The morning came, and the moon has now rested at the foot of the horizon, making way for the golden strobes of sunlight. Most of the Virgo wolves have spent overnight trying to be awake, prayers up to the moon goddess, fingers crossed that no one would come and attack them. Even when there’s one, the men at the front door of the roundhouse would be tasked to protect them… and the women and children knew they’re safe. Alora blended in with the crowd easily, hyper aware of the stares she gets from the women from Eva’s group. She could tell them apart from the rest. They’re the only ones who don’t have a child or a baby cradled on their arms. They’re the single ones, the ones not yet burdened by the role of motherhood. By the break of dawn, Brayden came back to check on her. He sat beside her and talked in whispers so as not to attract any attention from others. However, it didn’t work pretty well. He’s Brayden Lucas, the Great Beta of the Red Blood pack, it would be impossible to tak
Alora gave Brayden one last look and a kiss on the cheek, which he didn’t expect. He subconsciously looked at the gate of the roundhouse, in case Harper saw it. She didn’t. If she did, would he really think it matters? Did he really think she would mind?The voices in his head were louder on his doubts this time. But they all sounded valid.“I’ll see you soon then, Brayden. My Beta.”Alora kept her hand at Brayden’s cheek. A tender showing of her devotion to him. “I won’t forget this favor I asked from you, Alora. Thank you for your help. I’ll contact you as soon as I can. Send me a message when you already reached the camp.” – he said and just right then, they almost reached the front door of the roundhouse.And they separated ways.“Hey, Damon. I got a question for you.” – Brayden said, getting Damon’s attention. Not only his. Also with the rest of their friends. Norton was taking a nap on a long flat stone below the tree and Asher didn’t feel the need to disturb his peaceful slum
Harper squinted her eyes. That’s one thing about her: she knows it when people (or in this case, wolves) lie. It’s easy to tell from the movement of their eyes to the way they stumble to think of an excuse. It’s amusing to observe sometimes, really. But it’s too easy.“No one.” – Brayden said and Harper rolled her eyes. He still hasn’t given up. He’s already caught. “You can’t fool me, Brayden. I already know you’re lying. Stop trying to cover something. Whose is it, anyway?”The million-dollar question. The easiest but the hardest one to answer at the moment. Brayden folded the scarf and placed it on his left shoulder. He wore it like a badge or an insignia of bravery. “Just drop it, Harp.” – he said and walked past Harper. Harper had no intention to “drop it” or whatever. Instead, she pulled the scarf from his shoulder and smelled it. Brayden tried grabbing it back, but it’s too late. The scarf was already in Harper’s possession. She brought it closer to her nose and smelled i
Alora was escorted by two strong men when she arrived at the camp gate. Unlike before, as she remembered it, there are minute changes that has been done on the camp. The gate and most of the walls of the area has been painted with black, white and red graffiti. She remembered those to be neat and clean before. But now, it looked messy and disorganized. “Do you really need to hold me this way? I know where the common room is.” – she said, as the two men are holding her arms too tight. She’s sure that somehow, those grips had caused bruise on her fair skin. “Alpha Draco told us to bring you there this way, Miss.”Alora cursed under breath. It hurts. The way they handle her hurts. But then, she’s feeble compared to the two men. Their strength are incomparable and abstract. She gave up her struggle. She accepted her defeat and composed herself. Any minute now, she has to talk to the Great Alpha to justify her absence. For two weeks, she didn’t inform anyone in the camp of her whereabou
The third challenge for Anthony was simpler than the second. Here, Jay told him that he needed to cultivate his skills in archery. He instantly got the idea. The third task would use bows and arrows.However, there’s a twist in the challenge. And it involved two of his friends.“Wait, is this allowed?” – Anthony askedHe, Asher and the two sons of Marion was on the new location of their training. It’s a place he stumbled upon while searching the meadows. It was smaller than the one they’re used to, but at least here, they’re safer. That’s worth the risk.Asher wasn’t around when he asked Jay about the details of the third challenge. He went to the roundhouse to get a gallon of water for them. Under the prickly heat of the sun, their thirst couldn’t worse.“Yeah. I heard from the meeting that Damon even agreed to do this.”He scoffed. Damon, huh? Does he have that much of a trust in him that he’ll agree to something like this? The challenge that Harper and Norton would be tied to a tar
Marion laughed nervously. He heard rumors about the Redmayne’s unfriendliness with everyone, but he didn’t realize he would experience it firsthand. “I don’t think you understand the weight of this. It’s your friend’s last challenge. Without this, he won’t be the same as the rest of you. He’ll be a stranger in the Virgo. He has to pass this last challenge to belong. Like the rest of you.”Harper sat down at the edge of her bed. She didn’t bother to invite the alpha to sit down.“Is Norton in his room right now? I need to speak with him regarding the matter too.”Without waiting for Harper’s answer, Marion walked to the adjoining rooms. The one on the right was closed and locked. “That’s not his. That’s Asher’s.”Marion nodded and got to the other room. He knocked once… twice… thrice and it was only on the fourth time that Norton opened the door for him. As soon as Norton realizes the identity of his guest, he bowed and greeted him good evening. He had no idea there’s nothing good a
Harper noticed that the moon’s brighter tonight than the usual. Perhaps the moon goddess thought it’s only proper to make up for the other night of the eclipse. Perhaps that’s why the moon now’s on its full bloom, illuminating the premises of the Virgo with golden white light. At least, Harper doesn’t feel too pathetic at the moment. If the night’s as dark as usual, she would feel too low, thinking that on Damon’s hierarchy of priorities, her welfare’s the last one. She’s starting to get used to that idea. She ran to the forest, where she could cry and scream and howl and no one would be around to hear it. The soles of her feet stepping over the twigs, her mind’s divided on the thought of the next night. She imagined herself tied to a huge trunk of a tree in front of the entire Virgo community, with an apple on her head, with the sight of Anthony with his bows and arrows, waiting for it to hit. Just thinking of it makes her angry. The running got a little faster now as she heads t
Harper didn’t mind the “pathetic” comment from Brayden. She’s already used to him calling him anything he wants without him meaning it. It’s like Brayden has a rich vocabulary for all the negative adjectives he could just throw at any given moment and he would be justified by saying it. Just that. It didn’t need to be personal or offensive.“Thank you. I think you’re done here now. You can go back inside.” – Harper said, using the shirt to wipe her wet neck and the back of her legsBrayden raised an eyebrow.“You didn’t tell me anything about why you’re out in the woods yet.”Harper continued wiping her body and this time, looked up at him to shake her head.“You’re pushy, you know that.”Brayden shrugged. So what?“I won’t leave until you tell me. Besides, none of these areas belong to you. You cannot order me to leave or go somewhere.”Harper knew Brayden’s right. She has given up. what harm would that cause if she tells him anyway? Tomorrow, everyone would know about the third tria