~Ace~It was the biggest failure of my life. I failed to protect my pack members, I failed to protect my Luna, and I failed to protect my babies.While the people I was supposed to protect were being slaughtered, there was nothing I could do about it. I just stood there like a fool, waiting for my turn to die.Just as I was on the verge of despair, I heard a scream coming from behind me. Not just me; the hunters had stopped fighting and turned their attention in the same direction as me.I saw many wolves running towards us—dozens, maybe even more than a hundred. Then, in an instant, the fight broke out again. The wolves brutally attacked the hunters. They tore at them with their sharp claws and fangs. Slowly but surely, the wolves drove the hunters away from the house."Who are they?" A question made me turn around. Victoria limped over to me, clutching her injured arm."You all right?" I looked at her worriedly.She just nodded her head once. "Are they on our side?" she asked again.
~Victoria~I took a deep breath, letting the air fill my lungs. My heartbeat broke the silence, bringing my mind out of subconsciousness.With my eyelids closed, I savored every breath and heartbeat that flowed harmoniously. Melodious and soothing. It made me reluctant to leave, even for a moment.But the sounds from outside seemed to force my eyes open. Faintly, my ears caught the sound of children's laughter, playing with the curiosity in my mind.Slowly, I opened my eyelids and immediately felt a stabbing pain. The bright light from outside forced me to close my eyelids, silencing the pain that pierced my head. I swallowed, moistening my dry throat.It took a while for the pain to subside. Then I dared to open my eyes again. Slowly, my retinas began to adjust to the light around me. I blinked as I scanned the room.An unfamiliar sight greeted my vision: the slightly dull ceiling of the room. The paint on the walls was peeling in places, and sunlight from outside filtered through th
~Victoria~Mom. It was a call that sounded strange to my ears. Why is that boy calling me "mom"? Who is he?"Why are you so lame? You're an Alpha candidate. Don't-Vic?" Ace showed up and gave the same expression as the boy. "Oh my! Is that you? Vic? You're awake!" Ace ran over to me and hugged me tightly. "I missed you so much, Vic. I love you. I was so scared you wouldn't wake up again," he moaned in a trembling voice.I had never seen Ace that fragile. I'd never heard him speak with such a trembling voice. What the hell was going on? Why was everyone surprised to see me?"Who is that boy?" My eyes fell on the boy, who was still stunned to see Ace and me hugging.Ace broke the hug, looking at me with teary red eyes. Then he turned around and extended a hand towards the boy. Obediently, the boy approached without taking his eyes off me."This is Rylee. Don't you recognize him?" Ace put his arm around the boy's shoulders and smiled at me."Hi, Mom," the boy greeted with a sweet smile.
~Victoria~I don't know what I was feeling. It wasn't that I was unhappy; it was just that all of this felt strange. That girl hugged me tightly. I still couldn't believe my baby had grown into a beautiful girl.I moved my hands with some hesitation. My heart trembled as I embraced her slender body, and my eyes filled with tears. An invisible hand felt like it was squeezing my heart as I realized how much time I had spent without them."Rosemary, my baby girl," I whispered hoarsely.I was enjoying the intimate moment when Ace pulled Rose's hand away."Ouch! Daddy, that hurts!" complained Rose."Ace!" I questioned Ace's attitude with my gaze.Ace glanced at me but didn't give me an explanation. I saw his face harden, staring intently at Rose."I hear you, Rose. Tell me! What have you done?" He asked Rose with a demanding look and a hissing voice.I couldn't see Ace hurting my little girl. So, I got up and pulled Ace's hand away. However, Ace turned to me with a cold stare before I coul
~Victoria~"That kid needs to get a lesson!" growled Ace."Ace!" I called out to Ace, and he stopped his steps as he chased after Rose. "Let me talk to her," I continued as he turned to me.Ace's eyebrows furrowed. He seemed to doubt me. "Are you sure?" he asked.I nodded my head. I didn't know Rose's character yet, but I thought we would have a solid emotional bond based on how she reacted when she saw me. I believed that.Ace approached me and said, "She has poor anger control-""I understand. I know my limits." I touched Ace's hand and smiled at him to calm him down. Then I went to Rose's room after Ace gave a slight nod.If I'm being honest, I was nervous too. Rose was my daughter, but we were separated for a long time. I never knew her growth. I didn't even understand her temperament. That might make it difficult for me to deal with my little girl.In front of Rose's room, I knocked on the door. However, she didn't open it. Instead, a loud crash greeted me. Rose threw something a
~Victoria~My mission now is to win Rose's heart. She has a high temperament. If I treat her wrong, she'll run away from me. If that's the case, how will I know our problem?As the days passed, my condition improved despite being skinny. I was able to do more activities. Ace didn't keep me in the house anymore. I could enjoy the morning air outside, which was surprisingly excellent."Leave me alone for tea?" Ace's voice pierced my ears.I turned away when the question was asked. I answered with a smile. "I didn't see you when I woke up earlier," I said as I patted the bench by my side.Ace sat beside me and said, "I'm taking Rylee to practice.""He's going to be a great athlete," I commented."Yeah, I know. He inherited my skills," Ace said, causing me to turn away and give him a look of protest."What?" Ace shrugged indifferently."I thought you had changed, but you're still as arrogant as ever," I said.Ace chuckled and rubbed my head. "Thanks for never forgetting me," he said.I n
~Rosemary~I was daydreaming so much that I didn't realise had arrived at the school. The car stopped, and Dad looked back."Be nice, kids. You're here to learn, not to be bullies."Dad said as he looked at Rylee and me. I was sure the words were directed at me. Rylee was his favourite, obedient son. And he would always be Dad's proud son. "Okay, Dad," Rylee said like a sycophant."Rose!" Dad called my name in a suppressed tone. I knew what that meant. I was not too fond of it whenever I saw Dad looking at me that way.I rotated my eyeballs and then pulled the corners of my lips up to the max. "Fine, Dad," I said with fake enthusiasm."I don't want another summons from school. Do you understand?" Dad said, his eyes fixed on me.Last week, Dad got a summons after I hit Sonya. Sonya and her friends are sucky. They're always picking fights with me. Even though I've tried to be quiet, they always have a way of bothering me.I also slapped Sonya for no reason. That time, Sonya made fun of
~Rosemary~Rylee did not let go of my hand. I could feel his emotions rising as his grip tightened."I know my sister is guilty, but please don't talk dirty to her," Rylee said.The well-built man in front of us snorted sarcastically. He looked away momentarily and then back at us, his eyes bulging. The veins in his temples twitched with his rapid breathing. He was Sonya's father. "Your brat sister already broke my daughter's arm. Even if I tear her mouth open, it won't take away the pain my daughter feels!" Sonya's father snapped, pointing at me.My body quivered as his voice boomed and shook the room's walls. But that didn't mean I was afraid of him. I stayed here because Rylee wouldn't let go of my hand or let me say anything. My brother acted like a good cop, protecting me from the wrath of the victim's family. Damn it! I had the feeling that Rylee was reading me my Miranda rights.I wanted so badly to contradict Sonya's father and tell him that his beloved daughter had caused th