TASHA While Rhio was sitting on the opposite end of the bench, he handed me a bottle of water and said, "Here." I was able to catch a peek of his cheeks, and I noticed that he put a bandage on the wound on his face. None of us said a thing. When he was taking care of the wolf's body earlier, the only thing I could do was avert my look. After everything that took place, I'm still in a daze. I killed an animal with my bare hands, it's not something that I should be proud of. "I won't disclose anything about what happened," he broke the silence. "It's not my business to mind other people's lives so don't stress about it." "It was the very first time that I had ever done something like that," I confessed to him. I fiddled with my fingers to calm myself a bit but it was of no use. "I know," he said. "If you're used to doing something like that, you wouldn't tremble like how you did earlier. You appeared to be in complete shock." That's when everything dawned on me all over again.
TASHA "Where were you yesterday? I tried to look for you but I couldn't find you," Rendall said the moment that our path's crossed at the hallway. "Is it true?" "What?" "That you went out with Rhio?" he asked. "A lot of students were talking about it." I sighed. "Yes," I confessed. He's not the first person who asked me about it. Sadie was flabbergasted as well when she found out that the rumors were true. A small smile appeared on his lips. "I was worried sick about you and I wanted to apologize for what I did but you decided to leave the university with him," he uttered. "Don't you think that you're being unfair? I was with you for a much longer time, but he earned your trust just like that?" "There's no way you could comprehend any of it," I said. I excused myself from him but he caught me by my arms and that's when the annoyance started to set in. "So what if I went out of the university with him? Haven't I made myself clear that I am not your property? Besides, we didn't
RENDALL "I've been looking for you," Raiah told me as soon as she entered my room. I didn't bother to say a thing because my head is muddled with thoughts of the way Tasha acted toward me earlier this afternoon. Knowing that she came out with Rhio felt like I was betrayed by the person whom I trusted the most. I understand that she's still in the process of accepting everything—her identity and us being mated to each other—but it's not a valid justification for her to go out with the man whom she just met. She doesn't even know him, yet it appears like she trusts him more than me. "It appears to me that you're not in the mood to have a conversation with me," Raiah's voice caused my senses to go back to reality. She crossed her arms and raised a single brow. "Don't tell me that you're falling into your trap? Should I start saying, 'I told you so?'" "It's not what you think it is," I replied with certainty. I walked my way to the wine rack at the very corner of my room and got myse
RENDALL "Whatever is the reason that you called us here, make sure that it's very important because if it isn't, I won't be able to forgive you for putting our lives at jeopardy. Especially the life of my sister," I told my father while he was busy making an ointment for her wounds. When I gently stroked my sister's fur, she let out a deep growl almost instantly. "Don't force yourself, Raiah. Everything will be okay." "I didn't imagine that there would be quite so many of them in this area," he responded. My lips broke into a mirthless smile. "Have you forgotten, father, who the original owner of this land was before we took it by force?" I gritted my teeth out of frustration. I was able to hear him sigh, but after that he decided to keep his mouth shut and not say anything else. This was one of the Shadows' domains that fell to us after that bloody war, and it served as a testament to our victory against them. They were in a position where the only option available to them was to
TASHA I glanced at Rendall, who's been quiet all day. I didn't see him yesterday, and I've been keeping a close eye on him since he arrived, during our lunch, and now that we're attending our afternoon class. There's this urge inside me to start a conversation with him because he seemed not refined, but after what happened between us, I don't think I'd be able to have the courage to talk to him. "You seemed worried about him?" Sadie asked me in a low voice. I hurled a moan before looking at her. "I was just thinking about the possible reasons why he's not being his typical self. You know, the one that would bug me all day just to piss me off," I said. "Have you forgotten that you contented with him? That you chose to push him away from you?" she asked prior to feigning exacerbation at me. "Perhaps he's simply giving you what you want." "We've had a lot of arguments before, Sadie," I contradicted. "But an argument wherein you sided with another guy you just met? That's the first
TASHA I continued to ponder about what happened at the clinic right after I kissed him—how he looked at me with his gleaming eyes and how he made me feel as though we were the only people who mattered at that exact moment. I kept thinking about how he made my heart flutter in an instant just by his small moves when he closed the distance between us or when his scent annihilated my sense of smell. What was once an unwanted heat that I feel whenever he's near turn into a pleasurable heat when Rendall's lips met mine.I made it clear to myself that he was an enticement that I needed to resist, but this time, I knew I wouldn't be able to run away. "Here," Rhio's voice brought me back to my senses. I looked at his hands, and he handed me bottled water and a biscuit. Out of gratitude, I accepted it. "You appeared to be apprehensive about the contest," he added. "A bit," I confessed. I looked around, and when my eyes caught Rendall, I immediately distanced myself away from Rhio and went i
