HECTOR“Hey, Liyah Bunnie.” I tease her after opening the door and as usual without knocking.She frowns at me before making her baby bun face.“That's more like it.” I blow her a kiss, before entering her room and shut the door afterward."You do need to start knocking, very soon baby Hendrix will be all over, and picking up your bad characters, easily." She starts removing items from her lap and places them on the bedside table.I laugh so hard and it feels like my lungs would explode. "Jeez, easy.”She stands up gently walks up to me and wraps her arms around my waist. "Or you think he will remain a baby forever?”"For a minute, it never occurred to me that he is already a grown-ass man.”"Stop it." She hits me with her flexed elbow. "I want you to tell me how much you missed me, baby Hendrix’s papa.”"What? Nah, that sounds archaic.” I frown, thinking through the names coming up in my head."What? He's still a baby...”"Why do you call him baby and me papa? Something like honey or
HUDSON “Jeez! Hudson, what are you doing?” Hector’s voice breaks through the silence like a piece of thin ice. His eyes are wide, and his pace doubles, ready to jump on me. I stop to take a closer look at his face, and then back at the box I was ransacking that is suspended on top of a table. “What?” I ask and stuff my mouth with oats and milk that was dried in the form of crackers. “Do you know who those are for?” "If not you, who else?”"Thank the stars you acknowledged they're mine. You came into my room unannounced, and dug into an item without knowing how it came by?”"Oh, pardon my manners. How did it come by?”"Are you serious?"“What's the fuss about?” The door opens and Hunter joins in on our conversation. I take another mouthful of the dried oat and milk. "It's Hector, he's making a mountain out of a molehill.” I struggle to say, crumbs of the crushed oat and milk spilling from the sides of my mouth. "You're still spewing shit?” Hector jumps on me, landing me on the b
SHELLY “Just a minute, please.” I scream in the direction of the door and at the person on the opposite side of it. “Take your time.” She replies calmly. I've heard a whole lot of voices in this short visit and I've gotten it all jumbled up. Being greeted by a bunch of strangers has its own downside. But it's sort of familiar, it's calm and soothing, even though I still can't place it after critical thinking. “Hey, Lady Agnes.” I open the door to the smiling face of Lord Asher's partner. I was right with the hunch after all. She is quite aged and yet exceptionally beautiful which made it more sneaky to guess her age, not even the range. She is the kind of lady that makes you hiss at nature for being any different and not her clone. "Welcome, to my...your place.” I'm swift to correct, not sure how to relate to her yet, regardless of her kindness and jovial nature. "That's gibberish, darling. It's your place so long as you remain beneath its roof. And you're welcome for the appre
SHELLY.“Be still, darling. Moon goddess knows why.” Agnes tries to console me, her eyes are dull, and she too lacks the proper words to pacify my broken soul. “Sure.” I sniffle, quite pissed at the statement. "But I too want to know why, why lots of things have been happening to me, as innocent and humble and...and honest...” I break down in tears, sniffing all the way through. Long weeks after she last visited, I got hit by strong and painful conversations. It wasn't up to term, not exactly complete so I second-guessed it. But it wouldn't go away. The nonstop kick in my abdominal area intensifies and then it got stronger and stronger, with each duration longer than the previous and the time occurrence shorter. It didn't take long to know that it was labour signs and my baby would be part of us in a few hours.Having had Petian with just the help of a lady and in my lover’s absence, I did awesomely, this was my second and shouldn't pose much worry, or so I thought. A fine blend o
SHELLY I remain standing by the door after there isn't any response to my knock. It's a bit noisy, and I'm sure they're probably inside busy with their lives, not expecting any jobless visitors. I adjust Petian on my hip, spreading her weight evenly as I towards the side I lay her for support. My postpartum body is still robust, an evidence that it housed a baby, makes it hard to withstand too much weight, and chubby Petian isn't helping. I knock again, this time louder than the previous, and as usual, I wait for a response.“It had better be a good one, or lose your goddamn fingers.” A croaked voice cuss. I stay put, not frightened by his threat. Even though this household is renowned for their notoriety in the whole of Scorpio Villa, they've been nothing but sweet to me, the daughter of their late saint, Beta Nicholas. "Hey, dear.” The face behind the angry voice surfaces, Lord Asher. He blossoms with a smile on seeing me and he's holding a cigar.“Good day, Lord Asher.” I gree
SHELLY “I’m so sorry for your loss, I couldn't come immediately I heard of the sad news, you know I can't just opt and leave for Scorpio Villa...” He pauses. The cap of his hoodie is off his head, his mask is lifted upwards so it rests on his hair and his face is bare before me. Before coming, he had sent a note to me earlier, informing me of his visit. And when he got to the border, I was there to make his passage easy. He won't take off his mask before others and definitely, the people of Scorpio Villa are strict, not everything goes in here like in Wild Crest Pack. "My loss?” I snort. "Right.”"How's Petian doing? Where is she? I could help you with her...”"How sweet. It takes the death of a child to make you this caring...”"I don't know what you're talking about. Don't even get started. It's a simple question, requiring a 'here or over there’ response. Where is Petian?” His cold voice repeats like I didn't interrupt at all.I sneer, my angry gaze fixed on his tall frame. "Of
