“I think Angel Oak was the perfect choice made for her spot,” complimented Aziz, verbalizing my thoughts.
“I must agree.” I countered as I looked at the tree, lifting my hand against the steadily growing trunk. “Hello, my daughter,” I greeted the tree as if I were speaking to my lost Valene herself. “You are sorely missed, and I swear to you that I will find answers…however long it will take.”
As I said this, I felt the presence of my beta from behind. “Well said, brother,” he remarked on approach. He stopped a few paces behind me before speaking again. “We will never stop searching for answers, little one,” he addressed Valene’s tree.
Silen
Aziz(Through Alastair’s Eyes): Briskly, we walked away from the forest with Merari. At first, we all headed in the direction of the packhouse when Alastair seemed to think better of it. His mind…our mind was going a mile a minute with Merari hovering so close, the woman that we never thought we’d see again, walking right there. Right there, only feet away from us. It was evident that Alastair was about to jump out of his skin with her nearness. Me as well, for that matter. Extraordinary how one single woman could provoke such an anomalous attraction from another. Not just another, however…an inhuman. Merari was a human. Or at least, she wasn’t like any inhuman that Alastair or I had come into contact with. She had to be human. There were a rare few humans like Merari- their origin unknown, but those rare few possessed one common element; each human in some way involved gold blood. It was a shock to the system seeing her shapeshift as she did, let alone possessing such power to stop
When Merari finally calmed down, I had to try again. I had to let her know that she was wrong about her assumptions of me. Again, I reached for her, gently placing my hands on her shoulders.“Rari, I did…you meant so much more to me than a bedmate,” I said, my hand gingerly trailing down her arm to find her hand. “You still do. I…I have never forgotten you…even when I should have. Why…why do you think I gave Valene your name?”She scoffed and dropped her stare. “How fitting,” she murmured.“Merari, please…I…” it bothered me more than it probably should have when she could not seem to look me in the eye. I placed my finger against her chin, lifting. “Look at me,” and though it was visibly hard for her, she did. &ldqu
Harlyn: “Are we clear on your end?” I asked Talon through the pack link that was shared between us. As an alpha, the ability to establish a link to pack members was inherent for me, but it didn’t mean that I was a master at it yet. It took a certain strength to be able to reach as many people as my father could, and I was nowhere near close to that type of power yet. The best I could do for the time being was the link that I had established long ago with my two best friends, Talon and Penny. The link between me and my father went without saying; links between families were almost always a given. “Everything’s fine, alpha,” returned Talon through the link. “Found footprints along the inner tree line, but they look old. I’m going to follow up on them and get back at you if I’ve found something.” I could hear the brooding tone in his voice as he spoke. I cared about Talon, and I cared about his feelings, so naturally, I couldn’t help but ask, “Tal, are…are you alright?” “I’m fine, Ly
I stood there a minute, trying to find the right words to say. Then I walked over to the large log where Penny sat; this was the same log where Vali and I had our last heart-to-heart. I settled next to Penny.“Penny, there…is something that you should know.”“What is it?” she asked.I exhaled. “Valene was like a sister to me. In fact, legally, she was my sister. She was adopted as a baby, and because she enriched my parents’ lives for the better, they had me-their miracle child.” I confessed.While Talon knew the intimacies of Valene and I’s relationship, I never bothered to tell Penelope as she was far more close-minded. Something that I guess I should not blame her for as it was instilled in her by her aunt a
???Being back in such close proximity to a place that I’d long tried to forget but with great difficulty, could not, provoked a hoard of mixed emotions. Ever since that night, I’d found that I didn’t have as good a handle on feelings as I once did. Physically, things hadn’t changed too much, though there were noticeable differences. Mentally, however, I had entered a whole new world. My perception of everything surrounding me was as different as night and day to me now. I just wasn’t sure whether it could be considered for the better. Though, I’m sure the lives that I’d indiscriminately taken since my retransitioning to this world, would vote on the contrary.That was one thing, indeed, that I had a problem with, I’ll admit. Not the life taking-oh no, but the fact that I held no remorse for the lives that I had decided to take. It was as if all humanity was gone from me and where I once had it in the beginning, I now struggled to find out why I seemed to lack it now.“You know that
The extremely attractive young man was an interesting character and while I didn’t mind the idea of continuing this conversation, I thought better of it. But before I told him my decision, he took my hand.“Oh come on,” he said. “You remember Bones,” he glanced back toward the building.It was then that I realized where I was. The building was no longer the small and quaint hole in the wall that I once knew. Sad really; whatever changes were made seemed to almost completely take away the charm that the old bar and grille once exuded.Where once a one-way door stood, there was now a large male guard blocking the way to a revolving entrance from a long line of young men and women. It was a far cry from the old stomping ground that I once remembered. Suddenly, I cou
