SUNSHINE:Knoxx and I had a staring contest. No one wanted to break down the stare. ‘Don’t test my patience, Sunshine. You won’t like it.’‘Oh, please. I already know how you turn into a monster when you get mad. You use your brothers to inflict pain. Emotionally.’My stepbrothers had not hurt me physically, but they sure had hurt me using their words. It only stopped when Knoxx was put into the position as an alpha. But occasionally, the other brothers would have their fair share of fun when they saw me alone. Those were also the times when I thought it was better to stay outside the pack and be with Jericho than face my evil step-brothers. Everything was behind Alpha Ezra’s back.Now that I realized it, my stepbrothers were bunched with cowards ganging up on a weak woman like me. "I won't be leaving this place. I like it here," I said out loud. “You cannot force me, Alpha Knoxx.” Thalia gave me a thumbs up. Boosting my confidence, I added, "There. You heard me. Please leave, Alp
SUNSHINE:Knoxx was trying to break my confidence.And boy. He was slightly successful about it.Fight, Sunshine. You’ve said you won’t allow your stepbrothers to pull you down again, right?Lifting my chin, I said, “So what if I’m a sucker for hot men? But it does not mean that you’re included.”The corner of his lips lifted. “You just confirmed it.”“And I just said that you’re not included. I only watched since I admire your ugly body. You should not jump to conclusions.”Yes. I liked seeing topless men and I was not even embarrassed about it. But saying I liked watching my stepbrother’s body, my sworn enemy was a punch in my gut. “Ugly body, huh? You nearly salivated. Did you think my body is a piece of cake?”"You wish. Jericho's body is more beautiful than you."“Jericho.” The smirk wiped away from his face upon hearing me mention Jericho’s name. "Back to that bastard. Why do you love choosing assholes, Sunshine?""Assholes? Are you about yourself?" I asked, smirking. "Because
SUNSHINE:It was wrong to feel jealous of Thalia. The woman was not doing anything wrong, but my stupid heart could not differentiate the two. Besides, what’s the harm in asking for the alpha’s order? It was not like there was something wrong with that. ‘There is something wrong especially if she is showing her cleavage,’ Helena hissed. ‘Can’t you see? She intentionally brushed her chest into our mate’s shoulder. That’s so low. Why would she seduce our mate in front of us?’‘Did anyone know that the alpha is our mate? No one, right? So whatever Thalia does to seduce the alpha, we should not say anything.’‘You want me to shut my mouth? No fucking way! I will fight and save our mate from women like her.’‘Behave, Helena. Thalia was not but good to us. She provided us with clothes to wear.’‘It’s because she has an ulterior motive. She wanted to attract customers. You are one. She said it herself. ’Thalia pulled her hair tie and allowed her hair to lose. Some of the strands fell on Kn
SUNSHINE:I am your mate. The words kept on ringing in my head. I mentally shook my head. Even if he was acknowledging our bond now, it wouldn't change anything. Those words meant nothing to him and I should feel the same. 'So what if I am your mate?' I asked inside his head. He was only forced to acknowledge our bond.'Because of what?' Helena asked. Knoxx had no direct communication between my wolf and me with his wolf. 'Perhaps he needed something from me.''What would it be?' Helena asked. 'Only your mate knows,' I retorted. There was no way Knoxx was not acknowledging the bond. If he did, he would tell the world that we belong to each other. But he did not. He would be proud of the two of us. He wouldn't react that way earlier upon hearing that he and I had a relationship. Until now, he was hiding the fact that we were mates.Knoxx was still embarrassed by me. He was ashamed that his mate was his stepsister and did not want to be made fun of by everyone. That was the onl
SUNSHINE:My heart raced. This was so embarrassing. How would I continue my lie?Please don’t say anything, I begged inside my head as Thalia looked at me with a knowing expression.Did Brody hear my statement? What if he did and made fun of me like my step-brothers did? Relax, Sunshine. You got this. If Brody did listen to you, he would react to your statement.Yeah. That might be true. Still, there was also the fact that he might have heard my previous statement. My hands suddenly went clammy. “H-Hi, Brody,” I greeted when no one was going to talk.My heart raced as fear ate my system. Please…tell me you haven’t heard anything. "Sunny.” His gaze shifted to my stepbrother. “Alpha Knoxx,” he greeted. “What’s up? What brought you here? Coffee?” Did my voice shake in the end? "Order what you want. My treat. You've been good to me the last time we met.""That man was good to you, Sunny? What did he do?""He brought chicken at the market and someone gave him fish. Then we feasted
SUNSHINE:Knoxx was sorry. Sorry for what? Which particularly was he sorry for because there were a lot of things that he should be sorry about. The fingers on my hand were not enough to count them."I'm sorry. I was wrong," he added.I could feel his authenticity and the fast beating of his heart. The cold air was blowing in our direction, but I was sweating a lot.All I could do was to continue to gape at him because of surprise. Knoxx. He never said sorry before. He was not sorry when the vase nearly fell on the top of my head when his brothers were goofing around upstairs. He was not sorry when he ruined my wedding. And now…the wind had blown in the other direction? I opened and closed my mouth when my mind went blank.Of all the numerous times I needed to hear his apology, why only give it now? Was it because of my tears? Was he moved because of it? Do I have to cry so that his heart will move? So that he will be enlightened that what he had been doing for the past had bee
