Diffused light filtered through floating dark bundle of clouds helps to tone down the darkness. 2 pairs of footsteps crashing through long grasses, rampaging the fireflies, leaving behind the world as they know it.“Zaden, wait. Why are we running?” Selena said with panting breath“I need to talk to you before your wolf comes out” Crisp shuffled beneath their feet stilled “Then talk, don’t run” she pulled her hand which is in Zaden’s hands to halt him. She then grabbed her knees, trying to catch up with her breathing. Zaden thought for a while, frowning at her fragile state.“I’m sorry…for what happened this morning…” he finally came out with his words, having her full attention to him. Selena stood up slowly.“It’s fine…no big deal” Selena shrugged her shoulder. “No, it is. Orion was right. We have been...no…I have been pushing you really hard” his voice softened as he paced closer to her and she smiled with a swift blink that is adorned by the twinkles in her eyes. Sati
“It doesn't make sense. It just doesn’t add up” Selena frowned at the pacing Zaden.“What doesn’t add up?” Zaden. Selena stretched her hands and patted the chair next to her, gesturing for him to sit down.“When you keep walking like this, your blood flow gets interrupted and you can't think properly. So, SIT” her hands circled the air next to her head meditatively, mocking him. Zaden did as told and looked at her with an intense this– better– be– good glare“Elisa put all the effort to be reborn into a family that resembles her original family. A mate that will love her infinitely is crucial, correct?”Zaden nodded. He hid the silver lining that he is her mate. He simply said her mate is already born and Elisa knew it the moment she was born, which was not entirely false.“Let's compare, shall we? “ her palm weighed the invisible topics.“Elisa didn't believe in God, I don't believe in god. Elisa's life took a horrible turn because Ozrain found his mate, I don't believe in the mate co
True to his promise, Zaden and the leader’s pack took or dragged Selena to the camping. And as expected, not even a drop of peace left in her brain that it began to literally ache. For time being, her mind-reading capability only works on protecting these 5 people. It might have worked for her father and brother as well, but there is no way of finding out since they are not with her. Zaden and Orion behaved as if they have vowed to make Selena suffer. They attended the girls, talked to them in private, and even gave them a welcoming hug– sending them down a swooning spiral. Their thought train wrecked hell in Selena, purely raw. She could never figure out how school girls, younger than her, could have known such vivid information about sex. If only their thoughts had been put to work all at once, Zaden and Orion would be ripped to pieces. Sophie was there too, as the teacher’s pet. The lake that they have chosen is Lake Thao, the same that allowed everyone to
“A WHAT???” Sitka, blaring off his anxiety level, formulating thousands of counter-attacks they would need in the near future.“Amphisbaena, according to her. " Zaden points to Selena. "Now, first of all, it would be perfect if we can stop that thing from getting out of our waters. If it does, then our only option would be to sit and wait. How are we going to find and fight that thing? It is buried in the lake bottom” there is only 1 answer but none dared to speak it out“Selena” A shaky voice came from behind– Grandpa Kai, as blunt as usual“If the creature is still there, it will come out for Selena,” he reinforced his idea.“I was hoping for a Plan B” Zaden mumbled to himself since he had dismissed this option long ago.“No, we can't do that!!! She hasn't recovered from her injury and you’re suggesting to push her into the waters again? That's insane!!! We might risk losing her” Orion exclaimed. The fear of losing her is writhing in
Two days passed by slowly at the hospital. Selena's ribcage fused back well enough. Her neck compression pulls heavy on her head and needs a day or two to surpass. The splatter of red splotches on her eye has vanquished into thin air and the bruises begin too, still faintly altering her skin tone, though. Orion has been missing throughout this phase. Anger-induced fear for other’s safety had left him on 4 feet, roaming the only place that could smother his depression and angst. The forest and their hidden portions, of course. The other pack leaders, especially Zaden, had been helpful and kept her company throughout the supposedly dreadful stay. She squirmed in his arms, stressing her ability to walk, again and again. But it slips off his ears. Actually, it slips overhead of the whole leader's pack, who insists and offered a hand in exchange. The brick house that sourced anxiety months ago has had a facelift. Warm, cozy, inviting and simply stood mighty as a wel
A layer of sticky residue tempered her usual skin texture, demanding extra effort to scrub herself clean. The hot water did well for any remnant sign of body ache. A flush of pink kissed her pale skin. She secured a towel around her chest and rubbed her hair between another small towel in her hands as she walked out of the bathroom. Not even a step out of the threshold, she bumped into a hard chest, making her stagger in an attempt to grab something. A pair of devoted hands grabbed her upper arm and pulled her forward, preventing her from falling back. She looked up with wide eyes. Who else can the culprit be, if not Zaden? She gulped her saliva at his lust-weaved eyes and the gesture of biting his lower lips. His scent seemed to have heightened noticeably. Temptation stifled a dampening heat over her skin. She closed her eyes slowly as she rolled her neck, not much different from her wolf. After being with her wolf so many times, Zaden can read when she is lust
