A minute and 35 seconds after, the Lucas siblings were standing in front of Marion looking like two guilty thieves. Their heads were lowered down and their eyes were looking lost in the moment. There’s nothing else they can do but to listen to Marion’s rants first.“I AM SO DISAPPOINTED. NOT BECAUSE YOU DAMAGED MY PROPERTY BUT BECAUSE YOU COULDN’T RESPECT MY DECISION OF NOT INCLUDING YOU IN THE MEETING. DON’T YOU THINK I HAVE EVERYONE’S BEST INTEREST AT HEART? I HAVE BEEN THINKING OF THE BEST FOR ALL, AND THAT’S IMPARTIAL ON MY PART.”Marion’s voice was raised. Because of the broken window, the people and members of his council can hear every single word he’s uttered to the siblings. Including Eva who couldn’t help but giggle at the thought. “It’s my idea, Marion. I only told Brayden to go with it.” – said Damon, solely admitting the offenseBrayden looked at him and scoffed.“Don’t try to be a hero, Damon. It doesn’t suit you.”“I’m not trying to be anything-““I did the window.” –
Harper expected something more than just being considered. To her, being considered on a decision meant the person didn’t like it in the first place, just shy to admit or say that it’s rejected.Hector cackled at the sight of his father. Damon approached his son and picked him up from Harper’s lap. Then, he excused himself and gone back to their rooms, leaving his half-eaten bread and empty mug of coffee on the table. “That went well?” – Anthony asked as Brayden resumed his seat “Stone, broken window, shouts. You get the picture.”Norton gasped at what Brayden said. Harper frowned, knowing that Damon would do nothing of the sort. If what Brayden said is true, it’s because of him, not of his older brother. It’s the only valid explanation for that. Nothing else.“You damaged Virgo’s property?” – Harper asked, eyes looking directly at Brayden“They deserve it.” - he answered“Just because Marion’s not letting us into the council doesn’t mean you have to do that.” – Asher said, the fir
It felt like déjà vu. Like the last time all of them were gathered in the same room. It was also for the same cause: to go against the alpha of the Virgo.Once again, they positioned themselves in the main room. Some on the bed, some on the sides of the posts and some were only standing. “This is starting to make me dizzy.” – Anthony said as he stood on the side of the door, leaning on the door frame. “It’s still about the coup you keep pushing, am I correct?” – Asher inquired.Damon nodded; Brayden only crossed his arms. Harper has been quiet since the rest of the team entered the room. She didn’t want to be one of the leaders anymore. Instead, she’ll only let the two alpha wolves to lead and decide on everything now. It would be less hassle that way.“Oh. So you haven’t dropped that off then. It’s still operative. Do you have specific plans now?” – Asher voiced out. Because after all, that’s why the coup didn’t work last time. They have no specific means to execute their plan. Ju
Finally, Harper got Damon’s attention all to herself. Finally, she can ask him anything she would like to ask him. And this time, it’s not about the war or someone else anymore. This time, it’s about the two of them and the weight of their decisions.“I saw your reaction earlier. It’s like you’re not happy with my decision. You don’t approve of it, do you?”Harper didn’t even try to deny. Instead, she shook his head as a sign of honesty. “You really don’t, then.”“No, I don’t.”A slight pause interrupted their conversation and Harper didn’t say anything more. She only let the silenced stretched between the two of them. Over the table, with empty plates and cups on the flat surface, nothing to keep them distracted. “I kind of knew.”Damon said and looked at her eyes. He sensed no regret in them. He saw no sign of remorse. In them were questions. Quite the contrary of what he’s expected from her.“Great. You knew and still, you managed to do it perfectly. You didn’t stop. What now the
“Interesting choice of words.” – muttered Marion as a reaction to what Damon just said about his leadership of the Virgo“I’m just being honest. You already heard what I and Brayden think. It’s futile to deny it all now.”Marion closed his eyes and sighed. Indeed, he would agree to what Damon has said. He would actually appreciate it if he would not lie and affirm what the audio recording has said. There’s no lie now. “I’m not denying anything. Now, you can either let us lead the pack or we’ll be forced to take it from you by force.”Marion wasn’t shaken by what he said at all. “You cannot do that to me.”Damon wanted to smirk. Brayden was right all along. It was something he’s told him about Marion’s authority over the two of them. Or the other way around. “Don’t be too sure.”Marion’s facial expression shifted into a serious tone. “You cannot do that to me… or if you can, then that’s a different story, because if you do, I won’t be given any other choice but to strike back. Reme
“Harper?”The she-wolf looked around to see where and who the voice belonged to. The illusion she just had in a form of a dream seemed surreal. It even felt realer than a memory. She opened her eyes and got up, looking around for the person who called her name above the chaos of her thoughts. It was a man, so it can any one of her friends. “Hey…. You okay?” The voice came from behind and upon the first touch on her shoulder, she jumped. It was Damon, frowning and looking at her up and down, checking for some more bruises. He found none.“I am okay… Please take me back inside, I’m cold.”The coldness wasn’t a literal one, though. The coldness she was feeling at the moment was one that’s not physical. It’s one that she cannot shake no matter how many times she tries. When Damon held her, she looked at the ring band on his finger. She can’t be mistaken, that’s the same ring on the illusion she saw in her head.“Let’s go. You feel cold too.”Harper wanted to ask him about the ring. If
