Leila sat cross-legged on a large plush rug, surrounded by piles of storybooks. Jane snuggled up beside her as they explored fantastical tales of adventure and magic.Leila brought the stories to life, using animated voices and expressions.Jane clapped excitedly. She enjoyed how Leila captivated her imagination.But James wasn't that interested.Jane's face beamed with happiness. She loved how the story ended."Do fairies exist?"Jane asked Leila.Leila stared at the cute little creature before her."No.""Ohhh. I wish to be one."Leila shifted her gaze to James. She wondered why he wasn't saying anything. Had he even been listening the whole time?"What's your question, James?"Didn't he have any questions to ask her?"I don't have questions. I know fairies don't exist."He shot a side glance at Jane. At least, he was old enough to know that.Leila sighed.She had tried everything to make him come around but he seemed not to be interested in whatever they did."What's the moral less
Leila exhaled deeply.He's still too young to take it all in.She would explain it to him in a way he would understand."Baby. It was so urgent we didn't know we would move. Just know we are here temporarily, and will move back."She gazed at his face to catch any glimpse of expression.Was he satisfied with her answer?"When?"Leila stared into the distance. Only if she knew when."I don't know. But very soon."He looked away. At least her answer was different from her mother's.He had asked Scarlet the same question one night when she tucked them in."Mom. Why did we move here?"She answered,"We had to move because it's necessary honey.""Alright."James said to Leila."Tell me. How's school?"Leila wanted to engage him in a conversation.She would be spending enough time here with them. She should be able to help him come back.He smiled."You have made a friend?"Leila asked him.He nodded affirmatively."Ohh. That's nice. Tell me about him or her."She was glad to hear he had al
James alighted from the car and covered his bruised face with his hands.He heaved a sigh of relief as he walked into the living room with no sign of Scarlet and Leila around.He dropped his hands and headed toward his room, he bumped into Scarlet on his way.He was disappointed.He quickly covered his face again."What happened to your face?"She saw his bruised face. She knew he was covering it because he didn't want her to see it."You get into a fight with someone?"James sighed. There was no point hiding it again.He dropped his hands and looked away.Scarlet ran his hands through her hair.She asked him a question why was he keeping quiet?"Start talking."She furrowed his eyebrows at him."Just leave me alone!"He exclaimed and stormed off. There were more important things to do now.He had to find the money he would give to those bastards tomorrow.Her jaw clenched tightly. She followed him inside.James sighed when she entered. He had forgotten to lock the door.He's just not
James knew if he told him, it would be trouble for him. It wasn't something he couldn't handle himself.He wouldn't escalate things by letting Ryan know. So far he could pay them, there was nothing to worry about."It's nothing.""Is anybody bullying you?"Ryan asked him."No!"He lied. He didn't want to get anyone involved.He quickly added,"Do I look like someone anybody can bully?"Ryan chuckled. He shook his head."I'm telling you. You don't."He teased him and winked at him."You can give me the money tomorrow. I don't want my aunt and mum to find out I have that amount of money with me."They would bombard him with questions. And no, he's not ready for that.Ryan understood.He watched the little guy walk away.He shook his head. The little boy never ceased to amaze him.He wondered what he needed the money for. He would start watching him closely now.He would find out what he needed it for on his own since he decided not to tell him anything.He had a hunch the money James wa
Collins sighed.He didn't like David's suspicious glance. What kind of question was he asking him?Was he monitoring his movements now?"I...I.."He wasn't sure how to answer him."Fine. I thought you would not be coming home."David didn't care where he had been.Collins cleared his throat."Did you miss me already?"He had not been around since afternoon, did he miss his presence that much?"Admit it. You just can't do without me."He teased David.David chuckled."What?"He was one hell of a trouble. He would even prefer not to have him around."I missed my woman."He shook his head. It wasn't him he missed.He missed Leila so much. He felt her absence deeply."Yeah! I know. I miss her too."He felt disappointed she didn't tell him anything about going to visit Scarlet. She didn't keep her promise.Collins took his seat.David set the magazine aside and stared into his face."I know she told you everything."He knew he was supposed to trust Collins but he just didn't know why he fe
"Hey! Hello!"Scarlet was waving her hands at Collins.He was dumb in silence.She touched him.Collins snapped out of his thoughts."Are you okay?"Scarlet asked him."Yeah! Sure!"He took his seat."Leila told me everything. How are the kids coping with the new environment?"Collins asked as he looked around. This house was bigger than the one they used to live in.It could look strange to the children."And you too?"Collins added. He knew she had not been going to work ever since they moved here.Scarlet shut her eyes. She had just been staying strong for her kids. She could not wait for all this to be over."I...I..""No. It's okay if you don't want to talk about it."Collins cut in."No. That's not it. I just don't know how to put my feelings into words."She smiled at him.She had a beautiful smile."I know it's a lot for my children. Changing of school, having to adapt with everything.""It's always hard to adapt but with time...."Scarlet did not wait for him to finish his wo
