Connor‘Alpha? Alpha!”I snapped back to reality to face Fallon who looked at me with a mix of worry and confusion. Rightfully so, considering how I'd just acted. Had I spaced out for that long? I wondered. Shaking my head I gave him a terse smile.“I'm sorry Fallon, but I'll have to talk to you later. Tell the others not to worry, I think I have the solution but I can't give much details yet.” I said, patting his shoulder firmly to affirm myself.He didn't look too pleased or assured despite it all, but I fully understood.“Why don't you guys take a break for today? You can get drinks at Aunt Abby’s place, my treat.” I smiled, encouragingly at him.I could tell how the idea circled his mind temptingly by the way his frowning eased slightly. It was a good idea on both ends to relieve stress and boost morale by a little bit. They had been working hard nonstop since I proposed the project and I had to help them now.Finally he conceded, nodding.“Okay then. I trust you Alpha.” He said.
KarinaI walked cautiously amongst the other pack members, avoiding their eyes and stares. Amongst them, I was an alien.But wasn't that the truth?I was never treated as their own.My palms stung from the places where thorns had once pricked into my skin. I didn't care for it. In the face of my new routine, it was now a new constant in my life. One I embraced wholeheartedly. Roses were my father’s favourite flowers after all. If putting flowers on his grave meant being stung every single day, it was worth it.The news of his death had come the past week, with them explaining it as a rogue attack. Numbness filled me as I heard the news, only gaining enough of my senses to hold my mother as she broke down.He was buried five days ago, given a burial worthy of his position as the Gamma of the pack. He has protected me ever since I was born. With his presence, even though the rest of the pack loathed me, they never openly said so otherwise, only passing disgusted glares my way.He had b
KarinaI turned, stiffening as I saw the group of young men and easily recognizing them. The Alpha’s son, who despised me, along with the Beta’s son. Ryan, the one who was trained as the Gamma in my stead, also stood amongst them, passing me a mocking grin.I wasn’t close to them, always trying to remain unbothered, but they always found a way to torment me. They only did so in secret, whispering veiled insults my way. With my father’s presence, they never dared to do a thing.Now though, I didn't know what to expect.I stood guardedly, watching them. Inside, Germaine, my wolf growled in hostility completely aware that they were up to no good.“What do you want?” I asked cautiously.Unfortunately, that was even the wrong thing to say.“A filthy rogue like you has no right questioning us.” The Alpha’s son snapped instantly, scowling.My free hand curled into fists as I looked at them. It was the memory of my father’s words that calmed me down.“Patience, my love. Sometimes, the best th
KarinaThe first few months were difficult, but I was nothing if not a survivor.So I adapted, learning about everything I could in the modern human world through observation with the occasional asking. I got jobs and observed more. Learn more.When I had enough money, I changed my location, and slowly but surely the cycle went on.During my earlier times, my heart raced with panic after I realised that I hadn't gotten my period. The thought of being pregnant with any of those scum’s children filled me with continuous anxiety, unable to eat or sleep properly for several days. It wasn’t until the day I finally got my period, that I could finally be relieved of that possibility. I had cried myself to sleep that night.The habit became a part of my life, and in the blink of an eye, seven years had passed.I was a lone wolf, a rogue. At times, I hopped from city to city, always staying near the modern areas. Never breaching any forests.I was aware that there were some packs in the area,
Karina“Hey, Katherine, you’re needed here.”“Coming,” I replied in turn, preparing the order.Katherine was the name that I went by in this city, close enough for me to get familiar with it yet farther from my real name. I tried not to think much about the reason why I changed my name, pushing away all thoughts of the idea that Connor was actually looking at me.He was likely in his pack by now, living his life and probably doing what he was born for. It had been almost a year after all.I moved past other people, excusing them as my large baby bump grazed them whilst carrying the ordered food.Discovering that I was pregnant came as a big shock. Only a few weeks after I had travelled I found myself sick. It all clicked together when I used a pregnancy test, confirming my suspicions.My brain had a hard time wrapping around the thought, but in the end, I made the decision to keep it and treat my child with the same unconditional love my parents gave me.So for the first time, I had m
KarinaI constantly waited for the other shoe to drop. It felt too good to be true.But it didn't. For the first time, I made friends with others, not just temporary connections and I was greeted with a pack that accepted me no matter where I came from. The other young women doted on Levi, helping me out when they could. For the first time in a long time, I found something I hadn't realized I missed. Support. Safety. Family.And now, even though it had only been three months, my wolf and my heart echoed the same thing.The place felt like home.“Isabella’s parents are coming over today.”I turned to Sam, the young woman I had been working with amongst others.It came as a surprise to me as all the others addressed her by her name before even she persuaded me to do the same.Even though people gave her the respect of a Luna, it didn't seem that way. Rather than the ruler I had grown used to, she acted more like a motherly and friendly figure. She was always there to assist me in adju
