MERIDA"So, what do you want to do today?" someone asked from behind me. I turned abruptly to see Lemuel smiling. He was wearing a loose cotton shirt, and the happiness in his eyes was unmistakable.I thought this must be how one should feel when their bonding ceremony was approaching, but I had never felt this happy before—maybe because I never really knew who Lukan was.I shook my head, as if that could rid me of the swirling thoughts in my mind."Are you happy?" I asked."What?" he stuttered, clearly surprised by my question. I slapped my temple softly; I wasn’t supposed to ask him that. It was obvious he was happy—who wouldn't be?"Sorry, I meant to ask—" I stopped, trailing off, not knowing what to say."I understand what you meant, Merida," he said, laughing."Are you laughing at me?" I asked, playfully punching him on his upper arm."I know you're asking if I'm happy to be with Zayna," he said, shoving his hands into his pockets and giving a small shrug. "I'm very happy, actual
MERIDAThat very moment felt like a movie, so unreal. Never in a million years would I think that Lukan would ever defend me or come to my rescue.I felt like I was swimming in the sky. I felt that happiness that comes when your mate defends you, when his wolf struggles to fight off those who try to bully you.I felt like a high school girl who found out her crush was her mate.But at the same time, I blamed myself.I could have waited for a perfect time to tell him, or I shouldn't have told him in the first place.I blamed myself for not telling Lukan first.He was my mate and also the alpha of the pack. He was the first person I was supposed to trust, not any other person.And now Zayna had a little idea that I knew something.As Lukan led me downstairs to the field and then to the stables, I thought about it.What if Zayna was the person in the room that day?She was a talkative too, and soon she would tell everyone what I said. But at least I didn’t finish it.I just couldn't conc
MERIDAMy mind flashed back to what I wanted to tell Lemuel , and I felt instantly that I should tell Luka when he comes back from preparing lunch for me. But I had been waiting for the past 30 minutes and there had been no sign of him coming with the food he prepared.I limped to the mirror and stared at my reflection, I looked flustered.I exhaled deeply, I had to tell Lukan about this, at least he could find out who was behind this and save the lives of Lemuel and Zayna.If only Zayna knew what I was helping her to do, she could have been so grateful me but no she was just saucy and arrogant and felt like she could bully me around.I gathered my hair and held it up in a ponytail, staring at myself in the mirror. The pain had subside now and I could manage to stand on my own. I realized that I do not feel so much pain and when I glanced at my legs, I felt that the bruises were healing up on their own. Maybe it was a sign that I was getting my wolf back. But I didn't know how sur
"I was just thinking," Lukan said behind me as I sat before the vanity, trying so faintly to have my makeup done. Not that there weren't makeup artist downstairs but everyone was crowded around Zayna .Anyways what will I supposed to think? It was her big day today so, I have to get my makeup done even when I suck at it. The makeup box was opened before me the foundation, the Mary k and the lipstick and I didn't know which color should go with my dress. I pouted at my reflection in the mirror." I can't stay alone in the Pack House." I reminded him as I picked up a concealer and held it up to my cheeks."You are not staying alone you can stay with some of the maids and guards." He said again and from the corner of my eyes I could see him rolling up his sleeves, and tucking his hands into his pocket.I hated it when he do that a lot, rolling up his sleeves , leaving them wrinkled after several minutes of getting them iron and straightened. "But the members of The Pack are going to t
MERIDA.Slowly , I opened my eyes and the only thing I saw was darkness around me. I couldn't understand what was going on, the sound I heard previously had increased in my head.And no matter how hard I tried, the pain in my head throb as if a thousand drummers were having a festival and my eyes felt so heavy like they had been shut tight with a nail and hammer. I tried to turn to my side and a thousand pain shot up my spine, making me breathe hard, and I couldn't move my body from the awkward position I was in. I tried to remember what happened few minutes ago but the only thing I remembered was me screaming Lukan's name.But the fragments of my imagination, came with worst headache.But I remembered it now, the vehicle coming closer to us, and Lukan trying to gain control of the steering wheel and the last thing I remembered was screaming his name.Finally I opened my eyes, slowly and painfully at first. I felt something wet and sticky trickling down the side of my head. I tu
LEMUELThe day should have been the start of something new for me and Zayna. It was as if I had seen this day coming and I had waited patiently. I couldn't contain my joy. Guests gathered around us, laughter floated through the air along with the soft hum of music, and people walked about, talking and sipping on their champagne. It felt so real like a normal human wedding which I had once attended with Lukan —except it wasn't. It was a day I and Zayna will seal our fate as mates.The bonding ceremony could have started long ago. But something was wrong. We were all waiting for Lukan. We just couldn't start the bonding ceremony without him present. He was supposed to give his blessings, supposed to stand with me in this moment and his absence was making everyone uneasy.Zayna stood beside me, looking perfect in her dress but her hands felt stiff and cold in mine. She was anxious, I guess. And once in a while she had looked back at the double grand doors.As the minute rolled by, the
