To say the garden is beautiful is an understatement. It was beyond breath-taking. I felt out of place with the place’s magnificent architecture and design.With my bright red dress, my brother's eyes immediately found mine. His hard expression earlier melted away and is now back to the brother who always protected me from our father’s merciless violence.I was actually now more comfortable approaching him when I noticed someone slid from the cover of lush roses from Jacob’s right: Roland.He smiled, and the sky seemed to brighten even more.I frowned, but my face betrayed me as Jacob and Roland surely noted the reddening of my cheeks.A flicker of sorrow crossed my brother’s face briefly. But it instantly vanished as soon as he looked between us and Roland, replaced by a secret smile. “When you left, everything changed, Farrah. Not just how I looked,” he waved a hand to himself then to the troll beside him, “or to Roland’s arrival.”He paused and sighed. “I'm sorry you have to find ou
My gape turned into a loud gasp. "You...I asked you who you are. And now you just told me you no longer go by that name?!""I'm Alpha Rasmus now." He said with a hint of amusement.I stomped my foot, the leaves beside me rippling. "That's so far from your actual name.""Better to let a rose be known by its thorns than its red petals," Roland said from my right. The cursed troll wore a black suit with a bloody crimson necktie. His face, though monstrous, radiates some sort of kindness within it."Ah." I scoffed. "Whatever." I nudged my brother by the elbow. "You're still a Jacob to me.""Oh, I always will. Only you and Roland alone are allowed to call me that." Jacob shot Roland a sharp, meaningful look."What?" I furrowed my brows.But the two only shrugged, traversing the pavement before us. The garden was huge and wide, perhaps twice or three times more than my apartment room. The calm balmy noon breeze set my unbound hair swaying.The movement caught Roland's eyes. We both paused,
I curled my fingers into a fist as I opened his message.“Farrah, where are you? Please call me. I’m worried about you,” Heather texted.As soon as I read his message, his number flashed before my screen, calling.The memory of his voice drifted back to when he was laughing with his friends about their cruel joke about me: his friends encouraged him to dump me now that Adrianna is back. His true love is now finally, apparently, back.And I was just the temporary rebound, the replacement he'd used upon her absence.I pressed the red button and declined his call. But knowing Heather, he never wants to be rejected.He called again, and this time, the finger where his engagement ring was once was now felt numb and heavy. Seven years of love and hope had been for nothing. Seven years have been nothing but a joke, a cruel illusion.Did Alpha Heather call me just to mock me now that he’s with Adrianna? Or did he call me because Adrianna left him again?Knowing this horrible male would pester
Warmth against my curled fist pulled me from troubled dreams. My eyes fluttered open to find Roland's figure beside the bed, and glanced at his hand atop my own. Steam rose from what seemed to be a cup of coffee in his other hand, the rich aroma filling the air.I sat upright, pulling my hand in reflex. "What are you doing here?"Those vibrant eyes locked onto mine, studying my face before his lips blossomed into a gentle smile. "You were crying in your sleep. Even shouting." He set his coffee down on the nightstand. "I came to check on you early this morning, found you tossing and turning. Crying."Heat crept into my cheeks, realizing at what Roland stumbled: me, a mess. "So you just... stayed?""You grabbed my hand, murmuring the name of Heather." He flexed his fingers, as if remembering the touch. "Only then did you calm down. Seemed cruel to leave you after that."I touched my cheeks, feeling the dried trails of tears I hadn't known I'd shed. The memory of my dreams slipped away l
My blood ran cold at the realization. The words hit me like a physical blow, and I gripped my spoon and fork tighter. The Jacob I remembered used to patch up my scraped knees when father beats me, sneak me extra desserts when I barely have a meal, and read me bedtime stories when I can't sleep.And now...he's implementing his packmembers the punishment of death?The sweet boy who'd protected me from our father's rage had transformed into someone who can make even our cruel father disappear. My stomach churned at the thought of how much blood stained his hands now, how much lifeless bodies he'd seen fell to the ground.An Alpha. The title echoed in my head. A ruthless Alpha.I'd heard whispers back in the Blue Star Pack, of course. Everyone had. But I never imagine it to be someone having the same blood running in my veins. The merciless pack Alpha who'd risen to power seven years ago, whose name alone made even the bravest of Rogues tremble.My throat tightened. What did this mean fo
My throat closed up. The strength drained from my legs. I pressed my palm against each other to steady myself."Why?" The word scraped past my lips.But Roland remained silent, his presence solid beside me as I stared at the strange grave my father had become.Behind us, a familiar figure stood.My uncle. Who barely stood up for us against father. He looks like one blow away from being buried beside our father.Uncle's head snapped up. His eyes met us, but there was no recognition there. Just confusion, then fear. He scrambled further under the shade of a tree lacking its leaves, his movements unstable and uncoordinated."No, no, no," he chanted, covering his face with trembling hands. "The monster is back. He's watching. Always watching. The Enchanted Forest too."I stepped back, my heel catching on the dead grasses. My shoulder bumped against Roland's chest, but I barely registered the contact. This broken man couldn't be my uncle. The male who was sometimes our ally and often prete
