leaves me feeling overly overwhelmed and heady. My heart quickens from the sudden invasion and a feeling like unease flutters in my stomach like a bird trapped in
[~♦DAMIAN♦~]“You scared her away.” Rune’s voice breaks through the cords of my mind and my jaw clenched at his words, my eyes closing as I try to control my heavy breath. I could hear the laxed taunt in his voice even though I know that it isn’t a deliberate act, I can’t help the irritation from leaking out of me.“Don’t you think I’m clearly aware of that.” I snap at him, turning my head to his direction.Rune has that glazed look on his face that he’s always wearing and I feel a sudden urge to smack it off his face. But he just shrugs, “Didn’t think so.” He says and starts down the hall, his hands dug into his pockets. I want to punch him so bad. Could he not treat me like an idiot…My arm still rests against the wall, where my mate had slipped out from and I stand upright, turning to the direction she’d run off to. I click my teeth with my tongue and scold myself. What the hell was I doing? I was going to ruin the plan of winning our mate back if I can’t control my emotions.I’ve
[~♦DAMIAN♦~]“Don’t mess this up, Damian.” Raegan’s voice taunts the space within my mind as we all left the dining room and heady towards our rooms. He seemed to have sensed my edginess, his eyes had a knowing glint in them, as though he knew where my next stop was going to be and it wasn’t my bedroom. I mentally groan, face-palming myself before taking a deep breath and releasing a heavy exhale. My hand clenches around the handle of her bag; the one I’d earlier taken from her upon her return and I raise my other hand towards her door, it balls into a fist as it closes in on the wooden door. My fist hovers for a moment before connecting to the door.A few seconds go by without an answer and I think she’s probably fallen asleep already; she might have been more tired than I realise. She was out for most of the day.I linger at the door for a few more second before letting out another sigh; a broodish feeling washing over me as I start to turn around but my feet immediately comes to
[~♥CORAL♥~]I dry my hair with a towel as I stroll out of the lavatory connected to my bedroom, my silk dress robe hangs loosely on my body, secured together by the rope around it. My feet patter on the wooden floorboard as I walk towards my bed where my dress is already lying in wait for me. I smile when I see it’s one of my favourite dress; Aga must have picked it out when I went into the bathroom to take a bath— I was getting old for her baby treatments and even though she’s minimised her efforts because I nagged about it, she’d always attend to my personal routine once in a while. She was relentless. Dropping the towel on the edge of my bed, I pick up the dress and head to my dressing mirror at the corner and stand in front of it. I pull the dress in front of me, admiring the smooth, soft pink material of the tunic, off-the-shoulder dress when from my peripheral vision, I catch sight of a small, delicate package atop the vanity area of my dressing table. I turn towards it, drop
[~♥CORAL♥~] “I was looking for you,” I tell him but my gaze lands back to his workspace. “What are you doing?” “N-Nothing… You don't need to worry about it.” He stutters, his body shifting to put up a block between his desk and myself. I frown, jolting my head upwards at his obvious lie. If it wasn't important he wouldn't have hidden it from me in the first place. “Why did you come? Did you need something?” He asks, attempting to distract me from the thing he was hiding and for a moment I almost get ensnared by the sway of his words. My mouth opens to respond to him but shuts close soon after and I give him a pointed look. “What is it?” I repeat my earlier question. “What?” “What you're crafting. What is it?” “It's not important.” He responds, his hands latching onto the back of his neck and his arm moves from the slow, rubbing motion. “It has to be if you're covering it. Why are you covering it? You never hide your work from me.” “That's because… this one's really… specia
[~♥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