Gonzalo's stomach grumbled from the lack of breakfast. Sarah's cheerful obliviousness was grating on his nerves. "Yeah, early bird and all that," he mumbled, forcing a smile that felt strained even to himself. Sarah, who was reveling in her cluelessness, chirped, "Just getting myself back into the swing of things after that late night yesterday." Did he ask? Gonzalo secretly rolled his eyes. Sarah’s bluntness wasn't much of what he admired. His gaze was still fixated on Rain who appeared to be hissing at him like a predator marking its territory. Whatever could have happened to the little girl who was so friendly and open-minded with him yesterday? Could River have said something to her? It took great strength for him to snap back his control and force himself to tend to his business. But what man wouldn't be swayed from seeing his daughter look so hateful at him? The familiar aroma of freshly baked bread and cinnamon rolls assaulted Gonzalo's senses as they entered. Nicholas w
Sympathy that the boys were also orphans just like him made Gonzalo’s heart bleed. "That's rough, little ones." He said, lips forcefully pressed into a thin line.Michael, the quieter one, chirped in, "That's why we need to work, you see? To survive. But Nicholas… he's been real kind, taking us in and giving us a job even though we are still teenagers.”Well, he would concur with that notion anywhere. Silas was one hell of a good man."He's a good man, Nicholas is," Gonzalo agreed wholeheartedly.Just then, an exclamation boomed through the street. "The Alpha is coming!"Argh! As though his morning wasn't ruined enough, Echo shows up! He almost retorted at the announcer to shut the hell up before he remembered what Nicholas had told him about how Echo came around every morning to eat at the restaurant.The restaurant– did River not live there? Would their paths not cross in there? Did their path not cross yesterday? He didn't think so as the news about River’s arrival seemed like fres
"Alright, what needs doing next?" He asked, breaking the awkward silence and pretending like he did not notice their countenances.Nicholas started slightly, and soon ended up blabbering all through. "Oh, Gonzalo, good. I was just… well…" Gonzalo tilted his head and gave Nicholas a good one over to show the man that he wasn't doing this— whatever the hell everyone was trying to do.Nicholas got the message as he hesitated, then sighed. "Echo's words outside, they shouldn't worry you, Alpha Gonzalo. We all know the truth."Gonzalo scoffed. "Truth? As long as they have their little houses and feel a little sense of security, people wouldn't care if the sky turned purple. But whatever she spouted, don't worry, it went in one ear and out the other."Nicholas chuckled, relief washing over his face. "Good lad. You're a good leader, Gonzalo. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."It certainly didn't feel like it but Gonzalo managed a dry nod. And then, he asked, "Anything else I can do befo
“Just be careful out there, alright, Gonzalo? Hopefully, this delivery will be peaceful. Wouldn't want any news of you carrying another injured lad around the pack again. It is what is giving the room for embarrassment for you, Alpha.” Gonzalo's heart sank. He did not even pay attention to the rest of Nicholas’s words. He was too humbled to care for embarrassments or no embarrassment now. Rourke's pale and lifeless face flashed before his eyes. He could feel guilt burrowing deep within him, finding hollowed space to nestle its toxicity and feed off of his happiness. Maybe this was what he was reduced to now. He forced a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. Nicholas, noticing the change in his demeanor, furrowed his brow. "Did I say something wrong?" "Rourke..." Gonzalo started, trying his best not to let his emotions get the better of him. "He's dead, Nicholas. Killed. He was killed yesterday.” A gasp escaped Nicholas's lips. "Dead? But... I thought you took him to the doct
River ~~ Echo's eyes narrowed into slits as she sat on the table, her gaze traveling between River and Rain. "Well, well, River," she whistled, "who's the little unwanted addition you brought to my pack?" A little unwanted addition? Rain? How dare Echo call her daughter that? Rain was far from being unwanted. Rain was the most loved and wanted child in the world but what would Echo know about love? Instead of getting pissed at her offensive remarks, she might as well pity the stone-hearted ill-mannered bitch Echo had become. Tch. It was such a shame. She used to be the best big sister in the world. “She is none of your business, Echo," she snapped, hoping she was stern enough to make Echo back off. Echo scoffed, not in the least bit intimidated by River’s tone. Instead, a harsh laugh escaped her lips. "Everything in this pack is my business, River. Don't you forget it. I OWN this pack.” How dare Echo tells her she owned the pack when it is a clear custom that only the childre
She has had right about enough of this nonsense.With her jaw clenched. "Get out, Echo," she growled with a devilish dim of her eyes. "This is my space, and you're no longer welcome."Echo gave a long dry scoff that showed she feared River not. "This entire pack is mine, River. Don't make the mistake of forgetting that. Leave. Now. Or don't come crying to me when things don't go your way. Whatever happens to you and your bastard child for your defiance, don't blame me.”What the heck? Had Echo no shame? She would threaten a little child if she must? What insolence was that?!River could no longer hold back. With beads of sweat trailing down her forehead, she lunged forward. "What did you just say? Don't you dare threaten my daughter!” she demanded, grabbing Echo's arm.Just then, two muscular figures who were Echo's personal guards, formerly standing in front of the restaurant door materialized at lightning speed.They shoved River back aggressively. "Don't touch the Alpha!" o
River flinched at Annemarie's voice which briefly startled from her contemplation. She looked up at the old woman who did not need a walking stick to walk perfectly. "You can be anything you wish to be, River," Annemarie repeated. "And you are more than strong enough to be a leader. You just need... practice."Would practice make people change their minds about the girl they had condemned and believed to be frail? Would it make them see her as more?Make them believe that she was more?Annemarie held out a worn leather-bound book that had a surface etched with swirling symbols that seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly glow. An aura of power emanated from it that gave her the heebie jeebies. "This," Annemarie continued, "contains all the spells you need to familiarize yourself with. With this book, River, you can be anything you want to be."River stared at the book, mesmerized by the cryptic symbols and the power it seemed to radiate. Uncertainty nibbled at her. Was she tru
[Mature Content Ahead]The twilight deepened as River emerged from the warmth of the restaurant. The pack's usual noisy energy had dwindled to into low buzzes, indicating a sign of the approaching night. Lost in the maze of her thoughts, she barely noticed the silence that fell around her as she retreated toward the woods. Her mind churned with questions. Annemarie's unclear words, the weight of the spellbook in her hand - it was all a swirling ball of uncertainty. There was just this urgency within her, like an instinct, telling her to prepare for something that was to come….…something she didn't even know what form it was to take.The path leading to the woods was familiar. It was often walked during calmer times back then but now, it was one of the most feared spots in the pack.She walked down on autopilot, oblivious to the watchful eyes following her at a safe distance.Reaching the treeline, she ventured deeper, searching a secluded clearing. It needed to be close enough to to