HIS RED STRINGLUCIEN'S EYEBROWS FURROWED. "Talk about what?"I lowered my gaze and took a single step backward. When I lifted my head, my eyes darted to his clenching jaw. My eyes lingered there for a couple of seconds until I finally look him in the eyes. Regret soon rushed into me when I saw his eyes darken."What's the problem? Did I do something wrong?" he asked.I instantly panicked. "No! I just wanted to clear things between us."I lowered my head to escape his pressing gaze.He sighed deeply. "Clarify what? And why are you avoiding my gaze?"I tried looking at him but his expression of desperation for an answer is making it hard for me to explain. I suddenly don't know how to put my emotions in words.Now I come to realize that we can not simply choose the perfect words to say when nervousness surged us. I should have thoroughly thought about this. But I know that I needed to deliver my answer."W-Well... I---""Sissy, I'm sorry I took so long. I---"I wasn't able to finish wh
SILENCE ENGULFED US for the past few minutes. I am still shocked. How come? I clearly remembered what happened three years ago. He introduced Clarrise as the future Luna of the pack. "But why would Lucien introduce her as the future Luna? And what do you think will happen if both of them will find their mates in the future?"I could not hide the bitterness and disappointment in my voice. Their mates will definitely be heartbroken. When I look at Ayla, her expression is different from mine. Her face fell with sadness. "Bella, the truth is, Clarrise already found him.""R-Really?! Then where is her mate? Is he in Berkhann City?Ayla sighed deeply before taking a sip of her coffee. "I honestly have no idea about his whereabouts. We don't know much about him, all we know is that Clarrise met him a day before her eighteenth birthday. But their story didn't turn out well like the others. It ended right before it started.""What do you mean?""Bella, Clarrise was rejected by her mate," she
CLARRISEA WEEK PASSED since Lucien and I talked and after that, we hadn't had a chance to talk again. I was busy and so is he. Sometimes he goes with the Hunters to hunt those rogues who were located within the boundaries. I also heard that the Alpha of Xynmorth is also hunting those rogues. But it wasn't just rogues he was hunting, he was also looking for wolf hunters. I was busy doing my chores in the kitchen when Ayla came running. "Sissy! Have you heard the news?!" The franticness in her voice is evident."What news, Ayla?" I asked while wiping my hands."Some of the rogues who attacked the carriage are already been found! But sad to say the coachman didn't make it. They found his dead body floating in the river," Ayla said with pity.I felt relieved but I feel sad for the man who died. It turns out that he was on his way back to town when the rogues attack him. "But the rogues were not alone. The rebels are with them as well. And did you know that they also attacked the land
LUCIEN IS THERE, standing outside and both hands in his pocket. He looks intimidating and his intense gaze is giving me chills. I walk closer to him while running my hands to both arms. Lucien took off his leather jacket to keep me warm. The coldness of his blue orbs is now replaced with tenderness. I also caught a glimpse of longing and sadness. My eyes started to sting when I felt a pang in my chest. It didn't take long for my tears to escape from my eyes. I cried in front of him. Guilt and pain both engulfed me as I stare at him. My visions are starting to get foggy due to my tears. I heard him swearing before he grabbed me on my neck and crashed me into his chest. Then I heard his deep soothing voice in my ear."Shh, it's okay, Ysobella. D*mn! I missed you, sweetheart," he whispered gently.His voice hurts me even more. Now I realized how much I miss. I didn't even know it was possible especially when we both living in the same place. But then I haven't had much time to glance
SHRIMP I TOLD AYLA about Lucien's favor and as expected her reaction was beyond surprise. She said I'm putting myself in misery. But who am I to oppose the Alpha? "You're crazy, Ysobella. You have feelings for him, yes, but it doesn't mean you can't say no."I can sense a hint of disappointment in her tone. But I need to look at the brighter side. "I know, Ayla. But hey! At least there's good news, right? It means Clarrise is now okay."Ayla rolled her eyes. "Fine! Just watch yourself, okay?" she reminded as her mother reminds her. "Yes, Sissy," I jokingly said to her. Ayla just laugh in response. "But you know what, Bella. I feel bad for Clarrise." "Do you think she saw her mate again?""Maybe? She wouldn't be hurting this way if it weren't for her mate. He's, after all, the sole reason for her endless pain. Whoever he is, he is fortunate because the love Clarrise has for him is inexhaustible.""Ladies! Let's head to the kitchen. The Alpha is waiting."Our attention was drawn t
NIGHT CAME AND we were busy preparing food for the pack. Clarrise also came to help. We set the food on the tables outside. The pack members like the Sentinels, Scouts, Hunters, warriors, and pack doctors, usually had their meals outside. The canopies serve as their shelter. We also prepare food in the dining inside where Lucien eats his dinner. Sometimes, Markus and the triplets dine with him when he is around.Ayla asked me to prepare seven plates. I eyed her with confusing eyes. If my mind serves me right, it's only Lucien, Clarrise, and the triplets who will eat in the dining because Nereza and Markus still haven't returned from the city. I narrowed my eyes and I noticed the nervousness in Ayla's face. "Sissy?"Her voice is laced with hesitancy. But I did not pay much attention to her strange behavior. "Why, Ayla?" I asked calmly instead. The way she averted her gaze and her fidgeting fingers tell me that something is wrong. "Uh, Clarrise told me if we could--- if we could d
RESENTMENTSI AM HONESTLY confused about what's going on. Why does he have a bowl of shrimp with him? Is he still hungry?He is silent and I see no reaction on his face. But seeing him this way is much better than seeing the coldness and roughness in his eyes."Uh, you ask of me?" I began to speak.He cleared his throat before answering. "Yes... I... need you... with something."He quickly lowered his gaze. A soft gasp escaped my mouth before I slowly walked toward him but my eyes never left the bowl with shrimps."A-Are you still... hungry?" I uttered the question with a hint of hesitation.Lucien lifts his head. I think I know what he wants. I bit my lower lip to prevent the smile that is slowly forming on my lips. I settled myself beside him and peeled the shrimps in silence.The deafening silence that engulfed us surprisingly did not make me feel awkward. Lucien's eyes never left me since I started peeling the shrimps. I inwardly smiled because he looks like a kid, waiting for his
SILENCED ENGULFED US for a moment until he finally opens his mouth to speak. "Can you give me some time? I--- I will sort everything. Hurting you fears me. To see you cry because of me breaks me and I don't want that again." He held my hands and his eyes pierced through me. "Just trust me and I promised I will figure things out. I may sound selfish right now but what else can I do?"We're both selfish Lucien because I want you for myself too but I can not be happy, knowing that there is someone out there, yearning for her mate. Maybe it's best if he finds her so he can finally decide. "Lucien, I want you to find your mate."He let go of my hand. "Y-Ysobella... I know you are scared but please don't---""Am I stopping you from finding her?" I can't hide the disappointment in my voice. Maybe I am the reason why he's not looking for her. That thought hurts me and I somehow felt guilty. His heavy breathing indicates how frustrated he is. Not a single word rolled from his tongue. He lo