SUNSHINE:Knoxx was acting as if he had a right to decide for me. If he only accepted me as his, then I might allow him to sway my decision. But he did not. I put both of my hands on my hips. "What is your power over me?""I am your alpha.""It won't be after you and Brody signed the treaty.""I am your mate."I cocked my eyebrow. "You are my mate, but you never wanted to become one.""I'm only looking at what's best for you," he cajoled. “You won't allow me to live here because you think what's best for me? What kind of bullshit is that? The moment we succeed, this place will become peaceful. And we will no longer see each other. You will no longer see your mate. You will no longer pretend that you don’t have a mate. That's what you want, right?”"Yes, Sunshine. You are right.""Then? Well, you stop trying to decide for me?"After signing the peace treaty, I will return to the pack and officially ask for Alpha Ezra and Mother's approval. 'You think they will approve?' Helena aske
SUNSHINE:“I never said that. I might find the woman useful as the time goes, Knoxx answered.”“You will be using her? And next to her body? And then what?”"You're starting to act like you're jealous, stepsister," Knoxx declared. I forced my mouth shut. "Don't say I am jealous. Dante might get weird ideas."Dante’s eyes went back and forth between me and Knoxx. "I already did."Knoxx and I looked in his direction, my heart hammering against my chest. "Y-you do? Dante. Nothing is going on between us," I started. "Don't get any weird ideas.""They said that the more you hate, the more you love.""That's not true!" I exclaimed. Looking at Knoxx I said, "Did you hear him? It's because of you, stepbrother."Knoxx glared in reply. Sighing, Dante asked, “Haven’t you settled your issues? You're acting like children. No offense, Alpha Knoxx. You two reminded me of my siblings.”“We haven’t settled anything. Yet. Though I already seek her forgiveness. She won't forgive me."I shook my head
SUNSHINE:I felt like I was an eggshell when I returned to the pack. My mind was a mess and I did not know whether I should be happy or not at the turn of events. Jericho had just broken the engagement and wanted me to be with Knoxx as if it were simple. It was not. How could I be with someone after knowing I hurt the person who truly loved me?“Sunshine? You okay?”I lifted my gaze after I stepped out of the car. Knoxx was at the garage, washing his car. Good for him. He turned off the faucet and wiped his hands on his pants. He was shirtless and sweat decorated his chest. Or maybe it was the water from the faucet. If I was not in shock at what happened earlier, perhaps I was already licking my lips upon seeing his body. “Do I look okay after seeing you?”“You were already not in a good mood when you stepped out of the car.”A low growl escaped from my lips. “You shut your mouth.”He heaved a sigh. “Have you eaten?”“Why does it matter?” I snapped. “Don't pretend like you care
SUNSHINE:Knoxx loved me. He finally loved me. Too bad, when I already gave up, he came chasing me. Why did it have to become this way? “What do you expect me to say?” I asked. “Do you want me to say that I have feelings too? How many times do I have to remind you that I already have Jericho? Why can't you see that?” I growled.Please don't confuse me, too. I pity Jericho. He was a changed man and I did not want to sin. My conscience won't allow that. “I…I don’t expect anything, Sunshine. I just wanted to tell you my feelings. I don’t…want to have any regrets.”“You really don’t care what your pack would say?”“Anyone’s opinion doesn't matter anymore, Sunshine. This time, I will pursue what I want. I won't stop unless you are already married. I don't want to live in regrets.”I inhaled deeply and pocketed his handkerchief. If only he confessed when I had not accepted Jericho…then maybe…there might be a chance between us. A sad smile spread on my lips. “Is this the kind man you ar
SUNSHINE:“Alright, Jericho. That’s good. Tell me if everything is okay.” I had to marry Jericho so that Knoxx would stop pestering me. I meant he already made it clear that he did not want me. So, I hoped he would stick to that. Sensing that someone was watching me, I looked around and found a pair of eyes watching me intently. Shite. My heart skipped a beat when I caught sight of Knoxx. He was about to enter the hall but stopped upon seeing me. If I stayed here, our paths would always cross. I had to get out of this pack as soon as possible.“I’ll be calling you back later, Jericho. T-thanks,” I muttered, in a hurry. Knoxx's steps faltered. As if he debated on approaching me or not. “Yes. Take care, Sunny. I love you so much. I hope this will be the start of something new. I love you,” he whispered lovingly. My mind went blank. He loved me. Until now? But my love for him had already disappeared when Knoxx entered the picture. What should I say?I bit the inside of my cheek
SUNSHINE: Out of reflex, I stood at the bed and scrambled away, losing my balance and landed on the floor with a loud thud. I gasped when a wave of pain exploded. I cursed loudly. Knoxx was suddenly on my side and asked, “Are you okay, Sunshine?” His voice was full of worry. His eyebrows raised and that was the time when I realized he was clean-shaven and his hair was also cut properly. He looked handsome…that I could not stop myself from thumping loudly against my ribcage. Jericho's face flashed inside my head. Guilt swallowed my heart. How could my heart jump because of someone else? Disgusting.“Do not touch me. Stay away from me. Your touch repulses me.”Knoxx let out a shaky breath. “Sunshine. I’m only checking if you are hurt.”“I’m not that weak. Why did you come here?”My heart continued to hammer against my chest. What was he doing here? Staying in the same room with him brought so many memories. I wanted to run away from him and hide.“I’m glad you're not in pain.”