Alastair:“Bodies have been dropping like flies over the last week and the increase in so-called animal attacks have increased as well,” Toran announced at the table as we sat down at one of my more higher-end restaurants.The Veil, the restaurant was called; a namesake of our large town. On this night I decided to buy out the restaurant for the night to treat not only my active pack members but their family as well. For the night, the whole of Shadow Veil’s wolf pack would have a night of fine dining. It was the least I could do for all the high-stress situations we’d been placed in of late. When Toran informed me of the increase in attacks, it was almost a confirmation of Valene’s presence in or near Shadow Veil. My daughter…Valene.It was still a shock to the system to find that Merari and I actually shared a child. What was even more amazing was the fact that it was someone as special as Valene. I hadn’t even told Harlyn yet. I convinced myself that it was because she had alrea
The conversation tapered off after my declaration, and segued into less stressful situations. The families were seated at the front of the restaurant while the more integral members were seated at the back; which only consisted of John, Toran, and myself. The other active pack members didn’t need to hear about our plans until it was officially announced later. So, our conversation couldn’t be heard which was how I wanted it to be. Those who needed to be concerned for the time being were right where they needed to be.“So,” John initiated, pausing to eat his food. I stopped eating and passed a curious eye his way. “Merari,” he mentioned.The name itself made me my breath hitch and my heart pace and I just wasn't in the mood to feel these emotions at the moment. I could see Toran pausing from my peripheral. We both should have
VALE:The first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of orange and pink as Valene and Harlyn stood on the outskirts of Shadow Veil, their backs turned to the familiar pack. The weight of exile hung heavy in the air, a bittersweet reminder of the decisions they had made.“This is a big step to make, Vale,” said Tobias as we stood at the city line of Shadow Veil. “It is,” I said. I couldn’t bloody well deny his truth. Harlyn and I’s relationship was still on the mend. There were definitely some kinks that needed to be worked out, but I felt an obligation to her. Not only to her but to Shadow Veil as well. I refused to make it easier for Dronnigan to find me. “But you remember what my mother said, Tobi. Even if Harly wasn’t leaving, I’m not sure that I’d have a choice. Not until I find a way to get rid of him for good.” I said. “Yeah, that’s true. I’ll be shoving off soon too.”“Your dad can’t be happy about that.” Tobias glanced back at the beta and his son. “Not really, but both he
VALE:“Harlyn Caris Wade. You almost took the life of your best friend. Your actions of attempted murder have cast an even bigger shadow on the pack. It’s not just because of what you did, Harlyn but who you are to the people surrounding you.”Harlyn’s gaze fell to the ground. There was visible shame in her eyes as these words were said. She knew that all of it was true, and so she kept silent.“You were acting in a rash state of anger and a thirst for revenge, and because of this, you’ve committed crimes of a reprehensible nature.” She looked up at him, and took a deep breath, but still, she did not say a word. It was clear that she was anxious though.“What do you have to say for yourself?” Silence enveloped the great hall, everyone silently and apprehensively waiting for her to speak. Until she finally did. “I…I’ve never been a really good friend…a good master…and especially a good sister. Her eyes wandered the room, but not for long as she finally found the gaze that she was
Alastair:The tension was palpable as the pack and clan leaders stood in the great hall for the judgment that would have to be carried out.As I sat in the Alpha’s chair, looking over the crowd, I could see that every face was etched with tension and sorrow. I couldn’t blame them; this was a big night, and one that I was not looking forward to.My stomach turned constant flips, a clear reaction to my anxiety as this day approached. I was dreading every second up until this very moment, and I could sense that I was not the only one.Agnes and Penny stood there, hands and feet bound as they waited for the room to gather its awaiting crowd for my judgment. They stood before me, Toran on my right and John…struggling internally, but nevertheless on my left. Both Agnes and Penny’s heads were bowed before me as they waited for me to proceed with the grave charges pinned against them. When the sound of the meeting hall’s large double doors could be heard closing, I knew that it was time to
