STORMI started counting from one to hundred, trying to curb my anger and withhold the urge to throw my alarm clock on the ugly face of Miranda as she kept on ranting on how I was a slut and had no shame to allow a man jump into my room through my window, although I knew she would give up her right toe to be in the same shoes that I was. She kept on talking, and when I couldnât take it again, I decided to zone out. You know that moment that you are there but you arenât there. I could hear her talking but I couldnât actually hear what or the specifics of whatever she was saying. I rather thought of the kiss I had shared with Kaden rather, his succulent lips were something to die for. I couldnât wait to see him in the evening. I wondered where he had in mind to take me too, for a better shaping of my mind-he had said. Well, wherever it was that he was taking me to, I hoped that they had somewhere private enough to smooch and let out some steam. I was literally dying to see him again.
STORMâStop zoning out on me!!!! What gives you the right?!â I heard the dimwit scream avian, and looked down on my phone. The call was still on. Hmm, so Curtis really wanted to hear more? Thatâs interesting. Perhaps I should give him what he wanted. He should consider it a favour then. I had helped him see the reality of who he was dating, not that he was any better, but stillâĶ he owed me one though.âIâm sorry, her royal highnessâĶ itâs just with my fatherâs death, I am having a lot to think about.â I answered finally, wanting to laugh out loud when I noticed the way she was heaving in and out.âSo, back to our new neighborâĶ.â I drawled, chuckling, unable to stop myself, when she scrunched her face. The girl was really a dummy. How could she be this passionate in anger about some guy she didnât even know his name?? Well, I can understand though, Kaden was hot!! But stillâĶâStay away from him, Storm. He is mine. Or else, you wouldnât like what would happen to you next.â She threatened
STORMThere was silence in my room for about five minutes. Curtis was silent over the phone. Miranda was silent over here. I was tired too of talking to both of them, so I remained silent too, stalking back to my bed and sitting down, waiting until either of them decided to speak and make this event more interesting.âCurtisâĶâ Miranda started, and I smirked before I could even stop myself, more like a knee jerk reaction, my body sure knew how to respond to stuff like this.âIâĶdidâĶit was all stage work, justâĶâ Miranda was saying, and before I could stop myself, I let out an outburst of laughter, unperturbed when she glared at me. Did she think that I would be stopped by that? I wondered, feeling the laughter flow out of me like never before. I guess no one has humiliated her this way before. Good, I was the first.âCurtisâĶâ she started again, but the young man was probably tired of hearing more lies as his voice boomed across the phone the next second.âStop Miranda. I feel disgusted b
STORMWait, what did Miranda mean by that? Surprises? I had a feeling that the surprises she was talking about were not the normal fluffy balloons and cake. What the hell was she talking about? I knew that asking about my fatherâs death from my stepmother was a waste, but perhaps, if I could bait Miranda, she might tell me something I want to hear, or would aid me in my next course to take. I looked up and she was right at my door, about to turn the knob when I called out her name, calmly but firmly. âMiranda...come back here. We are not done talking..â I stated, maintaining my cool when she turned around, a smirk on her lips, and her arms folded across her chest. âYou want to talk nowâĶsisterâĶwell, sorry, I doubt that I would want to ruin the surprises that mama has planned for you? You think that she has ever forgiven you for what you had done to my brother, Manuel?â she asked, before breaking into an outburst of sinister laughter which troubled me no small deal. âNo..,she never
STORMHey Kaden. I donât know if I should be asking this, but I just guess that I am very curious. Do you have a girlfriend? I am in love with my head and I don't want anyone tampering with it. Also, we need to talk. When are we meeting?I read the text three more times, after the first two times, before sending it to Kadenâs number. It doesnât seem desperate, does it? I thought, jerking a bit when my phone started to ring.For a second, I thought it was Kaden, until I saw the name. Lucy. She must be calling about my father's death to offer her condolences. Sighing tiredly, I answered the call. Lucy was my friend, and even though I wanted nothing but to end the call and keep waiting on Kadenâs reply, I still have to show her the respect due to a friend. âStorm, are you okay? I heard what happened. I am very sorry.â Lucy started, and I hummed, not exactly knowing what to say.âDo you want to come stay with us for perhaps a week, till after the burial? My mother thinks that would be be
KADENMy mind was still reeling from the kiss I had just shared with Storm, when a knock propped up hard on my door.âCome in.â I muttered, gazing at my ceiling, my legs crossed on each other, my hands crossed at the back of my head, as I laid comfortably on the bed. I couldnât remember the last time I felt sated when my world seemed to be crashing around me.My lack of communication with my probably dead lycan was enough end of the world story to me. But surprisingly, just a kiss from Storm had managed to tame the roaring depression that had been rearing its ugly head. Where would I take her to this evening? I had made the promise, but that had been like a knee jerk reaction. I really didnât have an idea of where to take her. âKaden..down to earth..â Liam called out, tapping my knee, causing me to look at him. âSit up big man. What are you thinking about? Is it about the issue with the experiments? Casper had filled me in.â he said, and I sighed, my mind returning back to reality
