KamariI jolted awake with a scream, heaving air into my lungs. The dust particles slowly glided through the sunbeams in my window, glistening in the morning light as they floated down gently. Everything was still and quiet, Orion gazing at me snuggled up next to my leg as if I wasn’t just running for my life. I’ve had the same nightmare for two nights in a row. So real, yet it was just a dream. In it, I’m running in the same forest as before, this time looking for the glowing eyes that usually follow me, but I can’t see them, sense them.Instead, I felt something else behind me. I couldn’t see anything but knew there was something out there. As I ran, the fog got thicker and thicker until I couldn’t see where I was going. I was blind in an unknown forest with the predator beside me gone. There was only the sinking feeling something was chasing me. Then, both times, I wake up right as I feel something grab me from behind. I gave myself a minute to shake the eerie feeling from my bones
After a vigorous warm-up of stretches, bodyweight exercises, and kickboxing-type movements in the air, we walked out to an open field where the football team was already training. I immediately found Theron and Reed going at it in a large, chalked-out circle on the grass. Theron almost looked as if he was deliberately trying not to look at me. Reed saw me and caught my eye, nodding to me. He had been running around town yesterday morning and caught up to me. We exchanged small talk about how the dance mainly was, then tried to race me in a sprint by my house. He won, of course, but barely. I decided I liked Reed. He was a good guy and someone I didn’t have to fear. Arrogant as hell still, but a good guy.I ran into Naya, knocking me out of my stupor as the squad team stopped at a place with several large circles scattered closely around each other. Around each circle were a couple of sets of pads. Ms. Swan yelled out who would be pairing up with whom. Thankfully, she paired me with Na
TheronAfter we freshened up, Reed tilted his head towards his car, but I just shook my head. “Thanks, bro, but I think I will walk home. I need to get some air.” was the only thing I would confess as I walked out of the locker room door. I put my hands in my pockets and kicked a rock as I walked the dirt path around the campus. It was a thirty-minute walk to my place from the gym; I knew because I tracked it a million times during runs.The crisp air filled my lungs, calming my thundering heart. The light mist was almost always present here during the winter months. Something I loved to feel against my skin, cooling my body from the training I had just done. I inhaled and jolted; a hint was all I could smell on the wind before it was gone again. But it was there nonetheless, honeysuckle and fresh rain. I looked over and stopped dead. I thought about running away like a coward or putting my head down and walking the rest of the way to my place with my eyes closed. But instead, I slid
TheronI got to the party early, hoping to have an early exit. I knew I needed to support Rune but didn’t want to see Reed with her. Knowing he was trying to be with her hurt more than it should. Besides, I wanted to be at the guard posts, like I have been the last week every night, keeping watch and staying distracted from my thoughts. I hadn’t had a dream all week, which was strange. I had them so often for so long that I almost felt lonely without them, without at least being near my mate if it was only in my dreams.Dean’s Pub in town was where Rune decided to have the party since it was his and Dani’s favorite hangout spot. It had pool tables and an old jukebox; the twins were already taking up one of the tables to challenge anyone feeling gutsy. Before long, the bar filled up, crowded with the team and squad. At the bar, I felt someone slide their hand down my back. I cringed, knowing who was working for my attention from her strawberry vanilla scent alone. I turned to see Olivi
“You’re not a nuisance to me. and yes, I’m sure; get in, Kamari.” I felt a tingle down my spine when he said my name. How does he do that?! I closed my eyes briefly, savoring the feeling, before walking to the car. He watched me intently as he held the door open for me, careful not to touch me before closing my door. The truck had one long seat with the buckles taken out of it. I folded my hands in my lap as Theron got on the other side and drove towards my house. We drove in silence for a few minutes before I couldn’t hold it in any longer.“What happened? Last week? Why...why are...” I didn’t know how to ask; I only knew I had to speak up. Speak my truth.“Why am I avoiding you?” He looked straight ahead at the road, his jaw clenching nervously. It made his sharp jawline stand out; I felt the urge to touch it.“So you are? Avoiding me, that is.” I exclaimed, folding my arms across my chest. I couldn’t keep the annoyance from my voice.“yes.” I looked at him for a minute, contemplati
TheronVeterans, you let a fucking Raven witch slip through our borders, she’s by the Ostyn house. Find her, and bring her to my house. I’ll be there shortly. I want to know how she was able to get in. I said through the mind link before looking back at Kamari, silently staring out the front window.“Kamari, are you okay?” Maybe she was in shock then, not knowing what to make of things.“Yes, I’m okay. I just need to go home.” She looked down at her hands, biting her big bottom lip. Our kiss forgotten, even though the effects still lingered in my body. I hesitated, not wanting to drive straight there while the veterans searched for the young Raven.“Do you want to talk about what just happened?” I asked nervously; I didn’t know how she was taking all this. How the witch somehow knew her name. And what she said about being allowed here after Red Fang beat us. That meant Alpha Zander had an alliance with the Ravens. Well, shit.“Not really.” She confessed, looking over at me. Completely
KamariThe following month and a half flew by in a blur. Theron hadn’t approached me about the witch or asked any questions. He was back to avoiding me. It bugged me to no end, but at the end of the day, it didn’t matter. I had to stay focused. If my mom wouldn’t show me spells and ways to protect myself with magic, I’d have to find my way of protection. I threw myself into my martial arts training. Every class, I willed myself not to notice Theron or Reed’s stares, not Olivia’s remarks, or the feeling of everyone watching me. It was just me and the pads, then weapons and sparing.Naya helped me a lot with it and showed me some tricks and ways to throw more weight into my punches and kicks. She had seemed reserved after what happened the weekend with the Raven witch. But if she heard about it, she didn’t say. So I didn’t mention it. We carried on in ignorant bliss. There were no more bonfire nights or parties that I heard about on the weekends, though. The town had gone eerily quiet l
“I don’t know.” He admitted. “I can’t figure it out. It’s a reason why I’ve stayed away.” He took my raised hand in his, lacing his fingers with mine. He brought my fingers to his mouth, kissing them before gently biting my knuckles in his too-white teeth.“But this, whatever this is. It won’t end well for either of us. And now the Raven has seen you with me; it may be why she’s going after you. I’ve stayed away to try and keep you safe.” He admitted. I could tell he was genuine, and it pained him to say it.“Why would a Raven come after me because of you?” I asked, placing my other hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat under my palm, savoring the thundering beat.“That’s what I’m not allowed to say. I’m sorry. Hopefully, all of this will blow over soon. We play the Red Fangs in a little over a week; that will decide many things.” he was talking in riddles.“Right after the winter equinox?” I said almost to myself. “Huh, it can’t be a coincidence, can it?” He pinned my chin in his