When I get to my room, I throw myself on the bed, and I try to cry myself to sleep, but I just cry, and I don't feel sleepy. I get out of bed to go to the THC club again and guilt envelops me. When I get out of the cab, I stand at the gate as I contemplate going in. This is the club that sells limbicus, the drug that killed my brother, but it is the only club that sells alcohol that can make me sleep for days. I decide that I'm going to drink one glass and rush to my dorm room to sleep afterward. “Don’t you dare even think about going in there!” I wince at the sound of the authoritative voice behind me. I turn, even though I know who it is. “You are not my dad, or my brother, or whatever you think you are.” I want to walk in, but I get rooted on the spot. “What are you doing here?” Dr. Brown folds his arms, ignoring my dramatic speech. “I'm doing what everyone does, obviously drinking. Are you stalking me again? You creep. You are my boss, for goodness’ sake.” He smirks, amuse
Leo Liam and I stare at Willow as she walks away. I walk away from Liam to walk after her, but Liam casually jogs, and stands in front of me to block my way. “Stop trying to turn my girl against me, or I’ll...” “Your threats are getting old.” I cut in dismissively, gazing at the corridor where Willow was a few seconds ago. “I can’t wait for the day you regret...” My smart watch buzzes, signalling the ringing of my phone. I grimace when I see Mike’s name, and I wave Liam off before walking back into my apartment to take the call. “Bro,” I say, while I try not to sound too annoyed. “Bro, we’ve run out of stuff. When will you deliver?” “How soon do you need it?” I exhale. “You can send it today. You always make extra.” “Well...” I trail off, wondering if this is a good time to tell him that I want to stop making limbicus. “Don’t tell me you have been slacking off.” His words me out of my train of thoughts. “I'm out of town.” “Really? They said they saw you outside my club,
Leo I use my snout to point at the end of the forest, showing Willow that she should leave, and she eyes me with doubt written on her face. I point again and she glances at Poseidon, Alpha Hunter's wolf, and her heart beats fifty times louder than before.She takes one step forward. The alpha growls and takes a threatening step towards her, while baring his sharp teeth. This causes her to take five steps back, then she runs further into the forest. Fuck! How am I going to fight for myself and protect her at the same time? Alpha follows her, taking slow, menacing steps. She looks back once, then she continues to run. By the time we reach her, we find her climbing a tree. My dad lets out a satisfied groan as he looks up at her, the glint in his eyes making my stomach churn. ‘Only if she knew that we could turn into humans and climb trees as well.’ ‘Are you my real father?' I glare at him. ‘I wish I wasn’t.’ He retorts. ‘I thought as much. You think I’m in love with a girl, and
Willow The big black wolf that protected me runs further into the forest, and he is followed by the other, more scary and bigger black wolf that looks at me like it’s mad that I exist. “Don’t go!” I shout at the wolf which had turned into my friend, but it seems not to hear me, or it probably thinks I’m crazy. I prepare to climb down the tree to go to help my wolf friend. I look down and four wolves walk towards the tree. I freeze, hoping that they won't notice me, but they stand right under the tree that I’m on. I suspected that these wolves could communicate, but now I’m really sure. “I know you guys understand me. I tried to threaten you with fake wolfsbane, but here you are, still fighting.” The female wolf with dark brown fur growls in response, and the other wolves do the same. “I can’t believe I’m arguing with wolves,” I chuckle nervously, and they growl amongst themselves. Where is Liam when I need him to talk to the wolves or to translate? “Liam?” I whisper, as if my
I open the door to create enough space for me to walk out, and as soon as I’m outside, I quickly close the door behind me. Professor Eleanor Malino smiles, showing me her straight white teeth and the warm smile again. I notice her green eyes light up behind her glasses, and I feel myself getting conflicted. My mind tells me she is danger, but my heart tells me I can trust her. “I know what’s going on, Miss Gordon.” She says calmly. “May I come in?” “Well...” I falter. “Students have been complaining about you.” “Did they tell you why?” “The security department was called by students who claim to be afraid of you. That’s all I know for now.” And they sent her for that? Not the security officers? She obviously knows more than she is telling me. I open the door to let her walk in, and I can't help but look at her white floral maxi dress. She is wearing white flip-flops, and her chestnut hair is in a simple ponytail. She also has a white cardigan on, and her whole look seems so h
“Liam? Why are your eyes red?” I repeat the question. “Probably an allergic reaction.” He shrugs. “You should see a doctor.” “I will.” He says dismissively. “Where is the wolf anyway?” “I will speak to Professor Malino to arrange your meeting with the wolf. It's in her lab.” “Malino?” His eyes widen. I nod in response. “Nope, I’m good. Can’t I sneak in?” “No, the lab is highly secured.” I remind him. “I know people who work at the lab. I will find a way to sneak in.” “Why won’t you let me ask her?” “We have history, and we really, really don’t get along.” “With Professor Malino? What did you do?” I eye him suspiciously. “Why do you suspect that I’m the one who did something wrong?” “Because she is sweet, calm, and motherly. So, for the two of you not to get along, you must have really crossed her.” “Sweet? Calm? Motherly?” He titters. “Yes, she is.” He chuckles. “Don’t ask her. I’ll find a way to get in before I go to sleep.” "May I come in then? Or is