LEMUEL I stepped out of Lukan's ward, my heart heavy with fear. The smell of antiseptic clung to my skin, the bright lights of the hospital hallways doing little to calm my nerves.Why them ?The question had been gnawing at my mind since the accident. I couldn't shake the sight of Lukan, bruised and broken, hooked up to machines that kept him alive. Who could have done this? I quickened my pace as I headed towards Merida's ward. Rosita and Kara we already inside standing by her bed. I slowed down at the door, pressing my hand against the cool metal as if I could somehow prepare myself for what I could find inside. Merida. She had to wake up. Everything happening was just so strange. I took a deep breath and entered the room. Merida lay there, still unconscious. Pale, fragile like she was already halfway to another world. It had been three days. Three days of not hearing her voice , of not hearing Lukan's voice tooRosita glanced at me, worry etched on her face ."Any news on th
MERIDA "Mother you need to stop all this." Lemuel yelled clenching his fist I had never seen him this angry before." This is a hospital in case you don't know."Julietta eyes twitched up and she regarded him like a spoiled 6 year old, slowly she turned to Kara and Rosita who had their head bowed, trying to avoid her gaze."What are you two still doing here?" She bellowed, they stood up immediately staring at each other in fear."Do you want me to spell it out? Get out!" She yelled stamping her feet and they both scurried out of the room.Julietta stared at their departing figures in disgust before she turned her angry eyes on me and i felt like disappearing forever.She took a step towards where I was sitting on the bed and immediately, Lemuel stepped between us again and she glared at him."What are you doing, boy?" She said giving him a hard dirty look and I was thinking he had step away but he didn't. "Mother." He called softly holding her hands." We can't be arguing here, what if
ELIZABETHThe room was filled with flickering shadows as the fire in the hearth cracked. As Merida tried processed everything I had said.Her eyes widened and her face went pale as I sat across from her. This was more than just her past it was the reality that had strapped my soul together for years. "You deserve to know everything Merida. . But its difficult to hear what Im about to tell you." I said my voice trembling a little, as I looked around the room ,at everyone listening to me.Julietta handed her a mug of tea and she nodded while her fingers clenched around it. The tone of as "Your parents Naomi and Nathaniel were the most honorable wolves I ever knew." I said my voice was so sorrowful"The love they had for you and your sister , Nahla was greater than life itself. Bit love was insufficient to shield them from the packs evil. "Merida opened her mouth to speak but she remained silent. "There was a struggle for power ."I added. “Some believed Naomi’s bloodline was too
ELIZABETH 𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌I remembered the night of Lukan and Nahla's bonding ceremony clearly as if it had been burned into my soul. Deep crimson and royal gold colours which stand for strength and unity were used to decorate the grand hall. Music, laughter and the lovely scent of roses in bloom filled the air. In order to witness the ceremony that would bring two influential families together, every member of the pack was present and dressed to the nines. Lukan was a commanding presence in the middle of the room, his dark eyes searching the crowd for Nahla. A silence descended upon the hall as she eventually emerged. Nahla's smile was more brilliant than the chandeliers above and her silvery gown shone like moonlight. It was a hopeful smile that offered joy for the years ahead. My sense of obligation to them as their aunt had always been very strong. I made sure everything went according to plan . Bit something about that evening seemed strange, that I couldn't place my
ELIZABETH I could remember vividly when I was a little girl,our family had long held dinner as a sacred ritual a time to forget about problems and just spend time together. Tonight Julietta insisted reminded me of that.The table was exquisitely arranged with candles illuminating the food spread. Lukan sat next to Merida and they occasionally smiled as though they were trying to reassure one another. Nahla sat beside me, she had a small smile on her lips but her eyes betrayed everything as she kept stealing glances at Lukan.I sighed, we had discussed about this before coming here today, I can't blame her though. She was still in love with him. Always the gracious hostess Julietta clapped her hands together. "All right everyone start eating! Dean dont argue over the mashed potatoes. " In mock indignation Dean gasped. "Just once ,Mother ! Just once and I'm permanently branded. " T