KADENHearing Averyâs voice snapped me out of my thoughts about Storm. Turning around, I gave her the signature smile, or rather a lame mild stretching of my lips, an action which was definitely in contrast with the freeness I experienced around Storm. I guess it was one of the reasons why I needed Storm, to feel more alive and not be stiff like a robot who has taken upon himself to take care of the clan by any means necessary.âHi Kaden, how are you doing?â Avery asked, stepping closer to me, trying to kiss me on the lips but I turned away at the last second, and the kiss landed on my cheek. I saw the flash of anger that crossed her face and disappeared the next second. âIs there anything wrong?â she asked, and I wanted to tell her yes. I wanted to tell her to scoot away and that I had found my mate at last. I wanted to tell her about Storm, and I wanted to tell that I wasn't going to continue this thing between us but all I did say was that âI am fine.â for the time wasnât right
STORMI gasped, as my buttocks landed on the floor out of shock, but more of a slight stepping on the can of drink which had laid idle on the floor. My telescope also fell, as if mourning my sad state with me. Very faithful, unlike some handsome Greek , or was it an Irish god, that had just managed to hurt me when we hadn't even started anything. Thatâs great! It was good that I had found out now though. Yes, it was good that I had found out what a liar he was before having anything to do with him. This way I wouldnât be tempted in the list to grab and kiss him again if he ever comes close to me. I noted, nodding my head.Actually, Miranda can have him. I didnât care about that anymore. I mused, sniffing angrily when I felt a lone tear drop from my cheek. God, I am so pathetic.I hadnât cried over the news of my fatherâs death immediately, but here I am, whining over someone that wasnât even my boyfriend yet! Clucking my tongue decisively, I stood up from the floor, refusing to w
Storm could feel her heart pounding hard, but it was more out of excitement than fear. She should be afraid, the bird was a true raptor, but it was magnificent. It had black eyes! Round, shiny, very intelligent black eyes. She stared at it for two full minutes. That wasn't normal, she was certain. Very slowly, so she wouldn't startle the creature, she backed across the room to the desk where she kept her phone. Still looking at the bird, she googled the images of the bird, biting her lips intermittently as she waited.Strangely, the bird was observing her just as intently, an intelligence in its gaze as it watched the phone beep occasionally. When the page opened, Storm glanced at the image of the harpy eagle. The eyes were round and shining with intelligence, but they were not black. The eyes in the picture were a bright amber with a black pupil. She let out her breath slowly. Something was wrong with her bird.âYou aren't blind, though, are you?â She sent the words, not even kno
After Storm was done eating, she thanked Kaden, and let him have the plates when he stretched his hands to collect them. To hold herself from jumping on him, and demanding that he put her out of her sexual misery, she stood up from the bed and sauntered to the window to look at the forest, and clear her immoral thoughts. He had joined her to eat, and for each time his mouth had closed over a morsel of food, she had jerked subtly, as if the mouth was closing over her twin orbs. In a large oak tree, plenty feet away from her, a bird flapped its mighty wings, drawing her attention. A smile swept past her lips when she became aware that she could sight its distinctive features. She was not the same Storm of a month ago. She was different now, considering the amount of trainings she had submitted too.The bird had a round facial disk with a very pronounced ruff. It wasn't an owl but it was large. Very large. The unusual bird could easily weigh at least twenty pounds. She stared at it
Storm walked into Kaden's treehouse and was immediately struck by how it seemed larger than usual. The wooden walls, which should be plain and simple, were adorned with colorful murals and hand-painted designs. One wall even showcased a sprawling mural of a sunset over a peaceful lake, with vivid oranges and pinks blending into each other. And another wall had a charming depiction of a forest, complete with playful animals like squirrels and birds, all brought to life with bright, cheerful colors.The room was filled with natural light that filtered through the large windows, which had been decorated with flowing curtains in soft, earthy tones. The curtains swayed gently in the breeze, adding a sense of movement to the scene. The wooden floor was covered with cozy rugs that added warmth and comfort to the space.A large, comfy bean bag was positioned in one corner, surrounded by soft pillows. Next to it was a small bookshelf brimming with colorful books, their spines lined up neatly