Leo (On the day they took him to the lab)Willow keeps looking back as she exits the garden, and I stare at her in disbelief. She doesn’t realize how brave she is and how she saved my life. Professor Malino walks her out, and when she comes back, she tosses a bag on the grass of the wildlife section of the garden. “I will be in the students’ lab when you are done.” She says before walking out. I shift to my human form, my body feeling stiff after so many days as a wolf, and I get dressed. I pick up Trillium, the rabbit and rub her head before exiting the garden. Thereafter, I press the button to close the doors of the garden lab. I walk into the students’ zoology lab where Professor Malino is sitting on a high chair and scrolling through her phone. Then, I stand next to the door, and she turns to face me. “Professor M, why did you bring clothes that fit me?” I say while looking at the grey tracksuit I’m wearing, surprised that it is the perfect size for me. “When I saw the vid
LeoI stare at Mike’s text, and my hands start shaking. He will always use Willow to keep me in this illegal business, and if anything ever happened to her, I could never forgive myself. She has been through so much already, with her family, her boyfriend getting married and spending a night in a forest with wolves. I take a deep breath while Professor Malino’s words echo in my mind, ‘You are not a coward.’ I call Mike, and the moment he picks up, I don’t give him a chance to say another word. “I told you I wasn’t around! You’ll get the merch tomorrow, and don’t you dare test me, Mike! You can't threaten a man's family.” “My customers are soon going to experience withdrawal symptoms. If you love your sister, you will make the delivery by tonight.” He says calmly, and then he hangs up. I throw my phone on the bed, and I pace back and forth in my room. If Willow finds out that I’m the creator of limbicus, she is really going to hate me for the rest of my life. If something happens
Willow “Leo, please leave.” I look up at him. My eyes avert to the pencil on the floor. He picks it up and gazes at me. My heart beats faster as his eyes burrow into mine, his face void of emotions. “Leo?” I whisper. His jaw clenches, he exhales, and then opens his mouth as if he is about to say something. Then he walks out. I open my mouth, but I decide against asking if he ate something, or what on Earth is he doing on campus when he is supposed to be recovering? My phone rings as I lock the door to head to my meeting with Jeremy. Jeremy’s name appears as my screen flashes. Jeremy apologetically tells me he has to cancel our plans, informing me he has an emergency meeting with his agent because of his fan meeting. “I’m so sorry, Jeremy. I didn’t mean to get you into trouble.” “You didn’t. I had so much fun. But, why did I risk my career for you?” “You have just said...” “Just in case I’m in trouble,” he interjects. “I know that the cops weren’t happy.” He laughs. “You kno
LeoAfter tossing the entire night, I prepare myself for work in my lab on campus. That’s all I need right now, as much distraction as possible. I feel a growth of my emptiness within. There's Asclepius’ silence, the recently broken mate bond, and Willow’s coldness.It’s a relief that Willow knows what I have done and doesn’t think of me as a saint, but the weight of what I have done still weighs down on my shoulders. Her image of when she was crying and screaming on the floor keeps replaying itself in my mind, causing me to wince.After leaving my car in the parking lot, I head to her dorm room to find her locking up and dressed up in a pretty red dress. She looks up at me, her eyes cold and unwelcoming.“How are you feeling?” I ask her, surprised that my hands are slightly shaking.“I’m okay,” she says dismissively. “What are you doing here?”“You are not okay, you were crying your eyes out yesterday.”“And whose fault is that?” She glowers at me, but gestures for me to get in. “
LeoThe door busts open, letting in about a dozen police officers who throw themselves into my apartment. Their shouts fill my house and three German Shepherds frantically search the area. I watch as three other officers follow the dogs as they move to the sink and away in uncertainty. Two police officers walk to me. I slowly get up, glaring at them before they get to me. How are people going to take me seriously when I look this fucking weak?“What the fuck?” I roar in a low tone, keeping my eyes on them. The rest of the officers are not paying attention. Instead, they search the cupboards, yelling at each other to work faster. “Sir, you are under suspicion.” One officer who looks young, and probably fresh out of the academy, says timidly.“For what?”“Drug creation,” the authoritative brunette lady next to him chimes in. “Sir, we are really going to need you to co-operate. These allegations against you are serious.”“There are other cops in your other apartments. It is said that