MERIDAThe warmth of Lukan's hand in mine brought back to reality . I looked up into his delicate grey eyes which were filled with so much emotions that mirrored mine. He ran his thumb over my knuckles and the corners of his lips curled into a slight smile. "Merida I need you to listen to me." He said, his voice was steady and low I nodded for him to go on as I swallowed the lump in my throat. "You're mine Merida." He stated firmly but there was a tenderness in his voice that soothed my jangled nerves. "You will always be my mate regardless of what happens or what you may believe. It won't change anything. " I didn't realize the cracks in my heart were being filled with emotions until his words swept over me. All of my uncertainties, anxieties and confusion seemed to vanish for a moment as the weight of his words struck me. “I…” I tried to say something but
MERIDAI sat in the grand halls, my heart racing as I tried to understand what had just happened . Everything was just too much for me. Questions spiralling in my head . That woman who had suddenly reappeared today of all days on my birthday. My twin sister. Someone I barely remembered. To worsen the situation she was *Lukans first love*. I replayed the scene which happened minutes ago over and over again as my hands balled into fists and my nails digging into my palms. I still remembered Lukan's expression. His face and eyes softening as he gaze at her like one of the wonders of the world. Had he ever looked at me like that ? Is he still in love with her ? Now she was back what will happen to me ? Will he still love me just the same way ?This and many other questions ran through my head as tears threatened to spill.“Merida. . . The sound of his voice jolted me out of my thoughts. His
LUKAN Lemuel's words were still ringing in my ears as I gazed at him. It was unbelievable. I blinked severally maybe it was one of his sick jokes but it wasn't.I turned to Merida."Let’s go." I said in in a more steady voice than I actually felt. We got up from the dining table and made our way to the living room after Merida gave a silent nod. I felt like a something had gone off when I saw what was waiting for us. The room was filled with — Nahla Lemuel wasn't jokingShe was not alone, she was with someone else and she was alive—miraculously impossible alive. The woman stabding next to her recognized me to , I exhaled and looked away.A mixture of emotions made my chest tightened that I didn't know what to feel.My gaze swiftly returned to Nahla as she rushed st me, her arms circling me in a fierce tear bear hug.I closed my eyes allowing the moment to pass. We all thought the past was gone but she was here and happiness surged through me.and the memories of our time toget
MERIDA Despite the thick blankets I had wrapped around myself the cold was still in the room when I woke up and getting into my skin. Even with the heating on, the morning air still had an icy bite to it as winter quickly approached. Instinctively I reached out to feel Lukans warmth but my hand found a cold empty sheet instead. . . My heart skipped a beat. . . Lukan? I yelled softly my voice heavy with sleep.. There was no answer. I sat up massaging my arms to produce heat. There was a spooky silence in the room the kind that made me uneasy. His habit of leaving without saying anything was unusual. Still struggling with the uneasiness that was tearing at my chest I slipped my feet into my slippers and put on a cardigan. As I left our room I had the feeling that the house was empty. The corridors were deserted and the dim winter sunlight streaming in through the windows cast shadows on the floor. Though there were traces of last nights celebrations in the air like the faint scen
MERIDA I stood at the balcony of our room, the sky was without a moon tonight but I wasn't thinking about how beautiful the night was or about Lemuel because it made me feel sad. My mind was elsewhere. I was thinking about something entirely different. In this room, my thoughts and my world were centered around him. Lukan I was thinking about us. But Lukan's calming voice brought me back. "You've been looking out there for some time. What's on your mind?" I looked over and saw him standing by the door, his tie loose and shirt unbuttoned a bit. A wife smile on his thin sensual lips that made me want to kiss him. He appeared like the perfect dream I never thought could come true. There was a way he looked like me. Like I was the most important person in the world. "I was ... thinking about something. About us." I said in a small voice which was barely above a whisper. "I love talking about 'us'," he said, moving closer. "It's what I enjoy the most." I grinned, and h
MERIDAThe waves crashing against the shore was just a beautiful sight to behold. The sun was already going down in the horizon and the orange glow was pretty to watch, but nothing could beat the feeling of Lukan holding me close. That tender feeling of love made my heart soar.We had spent the evening laughing and walking around the beach and at some point he wanted us to dive in and swim but I suck at swimming and i had laughed."I wish we could stay like this forever." I whispered feeling the cool breeze brush past my cheeks as I rested my head on his shoulders."Me too." He agreed with a low, relaxed voice." To stay here for eternity." I smiled when I thought about it. "I feel the same way." Everything stopped for a moment, and it felt like time stood still. The gentle smell of salt and hope for the future was brought by the sea breeze, the waves crashing softly making a second that matched our heartbeat." Time wasn't important in this place. It was only us, the sea, and the