SHELLY “How are you holding up?” Agnes asks, concern evidenced in her voice. She came early in the morning to help me out with some chores and also care for Petian, and myself likewise, to care for my post-partum body, despite my asking her not to bother. "Okay, I guess.” My face is away from hers."You don't have to lie about it, it's obvious you're not.”"And somehow you still want my say?”She heaves a sigh. "I know where you're coming from, you don't have to be insensitive.”I press my lips together, aware I overstepped boundaries. Being rude isn't going to change a dime, and definitely not to her. “Pardon my manners.” I plea after long minutes of silence. "Not a problem." She waves me off. "Lord Asher informed me that you came three days ago to see me but talked to him instead.”"I'm so sorry Agnes. It sure wasn't my initial plan. Not like he coerced me or anything.” I'm swift to add, not wanting to leave room for misconception. "I should have waited for you, but since he o
SHELLY. Shielded from the hot scorching sun, I'm seated in the carriage with my lover beside me. When he arrived earlier, he blatantly refused to come to my place, he is obviously still pissed about the last time. It sure came as a heavy and unpleasant surprise. For one who hates surprises, seeing him throw tantrums like a child is not weird. He sent me a short note via one of his guards, demanding I come within an hour, trying to exert the control he's scared of losing through a short piece. To be honest, I did willed to turn him down, but we have unfinished business and in my game, he's going to be a petty plaything. A scared one and the other, desperate. That makes us even. For the first time in forever, I left Petian all by herself. She was sleeping when I left and I made sure to feed her before leaving and locked the door. The amount of times I opened and locked it again to be sure it was safe is creepy. Her mama is bout to get her hands dirty, she needs to be strong for me
THIRD PERSON’S POV. By nightfall, the alphas, Aaliyah and Nikki ride in a carriage, while the warriors of Orlando match quietly to the border of Moon Howlers pack. It takes them long hours to arrive at the spot and the place is as quiet and deserted as can be. The only presumptive sign was the sacks of sand heaped on themselves to form a shield. Nikki takes the lead and directs them to the shelter at the secluded spot, very well hidden from the border. The three alphas replace her, with Aaliyah by the side, ready to rescue her baby once they burst in. Fortunately, the door is made of ancient wood that's already rotting away and the hinges are half gone. In a silent count of three, they kick the door down in unison and rush in. The noise sends Shelly and Chris flying and baby Hendrix crying from a disrupted sleep. Shelly instantly rushes towards the baby, to use him as bait and protect herself. But before she gets to him, Hudson is swift to throw a pocket knife in her directi
THIRD PERSON’S POV Nikki arrives at the pack house tired and weak. Her dress is torn in some places, with her skin bruised from falls and scratches from wild plants. Her feet are the worst, it look so dirty like she trekked in gutters and pits. The door opens with the guards signalling the others to call Lady Aaliyah and the alphas. “Welcome, lady Nikki.” The guard by the hate greets as Nikki walks in, heading towards the house. He looks out for insiders and satisfied none is forthcoming, he jams the door and closes it. Aaliyah rushes down and meets Nikki dragging her feet like a child, with her muddy footsteps evidence of her traces. "Nikki darling, what happened to you?” she holds her firm, not minding that she both looks and smells horrible. Rather, Nikki begins to sob. Hot tears burn her cheeks as she keeps sobbing. "Go ready her bath." Aaliyah orders a maid who takes to her heels immediately. When they arrive in Nikki's room, Aaliyah dismisses the maids, strips her frien
AALIYAH. The night has me rolling recklessly on the bed. I keep counting every second, down to noon. With each passing minute, the promise of having my baby by my side becomes clearer, and the risk of dragging the three alpha there more scary. Curiosity eats me deep, the need to know the location burns hotter than any desire. And somehow, I'm glad that Nikki is away, for reasons best known to herself. It's barely 11:45 pm, and the night draws on, much longer than expected. Frustrated, I sit up, still lost in my thoughts. Unable to sleep, I wear my robe and go to the gate. The servants are half asleep and one gasps when he finally wakes up to see me before him.“Good evening, my lady.” He wipes the last of sleep off his eyes. “Evening. I'm expecting a letter tomorrow, I don’t know when it's coming, but please, stay off the gate to not scare anyone away.” I want. I'm scared of the consequences if we nab one of them. “Alright, ma.” He assures. I go up, and happy that nothing would
