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23. Validation
Huling Na-update:
2025-02-16 02:00:10
Kaugnay na kabanata
Winter 24. A Blood Curse
Pulling my sleeves up, I was washing out the pot that Ember made the sauce in. She was next to me, rinsing off the pan she made the chicken in. They had refused to give up their “big plans” so, at a stalemate, I got up to wash the dishes. Damian snuck a beer from the fridge and was sitting behind us at the island.“Em, I have a question about Linny.”She looked up at me, and I could see the flash of pain in her eyes. “What about? Is this about Winter?”I pursed my lips together. “It was something Winter said. She said that Linny tried to curse Caleb? That the curse was the reason why he hates Winter. Even though she is his own blood.”“She told you that?”Turning around, I looked at my brother. “Yeah. I also met him today…officially. He definitely doesn’t realize who I am.”“I didn’t expect him to. He was wrapped up in his own drama back then. On top of that, you don’t exactly look like the little kid that left.” Damian chuckled. “I’m surprised Winter told you about that.”“I am too, a
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-17Winter 25. Serenade Me, Brother
Despite Monday’s surprise dinner, the week went smoothly. I’d turned in the plan for Winter’s German session, much to the surprise of Miles. It was a debate with him if she was willing to take on two tests for language at the end of the year but I assured him she was going to be fine. The lesson’s were progressing along smoothly in the Latin classes and most students were showing improvement even within the few weeks I had taken over.There were problem students. In the Latin 1 classes, it was easy to tell who took the class because they wanted to and those who didn’t. I needed to figure out something to motivate the ones who either took the class because of their parents or because they didn’t like the other options. I didn’t have the problem of not liking languages, so I needed to think of something that would have helped motivate me in the past.“Mr…Penn?”I looked up from my book at a few she-wolves gathered on the sidewalk. I’d decided not to cook breakfast and headed down into th
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-17Winter 26. Truths
Damian pulled into the parking lot that housed the training grounds. The building itself had been added onto and then looked like it went through a remodel since I’d left. It looked impressive and I wondered how much it cost to update it.“Come on. We will start on the side here.”He jogged past the cars and the building. I nodded to a few of the warriors coming and going before jogging after my brother. This was definitely part of a show. By the time I reached the trees, Damian had already shifted and was raring to go. His wolf, Aurik, at the forefront. Onan was jumping at the chance to run with him.Stripping, I placed my clothes next to the pile that my brother left. However, I did fold both our clothes into neat piles before I shifted. Onan took over almost immediately and barked at Aurik.‘Onan has been itching to chase Aurik.’ I opened up the mind link with my brother.‘Chase? How dare you.’ Onan growled.This was one of the few times that I allowed everyone to hear Onan. Damian
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-18Winter 27. If Only
I looked at my brother for a long time. Unsure of what to say. It really never crossed my mind that my leaving would take such a toll on him. I always thought it was better that I left. There was nothing for me at Blue Crescent. The last thing I wanted was to get in Jared’s way. He was taking over for Uncle and I didn’t want anything to do with that. Leaving made sense back then.‘You didn’t even discuss it with them though. You just up and left. You didn’t even talk to them for a month until you had already enrolled and were in classes.’Sighing, I shook my head. “It was never because of you. I just felt like an extra. I was always in the way. Here and back at Uncles. Always. I just thought it would be better to remove myself from everything. It had nothing to do with running from you. I was…running from everything within the packs.”I continued after a breath. “I’m an Alpha. Just like you. I shouldn’t be. I shouldn’t even be stronger than you. Yet somehow, here I am. I don’t want to
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-19Winter 28. Bits and Pieces
“Miss St. James, if you would hang back for a moment.”It had been a long double period but we made good progress into The Hobbit. I’d decided to do the same thing I had chosen for Winter for her German Midterm. It was going to be hard, but I knew that they could do it. It would help them feel more confident in their skills and would give them a boost into mastering the language.“Mr. Penn, I need to go. My Dad is here to pick me up.”I frowned. “I just wanted to ask if everything was alright.”Leaning against the desk, I set my hands on the edge of my desk. She was shifting her weight and even tapped her toe into the ground.“Does it have something to do with Miss Sierra?”Krista growled. “I hope she walks too close to a flame with the amount of hair spray she uses.”“Krista.”“Sorry, Mr. Penn. She doesn’t deserve anything. She cheats in nearly every class. She’s a bully and even bullies some of the younger students to do her work for her. If Winter wasn’t here to get in her way, she
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-20Winter 29. Connections
I stepped into the library, fully accepting that I wouldn’t see Winter. She hadn’t been at school Tuesday or Wednesday. Damian and Ember weren’t saying anything and I had no information coming in from anyone. It was frustrating to the point where I started to show up at the training grounds after school to let off some steam.After yesterday though, Damian told me to lay off because too many patrol warriors were calling off because I had gone a little too hard. Onan chuckled but we would have to just do a straight run today. However, I was surprised to see Winter, sitting in the back of the library.She had her book open on the desk and a notebook open next to it. Coming up to her, I looked her over. There didn’t seem to be anything physically wrong. I didn’t realize how worried I looked until Winter looked up at me and smiled.“I’m okay, Mr. Penn.”Nodding, I sat down on the other side of the desk. “Are you sure?”This time, she nodded. “All good. Sorry to miss so many classes.”“As l
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-21Winter 30. The Next Generation?
