She took another bite of her meal, trying to avoid his gaze but it was so intense that she could feel it burning her heart. She hated the new norm between her and her father. They weren’t like this before. They were so close, bonded and loved each other so much. But now that Kendrix was in the picture, those moments were now just memories she doesn’t know whether she’d ever have them again. She heard the clattering of his spoon hitting the plate and she knew he was done eating while she had barely touched her food. Tonight was the first night she was eating together with her family in several days. She always eats in her room or even skip dinner. And now, her father had just reminded her why she needs to keep avoiding them until faith decides to take over. She hears him clear his throat, grabbing her attention. She slowly raises her head up and settle her tired eyes on him. He smiled at her and she felt slightly at ease. She only hopes that whatever he has to say now better be som
Aurora had just opened her eyes for the first time that morning. She squints her eyes intermittently, trying to adjust to the bright light coming from the window. She looked to her other side to see Max sitting by her bed and staring at her. “Good morning,” he said to her, smiling. “I’m still mad at you,” she told him though she was unable to hide her smile. “Really? Because your face says otherwise,” he said jokingly, shooting a brow to the ceiling. She chuckled softly and shook her head. He helped her to freshen up and they ordered breakfast from the hospital canteen. He noticed how she has been on the edge and wanted to say something. He dropped his coffee on the table and set his eyes on her. She took a glimpse at him. “What?” She mumbled, averting her gaze. It was obvious she has something to say but didn’t want to say it. “Spill, Aurora,” he says. She heaves a sigh and rested her back on the pillow. She stared at the ceiling for a long amount of time, he didn’t interrupt
“Kendrix. He’s hurt, Aurora. He has been hurt for the past couple of years. He wants to heal and for the first time, he’s able to trust someone with his heart—he’s able to trust you with his heart. And even if you don’t love him, you’ll make me the happiest and proudest mother if you change your mind and decide to marry him. I’m not saying who your choice isn’t good for you, but you know you father…”“My father would never accept it because his family are still human. Why would they harm me if their son is also a werewolf? I know Blake would never let anyone harm me or my family,” she affirmed. She could see the misery in her mother’s eyes as she cupped the sides of her face. “How did you get so stubborn, Aurora?”“You’re also forcing me…”“I would never force you to do what you don’t want to. I’m only advising you on what’s best for you. And I know how confused you are right now…”“I am not confused; you are just not listening to me. I want to be with Blake,” she cuts in, her voice
She looked at their hands clutched together and raised her head up to look at him. He smiled at her and pecked her lips. “I love it when you do this,” she said and tip toed to kiss him again. “I love it when you do it also,” he replied, looping his arms around her waist. She bites down her lip, the smile never leaving her face. She wrapped her arms around his neck and just stared at him, imagining how life would be after they get married. It felt so serene to daydream about that, especially now that her father has finally agreed to the idea of being with him. Her fantasy was finally going to come true and she was finally going to have a happy ending. She ran her fingers through his curly, black hair. She could get used to doing that every night—caressing his hair and attacking his face with kisses before they sleep or whatever they decide to do in bed every night. “How’s your ankle?” He asked. She rolled her eyes as she chuckled. “It’s been a month now, Blake. I feel better than be
“Why did you save me?” She asked him, her eyes glued to his glowing brown eyes under the half moon. She stared down to his pointed nose and plump, pink lips that made her thought of how it would feel like against hers. She returned her eyes onto his eyes, just to find out he was already staring at her. “That’s… not what I asked you. Do you want me to walk you home?” He asked again. She dropped her gaze and pursed her lips, suddenly feeling mortified. Her boyfriend almost sacrificed her and afterwards ditched her for death. Not to mention he just rejected her invitation to meet her parents. “I don’t want to go home now,” she said, her voice quivering. Her eyes were filled to the brim with tears. She couldn’t hold it. She’d explode if she tried to hold back the painful tears that were buckled up in her. And without any warning, stream of tears flowed faster than her heart was beating. “You win…” She mumbled incoherently through her hands and choked on her sobs. “You win, Kendrix…” t
They stood by a waterfall that Aurora had never seen before. She looked around in awe—mesmerized by how beautiful the place was and how she’d love to spend time here alone or with her friends… or Blake. He freed her hand so she’d wander around the paradise-looking place. Her heart felt at ease being here. It felt so cool and welcoming at the same time. She could see herself staying here the whole day without getting tired. She could see herself swimming in the cool water. Drinking straight from the coconut or the pineapple that she spotted by the end of the water. “This is where I met Larisa, my late wife,” he began. She looks at him, her heart dropping to the soft sand. She walked back to where he was standing right by the water. His head was down, looking at his reflection in the water. She has never seen him this down. It was very unlike Kendrix to be sad. He was either smiling or laughing. He never seemed to let anything get to him. He was carefree… blasé. “I came out here on
It has been two days or three days—she had stopped counting at the third day so it has to be four days. It’s been four days since she last had that deep conversation with Kendrix. It’s been four days since she last saw him, since she last saw Blake…She only had two days left until the time was due and her father was going to give her away—to Kendrix. She didn’t know why she wasn’t upset about the idea anymore. Not because he told her everything she needed to clear her doubts. Blake wasn’t willing to come meet her parents, by the looks of it. If he wanted to, he would’ve come knocking on her door by now. But it’s been four days and he hasn’t showed up. He probably won’t show up. If only Max was here, he would’ve told her what to do. He would’ve given her the advice she needs and the encouragement she needs to keep going. But here she was in her room, lying in the pool of her own misery like she always did whenever she felt defeated. If Max was here, maybe he’d tell her to let go of
By the time she reached the gates, raindrops started their ravage on the earth, ripping cruelly at the ground and whistling angrily through the trees. She fights to breathe from the ice-cold rain dropping on her. And by the time she was standing in front of Umbris Pack gate, she was drenched in rain and shivering all over. She placed both her hands on the gate and tried to push it. It didn’t budge. “Hello?” She yelled out. She doesn’t know whether she’d be heard from the loud rain dropping from the sky and thunderstorm. She breathes out and smiled when one of the gate keepers appeared. He looked at her for a moment. “Who are you? And why are you here?” He asked vigilantly as he stood alerted. Aurora closed her eyes and opened them for the countless time. She was shivering and gasping for air. She knew she was definitely going to catch cold if she wasn’t under the sheets any moment from now. “I’m here to see Kendrix. Tell him it’s Aurora. Aurora from Scuris Pack,” she retorted, fig