NaomiI opened the front door to see my brother resting idly on his car, twirling his car keys around his index finger."You girls aren’t done yet?"I heard a deep voice say and shifted my gaze to the west angle of the car to know who had spoken. Adam. What was he doing here? Oh my. My brother…that traitor. I cussed, glaring at Timothy who shrugged his shoulders. How would I give Maya a heads up now?"Hello Naomi. You are looking beautiful.” Adam said, staring at me with mild admiration. He probably hadn’t expected me to clean up so fine.I smiled, unable to help it. Compliments always felt good."Hello Adam. Thanks for the compliment. You are not looking bad yourself. Did you tell Maya that you were coming?" I stepped down the short stairs, making my way to the duo."I don’t think so." Adam replied, throwing a wink at me which Timothy saw and huffed. My brother looked the other way, tapping his feet on the floor. He was obviously impatient."Stop hitting on my sister in front of
MayaThe party was in full swing when the five of us stepped into the hall which had been selected for the send forth event. I saw a lot of people I knew, including elders, here and there, probably taking in how the party was going and making sure that things were moving as the lycan king wanted it. Adam led us to a table where his friends and his brothers were gathered drinking, talking, and watching me. I noticed that everyone was doing those three activities, especially the last one. I was the center of attention. From the looks on everyone’s faces I could decipher what they are thinking about. One, is that I was looking so beautiful to be Maya, the wolfless pariah. My step brother, Lent, had his mouth open in shock, and Lilian’s facial expression was phenomenal. I wished I could take pictures of their faces. I could also see the mixed emotions of surprise and admiration in my mother’s eyes and the shock in my father’s. The others on ground also had the same look. Naomi had re
Nervously I watched, as the Lycan King climbed the podium and commanded the attention of everyone in the hall. Naomi’s left hand grasped mine and held, offering a much needed comfort. Appreciation rang true in my eyes as I turned and looked at her.“Good evening everyone. I am glad that y'all honored the invitation to be here tonight...as you all know, we have gathered here for the sake of one of ours…”The king continued with the speech; apologizing for the misconduct of his sons; and promising a better life for me outside the pack, in the city of humans. I turned to Adam, to see his reaction, when his father mentioned that a car would be coming next tomorrow to take me to the city of humans. His face was contorted in sadness, even as he redirected his gaze to stare at me as well, as if he had known that I had been staring at him all this time. He gave me a sad smile, and I wondered what that meant. Did it mean that he had given me up; that he couldn’t help the string of fate? M
Outside was cold and empty of life. There was no one I saw loitering outside the hall, except for me and the little girl who had invited me out. Although Naomi had been skeptical about the kind of meet up the girl had proposed, she had finally agreed to let me go. After all, what could go wrong? What could a twelve year old possibly commit against me? Well, seeing the dark and hollow environment, I was beginning to doubt and question that question of mine, especially since the bad feeling deep in my gut was getting deeper and wider. I shouldn't have come out here without Naomi. What was I thinking? I should have let Adam know at least. I had allowed my quest for a stupid information about Claire to drive me. I hoped I wouldn’t regret it. The girl still led the way, and I was about to ask her if we hadn't gotten to a place where no one would hear us yet, when she stopped abruptly and turned to face me. I looked at her, expecting her theory about Claire to resurface so that
The smile on my lips got wider at Adam’s blatant display of affection, even though the stares from most of the pack members were anything but encouraging. Claire was looking at me like she wanted to take my head off my neck. I noticed though, that when our eyes met, she smirked at me. The bad feeling in my guts had intensified. I had a feeling that whatever was making her this devious had to do with the little girl that had called me outside and the distraction the latter had talked about. Oh god. Was there a way I could leave this party without being scathed? A sad smile sneaked across my lips and replaced the former happy one, as I searched diligently for Naomi. I bit my lips as I saw her. She was talking with Ben, whilst Noah watched them, his hands splayed on the butt cheeks of one of Claire’s minions. The boy is an idiot.“Maya, focus on me? What is the matter? Where is your happy smile?” I heard Adam's concerned voice whisper into my ear as his lips brushed my earlobes, sendi
Adam closed his eyes when my mouth moved over his flat belly, leaving behind a trail of fire. Wherever I touched him, my mouth, hot and moist, followed. He dragged me closer, urging me onto him. My mouth was tight and hot and driving him mad. A low, ominous growl escaped, the beast shuddering with pleasure, needing primitive satisfaction.My fingernails raked the hard column of his thighs, light, erotic, sending fire leaping, coiling in his gut. His mind blurred, merged more deeply with mine, a red haze of lust and need, love and hunger. He craved my touch, my hands, my silky mouth turning him into a living, breathing flame.He dragged me up, his hands like bands, although he made every effort to be conscious of his strength. His mouth took mine, mating, dancing, so much hunger beating in him I caught it, pressing closer, my body sliding against his, rubbing, heating."Say you want me, Maya." His mouth moved over my throat, closed over my aching breast. Every strong pull sent an answ
