“Don’t stare at me like that, Harper. I don’t want to commit any felony.”Harper frowned. What was Brayden thinking? She was only surprised to hear what he said.“You’re still so full of yourself. I was only wondering whether the concrete fall knocked some sense into you. I didn’t expect you’ll say something like that.”“Tss…” – Brayden said and turned the other wayHarper wasn’t finished yet. She has a lot of accumulated words to say to him. All of this simply because she doesn’t have anyone else to say it to.“Go on. I’m listening.” – Brayden said.Harper almost smiled.“Thing is, I tried talking to him. I said I’m not comfortable with what he’s doing. I’m not in favor that our friends had to undergo these series of tasks first before they’re welcomed. I was immediately welcomed because I’m a woman and Hector did too. What difference does that make? I really don’t see the principle they’re practicing here. When I said all that, we only fell into a fight. In the end, Damon only assur
Harper shook her head, a part of her’s glad that the spotlight is no longer in her. “Come on, man. You don’t need to tell Harper about it.”Asher licked his lips and told Harper the opposite of what Anthony wanted. Instead of all his assurances of getting what he wanted, what Asher told Harper was the possible consequences of his actions.“I agree with Asher. How would you know they won’t turn the tables against you?”This got into Anthony’s temper. He had enough of people telling him or what or what not to do. Besides, he’s the one who’s fighting in the battle grounds the next night, not his friends. They could only watch from the benches, with no harm or risk on their lives. After all, it’s going to be him alone. They can’t help him with what’s he’s going to face.“Just stop, okay? I got this.” – Anthony said and left the two He locked himself in his room and thought of what he’s supposed to do. He’s not a fan of the waters and never has he tried fighting in one. Not just one pers
How many times does he have to feel all these drum rolls on his chest? Is there really an assurance that the last challenge will be the last? Will the third and last challenge end his constant struggles? What if it won’t? What if it only makes way for something worse?Anthony shook his head, as if to do so would make the thoughts go away. He cannot be thinking of such things when he needed his focus the most. As Marion was speaking about bravery and pride of being a Virgo, he couldn’t listen to the words carefully. He can only hear the sounds but couldn’t cater it with comprehension.“Sir, you have to get in the lake now.” a lady who works as an assistant of the event whispered on his ears“Now?”She nodded. Turns out, Marion has finished what he was telling everyone. As of the moment, the spotlight was on Anthony, and everyone was looking at him with either fear or excitement in their eyes. He gulped, being the center of attention didn’t bother him. What did is the intensity of th
The two enemies reached him in a heartbeat and they both attacked him simultaneously, almost at the same time.Anthony held his breath for the last time. Just two more kills and he’s good for the third and final challenge. It has to be done this time, maybe a single thrust of a spear… or two. This would be the epilogue of the night. But they were quicker than him. They attacked him with a spear and the knife. It didn’t sound threatening but to have two strong men attack him at the same time was overwhelming. They all missed their hits and this led to Anthony’s advantage. When suddenly, the light flickered, he saw that as an opportunity to escape. It was hard but it’s all he has at the moment. He has no other choice. Anthony knew he would be in great peril if he doesn’t grab the chance. So, with his left foot kicking the surface of the lake, he paddled and paddled until he reached the end of the lake. The flicker of the light happened again, making the lake look like aendless black
Brayden was on his way to his room. The minute he heard the drums earlier this morning, he asked his witches on what’s the fuss about. He got an answer that it’s the night for Anthony’s second challenge. The information piqued his interest and he asked if he could watch. With no hesitation, the witches said yes. It has ended. Back when Harper went to him for talking, he couldn’t imagine what she meant. Maybe it was pure exaggeration or something. However, seeing it firsthand made him think that it wasn’t exaggeration at all. The danger and the life-and-death thin line are real. Harper wasn’t overstating anything. “I’m sorry, sir!” Someone accidentally bumped him. Because of the impact, they both fell on the grassy ground. It was a girl. Brayden got up first and tapped his white shirt for some dirt. When the lady looked up, there was a hint of recognition on her eyes. On his side, he didn’t know her at all. He’s sure because he’s the type that doesn’t forget a face.“You… you’re
“Come on, Neil. You can do it!”The trainings for the boys have now started as part of their deal. The two sons of Marion know nothing about trainings and battle skills. Which was much worse than what Anthony anticipated. It’d like the children knew nothing but make hot cocoa since they were young. Like it’s the only thing they’re good at. Anthony started with honing and improving the children’s physical fitness. He started with Jay earlier and he seemed to be more physically fit than his younger brother. Neil, on the other hand, is now struggling with carrying a long stick with two large pails of water balanced on each end. What he’s tasked is to bring those to the other end of the line, which is in a significant distance from the bleachers. Jay was seated beside him, his hands crossed at the back of his head while standing, checking on his brother’s every move. Anthony gave him a glance. “He can do it. It only seemed hard in the beginning. Over time, he’ll learn to know his bala
While Harper, Asher, Norton and little Hector was exploring the area to give Damon and Anthony some privacy, they ran into the last person they wanted to meet that day: Brayden. “Lovely weather today, don’t you think? Hector looks so healthy, huh? Good day to you, little nephew.” – he greeted, trying to be friendly. It made everyone else uncomfortable. Norton hid behind Asher. Even after this time, he still thinks that Brayden solely blames him for his back incident and while he’s here in the Virgo, Brayden will try his best to get even. Even the thought of it is terrifying enough for him that he cannot keep the thoughts at bay. “You’re… you’re no longer in bed.” – Harper said, remembering the time she poured out her inhibitions about Damon’s plan to none other than his vile brother“Yeah, you were right. They have the best witches. They healed me already.”Asher frowned. He couldn’t be the only one noticing the change in the way Brayden speaks to Harper. The overflowing sense of s
“No.” – said Damon.However, he knows what’s up with the lunar eclipse. He knows how risky that could be. If they get attacked, they cannot fight as wolves but only with their bare hands. Damon shook the possibility away from his mind. Just thinking about it is terrifying like hell. “You know what I meant, right? we become vulnerable. If he doesn’t think of something to double the security and the protection of the Virgo, even just for tonight, it would be too big a risk.”Damon nodded. In his mind, he’s still celebrating the thought that finally, he won Brayden to be on his side. A month ago, he wouldn’t believe this to happen. But now, here they are, sharing their thoughts on how to protect the Virgo come the night.“The moon goddess is with us. I believe we’re being protected all the time.”“Even the moon goddess is powerless during a lunar eclipse.”Right, Damon remembered. What’s up with him? why is he so distracted? He nodded to Brayden and thought of a solution to his question
“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