She grunts softly, applying another layer of powder under her eyes but it was still obvious how exhausted she was and how her dark circles were evident. She breathes out calmly, trying not to breakdown for the incalculable time that day. Tonight was a big night—it was her father’s forty fifth birthday and she needs to look presentable for the guests that were already out there at the backyard having fun. She exhales again, smoothening her dress and taking a look at herself one last time before stepping out of her room. It was time to plaster that fake smile. She walks to the back door through the kitchen and stepped out. The backyard was more crowded than she expected it to be. She looks around, searching for her friends. She spotted them by the food stall, having a drink and laughing about something. She squeezed through the crowd as she smiled and exchanged pleasantries. Several elegantly-dressed guests were already milling around, each with a cocktail in hand. “Having a drink
She doesn’t want to feel anything when she’s with him. But she can’t help it. She can’t lie to herself. “I’m sorry… for hurting you,” he says. His eyes holding remorse and conscience. “I never wanted you to feel bad or less of yourself, Aurora. I am so in love with you that it hurts every damn second not having you to myself already. I wake up every day, pacifying my heart to have more patience until you’re ready to be with me.” She loves how her name comes out of his mouth. His voice was deep and rich. It was domineering in a good way and hot in a sensual way. She feels warm between her thighs when he calls her name or tells her how hurt he feels that he doesn’t have her to his possession. She inhales and breathes out through her mouth. “Look…” she began and placed her hand on his chest—it made him to fall in love with her all over again. “I honestly don’t know why you still love me after the shitty way I treated you.” She recalled the night she slapped him for questioning her whe
Aurora fiddled with her fingers, avoiding the shocking stare Azra was throwing at her. She groans softly and rolled her eyes. “Say something, Azra,” she urged her. Azra still had her mouth wide opened since Aurora told her the news. She nods her head in disbelief and exhales. “So, let me get this straight. You made out…” Aurora nods, biting down her lip as she recalled the intense make out session they had two nights ago. “He proposed.” She nods again. “And you said…”“I said yes.”“You said yes… to Kendrix. Finally,” Azra screamed joyfully. “She freaking said yes to Kendrix…”Aurora placed her hand over Azra’s mouth to shut her up. “Shut up, Azra. I haven’t told my parents yet,” she said lowly, looking at the door as if they had their ear pressed to the door. “I’m not sure yet… I mean I just told him not to tell my father I’ve said yes until I speak to them. I’m still not sure about him, Azra.” She collapses on the bed, feeling hopeless all over again whenever Blake crosses her mind
She took the last bite of her breakfast and immediately rose up. Azzura looked at her in awe. “Where are you rushing to?” Aurora took her plate to the kitchen and dropped it in the sink. “Azra’s place, I’ve told you earlier. And I’m meeting up with him afterwards.” She walked past them and headed to the front door. She wasn’t yet used to calling Kendrix her mate after how she vowed to never accept him. Who would believe her now if she told them she had accepted him? She wouldn’t say she feels something for him yet but the hatred she felt towards him has abridged, a lot. Her phone vibrated from her back pocket. She almost forgot she had a phone. She smiled and fetched it from her pocket to check who just texted her. It might be between the only three people she talks to on phone. Kendrix, who she stayed up all night talking to last night, or Azra sharing her another unrelated post, or Max updating her on his whereabouts. It was a text from Max and he just texted her a photo of him a
The sun has dipped below the horizon by the time they arrived in Umbris. Kendrix guided her into the house she was familiar with. She wasn’t that familiar with it—she only knew two rooms, the dining hall, the living room downstairs and the kitchen. Walking into the house now was going to be different. She’d get to see everywhere in the house because it was her new home. Her only hope was to cope and actually find it comforting like her room back in Scuris. They walked past the living room and head for the stair. She had never been up the stairs. This was the first time he was taking her there. She followed him up without questioning him. She wasn’t here as a guest after all. They followed the long hallway into a door, revealing a spacious living room. They walked past it and he opened a door. It was a moderate room with a cozy interior. “This is your room,” he says, looking back at her. The room had plants, with flowers blooming with calm pastels and soulful browns—to her heart and
He just kissed her goodbye and stepped out. He felt like he had revived this part of his life—kissing her and promising to be back at a certain time of the day. He winced, having a flash back of four years ago. The day he last saw his family, alive. The day he lost everything, including his confidence. But Aurora has brought that back to him. She has brought most of his life back to him. Just one more thing he needs from her and she’d proven to him she’s willing to give him despite how risky it was. He picked up his pace to the gates not because Zack kept texting him, but because he left her at home, alone and promised to be back in an hour. Whatever the emergency was, he has to fix it within an hour and return home to her. The uneasiness he felt leaving her home alone weighed him down from walking fast. He looked back, feeling the urge to just turn around and return home. The feeling of losing her terrifies him more than it should. Because, he knew if he loses her—that would comple