“Leo, please give me that,” I hold out my hand. “I’m sorry,” he shakes his head. “I will get you bodyguards if I have to, but I’m not staying.” “You are being unreasonable! You are being a coward.” “Willow, what you are trying to do won’t work. I deserve this.” “Every night before I fell asleep, I imagined myself making a person who created limbicus suffer. When Liam told me it was you, I got so mad, I felt betrayed. I wanted to make you pay.” I blink back the tears. “I never thought I would meet the person who created limbicus and say these words to him, but I want you to forgive yourself. You are a good person, I don’t care what you think.” “How did you buy this?” He wrinkles his nose as he gazes at the packet in his hand. I feel a sting after my ignored speech. “Liam did.” “I thought as much.” He clenches his jaw. “If I go to jail, I think he will set you free. You will be of no use to him.” “Use?” I chuckle awkwardly. “Liam and I started dating before I met you, we didn’t
Willow TW: Mild mention of suicide “Whoa! The hottest TA on campus needs my help?” Jeremy’s still cheerful voice says on the other end. “Jeremy, you are such a flirt,” I force a chuckle. “Only with you.” I force another flirty chuckle. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure?” He asks. “Jeremy...” I hesitate. “I need your help.” “If I help you with whatever you need. What do I get out of it?” “Anything.” “Hmmm... How about a date?” He asks as if the idea has just popped into his mind. “Fine,” I sigh. “A date is okay. We will never ever be together, just to be clear.” “I just want to spend a day talking to you. What do you need, my queen?” “If you said this under normal circumstances, I would be blushing right now,” my lips slightly curl up. “I need you to organize a fan meeting at the location that I will send to you, and it needs to be held right now. Just do something, do some fan signing and stuff.” “Now?”“Two dates?” I plead. “I don’t want to come as desperate to my fan
Willow I walk into Chloe’s hospital room, half expecting her to be asleep, but I find her sitting up, her eyes focused on her phone. “Chloe!” I throw myself in bed next to her and hold her in a tight hug. “Are you my sister?” She places her palm on my forehead. “Are you okay?” “I’m fine,” I chuckle. “I’m glad,” she grins. “Willow, Leo loves you. He can’t even hide it, everyone can see it. His protectiveness, the way he looks at you, and how his eyes light up when you are around.” “He’s supposed to be your man,” I frown in confusion. “We both know he would do anything for you,” she shrugs. “Because he feels guilty. Please don’t make me change my mind.” “Guilty of what? Change your mind about what?” “Chloe, Leo is not the person we thought he was.” “What did he do? Does he have something to do with your kidnapping?” She asks. “No, it’s something else. We had a fight.”“People have fights all the time, I want you to think about it. I'm not asking you to marry him, I just want
I freeze in the middle of the living area, begging my frozen brain to think of an explanation, while trying to keep my eyes away from the sideboard. The room gets quiet gain, and I exhale when I realize that it was a false alarm. “I’m doing this for Marcel,” I whisper to myself to get rid of my guilt. “You still here,” he sighs when he finds me in the kitchen, dishing up for him. “There’s no need to be rude, I just want to ensure that you eat.” I glance at him, in his black pajamas, his almost dry hair tousled, and my senses get bewitched by his scent, which smells like a mixture of wood, leather, citrus and something sweet. “You smell good,” I blurt out. “It’s not too strong, but it’s...I don’t know how to describe it.” “Thanks?” He smiles weakly. “It’s just a lotion. Willow, I told you to keep your distance. I don’t want to put your life in danger again.” He sits on the barstool, and I hand the plate to him. “Luckily, my life is not in danger. Mike is not all that bad.” “He
Willow “What are you girls doing? Why is Chloe not taking my calls? Am I interrupting your girl time?” My mom’s call wakes me up. “No, Chloe is probably asleep.” I try to ensure that she doesn’t sense my confusion. “Probably? I thought that your dorm had only one bedroom.” “We decided to sleep at a hotel. Didn’t she tell you that?” “No! She just told me that she is out of the hospital and you two decided to spend some time together. I wanted to come.” I chuckle in realization. “She’s okay, mom. I’m glad that the two of you patched things up.” “Me too,” she sighs. “You girls are all I have.” “And you are all we have. I have to go, we’ll call you later.” “Just forget to eat healthy food.” “Forget?” I laugh. “Don’t forget,” she titters, making me laugh more. “I love you,” she says. “We love you too.” I take a quick shower, and I prepare myself for what is probably going to be a long day ahead. I grab a cloth and delicately pick up the 1 kg pack of limbicus from Liam wrapped
Leo “No!” I take a deep breath. “I’ve had it with people using Willow to get what they want from me. I won’t allow, I won’t allow...” This damn pain! "Professor Brown," nurse Marie nods as she passes and I nod back. “If you don’t do it, I’m going to make her go insane, slowly.” He stares into my soul, his jaw clenched and his green eyes gleaming with fury. “I’m going to make her lose confidence in herself, and you can’t tell her my plan or I will reveal your little limbicus secret.” He continues. “You petty bustard!” I manage to string up a sentence between breaths. “Let her go! She needs to move on, to find someone better. Don't involve her in our fights.” “Why do I get the feeling that, that someone is you?” He titters. “I wonder how Alpha Hunter would react to this. His son is in love with a human.” “Don’t, don’t mention that monster!” “That monster is a father figure to me, and he is going to make me an alpha.” “I would die before I let that happen!” “Fine by me. At least