The knock sounded for the second time on the door, and Adam groaned, not pleased with the interruption. But if I was to be honest with myself, I had expected the interruption earlier. I hadn't believed that Adam's father would let us stay out of the party for this long, especially me, the celebrant, who the party had been organized for. Thinking of it now, it was wrong of me to have gone away from the party. It was a sign of disrespect actually. But why hadn’t I seen it that way earlier? Well, that was because you were so engrossed in letting Adam's stick inside you. My mind taunted, and I sighed, watching as Adam wore his trousers quickly, before heading to the door. At the door, he paused and turned to me, gesturing with his hand that I put on my dress. I nodded immediately, whilst cussing at myself. Wasn’t I planning to leave? Maya, get your mind out of the gutters, and back on track. I stood up gingerly, and began to snuggle myself into the dress. Adam must be tired of wait
“No, she couldn’t have done it. I was with her the whole time, so when did she leave to steal the necklace? It's not even possible that she knew where the necklace was; she hasn’t been here before. Therefore, how would she know the safe room?” Adam spoke coldly, causing my heart to soar, and my fears to abate maximally.“Are you not seeing it?” He continued. “It is completely impossible that Maya did this. I don’t know how the necklace had gotten into her bag, but she didn’t do it. Perhaps someone else did.” A tear slipped from my right eye. A tear of appreciation. Appreciation for being loved and being stood up for.Adam’s brothers looked at me then. The anger that had swam in their eyes shifted to an apology; they believed him. But his father shook his head, his glaring cold eyes never leaving me, creating a sense of darkness within me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was in on this set up. Because that was what it was. A set up. Someone had set me up. But who? Who would want me in
As I walked away from Adam, my mind spun with confusion and frustration. However, I hadn't gone far when his strong grip closed around my arm, pulling me back into his embrace. My heart pounded erratically, torn between the comfort of his touch and the turmoil within me."You're doing a stupid thing," I muttered, trying to pull away, but he held me firmly. His eyes searched mine, pleading for understanding.“I know you mentioned that your hatred stemmed from the wicked activities of my brothers and I. And even though I have no recollection of what you were talking about, the past twenty minutes has shown that we can be friends. We can be much more. I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling the tension between us.”I shook my head in denial. “I don’t know what you are talking about, Adam.”Adam piqued an eyebrow, and enclosed me in his arms. There was no distance between our lips. “You promised not to touch, unless I asked…” I grasped for the last straw left, sighing in relief when his ha
Staying close to Adam on the tree, I couldn't help but breathe in his scent. It was intoxicating, making my head swim. I fought against the urge to press my lips to his neck; the desire was strong, but I knew I had to maintain control. I also knew that we couldn't just be friends; not with this much tension between us. I sensed Adam's heart racing, even though he tried to hide it, to still it. His feelings for me were undeniable. He was feeling the same way I was feeling.Then, he made it worse, by swerving to look at me. His words which had been on the tip of his tongue—for he had turned to speak to me—got lost entirely. He just stared at me, stared at my lips intensely. And when he moved tentatively to close the distance between our lips, I gave no indication that I wanted out. Well, because I wanted in… But then the Queen came into the clearing, catching my attention. So, instead of sinking into the goodness that was Adam, I drew myself away from the romantic suspense, and point
"Congratulations Dora. You really did well tonight." I shook a hand.“Congratulations Dora. I hope you win.” I shook another hand.“Congratulations Pretty Dora.” I maintained the bland smile on my lips, and shook another hand.“Congratulations Dora. Don’t let them push you down! You hear?” I nodded at the more than hundredth person that had met and shook hands with me. My hands were getting sore and sweaty now.Couldn’t they settle for waves? I wondered, gesturing at Diana with my eye, that she extricated me from the seat where I had been asked to stay in, to shake hands with those who were pleased with my success. There were so many unfamiliar faces I had to shelve into a part of my memory for remembrance. No member of the Queen's family had come to congratulate me, however, not even Raul. I wasn't sure how to feel about his choice. I had thought he would have a better understanding. Seemed he was one that kept grudges. He should keep up with that. I might blow his head off should h