NIKKI. I remain quiet for a while, and totally immobile. "I bet I heard something.” Shelly insists. My breath is almost on hold, as I struggle to fathom what is behind me. At this point, I didn't care much about being busted or punished or yelled at... I just didn't care at all. It's more like life is playing a trick on me. All along, he has something to do with Shelly. Why then was he always riled up when I mentioned her name or went to seek for her welfare? Why then did he make it seem like she is the monster? Not like right now she is any short of it. How low Chris has reduced me to. Hot tears burn my cheeks and I let it flow slowly as I remain numb for the longest. Footsteps approach, and I find myself creeping like a child away from the window, crawling and crying and praying I don't meet one of them. This is indeed a risk, and I honestly can't tell how much it's worth, because it leaves me mentally insane. The window opens, and I’m already on the other side, crying my lun
NIKKI. The box I am in lifts from the ground halfway and then drops. I hear the faint grunting of a lady, I suppose it's the maid. It stops soon after the box returns to the ground. It goes up again, and then levels flat on the ground. "Is it that heavy? Try harder, Alpha Chris will soon be on our necks.” A male voice pleads. Seeing what Chris did to the poor driver, I feel sorry for him, hoping he doesn't take the fall yet again. "It surely is heavy, I bet you know. Please, you would need to seek the help of your fellow. This is the best I can go.” "Jeez, you ladies, and bailing out on the slightest hardship.” He sighs. Somehow, I'm silently laughing inside, thinking to myself that these two have some chemistry. Because this argument can't be about my weight, a petite lady like myself that Chris scoops at will. “I don't know what you mean, but I can't do this. Even if I did, I wouldn't go beyond the corridor, and I would end up breaking my back.” "So?" He lifts up his
NIKKI We ride pass the market, with very few people and it's almost as quiet as a graveyard. It's quite early, and I won't fault them for being in bed, either sleeping to their death or cuddling in the arms of their lover. And I don't have the luxury to afford any, so yeah, I’m busy studying their lives and praying mine doesn't fall apart. Down from the central areas to the outskirts, we journey quietly and it takes long hours to get out of Orlando pack. Such a powerful pack, Aaliyah is lucky. I sigh. It's still very early in the morning, the sun is yet to rise fully and I can barely appreciate the landscape, my little way of freeing my mind and not exploding. It takes very long hours before we arrive at Wild Crest pack’s border. When we get closer to the main house, I ask the rider to stop. I take out a pair of black pants from my bag, bathed in a random servant’s perfume, to go undetected by Chris. Taking off his hoodie, I sniff it for the last time and throw on a baggy polo. I
NIKKI.Still in shock and unsure of what to believe, I decide to confront Chris, and doing it over a letter, would mean him denying it or nothing to him at all. Of a truth, I’m done with this sham of a union, but for the longest that he received me, I desperately need an explanation. And if she's wrong, there's a high possibility that I would give him a second chance to be a better mate. Either way, it's a win for me. I proceed to pack my back, not all of it, just a few things I would need if I decide to remain in Wild Crest pack for a few more days. Ready, I walk out of my room, tightly clad in a big hoodie, to prevent the cold. Chris’ hoodie. It's one of the possession I stole, sniffing it every damn minute I think of him. I'm almost at the hate when I halt. I'm yet to tell Aaliyah. Do I still want to make it a secret? Yes. But she would make a big fuss if I didn't tell her a good reason for my sudden departure. She only needs to be briefly informed. Besides, the second letter
SHELLY. He went on and on until I had no more strength to continue. I simply quake in beneath him and moan for mercy, the same mercy I asked him to never grant me. And as he promised from the onset, he remains firm in his words. He bends me over, switching positions like a messed-up child and bringing me to tears. After a while, he lets me be, but I’m certain it isn't because he's exhausted. He settles on the floor and levels my naked skin on himself, skin to skin, providing the best warmth and tender touches. I sniff his masculine scent that's now mixed with a fine blend of our juices in the cold night’s air. His sudor that's sweet smelling rather than a stench to me. Weak and satisfied but greedy regardless, I nestle like a baby in his arms. Just cuddling and mild romance would do, so long as I feel him on myself. His warmth is enough to keep me from the cold, and his muscles, were my shield from the wild. I rub on the bare of his arm, stroking my fingers along its length. Inde
SHELLY.Bored, I take a stroll around the premises, careful enough not to wander too far. Lady Agnes has gone home with Petian, leaving me alone with baby Hendrix like it's always been for almost two weeks now. The night is cold, and so is the weather, as a cool breeze kisses my skin, awakening goosebumps on my bare flesh. This isn't the safest place, but I've not dismissed Lady Agnes’ offer to send guards down here. I believe it shouldn't be a bother, because it would mean drawing much attention to what needed to be as discreet as imagined and you can't guarantee they won't spill. Plus, I've not seen a reason to want their help, besides, the plan is yet to ripen, and two days before the said date, I would accept her offer. Ready to retire for the night, I turn around to retrace my steps, when I see a huge frame in the dark, the dim night light is of little help. I take a step backward, two and then three, until I’m out of count. The huge frame keeps walking towards me, at the sam