Harper grappled for words but found none. She only stood motionless in front of Brayden, white-faced and jaw dropped.“Brayden, I-““How do you know my name?”Brayden closed the door behind him with one hand. He didn’t take his eyes away from the strange woman in front of him. She called him by his name, surely this woman’s a member of the Virgo, though she didn’t seem familiar. That’s the only justification that makes sense now.“This sounds weird, but… I’m Harper.”Brayden raised one of his brows. He stepped closer to the woman. Strangely enough, she does smell like Harper. The distinct, aromatic and attractive smell that she has… this woman also has it. weird.“You’re either drunk or stupid for saying that. How come you’re in their room anyway?”The question didn’t even finished when Harper showed Brayden the ring on her finger. Upon seeing it, Brayden’s eyes lowered. He’s doubting now.“I’ll call a security. You dare rob that from Damon, huh?”He turned his back to do what he just
Harper heard the conversation from inside. She was on the way out of the door when Brayden said those words. As much as she’s thankful for the thoughtful gesture of buying her some time, she’d like to talk to Damon as soon as possible. The drumming of her heart has to stop. How long can it be anyway? How many minutes will it take for her to be brave?She counted 1-10 and then she opened the door. Damon was walking away, but the creak of the door made him stop and turn. As he did, he saw her fidgeting with her fingers.“Hey… Brayden said you’re asleep. were we too noisy?” – Damon said as he approached herHarper shook her head.“No… Damon, can we talk?”Damon sensed that something is off with Harper. She invited him inside the door and he closed it behind them. Whatever this is, it’s private. She was walking to and fro, hugging herself. Damon sat at the edge of the bed, observing his mate. “Harper… go on, talk to me.”Harper looked at him… then looked away.“It’s not easy…”“Just say
“Alpha Draco requests your presence, sir.”The messenger talked in a slow fashion, careful that the Virgo Alpha would hear it properly. Marion just finished settling on an old room inside the common room. It looked like it belonged to a royal she-wolf, based on the expensive paintings on the wall and the hand-sewn dresses inside the closet. “Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”“He said it’s urgent, sir.”Marion nodded. There’s no excuses with the Great Alpha. Besides, he’s not in his territory. He’s at the Red Blood’s, the first time he got out of the roundhouse and housed in a different setting actually. The messenger left the door open. Marion put down the third pillow case he packed with him and followed the former to the main room of the common room. Inside, Alpha Draco was waiting. He’s sipping jasmine tea from a small teacup. A lady in waiting was at his side, holding the kettle by its handle. With a plain breakable plate placed under it.“You called for me, Great Alpha?”He lo
“I… I don’t understand. What do you mean, officer?”Harper was biting the edges of her nails in anxious anticipation. Surely, there’s nothing good that will come out from the end of this conversation. To mention the word “victim” mid-sentence doesn’t constitute good news. “You have no idea, do you?”Harper shook her head… then realized that the person she’s talking to is on the other end of the line. So, her nodding of head is not counted as a response.“I have no idea of what this is about. Please, just-“Harper couldn’t finish her sentence. She’s not even sure if she wants to. what has been unfolded before her eyes the entire day are facts - quickly given facts that either surprise her or catch her in the moment. And these facts aren’t even good news at all. “I’m sorry, miss. I didn’t think you are clueless about what happened in this house. It’s all over the news this past week.”What is?, she thought. But then, it’s Mrs. Keevah’s house. There’s no one else in the house that cou
In front of them were the men, the woman and the little baby that they all hated: the ones they denominated as “rebels”. They were on the front of Marion and Alpha Draco.“We meet again…” – said Damon.Harper and the rest of the group stood behind their alpha. The men were carrying their own choice of weapons, their own poison against the enemy. They stood gleaming at the site of fresh dead bodies on the floor. Proudly. The look on Alpha Draco’s face says it all. He wanted the war to be over. He wanted the war to begin as soon as it can. Right in this moment. Right in this spot. “Finally… I’m tired of chasing after your tail, Damon. You and Brayden can come here and let’s finish this once and for all. I’m tired of chasing and of canceling this to another schedule.”Damon licked his chapped lips. He has the same ideas. He didn’t come here to visit his father. He didn’t come here for peace. None of them believes in peace anymore. “I cannot agree more. Later, then. Once and for all.