With much manipulation and sweet talk, Makeala hands over Selena to him. The sense of freedom between them comes with a package of clinginess and needy to feel her – every minute of the day. He kidnapped her in the name of territory watching, tracking to the tip of mountains, learning which is under them and which is not. They wound up at the highest peak of Mount Manuka, with rugged cliffs threatening each step. Heavy gusts of wind blew from time to time. It may sound deadly but the actual fact is, the two of them were holding hands and conversing silly matters, bumping shoulders, and stealing kisses which made it more like a romantic getaway. Zaden has turned out to be too protective. Each step is watched and propped, touching her way more often than is necessary. He just couldn't keep his hands off her. They settled down at a grassy cliff, knees bent and Selena leaning on his shoulders. Sunshine beamed a warm blanket over them. A cluster of interlinked
The dinner buffet accommodates more desserts tonight. Selena is now a friendly pack member and the dinner has been the main contributor to it. She hasn't been announced as Luna of Mount Manuka yet and only the leader's pack knows about it. But the pack has developed a deep connection with her in a considerably short period. Their natural protective instinct towards their Luna never failed to impress Zaden. Some neighbors tend to bring her homemade ice cream, in favor of her sweet tooth. Especially the kids tend to gravitate towards her, although she claims she is 'not good with kids'. Selena and Makeala had gone down to dinner first, leaving the boys to their beauty nap. Once Zaden merged with the buffet line, his eyes skimmed through the vast Sacramento field for Selena. He spotted his fawn, nestled at the usual rocky corner, next to a bonfire. Crackles from the bonfire dusted stray sparkles into the air and her smile rubbed off moonshine, creating a coherent scene of t
Orion was greeted by a tight, crushing hug from Zaden once he stepped out of his four-wheel drive. He sure looks terrible with an undereye bag and an untrimmed beard. “How is she doing? Heard her contraction kicked in” Orion's first question is and always regards to Selena. Being next to Zaden and Selena doesn't hurt as much as it did before since he had marked her. If anything, his protectiveness of her increased noticeably. “Not good!!! I didn't expect this from Sitka” Zaden said with a sigh. “Sitka??? I'm talking about Selena!!!” Orion frowned in confusion. Has Zaden finally gone cuckoo? “You will understand soon. Come” Zaden guided him to the back of the red brick house. ... Orion, Selena's family, and friends left the next day after marking, and thank god, they did. Her pregnancy was a roller coaster and because only Zaden can handle her, he brings her along on every trip out of the mountain, drop
8 months later... A white jeep cruised leisurely through dirt road, lined by thick forest on both sides. A few human workers and a heavy auger machine hustling at the starting point of the road. Orion's eye inspected the poles and wires lying in roles by the roadside. A lot has changed since the last time he had been to Mount Manuka. A bumpy ride towards the mountain valley is now smoother, thanks to Selena who had initiated the idea of clearing trees and making a leveled dirt road so that pack members could travel faster in and out of the mountain. It has also opened the gate to civilized development, beginning with electricity. Soon, telephone lines and the internet would also be installed. Selena's friend and her brother, Aaron greeted Orion at the entrance of the brick packhouse. This is the second time they have gathered at Mount Manuka. Orion came exactly 12 days after Selena had left him in charge of Samrat Kingdom, for their wedding, a day before the full m
It took them two more days to part away from Orion and Samrat Kingdom. They discussed some basics like vacating the mansion and using it as a school while Orion wanted to stay in the cabin, as a remembrance of Selena and Zaden. They took this opportunity to explore the land, together with Makeala, Xavier, and Sitka. Selena specifically wanted to go to the sparkling river stream running in the midst of the kingdom which she saw the day she became alpha and insisted on getting into the waters and so, the rest followed her. Zaden stood shirtless behind her, embracing her waist gently just in case she slips. The rest weren't that far. Just a few feet away, and soon got into a battle of ‘Who can hold breath underwater the longest'. A war of splashing water followed and Orion quickly cruised to Selena, standing in front of her as she grabbed his arms, peeping over at the others. Orion felt a stab in between his chest as he gazed at Selena's innocent face. Zaden eyes were