The room was dimly lit. It was clear that she was in a cell of some sort. “Hello, my love.” Her voice was calm and soothing, and yet filled with sorrow. Though she wasn’t facing me in real time, I could sense the shame in her demeanor as she could not even look into Tobias’s eyes while relaying her message.“You know that before you were born…your father and I had an affair.” she chuckled bitterly. “Of course…I didn’t know that he was married or mated or whatever the hell they call it!” She snapped and then took a deep breath to seemingly calm down. “But that is neither here nor there. I did end it, baby, I truly did…once I found out that-what…kind of situation I was placed in. That…that wasn’t good enough for her though…so…that’s basically how my life ended that night.”There was so much pain in her voice as she said this. I couldn’t imagine how much it pained her to relive that evening. But she had to. She needed to confess her truth.“When I was brought back…all of my emotions we
VALEAfter Damian plied me with a few more drinks, I stumbled home to the inn and got me a room to stay at. Since everything that went on with Harlyn, I had been saying with dad, knowing that while he wouldn’t express it aloud, he needed the support. On this night, however, and maybe even the days to come, I’d probably be staying put here. There was far too much on my mind to be placed in the same vicinity of someone who was going through as much as I was.I knew that dad was hurting, and I also knew that if I saw that, if I had to witness it, I’d try and do everything within my power to heal him of that hurt instead of focusing on not going insane due to my own. I stumbled into the bathroom, and started the shower. Then I sat there on the side of the tub, leaned my head against the cold ceramic. It felt good against my flushed drunken skin.Suddenly, I didn’t think that I had the energy to take a shower. Maybe I should just stay here and close my eyes.“I see you have had an…intoxi
VALE:There was a look on his face, one that spoke so many volumes to me and still I could not accept it. I recalled watching as Ares pulled away from Tobias’s thoughts and memories. He was slow facing me, very reluctant.“Is it true?” I had asked him. Somehow, some part of me knew that answer but I needed Ares to confirm.It wasn’t like I thought the worst of Tobias-even in spite of his new lifestyle; not like he necessarily chose the lifestyle that was thrust upon him. I could never say that Tobias was a dishonest person. That’s why…I already knew. Still, there was something about my connection with Ares that would solidify this for me. “Tell me, Ares!” I approached him, desperate for him to answer. “Is it?”When he nodded sullenly, I backed away from him, and sorrow immediately enveloped me. My heart ached.“So…it was a lie?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing even though I knew that it was true. My dad tried to approach me. I could tell that he was as distraught as I was abo
Vale“That…no…no, that’s…impossible.”Tobias shook his head. “No, Vale. It’s not.”I couldn’t absorb what he was saying to me. It was surreal. “Who on earth would the goddess deem worthy enough to procreate with?”“The old man was never clear on that,” said Tobias. “But he’s certain that you are. Apparently he has proof of it.” “And you didn’t think to bring it here?”Dad clearly was as flustered as I was, finding out this incredulous bit of news. Tobias looked at the alpha with a sarcastic expression. “All due respect, alpha…you’ve not met my father if you think that it would be so easy to get away, let alone gather information on him-”“Wait, what?!” Talon exclaimed. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who caught that. I just…I wasn’t sure that I heard correctly. Tobias paused, his eyes falling to the floor with clear indignation. He wasn’t happy about this bit of news either, but it was clear that there was merit to it. “What did you say?” With a resigned exhale, Tobias nodded.
Vale:I stood there, bewildered as our eyes met. Part of me, a less…conflicted part of me was elated to see him standing there. With my father…his father, and his brother.Tobias.I cared about Tobias. Far more than I ever realized. It took him dying and then coming back to see that. But regardless, of how I came to this realization, those feelings were there. And that would never change. I was so glad to seem him alive and relatively well considering the circumstances surrounding…well…us and our current lifestyles.Despite that less conflicted side of me, there was bigger part of me…a blaringly alarmed and untrusting, and even angry…part of me that could only think about one thing; where was my mother?The fact that she was nowhere to be found-even now. It didn’t make sense maybe, but…in my potentially irrational mind, I couldn’t think of a reality where Tobias would even be here and mum not. I just couldn’t shake that feeling….that gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach, as I wat
VALEThe meeting hall wasn’t too far away from where I was, so I didn’t use a quick means of transportation. “Vale,” I heard someone call after me. When I turned around, Talon was on approach. “Good evening, Talon,” I greeted.I guess any other sister would have given the Beta a cold shoulder because of what he had done to Harlyn.To be honest, as far as I was concerned, Harlyn got what Harlyn deserved. She never treated the guy with the proper respect.Still, I could tell that he was nervous about approaching me. Oh, Talon. I am on your side on this one.“How are you, this evening?” he asked me.“I’m…fine,” I shrugged. “I guess.”“Fine?” His steps slowed when he got closer. “Yeah, just fine. Could be better. Then again, I could be worse.” “Ah,” he shiftily looked around before his eyes landed on me again. He had question that he wanted to ask and I already knew who the question was concerning.“Just…ask the question, Talon,” I rolled my eyes.He took a deep breath, and then said,