“I also like your mom’s bakery, she has tasty cupcakes and muffins.” She dipped her toe in the water to get an idea of how the it feels like. She liked the temperature. She removed the scarf she had wrapped around her waist, revealing her almost naked butt. She dipped her legs in and perched on the edge of the pool. He had his eyes the whole time she did that. He had to sit up to get a better view of what was in front of him. She looked back when he didn’t respond to what she just said. He shakes his head and relaxed back. “You’re not going to join me?” She asked. He has been oddly quiet since they came to his private swimming pool. He tends to zone out or reply her plainly. It was as if something happened when he told her he was going out this morning. She has asked him several times but he assured her nothing was wrong. Everything is wrong. She watches him dive into the deep pool and swam to where she was seated. He placed both hands on her waist as he stared up at her. She looke
She couldn’t believe she had already spent a month at Umbris Pack. The time just went by in a blur and she was already in her fifth week without feeling the need to go back home anymore. Kendrix made her feel like this is her home. He makes her feel like she belongs here and she has gotten to believe that she does belong here. This will be her home. She still felt skeptical about being his mate but the moment she lay eyes on his beautiful face, every doubt comes out running out of her. He makes her feel so safe like she’s the only thing that mattered to him. He wouldn’t mind cancelling a pack run just to lay in bed with her for hours without getting tired of it. And he has been such a gentleman—he doesn’t push her to do anything she wasn’t pleased with. He’s so tender and thoughtful. She has grown so fond of him that whenever he wasn’t around, she gets upset. She spends most of her days in the bakery with his mom when he’s having a busy day or with Auburn at the pool. Sometimes, Azra
One year later… “Could this day get any better?” She squealed, dropping the phone on the table and jumping on his laps. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his lips. “Hmm.” He inhaled sharply, wrapping an arm around her waist. “I love it when you’re happy. Makes you want to kiss me whenever you are.” She bites down her lip, running her fingers through his hair. “I also love it when I kiss you too.” She brushed her nose against his and kissed him again. She moved back, placing her forehead against him and looking at him. She placed a hand on his cheek and caressed it. “Remember Max’s girlfriend I was telling you about?” He halts for couple of seconds before nodding. “Well, he told me that he just proposed to her and she said yes,” she announced. His eyes gape with astonishment, followed by excitement. “That’s… that a really great news. Azra and Skye together with a baby, max finding love and we’re getting married in a week—this is all so amazing.” Kendrix proposed to h
Paraphrasing She remained in her room alone for the majority of the time. Even when Max knocked or her mother arrived, she never opened the door for them. She wished for some privacy so she wouldn't have to deal with her painful, stalking thoughts. Three days have passed since she got into that pointless argument with her father. It's been five days since she last saw Blake. When she begged him to listen to her, he froze to his feet and sent a distrusting glance her way. Some people might believe he's rude for ignoring her. However, they both told each other lies. It is irrelevant. It doesn't matter that he misled her about that one foolish fact. She kept several secrets from him, but she did it out of concern for his safety. When she stood up, a number of packets of chocolates and candy bars fell from her thighs. Everything came from a gift box Blake once gave her to keep on hand for times when she missed him or felt worried. She took two days to finish the entire box. She had no
ParaphrasedShe raised her head to look at him after glancing at their hands that were tightly clasped together. He kissed her lips while grinning at her. She leaned in for another kiss and added, "I love this about you." He said, wrapping his arms around her waist, "I love it when you do it too. She purses her lips while maintaining a constant smile. She encircled his neck in her arms as she simply gazed at him, planning their future together. Daydreaming about that felt particularly peaceful now that her father had finally given his consent for her to be with him. She was finally going to have a happy ending and her desire will come true. His black hair was curling, and she ran her fingers through it. She could grow accustomed to touching his hair and smothering his face in kisses before bed or whatever else they choose to do each night. How is your ankle doing? He queried. She laughed while rolling her eyes. "Blake, a month has passed. I feel more positive than before," she de