Ten alphas placed their right hand over their heart and bowed baring their neck. No words uttered but acceptance by heart of Selena as their new alpha. A surge of energy greater than last night radiated from her moon mark to her whole body. Her body heat rises and her skin tingles. Zaden was right. It is a power running through her veins, diluting into her blood– her Alpha Blood, almost intoxicating her; almost. Her body was emitting a silver sheen, like an ice sculpture out of its cold storage. Her soul slipped out of the body, tethering to every single wolf in every single part of the land, and the mansion. The 10 packs actually live on their own territory within the island. No wonder why this works when the nature of wolf is territorial. No territory, no alpha, but there are 10 alphas here. So, there is 10 territory and they work in parts to defend the island border. One pack doesn't interfere with another pack's border. Some territory practices their own e
Selena slowly blinked her eyes open, softly moaning in soreness. Her whole body is aching. Last night was full of violence with hair grabbing, choking, slapping, biting, and screaming. Oddly, she manages to smile when she recalled last night, pulling her duvet up to her chin to cover up her girlish giggle. Bath time was a personal disclosure. She touched those love marks and a sudden prick of pain erupted, reminding her how and where she got the mark from. How he was hovering over her with sweat dripping from his chin and a slight frown to control his demon – His heaving breath between her thighs–how he cupped her neck gently when a war was going on the downhill– how he took advantage of her arching body by latching onto her breast– how his fingernails gently grazed her outer thighs as his lips devoured her neck, leaving behind a sweet bruise. She frowned when she felt a slip between her thighs. Not again!!! She sighed out and tried to finish her bath fast without giving spac
In a simple cotton t-shirt and shorts, Selena is tucked under the duvet, leaning on Zaden's chest. He kept her as close to him as possible, trying not to break her backbone. His fingers run through her hair, carefully arranging them into a fan on the pillow beside them, lulling her to sleep but she doesn't seem to doze off. Eyes wide as an owl. He ran his fingers from her forehead, down her eyelids to her cheeks, shutting down her eyes.“Sleep...” he mumbled and she nodded gently– eyes closed. Zaden gazed spellbound at her calm face for around 5 minutes“Are you asleep?...” he whispered in a hushed tone and she shook her head ‘NO’. Zaden slapped her butt playfully, making her chuckle, and open her eyes.“Seriously, go to sleep...” it wasn't an hour later when Zaden was sure she is asleep and slipped out of her grip. He wasn't sleepy, so he intends to walk around. At the front porch of the cabin, Orion was sitting leisurely, sipping beers.“What are you doing? They don't do an
After a long, hot scorching bath, Selena and Zaden were ready for the alphas meeting. They walked out of the room to find the whole cabin empty. They exchanged a surprised look at each other before heading to the mansion. Selena stood there, at the entry of the mansion, gazing up at the mighty building which she despise by now. The rest of the pack had joined them after a mind-link.“Welcome, Queen Selena...” Maximus with full enthusiasm at the door“Just Selena, please...” Selena smiled at him and walked hand in hand with Zaden. She needs him the most at the moment. After all, he has been doing this alpha thingy longer than she does. Maximus guided them upstairs and thank god, they didn't cross the dining hall. At the last step on the second floor, a double door with exquisite carving and gold paint intimidated Selena with its roof tall royalty. Maximus pushed open the door to reveal an extravagant hall. Row of windows lined the sides of the room, making it extremely b
Selena woke up past lunchtime and Zaden wasn't there next to her. She staggered out of bed and dragged her feet into the living room. Rubbing her eyes, she blinked for clarity. Maximus was there, with Zaden. They broke their intense discussion once they saw Selena. She paced straight to them with a smile. Some take-out boxes on the coffee table triggered her tummy to growl involuntarily. Zaden guided her to sit on the couch before grabbing a box of fried rice, stuck a spoon into it and gave it to Selena. She took it with a smile, before offering lunch to Maximus and he refused politely. She dug into her box and soon got through it–a hungry wolf. “So, what's next in your plan?” Maximus asked Selena. His red, curly hair cast a hue of sun-kissed glow on his olive skin. His hazel eye is brimming with expectation at Selena. “What?” Selena panned her head to Zaden looking for clarification, who has now leaned back on the couch, arms stretched wide on the headrest. “He is referrin
Calm bright morning, sky scattered with birds, cool weather and the greenery in front don't seem to cheer the lot. The whole Samrat Kingdom is solemn at the loss of a great man, Ozrain Samrat. His coffin is made out of rosewood and the top cover made out of glass is now filled with roses–a token of love from his loyal pack members. An ocean of black has flooded the Samrat's cemetery. His coffin lowered bit by bit into the pre-dug hole, making Selena sob even more into Zaden's chest as Zaden caressed the back of her head with his thumb, attempting to calm her down. In the short period she had known Ozrain, her grandfather had showered her with sincere love and respect. She intended to return them but fate had a different plan. Her hands are shaky and she is completely worn out from the continues crying, relying on Zaden's grip to prevent her from slipping limply to the ground. His final respect went on smooth, with no interruption. Orion wanted to throw A