I stepped out of Roland's car, my jaw dropping at the sight of Crystal Rose Mall. The gleaming glass structure stretched toward the sky, its petals-like fixtures catching the sunlight."Close your mouth before you catch flies." Roland's hand found the small of my back. My throat bobbed."I used to press my nose against these windows as a kid." I fidgeted with the hem of my simple black dress. "Never actually went inside." Well, my father never really allowed me outside most of the time at all.The automatic doors whooshed open, a wave of cool air scented with expensive perfume escaped. Women in designer outfits strutted past, their heels clicking on marble floors. A group of them gave me a once-over, their perfectly painted lips curling.The interior of the mall is a mix of modern and castle-like features. I shrank closer to Roland. "Everyone's staring.""Let them stare." His voice dropped lower, that dangerous edge slithering in again. "You're with me.""That's not as reassuring as y
"Or I'll break every finger you used to point at her." Roland's voice was soft and deadly, his words reverberating. He cleared his throat and I was snapped of my musing. "Perhaps this is the day I'll start getting creative when it comes to torture."The color drained from their faces as they spun around, turning away quickly. But he was faster. Roland towered over them, his green eyes glazed but still held authority. The casual charm was gone, replaced by something that made even my blood run cold."We didn't know she was with anyone-" the tall one, the first one who whistled at me, stammered."That shouldn't matter." Roland's hand shot out before I could grasp in what's happening, gripping the guy by his collar. "Apologize. Now.""S-sorry, miss!" The others literally tripped over themselves as they backed away.I flushed-not because of the male's apology but because of Roland's display of power."If I see you near her again..." Roland let the threat hang in the air with a brief pause
Short Story's Blurb:Gayle's world shatters when her mate, Alpha Miles, chooses his childhood friend, Nichole, to spend the night before their wedding. When Nichole boldly asks if Miles would make her his Luna instead of Gayle, his response cuts deep: "I would."Crushed, Gayle forces a smile and claps for their union, knowing that tomorrow's wedding will never happen. With her heart broken and her place in the pack shattered, she's done pretending. The love she's held for eight years is no more, and she's ready to tear it all down. ***Chapter 1I watch as my mate and fiancé, Alpha Miles, kisses his childhood friend, Nichole, in front of me.“That was fun!” she chirped, as if I, the bride-to-be and her future Luna, wasn’t in the same room as hers. “If Gayle wasn’t here, would you make me your Luna instead?”I pretended I wasn’t stunned; I acted as if I wasn’t even in the room. I know each pack has their own tr
"Don't worry, I was once in a relationship like that," Alex explained as soon as we got to our hotel room. "They're dangerous, not because they're obsessive, but because they no longer see the need to respect you. They see you as a possession of theirs that they'll chase even to the far end of the world." "Thank you," I inhaled. I found myself wandering to the window and there, Jon was standing outside. Thunder cracked the distance and soon, the rain started to pour. Alex saw him too."See. That's why."I understood what he meant and right now, instead of hatred, I feel sorry for Jon. He no longer feels the need to live. He doesn't know how to let go as if what he and Emilia have possessed him with intense guilt that he thinks the only way to solve it is to prove to me we can still be together despite what happened.Well, what's done is done.I dialed Emilia's number and spoke in a flat tone. "Stop letting him go out and make a scene." Dr. Alex tossed me a subtle smile. I just shook
'It only happened once, Anastasia.' I chuckled mirthlessly at Jonathan's words earlier. Only the dead would believe his lies.Although it made me vomit, I gulped down the bile that rose to my throat at the foul picture I received."Really? Is this all that you can do, Emilia?" I texted the unknown number and then blocked it right away.I went back to sleep as though I just dreamed all of it.***Dr. Alex approached me the next day. The Dawn Thorn Pack wants a Head Nurse as their current Head Nurse resigned after being married to another pack's Alpha.Alex has approached me with several offers from other packs but I rejected all of them because I don't want to be far from Jon.Now that I'm free from him and single, I immediately volunteered for it even when he didn't offer it to me at first."As soon as they mentioned Head Nurse, I immediately thought of you. But then I remember you always rejected all the opportunities I laid before you so I didn't tell you right away. What makes you