SUNSHINE:I am going to marry Jericho a month from now. That was our agreement. Jericho’s parents were both excited and I had already told everyone in the family about it. Yes. That includes my stepbrothers as well. Mother was thrilled but my stepbrothers were not. It was as if they wanted me to wait for Knoxx. I sighed and rolled to my side. Leaving this room was not something I wanted to do now even if Jericho and I both agreed that we would be choosing wedding dresses even if the wedding ceremony was only simple. His Mother insisted that we should choose my dress properly for a prosperous life.I did not want a luxurious dress. All I wanted was a peaceful life. A peaceful married life. Marriage. Am I going to do this or am I only using Jericho?He said he was willing to be used, another part of my mind said.He did, but the guilt…If you don’t want to feel that, try loving him so that it will fade.I was not the type to use other people. I would rather be used than to be anoth
DANTE:The alpha was drunk again and stayed at the river, while watching the bonfire, I mused to myself as I hid on the large tree. I wanted to be disappointed, but I also understood why he was acting like this—his youngest brother's death. I wanted to pretend that I did not know what was happening to him, but I did.My heart tightened when he would call his dead brother and sometimes Sunshine when he was so drunk. I looked at the sky which was full of stars. I wished the day would come when Alpha Knoxx would stop blaming himself. He got worse after Miss Sunshine went back to the pack. Did the two have a falling out? If I were the alpha, I would not let anything separate me from my mate regardless of the reason. May it a step sibling or not.Alpha Knoxx emptied the contents of the bottle and put it aside. He already drunk five bottles of beer. There were five more left for him to empty. Still, he continued taking care of his people. Little by little, they accepted him as their
SUNSHINE: Jericho knew he messed up the moment he saw my expression. It turned sour until it darkened. His mouth opened and closed until he fell silent.I clenched my fist and put them on my side. “You think it’s about Knoxx?” That man who left me? That man who never wanted me? “What do you think of me, Jericho?”You liar! How could you lie with a straight face?Isn’t he the reason for all of this? Isn’t he the reason why you could not move on to the present, Sunshine? The other part of my mind asked.Jericho went to the window, pulled out something from his pocket. A cigarette. As if reminded that I hated the smell of it, he grabbed one stick and snapped it into two. “It was him. You loved that man,” he insisted. I lifted my chin, feeling my lips quivered.I was glad that he was not looking at my direction or he would know that he was right. I loved Knoxx. I loved the man who said he liked me but never loved me. At all.My chest went heavy. Fuck.How long will I continue to dea
SUNSHINE:“Mom. You don’t have to pressure Sunshine about that. We did not come to visit here for that,” Jericho declared in my defense. Lifting my gaze, I saw how his cheeks flamed with embarrassment. Cute. Cute?I chuckled nervously, but his mother won’t stop any moment from now. She pinched his son’s side.“Oh, come on, Jericho. Have you been slacking off? How many times will I tell you that you should win her back? I want her as my daughter-in-law!” his mother scolded.Mentally, I sighed in relief. She did not hate me for what I did to their son.‘Why would they when it was Jericho’s fault?’ Helena interjected. ‘It was right to reject him.’‘The last time I remember, you were bawling your eyes out when I rejected him.’Helena sneered. ‘That was all in the past. I want Knoxx to be better.’“Honey. Let’s just let the kids deal with it.”“That’s right, Mom. Right now, Sunny and I are friends.”“Friends?” His mother’s disappointment was evident on his face. “I never said that you two
SUNSHINE:The heart hammered against my ribcage as I walked in the hallway while clenching my fist.How could the beta ask me what would happen to Knoxx if ever I married Jericho when the alpha specifically showed me that he had nothing to do with me? Men. Did they think women had all the time to wait for them? Like the heck!I should seriously consider if I want to marry Jericho or not so that this will stop.‘What will happen to our mate, then?’ Helena asked, whimpering. She had been silently crying in the corner of my mind.‘That is no longer my concern. Knoxx has chosen and it’s time for me to do the same.’“Sunshine. Wait!”I heard footsteps and I did not need to stop to know who it was. Cayden. The rational one among the brothers. And he was also the most sane person who never blamed me for what happened to the youngest brother. How unfortunate we were never given the chance to be closer as siblings. “Sunshine. Can we talk?”I stopped and faced him. Sweat coated his forehead f