James heaved a sigh of relief. His face beamed with happiness."Who are you?"Kevin stared into Ryan's face. He looked tall and hefty.Ryan ignored him and twisted his arm. Kevin screamed."Leave me alone! Who the f*ck are you?"Ryan didn't release him."I'll release you if you say the right words to James.""I'm sorry. James, I'm sorry! Ahhh!"The pain was excruciating and it felt like his bone had dislocated.He released him.Kevin held his hand, he was relieved his bones had not dislocated. He stared into Ryan's eyes. Who could he be?"Give him back the money."Kevin glared at James and threw the money at his face.Kevin grabbed his hand again. "Don't be rude. Pick up the money and give it to him like a good boy."He did as he was told."Hey, Kevin!"They all turned in the direction of the voice. They were Kevin's three friends."What's happening here?"Tony asked.He saw that Kevin was looking sober."Are these the other bullies?"Ryan asked James.He nodded. Kevin seeing that hi
David tilted his head."What..."David wasn't sure of what to say.James shook his head and entered. David raised his eyebrows.Many questions flashed through his mind. He sounded as though he knew his true identity.Leila couldn't have told the little boy anything.He thought hard about it."Ryan?"He headed outside. He called unto him loudly. He was anxious.He was so angry, that he could feel his jaw stretching.Ryan had been in the car all this while. He got out of the car when he heard his name."Alpha.""What the f*ck! Don't call me that. What if someone hears you."He looked around."Alright.""What are you guys? That was the question the little boy asked me."He stared at him. He needed an explanation for that."Are you talking about James?""Of course, who would I be talking about?"David ran his hand through his hair. He was losing patience."I f*cking need an explanation!"Ryan explained everything to him. He had to do something to stop the bully.David sighed."That didn't
The soft, white sand stretched as far as the eye could see, and the rhythmic sounds of crashing waves provided a soothing backdrop for the joyous occasion.David and Leila would be celebrating their love on a picturesque beach.The beach was beautifully adorned with delicate white and pastel-colored flowers, carefully placed to enhance the natural beauty of the surroundings. A romantic arch, intricately woven with cascading blooms, served as the focal point for the ceremony. Gauzy white curtains billowed gently in the coastal breeze, creating an ethereal atmosphere.Rows of comfortable seating, decorated with flowing ribbons and flower petals, awaited the arrival of their beloved guests.It was a beautiful day for both Leila and David. Leila was adorned in a stunning white gown, gently gliding down the aisle, Scarlet took her arms as they walked side by side.Her eyes were locked on David, the man she cherished and would spend the rest of her life with. It was the best moment, seeing
Leila's heart raced with excitement as she strolled hand-in-hand with David through a romantic park on a cold night.David held her hands and began."You complete me. Your smile awakens me, making me want to burst open...you are my strength and weakness. Without you, my life is meaningless."Tears glistened in Leila's eyes. A warm blush rose to her cheek. She felt a surge of ecstasy washed over her.She loved him so much too. Her eyelids fluttered.She gasped. She wrapped her hands around him and kissed him like it would be her last."I love you so so much."As they walked along a moonlit path, Leila saw a soft glow in the distance. Curiosity lit up her eyes as they reached an open area of the park, revealing a breathtaking sight: a dark sky illuminated with bursts of colorful fireworks dancing in the air which said,'will you marry me?'Leila wasn't sure she had seen it. She wasn't dreaming.She was amazed. Her eyes lit up."Oh my goodness! David, did you see that?"She turned her he
David ran down the stairs."See who's here."Rebecca cringed when she saw David.David sighed and removed his hands from his pocket. He was not expecting to see her.Leila knew Rebecca stayed with Collins and also lost her baby. David had told her all about it."I know you've learned your lesson. I hold no grudges against you."Leila meant what she said. Rebecca just had to start doing the right thing from now on.David furrowed his brows at Rebecca. She should thank her stars she did the right thing. If she had not come to apologize, he would have come for her.Ryan gazed at Rebecca. Her eyes were begging Leila and David. Ryan had intentionally let her in.She had to apologize to Leila for everything she did to her. Leila deserved all the apologies.Now that Ryan gazed intently at her, she was not on her knees. How could she be standing and apologizing?Ryan made her knelt. He pressed her down.He then winked at her. That was the right way to apologize."You can leave now. I will for