Just when the silence stretched between Harper and Brayden, Damon got up from his sleep and pulled Harper closer from the waist.Brayden’s eyes followed where Damon’s hands were and gulped. In a moment, he turned to the other side and tried to forget what he has seen. He managed to turn and keep his eyes and body that way.“You’re up early…” – muttered Damon with a raspy voice.“Yeah… my body clock’s messed up these days.” – replied HarperThat was a lie. Her body clock has nothing to do with it. It’s always her thoughts that keep on saying something to her. It feeds her negative ones instead of empowering her to think of solutions. And of course, the place and the ambience did help with the thoughts. It even made the way for it. It even made her feel worse.“Is that because of the war?”“No, something else.”Harper looked at the ring that’s still on her finger. If Anthony didn’t cause a distraction, would that scary man really cut off her finger? For the sake of proving a point?Are
“Elias! You wouldn’t believe it!”Elias was cleaning the Great Alpha’s office when one of the guards from the office went to approach him. The guard was panting, his sweat rolling down his temples down to his neck and chest area. These droplets of sweat blurs his vision as they get past his eyes. “Do you have some news?” – Elias already has some expectations in his head. Hopefully, this is going to be good news. And hopefully, this is about the Great Alpha too. “Yes. you should go outside to see what’s up.”Elias nodded and then he got up to check if there’s really someone inside waiting for him. As it turned out, there’s a small crowd gathered outside over something. The question is, what’s the cause? Who is there that everyone seemed to be alarmed?“Is that…”The rest of the sentence got drowned in the air. the guard who brought Elias the news did not even let him finish. Whether it was excitement or worry, none of them can tell. However, it’s clear from the circumstances that the
“…and here we are!”Everyone of them looked around, expecting a tavern or a cabin in the woods. None of those things were present. They were only surrounded by different trees and the dark moon above them. “Here?” – Anthony repeated, confused“Yes. Over there.”Brayden pointed on the cavern behind him. The boys walked closer to see what he’s pointing to. Then, Harper followed. She already knows what it is, she only got closer so the others won’t speculate. They cannot know she’s been here before. “This is where your safe place is?” – Asher asked with a huge question mark on his face.“Yes. This is what I meant by that.”They all didn’t look impressed. But then again, they’re hiding from Marion and their men. Anything safe that they can use will do. Just not to be caught. Anything. Just not that. They cannot be captured. Not this time. With Brayden leading them, they approached the mouth of the cave and got inside one by one. Among them, only Hector seemed to be enjoying the show.“H
“Goddamn it, you have a knife! I don’t care if you cut her finger!”Harper’s eyes widened when the huge man on her right got a knife from his back pockets. It’s a new one and surely sharpened just before they went to the roundhouse. The slight shin of the knife reflected the fear in her eyes. Damon’s hip still hurt with the hitting. He was held by four men, struggling as he throws all sort of cure words upon Marion.The man with the knife neared Harper and she stepped back, pulling the two men with her. They can’t be serious. They surely cannot just cut off her finger when Marion tells them to. Or she could be wrong. It’s also possible that these men are Marion’s puppets and would do anything he tells them to. No matter howbrutal or illogical that can be. “Damon, just go… “ – Harper’s vision blurred as the tears welled on the corner of her eyesDamon shook his head. No, he’s never going to leave her. Not this time. Not ever. The man pulled her hand as one man from the side brought
Damon kept on looking behind him. He hasn’t seen Harper yet, the entire time that they were inside. The last time he did was when they were sitting on the benches. Back when nothing seemed strange yet.Aside from that, he hasn’t seen her yet. The thickness of the crowd barred him from doing so. However, he’s sure she’s still inside. The slight gap on the door cannot hold a person going out yet. Whoever attempts may be squeezed. “Harper? Harper, where are you?!” – the question roared in the air. They were stuck in the main room with lots of the Virgo aiming at them. Not to mention that the great number of its members were clawing their throats to make their way out. Aside from that, there are two Virgo men who’s at his back as he shouted. They were trying to catch him and bind him with a thick rope. The rope was too thick and Damon noticed that if that will be used against him, he cannot break it with his fists. He cannot set himself free from those.“Harper!”And then, like a mira
Hearts flutter in a negative manner. This isn’t good. It couldn’t be good.Harper sensed Damon’s tenseness. She looked at his brother and it’s clear that he’s also in his fight-or-flight mode. Any minute now, something is about to happen. She’s positive about that.“I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling there’s something odd here, right?” – Asher voiced out and Damon shushed himAsher nodded slowly. He has confirmed his statement. “… and it is the duty of the alpha to put his pack’s safety first. Even at the middle of the war, the safety of the pack shall not be compromised nor put aside. The safety of the pack has to be the paramount consideration. It is because of that that any threat, no matter how small or insignificant, needs to be gotten rid of.”- Marion ended his speech with a dangerous stare at the Red Blood pack’s direction. “This is not good. Come on. We have to get going.”“What’s going on?” – Norton saidHarper and Damon looked at each other’s eyes. They already understo