Stormâs mind kept conjuring up provocative images, as she and Kaden walked hand in hand around the clan. The kiss they had shared in her room still tingled on her lips, still kept heat in her blood, still made her hunger for more. She inhaled sharply when Kaden turned and stared at her, his eyes brimming with the emotions that she was sure was playing out in her own mind. For a second, she feared that he might have peeked into her dirty mind, but then she remembered that they were not bonded yet, not in that sense. It brought her swift relief which came with a coating of abashed-ness seen in the coloring of her cheeks and necks, something that wasnât lost on Kaden who was battling to hold on to his honor. He cussed at himself for closing her lips with his earlier, knowing what could happen from there. But she had been speaking, and her luscious mouth had been like water in a desert land; he had been parched so much that he couldnât have been able to help himself. And now, the stirr
All through the week, Storm only concentrated on the books Kaden had given her, or rather on the first book she had collected from the pile. Jutul had done the same, concentrating on the second book he had picked. Both had only taken breaks when they wanted to eat or when they wanted to train with Casper for an hour. To assuage Kadenâs caveman jealousy, all the reading had been in the dining downstairs, and yet they werenât close enough to whatever the books were on about. They werenât close to the end either, and the transcribers were doing a poor job, despite Jiraqâs input sometimes. It was then that Storm had learnt that Jiraq wasnât done with the book either. âWhat are you doing with one of the hardest books in the pile?â had been his first question when she had solicited for his help. He had gone ahead to pick up a smaller book, written in English, for her and Jutul to start with, but she had declinedâshe had grown attached to the old book. And she had vowed to bring it to a fi
Storm groaned tiredly; under the full weight of the knowledge she had been absorbing for the past four hours. Kaden had been true to his word, and with the help of Jiraq, had bundled more than thirty books which smelt of oldness into her room this morning, just before she dressed for school. âFor those written in old language, Jiraq was kind enough to let you have his transcriber, so that you can better understand it. You can check them out after classes today.â Kaden had said, when he had stepped into her room with a fellow whom she knew went by the name, Micheal, Liamâs younger brother. She had found out right after Liamâs recuperation weeks ago, about the wicked action on the young fellow who didnât look a year older than her. The first book on the pile had gotten her attention after the duo had left the room, and picking it up, she had decided to peek at a page, then return to her preparation for school. But a page had turned to two pages, and then five pages, until school was
Storm was chatting with Lucy and Justin, in their phone group , around a time when she should be sleeping, when she heard her name being droned in her ears. âS-t-o-r-mâ She furrowed her eyebrows, and looked around the room she shared with Kaden sometimes. There was no one. The voice sounded familiar, and until she felt the eeriness in the room, she didnât know who it was. The vampire.She got up from the empty bed, and sauntered toward the door, needing to get to Kaden as soon as possible, but the door wouldnât budge. She stamped her foot on the floor out of frustration, as fear suddenly took root in her mind and body. Where was he when she needed him? Why hadnât he spent the night with her? She wondered, never minding that she had been one to ask they sleep on separate beds tonight, after he had returned from his meeting with his people, after she had returned from seeing her friends off with Lent. The voice called for her name again, and she shuddered before she could help it, h
There was a stark naked silence in the room after Jutulâs declaration. So stark was it, that Storm felt her ears ringing with deep silence, deep silence and an unclothed unbelief. They were lying? If she didnât know of Jutulâs gifts, she would have berated him for speaking against her friends. But she knew. She knew he was telling the truthâthere wasnât a need to lie. And she still was finding it hard to believe. Lucy and Justin had planned a lie, and had come to convince them of it? All for what? To gain information on what was going on in the clan? Was their school even on break? Then, the silence was broken by Kadenâs voice which had descended to a certain chillness that informed Storm that her mate was angry, very angry, at being made a fool of. âLent, place a call to the schoolâs authorities, and find out if the school is really on breakâĶâ Lucyâs dark laughter interrupted his statement, and brought Stormâs attention to her. âSo yâall would rather believe Stormâs newest friend
Of course they wouldnât. Storm thought, looking at Lucy squarely for the first time since she had entered the room. Her friend was still bubbling in age-old anger, and was still carrying a grudge against her.And since, Storm knew she couldnât do much about itâbecause what Lucy was demanding was unattainableâshe let the latter think that she wasnât bothered by it. It would help with them leaving earlier. Having seen what exactly was at play here, what evil forces were at play here, she wasnât about to risk the lives of her friends. She wasnât about to have their blood on her head, because she wanted them to be included in every facet of her life. It was better they thought she was against them; it was better they believed that she didnât value their friendship.âSo, why are you here, Lucy?â She schooled her face to a cold aloofness, unfazed when Justin let out a cuss word, whilst darting a glance between Lucy and her. There was a minute silence, where Lucy scanned Stormâs features;