This was a conversation I did not want to be apart of. Hell, I didn’t even deserve to be in the room. I didn’t care that I was to keep the charade up that maybe I was going to be Damian’s pick for Beta. In this room right now were some of the most influential people in the pack. I did not belong.‘Stand up straight. You aren’t here as a Penn. You are here as a Herne.’ Onan snapped at me.“Who do you suppose we throw out there, Cal? Hm? Just give the pack a bunch of names? Let them decide?” Maddox was rolling his eyes but there was an irritation to him that normally wasn’t there.“The pack is getting restless. They don’t know what the future holds. I think it’s time we show them what the future looks like. What the next generation looks like so they feel secure in the pack’s future.”Brittany scoffed. “Oh? You think anyone in the pack is going to feel secure with your youngest being Beta?”“My daughter is a strong Beta…” Caleb snapped at her.“With a bad attitude and a bad work ethic. I
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-22Winter 31. Childish
I stared at my brother. He was smiling up at me with his cheesy grin. His face didn’t show anything other than thinking it was funny to say something like that. Turning on my heel, I threw the door open and headed down the hall.“Cas! Wait!”Jogging down the steps, I turned and glared up at my brother who was still smiling at the top. “That’s not funny, Damian. It’s not a fucking joke.”“Who said I am joking?”I threw my hands out. “You are Alpha. You! I told you time and time again that I did not want to be Alpha. That I was not cut out to be Alpha. I left because I didn’t want to be Alpha.”Damian sighed. “No. You left because you didn’t want the pack to fight over who should be Alpha. Not that you didn’t want to be Alpha.”“It’s the same fucking thing!”“No, it’s not.”‘No, it’s not.’ Onan echoed Damian in my head.All I could do was growl. “I am not. Will not. Ever. Take over as Alpha. If that is what you actually brought me back here for, then I’m leaving. I’m not doing this with
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-23
Pinakabagong kabanata
Winter 77. Flower Girl Energy
I wondered how long I could get away with ignoring Damian’s shouting in my head. We had another half hour or so to the end of the pack territory. If I could make it that long, then I would be fine.‘ANSWER ME! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?’This time I winced. Onan growled, it echoing just as loud for him. Winter must have caught my flinch since she looked over at me. I gave her smile, but winced again when Damian mind linked me again.‘YOU DID NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO TAKE HER! DO NOT MAKE ME REPORT YOU FOR KIDNAPPING, CASPIAN!’“Alpha, I’m assuming?” She looked back to see if the car was still following us.Nodding, I looked in the mirror as well. They hadn’t stopped, but they had backed off quite a bit. I wondered what Damian was thinking. It didn’t make sense to pull them only to yell at me. Not to mention that his accusation of kidnapping would be on shaky ground. At least within the pack laws.“I’m wondering if I can just ignore him until we get to the border. His mind
Winter 76. Loosely Considered Kidnapping
‘Just go in, Caspian. No one is going to think it’s weird you’re there.’ Onan was at his limit with me and I could feel his irritation at my hesitation.“I can’t just…go in. One, I’m not a teacher anymore. Two, I’d be picking up Winter. Which would end up raising flags.”He let off an annoyed sigh. ‘Outside the fact that she is our mate and it’s not weird. You are now Caspian Herne. The wolfs out of the bag. You can’t hide anymore that you are the Alpha’s brother. Both good and bad.’Rubbing my face, I let out a more exasperated sigh. Damian and Ember had been using that to their advantage. Every time I went into town, went shopping, or even at home, they had a wolf watching me. I didn’t know what they expected me to do, but apparently, it was something.Whether or not I wanted to let them be at the mercy of the Council, I worried that Winter would end up in the crosshairs. I worried that I would lose her simply because I wanted to spite my brother and didn’t wait to think about how I
Winter 75. Anger
The kitchen was quiet for a moment. My brother and I stared at each other. Ember was looking at me as well, but she turned to her mate. He didn’t look at her. His focus was on me and I wondered if it was because he was still deciding if giving me the truth was worth it. My hand curled into a fist.“Yes, we made the decision to lock Winter’s wolf away!” Ember was the one who answered, the words tumbling out of her mouth.My eyes continued to watch my brother as he sighed and rubbed his eyes, his back falling against the wall. He pulled his leg up and frowned. Damian looked exhausted, but not from the blooming bruise on the side of his face.“We…we made the decision. A choice. To protect her and the pack. Especially after Linny passed…” Ember sat back on her knees, looking up at me. “Yes, we made the choice. I’m sorry, Cas.”“Why? Why would you do that? What could a young wolf do to pose such a threat that you brought in magic, forbidden magic I might add, to seal away her wolf? You can’
Winter 74. Rolling Up Your Sleeves