As I had my breakfast the next day, I found out Jon was just staying in the room next to mine.He kept on eyeing at me like some dog who doesn't want his owner to vanish before his sight. He even stayed with me at the Dawn Thorn Pack's hospital to finish some paperworks before Dr. Alex dismissed us. The Alpha stubbornly stayed with me all day and then went home with me as well.I couldn't argue further so I just let him.When I got home, as soon as I opened the door, there were already people there: Jon's friends and Emilia, including Beta Homer.They have prepared a table full of delicious food as if welcoming Jonathan back that they're glad they've seen him again for so many decades.It was only three days.Even with the food's appetizing look and mouth-watering smell, I feel nauseous.Emilia instantly met my gaze. "The Alpha only went to Homer's house that day and now you have to be dramatic and go to another pack without the knowledge of the Alpha? As the Alpha's girlfriend, you
"I'm busy. Dr. Alex sent me to the Dawn Thorn Pack because they had some accident there and they need more stuff." I made my voice as bland and boring as possible."Ana-"Then I hung up on the phone without second thoughts.Dr. Alex told me I'll be in the Dawn Thorn Pack for three days, unfortunately.I told the Head of the Healers that it was actually fortunate for me.I was walking to the hotel that Dr. Alex had booked for the Dusk Rose Pack healers when I saw Jonathan in the lobby.He looked extremely disheveled as if he had been trapped in a cave for so long and he just got out.As soon as his eyes met mine, I felt shivers down my spine. Cold sweat starts to form on my forehead. Before I could turn around, he immediately lunged at me and grabbed my arm with such force that I cried. "Anastasia, are you avoiding me?""Of course, I am. We have already broken up and it is right that I avoid you and you leave me fucking alone." "Where were you?" his voice dropped to a whisper."From
When I woke up the next day, Alpha Jonathan was gone. He never returned since that tiptoeing of his to answer Emilia's call.I was thrilled about this since I no longer had to worry about eating with him or hearing his second round of making-up excuses that Emilia and him have nothing between them.As I prepare myself a simple breakfast of a boiled egg and black coffee, I realize I can actually wake up every day without Alpha Jonathan after all.As I worked my day as a nurse in the pack's hospital, Alpha Jonathan sent several missed calls. He called repeatedly. Thankfully, I managed to put my phone in silent mode as part of the working hours rules."You're not going to answer that?" Dr. Alex whispered behind me and I almost yelped. We were both in the elevator as we headed home."No. I'm going home anyway." My entire day went smoothly and I went home feeling very satisfied.But I immediately dropped my satisfied smile when I opened the door to my house. The smell of cigarette already
I didn't let myself fall as I strode away. I clutched my chest as I turned around, the pain of the breakup and rejection clawed its way past my heart and into the core of my soul.My tears fell on their own accord, and I didn't stop even when I called for a taxi.I can still hear Jonathan's words earlier even when the taxi was already moving. "Don't mind her, she's just being fucking dramatic."Was I though? Was it dramatic for calling out your boyfriend and his bestfriend-feeling-girlfriend that they're acting more of a couple than the Alpha and I ever was?Even with the breakup, the pack party continued lively. The dancing and music have become even more vivacious since my departure.But I don't care. Everyone knew I was upset and they knew I wouldn't care about Jonathan on the floor, clutching to his chest too.If they gossip about me being heartless, then I'll show them heartlessness.The ride to my apartment took longer because of traffic. When I opened the front door, I already
Short Story's Blurb:For years, I ignored the signs, swallowed my pride, and told myself that Alpha Jonathan was mine. But tonight, as I watched him dance with Emilia, his so-called "friend," something inside me snapped. Their closeness, their whispered words-I'd seen it all too many times, and I was done pretending.At that moment, I decided I was done being second best. Standing, I met his surprised gaze, steady and unyielding. "I, Anastasia Stephens, am breaking up with you and severing our bond. I reject your love and affection from now on." Finally, I was choosing myself.***Chapter 1"They certainly love each other, don't they?" I compelled myself not to glare at Beta Homer as his words hit close to home.I crossed my arms, a displeased grin split my lips. "Oh, they've been doing that many times that I felt like the Alpha's personal Omega rather than the actual Alpha's girlfriend.Alpha Jonathan, my boyfriend of four years, is dancing closely with Emilia, another Beta's daugh
Everything is now over: Gianna is gone, the Winterfang Pack has faced severe consequences aside financially, and I have finally moved on.The scars remain, yes, but me and my mate’s priority is rebuilding our lives. Our future.“Here’s your favorite chocolate cake,” Paxton handed me the plate. I received it with both hands. “My beautiful mate is always captivating,” he praised. The sun was setting and it somehow drenched me and my white dress in gold and orange light.I blushed and stuck out my tongue. He laughed.The lake was so beautiful here, especially at this hour. I know the Silvernight Pack’s lands have access to the beautiful scenery that's why me and my mate cherish this pack so much.“Does it still hurt?” I knew what he meant.I set down the fork and the plate and shook my head, but then I looked at him again and I willed my tears to remain at bay. “It’s just...it’s something that we’ll never erase, love. The Moon Goddess knows that.”Paxton caressed my face. And for once,