TASHA "Are you okay? Did she hurt you?" Rendall asked me as he continued to check out my arms and body. He seemed worried, but I couldn't blame him. Even I was afraid for my life when someone hauled me out of the hall. "She's getting out of hand," he added, pertaining to Annica. I heaved a deep sigh. "I'm fine. I'm glad you arrived just in time," I uttered, then gave him a small smile. I galnced in the direction where Annica took off. "She's not over you, Rendall. Right now, I'm somewhat terrified with regards to what other crazy stunts will come into her mind next time our paths cross." "I won't let anything happen to you," he consoled me. "Everyone's searching for you. I'll walk you to the stage," he added. He intertwined his hand with mine, and just like what he told me, he didn't leave my side and accompanied me to where Rhio was. Somehow, I'm glad I made it out just in time for the contest proper. "Congratulations, Tasha!" Sadie greeted me after the pictorial session with t
RENDALL"I'm still perplexed about what I saw earlier," Tasha stated. I looked at her but her eyes were on the car floor. A brief grin crossed my face before I began to fiddle with some of the strands of her hair. "She had a knife held up to your throat on your first meeting. I mean, is that normal? That's certainly not. I have never seen my mother act like that before." I couldn't utter a single thing the moment I noticed a trace of melancholy on her face. All I could do was hope that she hadn't seen what had taken place earlier; nevertheless, it was already too late for that."Hey, she's only protecting you," I replied, trying to sound as jolly as I could. "I mean it, I really am fine.""Protecting me by means of placing a knife on my guest' face? Don't get me wrong, I appreciate my mom for doing everything that she can to protect me, but not in this way," she added before letting out a sigh. "I'm sorry for what she did." "There is no need for you to apologize about that." I felt
SAGE I found Phoenix on our grandfather’s library just like the usual. He’s my cousin who’s five years ahead of my age. He loved this place more than anywhere else inside the packhouse, and I am not sure why. When I used to ask him about it, he would give me an answer once he finished reading a book, and I got tired of waiting for him to converse with me. I’m an outgoing person while he’s the reserved one. That is why when my mother used to tell me stories about Phoenix’s childhood, I couldn’t believe her. They were telling me that this man used to be jolly when he was a kid, but I doubt that. I don’t even understand why a lot of girls in our pack liked him. “They were looking for you,” I said before sitting on the swivel chair in front of him. He didn’t even bother to move an inch, say anything, or even throw a quick glance on my direction. “Phoenix, we’re about to have a visitor and you’re here, isolating yourself, trying to read the same book over and over again. I would surely t
TASHA One year later… Everyone’s busy inside the pack because today is a very special day for me, Rendall, and for Sage, our daughter. Two months ago, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl, and Rendall and I decided to name her “Sage”, a name that signifies being wise and being healthy. Today, the new members of the council will baptize her. It would be a big celebration since Rendall invited his allies from outside the Kumori woods. “Tasha!” Raiah squealed after seeing me. Griego and Phoenix followed her. She gave me a warm hug before handing her gift for Sage. “Phoenix chose it himself for his cousin. Since this morning, he’s eager to meet her again. I’m glad that Phoenix isn’t the only child in the family.” I looked past at her and when my eyes met those of Phoenix, he held on to Griego’s hand. “Thank you for your gift, Phoenix. I am sure that Sage will love it,” I said. He hid behind his father’s back, and we shared a peal of laughter because of him. After a while, he looked at m
TASHA Rendall was quiet the whole time ever since Raiah, Griego, and Phoenix left. He didn’t say another word when we got back inside the main packhouse, which made me doubt if this will be the perfect time to break out the news to him or should I wait again for another day. “Did Ava talk to you?” he asked while he’s busy preparing something on the kitchen counter. I nodded my head in response even though he couldn’t see it before sitting at the edge of the dining table. “She told me that she’s leaving the pack,” I said. “I couldn’t imagine the amount of pain she had been feeling after her father passed away. She had to live her life without her mother, her brother has his own life with Raiah—she basically lost everyone.” He handed me a plate of salad as he snaked his arms around my waist. I wrapped mine on his neck in return. I looked him straight on his eyes and he became vulnerable in that exact moment. When I had to deal with the problem on my chest, Rendall did his very best