Karina.The air grew more suffocating with every second that passed after. I felt my throat tightening the more I remained in place. My tongue was more like lead, weighing me down through the deafening silence.It was all too much.He seemed to have the same idea, considering how he remained equally speechless, as though dumbstruck. Yet he never stopped staring. His green eyes pierced me, judgemental even through the shock.The same eyes that Levi bore.My mind raced with no solutions. What was I supposed to do? I drifted to Isabella who looked awestruck to Leo and the other two older people.I didn’t want to figure it out.During all my years as a traveler, there was one thing that saved me even in the most dire of situations, even in the earliest days when my stealth hadn't grown. It was the instinct I'd learned to hone, the one that allowed me to leave unnoticed whenever there was no other way. It was my flight response, the urge to run away before things got more dangerous. Be
Karina.My world froze as I stared warily at the door.‘You're overthinking it.' ‘Its okay.’ By all the gods and goddesses, I didn't want to face this. Face him.“Kiara?”Instantly, I relaxed at the familiar voice. It was just Isabella. I sighed to assure myself.My relief came to a halt the moment I remembered the recent events. How I had indirectly caused a scene in her reunion. Most of all, Connor.He must have told her everything. I even lied and gave her a false name.My heart raced with all the possibilities, but at the sound of knocking, I startled up.I was never one to escape confrontation. Sucking in my breath, I stood up, moving to open the door.Isabella stood on the other side, her pale hair in a side braid that rested on her chest. Her gaze relaxed at seeing me, a smile crossing her lips.Shock ran through me at the sight. I expected her to be angry. Why didn't she look angry? “Aren’t you going to let me in?” She broke me out of my thoughts, raising an eyebrow.I s
Connor‘Alpha? Alpha!”I snapped back to reality to face Fallon who looked at me with a mix of worry and confusion. Rightfully so, considering how I'd just acted. Had I spaced out for that long? I wondered. Shaking my head I gave him a terse smile.“I'm sorry Fallon, but I'll have to talk to you later. Tell the others not to worry, I think I have the solution but I can't give much details yet.” I said, patting his shoulder firmly to affirm myself.He didn't look too pleased or assured despite it all, but I fully understood.“Why don't you guys take a break for today? You can get drinks at Aunt Abby’s place, my treat.” I smiled, encouragingly at him.I could tell how the idea circled his mind temptingly by the way his frowning eased slightly. It was a good idea on both ends to relieve stress and boost morale by a little bit. They had been working hard nonstop since I proposed the project and I had to help them now.Finally he conceded, nodding.“Okay then. I trust you Alpha.” He said.
Chapter 227Elizabeth's POV I woke up later that day and realized that I was in a different room. It was all white and had a window that led out to the hospital courtyard. I got up from my bed and stood by the window looking out at the garden and watched as the wind blew the leaves of the plants gently. I had to admit that the garden was beautiful.As I continued to gaze at the scenery, I heard a knock on the door and I turned around to see who it was. It was Winston."You're awake" he said as he came to stand beside me."Hi" I smiled at him and he smiled back. "Hi""I'm so glad to see you looking much better," he said and I nodded."I'm also glad that the surgery was a success. How is Tiana doing?" I asked and he gave me a genuine smile."She's doing so much better. The doctors say she's progressing very well" he replied and I heaved a sigh of relief."That's good to know. When can I go see her?" I asked eagerly. I was eager to see how she was doing for myself."The doctors say that
Karina.“Hi.” I blinked in surprise as it wasn't only my voice but his. Concern was all over his face as he closed the door behind me. And despite everything that I thought could have gone wrong between us all these while, I still couldn't believe that he would be surprised by everything that was going on. But then again, it was not just him that has been surprised by it all. I also have been.“You seemed strange in the dining room. Did something happen?” he asked. I could read two expressions on his face as he asked the question.One was that of curiosity, the other was that of annoyance. And maybe a hint of worry was etched on the sides of his face despite how obvious he tried to make it appear like it wasn't so.But then again...Oh the irony. I had asked him that same question once before. I shook my head in negative.“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked. It made me huff in response. Small talk, that was what we mostly went for now. I was already getting tired and bored of stu