*** Caspian’s POV ***I tried to be as normal as possible for Winter. She was already nervous going with Maddox and I to the diner. It was funny because we definitely turned a few heads. However, once we sat down, she relaxed a little. Not as much as I wished though.This had broken her. She spoke about not having her wolf but the fact that it had been taken from her. Not that she wasn’t supposed to have one, didn’t just devastate her. I was gutted. It wouldn’t change how I felt about having her as a mate. My acceptance of her wouldn’t change. This just felt so raw.I’d had Onan with me years before most wolves did. We were a team. Albeit a weird team. We didn’t think or work together like other wolves but he was the other part of my soul. My grouchy old man part of my soul.‘Hey.’I chortled. “Tell me I’m wrong.”Onan huffed. ‘Whatever.&
Winter 73. Who You Are
I curled up tighter, not wanting to hear whatever was going on downstairs. There was yelling, that was for sure. It got louder for a second before I realized it was because someone was opening my door. The yelling mellowed down to a murmur again. Someone touched my shoulder and I jumped.“Winter…”Tears that I thought were done filled my eyes and I curled up tighter, trying to get away from the voice. I knew it. It was the voice I wanted to avoid like the plague. Who would want a wolf-less mate? Who would accept anyone like that? And an Alpha at that?“Talk to me, Winter. Please.” His hand brushed my arm, but I tried to scoot as far away as I could. “Look at me at least.”Squeezing my eyes shut, I lifted my head. Slowly, I peeled them open. Caspian was sitting on the bench in front of me. His face reflected the worry I heard in his tone. My tears fell and I started to shake my head.“Oh, little wolf.
Winter 72. What It Means to Lose
Caleb slammed the door behind him as he got out of the car. He didn’t wait for me or even help me. He just walked into the house. Stepping out gingerly to the driveway, I slung my bag over my shoulder before slowly making my way into the house.Closing the door behind me, I was surprised to find Caleb with a beer in hand, leaning against the kitchen counter. I didn’t even know we had beer, let alone that Caleb drank it. He shook his head as he looked up at me.“You ruined years of mentoring and work.”I frowned. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”“Galen Rue, you stupid girl. I have been mentoring him and pushing him to take over for Alpha Damian. It’s time that Damian step down. He has no children and I don’t think he ever will. Galen was the obvious choice and only needed a little help.”For a moment, I stared at Caleb. I hoped he was joking. It didn’t look like h
Winter 71. Snapped
Collapsing against the bed, I shook my head. For the most part, my throat had healed. My voice was still a bit soft but it didn’t feel straining to use it anymore. The issue now was walking. I’d been so weak from two weeks in bed that it was like I was trying to learn to walk again. It frustrated me that I would get so tired simply from walking down the hall and back.“You did good, Winter. Better than last time. You’re getting stronger. That’s progress.”I gave the nurse a deadpanned look and she laughed.“I mean it. Two weeks in a coma might not seem like a lot but it is.”“Yeah. Sure. Whatever you say.”She laughed again but it was cut off by some commotion outside the door. It sounded like chaos until a voice rose above all the noise. A voice I knew well but I never thought I would hear in the hospital. The nurse, also confused, stepped out from the room to see what was going on.
Winter 70. Colors
There something about being held by Caspian. I’d felt it when he carried me to the hospital. I felt it last night and now tonight. It felt like home. A feeling I had been working toward, but thought it would only be when I finally kicked my family out. Feeling it now, I wondered if I had it wrong all this time. That I would have been disappointed the moment I made the house mine but never really had that sense of home from it. No matter how much remodeling I did.“I want you to move in with me.”The words tumbled out awkwardly and Caspian pulled back, shock written all over his face. “What?”My face turned bright red and I stammered. “I…that’s not…I mean…shit.” Rubbing my eyes, I dragged my fingers down my face. “I just…I’ve been working towards getting the house from Caleb. And on my birthday, I’m going to kick him out. With the lawyer and everything. I just&h
Winter 69. Sweet Summer Child
Krista squealed as I gave her a rundown of what I spoke about with Caspian, and also how I felt after. When I was done, I buried my face in my hands. She sat up, straddling my legs as she faced me.“You can’t be embarrassed, Winny! He’s your mate!”“Yeah but…like…this is all…I’ve never…” I could feel my ears getting red.Krista laughed. “Oh you sweet summer child.”“Winter. Winter child.”She laughed again. “Winter, you don’t need to worry about that right now. I think he will have enough sense not to push you into anything. Usually, even if mates do mate right away, there is a period of transition. They still ease into the processes. It’s not something that wham! All of a sudden you’re moved in, having kids, and showering together.” Humming, I watched her wrinkle her nose. “I guess some do. But it&rsqu
