Why do you think the Tian Alpha murdered Xiuying?
Where am I? I swear just a moment ago I was on the training ground feeling like I was dying because… Oh Gods, Mei. The pain I felt was someone… someone was… I clutch my chest unable to say the words. My love… someone touched her; violated her because I wasn’t there to protect her. I thought the pain I was feeling from her absence was agony but this… there are no words for this. I need to get to Mei, but I have no idea where I am or how I got here. 'I do,' I hear Axel say as something presses against my back. I turn around and nearly jump out of my skin. Standing in front of me at 6’1” with black and brown fur is none other than my wolf Axel, but how is this even possible? “Axel, is that you?” I ask in astonishment. He nods his head, 'In the flesh, so to speak,' he says in my mind. 'I don’t understand, what’s going on?' I ask in confusion. 'Stop for a second and clear your mind. Tell me what you feel.' I follow his instructions, closing my eyes and calming my thoughts. Once eve
I was pulled from a rare and happy dream – one where I was safe and loved – back into a nightmare that won’t seem to end. In the real world, I’m not safe, instead, I’m beaten and bruised and the person who loves me is gone. But if he was here would he even want me back now that I’m tainted? I feel dirty and disgusting; used and abused. How could Chris ever want to be with me now? Knowing what I let happen. How could I ever look into his hazel-green eyes knowing the betrayal he must have felt? Maybe he’ll only come to find me so he can reject me. I wouldn’t blame him. Opening my eyes I take in the room around me. It’s small but cosy, and the bed feels very luxurious. Wait, who put me in it this bed? I quickly sit up as the room starts to spin, my breath comes in hard and fast and yet I don’t feel like I’m getting any air at all. I can’t breathe. I clutch my chest as the ache inside it only increases. Someone suddenly rushes into the room and on instinct, I back up into the corner t
Jianyu guides me through the packhouse and with each step I take, more memories become clearer in my mind. I can remember running through these corridors as a child. Running with Jianyu and the other kids. We would play hide and seek, and I was always the best at seeking because I had better senses than them. The packhouse hasn’t changed a bit, at least not in appearance, but the atmosphere has changed. It used to feel warm and welcoming and now it feels sad and desolate. “How long have you been Alpha?” I ask, wanting something to focus on. “Five years now.” I’m confused. I don’t remember Jianyu being that much older than me, I thought Alphas take over at twenty-one like Amelia had. “How old are you?” I ask, trying to figure this puzzle out. “Twenty-two. Will be twenty-three in a couple of months. I know what you’re thinking and you’re not wrong. I took over as Alpha when I was eighteen as soon as I found my animai. You met her earlier, my Luna, Yan,” he says as he gets a dreamy
I’ve just busted through my third boxing bag. I wasn’t exactly keeping it together before, but I am man enough to admit I’m a thousand times worse now. I finally felt our bond again, and more than that, I was able to link Mei. I know she heard me because I was pushing into her mind and could hear her thoughts and they shattered my heart into little, tiny pieces. I could feel her having a panic attack – the worst one to date – and I was doing my best to calm and coach her from where I was. I felt her relief and happiness when she heard my voice, but it didn’t last long. Her panic only seemed to escalate and soon she was drowning in guilt and shame and then for the first time since we marked each other, she shut me out. Axel was in shock and hasn’t spoken a word since. I admit it hurt; it hurt really fucking badly. To be cut off from her for so long only to have her choose to be cut off, it’s an unbearable feeling. That being said, I know why she did it and that just stings the open b
Arthwin was the last to enter so he could close the portal from our side, but I was paying very little attention to him, my eyes were completed focused on our new surroundings. Despite this being my first time here, the sense of familiarity is strong. As I glance around I am instantly reminded of Mei’s dream. That little home she lived in was clearly here at the Tian Pack and I have to admit this pack is a wondrous sight.The entire Tian Pack is built on top of a vast lake. Everywhere you look there are stone paths and stone bridges and buildings sitting on the water. Numerous stairs descend into the water itself and small boats float on the water’s surface. Lily pads and baby pink water lilies float delicately along the water, and the strong scent of plum blossom hangs in the air, but not the same as Mei’s.Beautiful Chinese buildings with turquoise roofs, red wood and gold detailing make up this entire floating metropolis and every structure is surrounded by the most luscious plum b
No one attempts to stop me as I sprint into the packhouse at top speed, following the pull of my bond to Mei. I’m weaving around people, twisting, and turning down corridors and up numerous stairs; the pull getting stronger the further I go. Soon Mei’s sweet, fruity yet floral, plum blossom scent is invading my senses in a heady caress, and I know I’m close. I stop in front of a large door and every cell in my body is screaming that Mei is on the other side of the door. Axel can’t contain himself, and neither can I, but with great effort, I will myself to calm down. I can feel and scent her just on the other side, I can hear her breathing and her heartbeat picking up speed, and I have to tap down my instinct to slam the door open and take her in my arms. I take in a long deep breath and gently knock on the door. I’ve never been so nervous in my whole entire life. “Mei, it’s Chris, please let me in.” My voice is so shaky it’s bordering on a stutter. I hear her heart kick up a gear, b
He’s here. My Chris is finally with me and it’s not a dream. When I felt his vibration I thought maybe I’d finally gone insane. That it had all become too much, and I had lost all shred of my sanity. But then his dragon beard candy scent wafted under the door, and I knew I wasn’t crazy. Every word he uttered pierced my soul. I don’t know if souls are living entities, but if they are, then it felt as though mine was suffocating. I was afraid he’d be disgusted by me; that he wouldn’t want me. I feared what feeling our bond would do to him, but all my fear was doing was hurting him, and I never meant to do that. I thought I was protecting him from the ugliness around me, but I was wrong. From the moment I met Chris, he’s been this warm, guiding light. It kept the darkness at bay and kept me safe from the cold. He’s pure-hearted, with an endless capacity for love and patience and I can’t help but feel like the darkness around me was tainting him. I didn’t want him to carry that burden;
Chris and I walk hand and hand to the ‘throne room’, and I can feel my armpits sweating with each step I take. I want to see my friends, but I’m also extremely nervous. “I’m right here the whole time. If it gets too much ju–” “Just let you know and we’re out of there,” I say cheekily. “I remember the drill,” I smile up at him. He gives me a loving smile in return and kisses the back of my hand sending electricity up my arm. “If I’m being too much, tell me.” I shake my head, “No. This is exactly what I need. Thank you,” I say earnestly as I squeeze his large hand between both my small ones. 'I tried to tell him we weren’t being too much,' says Axel in my mind. 'You said absolutely no such thing. You were telling me to turn around and take her back for more snuggling, you big furry liar,' Chris chastises Axel. 'Tattletale,' Axel grumbles, and after what feels like years, I laugh. Hearing their silly bickering has me giggling again like it always used to and immediately I feel the