He saw tears streaming from her eyes and wet her face. She’s beautiful. She should hear these words—everyday. Her eyes were like bright sunshine. Makes her face radiant, brilliantly shine. Her face was not carved, certainly not in haste. But slow—with patience and with grace. Sculptured, it shows. The words failed him. It failed him to tell her how much he loves her and how beautiful she was. His heart breaks to see her tears cascading down like that. It hurts him to hear her sob in the palm of her hands like that. She finally suppressed the tears and suck in a huge rush of air. It doesn’t do much to calm her but she slightly felt better. She raised her bloodshot eyes and settled on his. His eyes bore into hers and it’s the most enticing thing she’d ever seen. It’s pathetic how just a single gaze could make her vulnerable. She hates the she feels toward him. Especially in a situation like this. A situation where she just found out that he has a new mate. He has moved on. “Aurora…
"What the fuck, Vincent?" Her vision was too fuzzy but she could hear loud and clear. Blake just walked in. She's saved. "Hitting her wasn't part of the agreement," he said. She's not saved. She's been betrayed. For the second time before the day even ends.She raises her bloodshot eyes up and looked at Blake. He not for once even look remorseful for turning her in to Vincent. His face looks careless and heartless. He doesn't even have a glimpse of sympathy or look apologetic for betraying her trust. Kendrix warned her about him. But that's not the point. The point was, she was about to face her death any moment. "Oh shut the fuck up. You've gotten your share, why the fuck are you still here? Aren't you going to look for a way to fucking leave this town and go to your pathetic girlfriend?"There was a pang in her chest. She wasn't even angry. She was just disappointed. Her eyes were still on him and he also never looked away. His just tensed at the mention of his girlfriend. He wa
She kept running through the woods. She doesn't stop, even when the sharp branches cut through her legs. It wasn't as painful as her shattered heart. It's nothing like her bruised heart. He has completely destroyed her and she doesn't want anything that has to do with him ever again. She should've known this whole time. She should've known that the reason he has been rejecting her was because he had someone. She should've stayed home. She should've ignored him. She should've listened to her friends when they told her not to go after him. Her friends...Auburn...She covered for him. She told her there wasn't anyone. She told her that her brother loved her. She told her that they were fated mates. She told he's hers and they were meant to be. Max...He told her Kendrix was still into her. He told her Kendrix was the man for her. He told her she was going to have a happy ending. Aurora doesn't stop until she was in the incomplete building she used to hide in with Blake when they ne
Paraphrase He leaves, keeping his head high as if he had never entered this killing zone that they call home and had never been terrified to death. While they continued to glare at him, he cast a quick glance about. He felt as though they were devouring him with their hot dagger, as if they could read his mind and gauge his level of fear. He was aware that they could hear his rapid heartbeat and may use that information against him. But because he represents their only hope for saving their pack and finally leading a better life, they dared not touch him and dared not even consider eating him for dinner. He always pondered his decision to assist the Lumena pack whenever he encountered them. He was fighting the werewolves because he desperately desired their approval. He occasionally felt embarrassed whenever he thought of her. When he thought back to her innocent eyes and the fact that she didn't have any thoughts—that she has no desire to harm him—maybe. But he needs to find them,
"We have to come clean. We have to tell her—we have to tell everyone. Oh my God we did a bad thing," she lamented, hyperventilating. He approached her and grabbed her shoulder. She calmed instantly before he even spoke because his eyes just told her everything she needs to be assured of. "We are going to be fine, okay? We didn't do a bad thing... we just... we should've told everyone about us before it happened," said said calmly despite how dead scared he was of her father. She nods her head. "We should tell Aurora first, right? And see what she thinks. I mean, my father has been talking about finding a mate nonstop. I choose you."He smiled at her, his eyes searching hers. How could he be this lucky? "We tell Aurora first. I am so sure she'll approve of it.""I totally agree," she said, giggling. "Oh, I can't wait to go public. It's so hard to not hug you or kiss you the way I want while we're in public." She pursed her lips, making his smile to grow wider. "I love you, Azra." La
"He's fine." His hands were on his waist as he stared at the distance. "They can't touch me, he's the most powerful Alpha in all the packs. His pack warriors are always guarding him even if he asks them not to. Vincent doesn't even have a chance to come near him."Aurora heaves a sigh even though her father wasn't talking to her. They were in the living room. She was in her room, pinned to the door and listening to their conversation. Kendrix was attacked, she heard her father tell her mother last night. She couldn't sleep after hearing that. She wanted to call him but couldn't. She doesn't even know why she didn't call. She was hell mad at him for disappearing after they've literally made out in the park, by the water fountain. It was the hottest kiss they've ever shared. She never knew how much she'd missed him until she felt his lips crushing against hers. His body against hers...Aurora breathes out hopelessly and made her way to her bad. She collapsed on it with a curse. "Stop