TASHA "It seems like you're not in a good mood today," I commented. Rendall's been quiet since this morning, and it's not too hard to know that something is going on in his mind. "If this is about what happened last night—" he cut me off by pinching my cheek. "I'm fine," he uttered. I rolled my eyes because of his statement. Clearly, he's far from being fine. I don't know why he's choosing to lie in front of my face. "How are you... and Rhio?" he asked. My brows furrowed. "Rhio? What about him? I haven't had another conversation with him since the contest ended. Why?" I replied. He didn't say anything, so I rested my head on his shoulder. "If you're still jealous about Rhio, trust me, he doesn't mean anything to me." "I trust you, Tasha," he claimed. "But it would be much safer for you if you'll stay away from him." I touched the bridge of his nose with my index finger. "It's not as if he's someone with an intent to harm me, nevertheless, staying away from him shouldn't be a pro
TASHARendall took me to the tent that we had set up earlier and carried me there. He zipped it while still keeping his lips locked on to mine. As I continued to intensify the kiss, I placed my arms around his neck and felt his hand move down to touch my behind. He pulled away from the kiss and started licking my ear. I let out a soft moan because of the tingly sensation he's making me feel. I heard him chuckle sexily and that turned me on to the peak. When his kisses went down to my jaw and then to my neck, that’s where I completely lost it. I cupped his face and kiss him roughly. I could feel his smile as a result of what I had done, but I was unable to suppress the growing heat that was emanating from within me. It's like I wanted more of him, I wanted more of this.He put me down on the mattress as he continued to plant soft kisses on my neck and cleavage. He placed himself on top of me and I welcomed his lips. I had no control over the situation or myself; it felt as if I wanted
TASHA I blinked my eyes a couple of times, trying to alleviate the pain that I had been feeling since this morning. My tears were on the verge of falling ever since our class started and I haven't told anyone about my condition. My entire body is on fire and I kept on taking shallow breaths to calm myself a bit. "You don't look nearly as tanned as you normally do. Are you sure you're okay?" Concern could be heard in Sadie's voice as she asked the question. "I barely heard you speak today. Did something happen between you and Rendall?" she whispered while still keeping her eyes on the glass board upfront and her hand on her notebook because she was taking down some important notes. I shook my head no before clearing my throat. "I just don't feel like conversing today," I lied. Choosing to keep my mouth shut was the best option right now, not just for me but for Sadie as well. I also did not have the guts to tell her what was causing the pain in between my thighs or the two possibl
TASHA "Hey, baby," when I opened my eyes, Rendall's soothing voice was there to meet me. When the glint of light from the ceiling caught my eyes, it blinded me in an instant, and I had to blink a few times to clear my vision. "How are you feeling?" He placed his hand on top of my forehead and my neck. "I'm glad that somehow your fever has subsided." "I'm feeling quite better than earlier," I answered with my voice still hoarse. Before attempting to sit down, I cleared the lump that had formed in my throat. He helped me out by placing his hand on my back and putting his arm around me. "What time is it?" I watched him look at his watch. "It's already five o'clock in the afternoon," he answered. "Sadie was here but I told her that you need to have adequate time to rest and that she can talk with you when your body recovered its strength." He let out a chuckle. "I haven't seen your friend this suspicious—at least not until today. She acted like she was cool with everything, but with
TASHA Rendall was gone when I opened my eyes. I didn't even notice the time that he left me alone in my room. I was about to get my phone situated at the top of the bedside table to send him a message when I saw a piece of pink paper wrapped around a pink rose. 'For the most beautiful lady that I've ever seen. With love, your mate.' A smile swept across my face upon reading what was written on the note. I was about to smell the flower I was holding when the door swung open. I hid the rose beneath a pillow when I saw my mother's figure. She stayed at the door with her eyes fixed on my direction but didn't bother to move another inch closer from where I am. "Even from afar, I can still smell that wolf's scent," she uttered with a blank face. "I warned you but you never listen, Tasha." "Mom, we talked about this countless times already. If in the end, being with him is a wrong decision, then I'll learn from it. Let's just fix everything, mom. I'm tired of having a constant argume
TASHA My chest was thudding when we arrived at the Endrano's mansion as if it was coming out of my chest. Several scenes were playing in my mind and some of it wasn't a pleasant scenario at all. I've met Rendall's sister, Raiah, but I didn't get the chance to meet Rendall's grandfather and with the way that the other members of his family weren't fond of being exposed in public, I must say that he's the kind of man that I should fear—along with his father. "I can tell that you're nervous," Rendall said when he assisted me in coming out of his car. He held my hand and pressed it gently. "They'll like you so you don't have anything to worry about." "You could've informed me about this—" I wasn't able to continue my statement when his soft lips met mine. I looked around to see if anyone was watching us and my cheeks heated up when I saw two of their guards standing at the golden door of their house. They were looking in our direction and I bet that they saw what Rendall did. "Let'
TASHA Rendall stood by my side when we reached our house. When we were traveling earlier, nobody dared to utter a word about what happened. Raiah's words kept on replaying in my mind, emphasizing the moment when she told us that I will be the reason for their downfall. I couldn't understand where she was coming from but it was more than enough to fill my heart with complete horror knowing that my existence in Rendall's life was a threat to his position and his family. I heave a deep sigh as I looked up at the blanket of stars above. This night felt like a night in which everything just froze. Lightning flashed across the freezing sky and there was a heavy smell of earth in the air. I wrapped my arms around myself when the cold breeze blew. My eyes went in Rendall's direction when I felt him wrap his sweater around me. His faint smile and the look in his eyes weren't enough to hide the sadness within him. I looked away when I felt something heavy in my chest. "You should go inside
TASHA When it was announced that we would be having a graduation ball, everyone immediately got busy preparing for it. The only topics that were being discussed in the hallway that I could pick up on were things about dresses, pampering, and the competition to be the star of the night. I didn't know why it mattered that much but as for me, I am not sure if I'll be able to attend the event. "Hi." I looked at the person beside me and I was surprised to see that it was Rhio. "Hey," I responded to his greeting. Instead of continuing the conversation, I focused on the books right in front of me. Rendall's feelings of envy manifested themselves when I decided to spend some time with Rhio. I don't want to repeat the same mistake, especially not at this moment when everything concerning Rendall and I seems to be teetering on the brink of disaster. "I wanted to ask you to be my date for the graduation ball," Rhio said after a short while, breaking the silence between us. I looked at him, w
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!