KarinaI sat up straighter at the mention of ‘connor and scrutiny.Was Connor going through anything?I recalled how stressed he previously looked when he was usually at dinner fresh from working. What were the Elders saying about him? Was he going through any problems?Was it something to do with me?She seemed to recognize my worry as she stood up straighter, frantically shaking my head.“Oh no, please don't think too much about it. It really isn't serious, at least from what I heard.” she quickly corrected.“What did you hear then?” I asked She shrugged looking down at her cup.“This talk was here far before you came, and I would hear people talking about it all the time from the moment he became Alpha.”“Apparently the Elders were complaining about how he hadn't found his mate.”‘Oh.’ I relaxed in my seat, now fully understanding.An alpha usually rises with a Luna. “Is that so?” I raised my eyebrows before taking a sip of the cider drink.“It was strange that he hadn't found hi
KarinaI spent another hour with her before leaving.Emma was kind and compassionate. She was willing to meet me with a smile and a cup of whatever new concoction she had whipped up. She also cared for Alya more than anything. There was nothing wrong with her in any way which made me even more incensed that others had simply decided to ignore her.Shed spoken about it on that same day.“I don't think that theyre doing it fully on ourpose anymore. It feels more like, that's how it is now. My parents are old, but they never reached out even though we aren't so far apart. But aside from that, other treat me relatively normal.”“I think I've also come to embrace the solitude in a way.”‘Thats what happens when your pushed into it.’ I thought to myself. I didn't want to think beyond what was necessary, but at the sane time, it felt like I had no other option other than that to do.By the end of the day after I left with a promise to come back my decision was already firm. In the evening I
Karina The air might as well have been sucked out of the room because the silence was too heavy.The more I waited the more antsy I got and the more uneasy I felt. Her fidgety attitude did nothing to ease my worries.Was this some kind of joke? What motives did she have.“Well,” she cleared her throat blinking frantically fro a moment.“I can't hide it. In all honesty I'm..nervous. and afrair.” she said, lowering herr head slightly.‘Of me.’ the unspoken word hung true.“Bevause I'm a rogue.” I deadpanned, waiting for her reaction, she stiffened before shaking her head, but I stood up already. I was thankful I didn't bring Levi here. Leaving would be easy.Standing up, I headed for the door only for a hand to stop me in place.“Wait, please don't leave just yet.” she cried out.I spun around whipping my hand harshly away from her. The hurt look on her face made guilt bubble up.“You really didn't need to invite me out if obligation. I would have done just fine without.” I said icily.
KarinaI laid there in silence. Perhaps it was that exhaustion or the overwhelming events of the day but I didn't know when I fell asleep. I was woken up by Levi's cries in what felt like hours later. The place gleamed a bright orange spelling the evening.I moved to action quickly, patting him and feeding him whilst pacing. It took time to grow fully conscious but after, it was easier to process everything that happened, especially the woman. She had invited me for tea. It was like a fever dream of sorts.After I silently agreed she had given me her directions and told me her name. I listened to it all listlessly, nodding.‘Her name was Emma.’ I noted, nodding to myself.The real question I needed to ask was if I was going. A part of me wanted to reject it, but I didn't want to be rude.Thinking back to the look in her eyes, a part of me resisted. She wouldn't want me to come in the first place.‘Then why would she ask?’ Minutes passed as I patted Levi while he fed from me. There w
My breath hitched as I recognized her. She was hanging on a tree on her own, yet didn't look bothered. About the height.It's dangerous height. How on earth did she even get there?I was moving before I could think, pulling Levi closer while my heart hammered in my chest. Nobody else was in sight. If she hadn't seen her…By the time I reached , she fell and I wanted to scream before Harriet's frame came into view. She'd caught her.Relief instantly flooded me as I came closer. Harriet put her to the ground.“That was dangerous! Where is your mother? Goddess, what if you'd gotten hurt? Goddess.” Harriet was speaking, her voice raised a full octave higher, her hands were threading through her red locks and I could practically feel the panic bleeding from her.The closer I came I could see the young girl clearly. She was staring blankly at Harriet before she caught my gaze. “Miss Karina!” She squealed, quickly recognizing me. Before I could think she ran past Harriet and towards me.As
KarinaAfter that, all the tension from earlier seems to seep away. She didn't speak a word for a moment, but peeked at the bundle in my arms several times.A minute or so passed before her voice came.“Is that Alpha Connor's baby?” she asked.I stiffly nodded, “Yeah.”Another pause came, this time lasting for half a minute before she spoke “Can I ask what his name is?”“Levi.” I quickly replied, nodding slightly. She hummed and looked away. My insides clenched. Maybe I wasn't being too forthcoming.“How old are you?” I finally asked, turning to her.Her head turned towards me and she blinked in surprise.“Twenty years old. I just turned two months ago.” She said tentatively though her gaze glittered slightly. She seemed excited that I was asking her questions.I couldn't fully read her. She was wary at first but turned a complete 180 at knowing my identity. She was young and seemed to wear her heart on her sleeve. I couldn't find a hint of ingenuity in her actions.The change I cou