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
Gold glimmers between Ozrain's shirt button. What is that? Selena tried to sharpen her vision. Golden vines carved a heart-shaped hiatus locket, something that is familiar to her–much familiar to her. A sudden fear struck her, shuddering her to the core and it clicked. The locket belongs to her mother, Daisy. It is now hanging on Ozrain's neck. The claw mark on Daisy's car and Ozrain saying that his daughter died years ago–it all clicked into place Ozrain must have killed her mother thinking that she is his daughter. Selena's eyes widened with fear at the locket. Grasping her eyeline, Ozrain interprets her reaction. Although Ozrain doesn't know how the girl in front of him is related to his dead daughter, he is sure of not letting her go. His full-fledged decision seeps to dominate every vein, blood, and bone, creping to his eyes to portray a fierce glare at Selena. She swivel around in lightning speed, attempting to run back to Zaden but Ozrain caught her fr
Wide, airy windows framed the world behind embedded safety bars. Natural stones of various hues and shapes reinforced the walls. Redwood mended and polished into useful furniture serves as the silver line between prison and guest room. A few wolves lurked at her door constantly. A golden cage for the butterfly. Streams of thoughts have been rattling her brain, despite her calm, stolid appearance. The air felt empty. The night lost its magic. The room is foreign. A drop of hatred to her own self for no apparent reason trickled at the back of her heart. Sitting knees up on a chair next to the window, her eyes fixated on the sickled moon, high up in the black sky. She or basically her wolf has been intimate with Zaden for the past 10 days. If it is true that she is pregnant, how could he have known it so early? Plus, she just had been hospitalized after a major injury. Is it possible for early pregnancy to survive such an impact? Medically speaking–NO. Then, it must
The riverbank temporarily ported 5 disoriented werewolves. Ragged monuments of green mirrored on the still water, reflecting its exceptional depth. The crossing is equivalent to stepping a foot into hell for both humans and wolves. Blood-thirsty creatures such as bull sharks, piranha, and anacondas have grown out of proportion in these waters due to no interference from the outside world. Zaden has checked with his patrol team. Ozrain Samrat hasn't left the mountains. He still can sense her energy within his territory but they couldn’t find her in any of the other 2 villages which means, for some reason, she must be in the elderly village. Being alive and kicking is a must to bring her back. Mind-link to his father had been nothing but a dead-end. He couldn't mind-link Selena as well, which means she must be on the third floor of their house, across the river. A few rooms on the third floor and dungeons were built to disable the mind-linking and special abiliti
The wake of the sun was still solemn like the day before. Ozrain exited Selena's room, rubbing his forehead in contempt. Her weakening heartbeat still resonates in his ears. Draven who was waiting outside sighed. By now, he is accustomed to the antics behind the door. They stared at each other silently for a minute or two. Ozrain is juggling a crucial intersection in his lifetime. Sparing his daughter's life and returning to being a lone wolf or push a little bit more and stand a chance to have a family?. Which one is more important? What if she continues this even after reaching their kingdom? She is already limp due to lack of energy. How long can she sustain herself? Especially when her wolf refuses to heal. He sighed again, staring at the ceiling. Among all the others, he is the one who would understand the pain of losing a lover and mate. Selena lost both in one night.“Send the motorboat to bring your son,” he said coldly. As if waiting for this, Draven shoots mi
A pair of teeth-grinding footsteps dragged back and forth across the narrow corridor, outside Selena’s temporary port–Draven Black, another soul on tenterhooks for their Luna. It seems that 'pacing' is their family's trademark.“So?” he asked once the white-haired man came out.“Well, she had eaten and regained her strength... I have said what I wanted to say. There is nothing more left for me here. I'm leaving for the Samrat Kingdom. It's time for me to face my responsibilities and even the accounts. Could you arrange a motorboat for me, please?” Draven nodded to Ozrain's request. Finally, the prickles under Draven’s skin watered down. He made a mental note to pamper Selena, along with the thousands reciting under the canopy of Mount Manuka. Peaches!!! Back in the room, Selena's wailing of pain hasn't subsided“She didn't die from an accident, Zaden. It was a suicide. It was a fucking suicide to save me!!!” Zaden couldn't or wouldn't do anything to contain her agony. We
“Are you out of your mind?” Zaden, pacing left and right with Selena comfortably NESTLED in her favorite velvet green couch. The pair of eyes that would degrade well-polished grey pearls, tumbled to left and right to tail her lover's footsteps. An inch of loose thread dangling off the hem of her borrowed hoodie took the beating, drawn closer with knees up on the couch.“Look at me!!!” he exclaimed, shocking Selena as she jerked and snapped up at him.“We have been fighting so hard to keep you away from him and now you want to go cruising with him? Sunday picnic perhaps? Have you gone crazy?” Zaden, fuming with anger. In a different situation, his red face would make her laugh.“That was when we thought he killed Elisa...” she mumbled low but Zaden heard her.“And you believe him? Where did this sudden attachment to him come from? “Zaden's pitch is rising higher, clutching his hip. “Zad–“Makeala’s defense speech slashed right in the heart by Zaden’s deadly glare, effectively shutting
Miles away from the peaceful Mount Manuka, a deadly beast had escaped with a wound and is now in need of its master to heal her. Crystal clear sea-green waves rolled an array of bubbles to the white sands of Samrat Kingdom, edged by clumps and clumps of rocks. A luxury mansion stood mighty facing the beach, on top of a hill. The cliffs and hills with the dense forest have become a perfect playground for werewolves to build their strength. On the other end of the island, a bridge connects them to the outside world. Beyond the bridge is fishing ports, indicating the beginning of a typical modern-day civilization. A lot had changed since Ozrain had left. The power of king Epsilon is boldly proclaimed with a 15 feet height statue, erected in the middle of the mansion entrance. Steady water flows from the stone feet into a reservoir of fountain. Epsilon has been running his private government here. Every single resident of the island is to submit 25% of their ea
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