RENDALL The war is over, but the remnants of its memories would never leave our mind. They used to say that the truth will set you free, but in our case, the truth made us lost a huge part of ourselves—including those people who are important for us. I placed the flowers I brought beside the tombs of three important persons in my life. I’m still not used in not seeing the three of them around the packhouse—I guess, I could never get used to it. “Hey,” a voice from behind me said. I turned around to see who it was, and I was astounded when I saw Ava holding two baskets of flower which she placed right beside mine. After the war has ended, I can say that between all of us, Ava was the one who changed a lot. She isolated herself—and didn’t talk to any of us. It seemed as though that the war has become a traumatic event for her, and I couldn’t blame her for that. She grew up with a memory of losing a loved one, now she had to endure the same predicament all over again. “I didn’t expec
TASHA "Sandalio," my mom's voice broke the lingering silence around us. "We meet again. I waited for this opportunity to come, where we would have another chance to see each other so I could destroy your life just like how you destroyed mine.” “You knew that it was never my intention to hurt you because if that’s the case, I would’ve given up on searching for you,” Sandalio said. “You were the one who wasn’t happy with what we had. You let those hearsays about me clouded your judgment! You were afraid to stand against the council no matter how hard I try to assure you that I will fight for you!” “Because they imposed a threat on my life, Sandalio! You were too busy with your responsibilities and obligations that you didn’t have the time to notice that I was carrying a huge weight on my shoulders! You were too busy that you didn’t notice that they’re doing everything in their power to make me drift away from you!” she exclaimed. “When I finally got the courage to tell you about every
TASHA I was left in complete shock after hearing the words uttered by Rhio. Before I could say anything about it, I was pushed to the ground when Rendall dashed to attack Rhio. Both of their faces darkened as they exchanged punches after punches. They shifted in their wolf form and I was left with no choice but to help myself stood back on my feet because I couldn't do anything to help Rendall. Somebody grabbed me by my arm and dragged me away from that spot. When that person removed the piece of clothing that was covering her face, I took two-folds step away from her. Her presence took me by suprise. "M-Mom?" She greeted me with my smile but my lips remained pursed as my brows furrowed thinking as to why she was here. Then a flash of memory filled my head. I couldn't believe that Raiah was right about her being a member of the Shadows. She doesn't share the same principles with the members of their pack but there's only one reason why she chose to be a part of it—to avenge my fa
TASHAAva pulled me to the chamber where the warriors of the pack were hiding their weapons. She gave me a bow and a quiver loaded with arrows and I accepted it despite my hesitation. From inside, I could hear squeals and cries. Nobody expected that a war will happen on broad daylight. "Don't think, just take the shot," she reminded me before pulling me away from that place. We were running on our feet but a lot of the members of the pack shifted on their wolf form to hurriedly escape the place. Upon seeing how fast they fleed the area, I realized that I am being a burden to Ava. "Tasha!" Rendall's voice called me. I looked around and I saw him walking his way through the commotion and when he reached my place, Ava handed me to him. "I have to check on my brother and my father," Ava said. "Once I find them, I'll make sure to meet you outside the woods," she added before running away from us. "Ride on my back," Rendall stated as he gradually shifted on his wolf form. I was caught i
TASHAWhen I opened my eyes later that afternoon, I could still feel the numbing of my heart. Even after the confrontation I had with Raiah, I still feel the emptiness inside me. My eyes went to the door when it swung open and Rendall walked inside the room. "I thought you were still asleep," he said. I kept my lips pursed. "I told the council the truth about what Raiah did, how her action caused Emily's life and your own torment. They wanted me to carry on with the proper punishment for her but..." "But?" "Raiah descended from the Alpha's bloodline, she's still my sister and the daughter of the previous Alpha of our pack, which means that I had to punish her myself because that is how the hierarchy dictates it," he added, almost whispering. "Is that why you came here? To tell me that you can't punish your sister?" I blurted out with bitterness evident in my voice. He shook his head. "I just wanted to tell you that this won't be easy for me, too. I don't want you looking at me di
TASHAAfter we buried Emily's body, the only thing governing my emotion was pure hatred toward Raiah. She used her status in the pack get what she wanted, and because of that, someone ended up losing her life. The more I think about what Emily had gone through after she realized that her actions led to the death of the warriors of the pack, it will only fuel the rage building up inside me. I couldn't even feel the pain that's killing me because witnessing the death of an innocent person is much more painful than that. "Tasha!" Rendall called me when I walked away from him but I didn't bother to look back. All I know is I had to confront his sister about why she put Emily's life in great danger. I want her to pay for what she did. I barged into her room but she was not there. I walked my way to the room of Rendall's grandfather but Rendall stopped me when I was about to open the door. The guards also blocked my way. "Let me go!" I exclaimed. "I need to talk to your sister, Rendall!