It was a crazy deduction to make, not minding that the fact was staring at me from the mirror. I looked like the first Queen, from the color of my eyes to the angular line of my face. Could it be that…? "Dora! Oh my goodness! What did you do? How did you…" Laura spoke finally, finding her voice; her words dragging my attention to her. When I turned from the mirror, she was in front of me. She checked out in awe, the studs on my gown, the effervescence of golden light that surrounded me; I had thought I was the only seeing it, but it was seen by my family. My significant other had really outdone herself. 'You should tell me your name already…' I couldn't keep addressing her as my 'other.' 'Call me El, then.' El? What manner of name was that? It sounded like something that just fell from her mouth at that moment. But El was better than 'other.' 'Okay, El. Thank you.' "Dora, you look otherworldly." Diana spoke next, her eyes shining with amazement. Slowly, she made her way to me,
Today was for the beauty contest. The contest for physical beauty. I was currently in one of the back rooms of the hall that had been chosen for the event, for the runway. Today was Wednesday. And for the past two days, Levina had really gone all out to make me win. I wouldn't know if her efforts had paid off until the results were out. Currently I was being fussed over by both Laura and Levina, while Diana and Peter sat on an L chair watching us, or rather watching them fix my make up. I would soon be called out to walk the runway. "Laura, be calm. You will be done with making me up on time." I tried to quiet the noise in Laura's head. She had never stopped blaming herself because she had arrived late, courtesy of being involved in the Queen's experiment; something I wasn't privy to yet. "But you will be called soon…" She pointed out, however, she was calmer now, she breathed easier now. However, she was right. I would be called soon.Even though I was the last person on the list
Today was Monday. The beginning of the week that had been been chosen for the contest. The school buzzed with excitement at that knowledge—students chattering in the hallways, because teachers were nowhere to be seen. There were no lessons either, except magic classes. All efforts were geared toward the contest, either winning the contest, or campaigning for the contest’s contestants.But my mind was far from the festivities. I watched from the sidelines as Levina, ever the supportive friend, handed out flyers urging students to vote for me. Her enthusiasm was infectious, but I couldn't muster the same excitement.Instead, my thoughts wandered back to Adam and his unexpected visit two nights ago. His presence had shaken me to the core, stirring emotions I had long buried beneath layers of fear and uncertainty. I replayed the moment he stood in my room, the moment his eyes searched mine with a tenderness that made my heart race, the moment he ravaged my neck with his lips. I recalled
Noah sighed at my question; the first sign that showed he was aware of my presence. But Adam and Daniel remained as they were. Noah’s sigh spoke of irritation. I hated it."If you are so irritated with me, Noah, then take your half baked self and leave with your people. Why do you even bother to come here when you know how selective I am with people?" I questioned, folding my arms across my chest, wondering what happened to the fear from before. My moods were similar to those exhibited by females during their menstruation period. Noah gave me no response, not even a glance. He just stared ahead, into space. I hated to be ignored, but I will be caught dead before I admitted that, or reflect that in my face.I looked at Claire. She was just staring at me blankly. "Who the hell are you? Daniel told me the assumptions you had made about them the last time they were here."Instantly Adam and Noah glared at their brother who tried not to squirm under their gazes.Well well well. I see w
As Levina announced that my old friend was here to see me, my heart sank like a stone in water, only because I knew that if Naomi was here, then the triplets were already at the Queen's palace. Before I gave into my fright mode, I noticed that Levina's eyebrow was piqued; she couldn't believe that I had another friend, especially from the pack."Do you know her? Is she your friend?" The emphasis on friends spoke of her unbelief and mild jealousy. This would be the first. Levina is jealous over friendships, but now magic?I gave a slow nod.She shrugged her shoulders. "Well, they are waiting by the counter?""They?" Raul asked, echoing my thoughts. They had come with Naomi to this place? Daniel must have been their director then.Fear gripped me instantly, squeezing my chest so tight I could barely breathe. The memories flooded back without hesitation– the cruel words, the relentless bullying that had haunted me for so long, despite being kept at bay by my sense of 'I have magic now,
Levina darted her eyes between I and Raul, wondering if it was a good choice to leave the drama that was about to unfold. When she stood up, I was sure that she had made the choice to hear a drama she wanted to happen, from me; for if she chose to stay, it might not happen. It amused me. I watched, keeping the amusement away from my face, as she sauntered away from me, to the door. She was about to leave when Raul suddenly called her back, drawing my attention to him for the first time since he had come into the store room. "What's my mother delivery doing here?" It was then I realized that I was still squatting by the carton. Oh god. I mentally palmed my head, since doing that physically would only toughen the uncertain situation we were already in. How do I convince Raul that I had not touched the carton? "I don't know. We had been offloading the cartons when we had seen it." Levina's confidence was something to be envied. Raul looked at her, and then at me. I had stood up imm