Scarlet, Thomas, and James came in with bouquets in their hands and wide smiles on their faces.Leila was ecstatic. Scarlet and Thomas looked like a couple when they stood side by side.They hugged. Scarlet was glad to see Leila. She meant the whole world to her.James had grown tall.They all had a lengthy conversation, giggling and laughing.It was all Leila needed at that moment. Their enemy was no more, it was everything to Leila.Now, she didn't have to sleep in fear. She had always worried herself out, doubting if everything would be alright in the end.She was glad her mind had found peace now.It was over.Thomas and James later took their leave. Scarlet stayed back, she had a lot to discuss with Leila."I know."Scarlet began.Leila did not get her. What did she know?"I know about Collins and David."Leila still did not get her. She wondered what it was she knew about Collins and David."Someone by the name.....Anna. Yes, Anna. She explained everything to me."Leila gazed in
He shoved it inside his mouth."Eat your eye! You evil bastard."He spat it out, moaning.Collins felt the World closing in on him. He muttered,"I hate you."He cackled softly. He would come again for Leila even after death. He would haunt her in her dreams and become her nightmare.David drove a sharp dagger into his mouth. He pulled it out and stabbed him all over the face.After he had destroyed his face, he unsheathed a silver dagger and drove it into Collins's chest.TWO DAYS LATEREverything felt like a dream to Leila. Her eyes snapped open.She didn't feel weak or felt any pain in any part of her body.She easily slid out of bed and made her way through the hallway to the living room. She had no idea what was happening.She was stunned at the sight that greeted her in the living room.She gaped.Anna saw her first."Leila."The rest of the werewolf family were having a discussion, they had not seen Leila quickly.Anna rushed toward her."How do you feel? Is your jaw stretching?
Tears streamed down her face.She had begun to feel nauseous. Something was pulling her from the inside.She wondered if that was her inner wolf. Her eyes widened. She had no idea what it would look like for her to change into a werewolf.She was sure she had been infected by Collins. A bite alone meant something."It's almost getting dark. I will begin the first phase of the honeymoon. The first phase of the honeymoon would be before we wed and the second phase would be after we have wedded. When it's full moon."Leila had not been listening the whole time. Her mind was occupied with the thought of changing into a werewolf.Collins didn't care if she was listening or not. He had come a long way. He could not wait to start the first phase of his honeymoon.He stripped her off.Leila was gobsmacked."What? What are you doing?"She was left only with her undies. She tried to break free from the chair she had been bound to.She was screaming.Collins did not stop. He fondled her breast a
Anna was sure Valerie had seen something."If you had seen the innocent Collins, you would feel pity for him. I thought it was cruel of Valerie to say that. I was angry.""You didn't ask her why she said you could kill if need be?"Anna asked Silas."She said I would know if the time comes."Silas answered and continued."I flared up and told her she shouldn't have adopted him if she could not show him care and love. Our parents didn't raise us to be cruel."David didn't say anything. He was just listening attentively. He knew Silas was going somewhere."I raised Collins. He was a sweet boy, I thought he would be aggressive. It baffled me I didn't see anything strange about his behavior."He paused and continued."My anger at Valerie intensified. I thought she said all those mean things about Collins because she didn't want to take responsibility for him. Some weeks later, Valerie divorced her husband and moved to California with her new lover."David had now become impatient. Silas w
She meant it."If David had not caught us, I would have slapped your dirty face. You have no shame!"She spat. He disgusted her.Collins exhaled deeply."Well, there's nothing you can do about it. If you do not want me, I want you. Jane would not have died if you did what asked you to do.""Get my niece's name out of your decaying mouth.""Should I brief you on how she died?"His lips curved into a smile."I also bound her to the same chair you are currently bound to. She begged me to take her out of this creepy place. She cried for her mummy and Aunt."Leila stared dagger at him. If eyes could kill, hers could have killed Collins by now."She was scared, she hugged me, I had no other choice. When I thought of you and David fucking, it made my heart bleed, and there was no room for mercy."He paused. He bent over Leila. He wanted her to hear what he was about to say clearly."I drove the knife into her left eye first."His breath brushed her face. Leila was shaking. She wanted to brea
They knew they deserved no mercy because they failed to do their job.David opened his eyes. He exhaled deeply."Collins is the devil behind all this. Get your things and disperse. We are hunting him down."He was sure they understood he meant weapons when he told them to get their things.They all looked at themselves with wide eyes. How was that possible?"Collins?"Ryan asked. He was lost. He wanted to be sure David had not mentioned the wrong name."Yes. I found out...he deceived us all."Scarlet was sure she had not misheard him. How could he be spewing nonsense?"What?"She moved closer to him and gazed at his face. Was he sure of what he was saying at all?David knew it would be hard for everyone to believe. Collins had the most innocent face that concealed his darkest heart.He slipped his hand into his back pocket and brought out Jane's journal.He handed it over to her. Scarlet collected it. She wondered where he saw it. Thomas had given the journal to Jane as a birthday gif