Sab felt a little frustrated in the beginning, but then… she realized she didn’t need to win the bet. He wants to kiss her? He has already done that and she would let him anyway. She liked being kissed by him. And so, during their run, she didn’t bother doing her best to chase him. She did try, as a challenge to herself, but she made it unpredictable. The man has great reflex, though. She’s not sure if he ever lowered his guard.The run itself is fun, but trying to catch him made it even more exciting. It was great. When they reached the lake again, he teasingly asked her, “Want to continue? Or should we stop here? I win if you give up now.”Her wolf was panting heavily as she managed a reply, “I give up.”She could hear his chuckle and they slowly approached the cottage.“You shift back first. I’ll guard the door.”“Is there still a need for that?” She wondered aloud.“Then, you would let me inside as you shift?”“No.” She quickly denied.“Go on, then. I’ll stay here for a while.”“I
When they got back, they found out her mother cooked a few dishes for them.“I mean, you’ve eaten your mother’s cooking the whole day. I can’t serve the same food for dinner. I only made a few, don’t worry about it.” The older woman assured them as she set the table for three.Sab and Clyde exchanged a look, before smiling at each other and shaking their heads. Their moms are similar.The three of them chatted while eating, but mostly, it’s her mom asking Clyde questions and what they did during the day.Over the next few days and weeks, they would often be seen together and their closeness can be witnessed by everyone. Sab has begun to feel comfortable around him. A month after they started dating, she no longer minds showing him her flaws and imperfections. She could be clumsy. She could end up stuttering. She could trip and fall on her face. She could look messy and dirty. She could be defeated during training without fear of being seen as inadequate. She has already proved herself
It happened at night, as is usually the case with these unexpected attacks on the pack.Clyde heard his father’s booming voice through the pack link, jolting him from his sleep. Shit. He ran out immediately and moved to his assigned location.What were they thinking? Snow Mountain is not a weak pack. Who actually dared? He couldn’t believe any pack near them would decide to commit such atrocity.As he slowly became aware of the situation, he realized the enemy is a group of rogues. Seeing them up close, he became sure of it. What he’s surprised of is their number. How could there be many of them? Still, they’re no match for all the warriors and fighters of their pack. They managed to subdue them within half an hour. They scoured the territory for any uninvited individual and to tend to those who are injured.Clyde did his rounds to evaluate the damage and the possible casualties. He froze in his spot when he recognized a familiar face on the ground, surrounded by three children. Why a
“Let her grieve.” Conrad told Clyde as he remained close to Sab. They took her mom’s body to the hall next to the infirmary. She wouldn’t let go of her. She held her hand as they moved her.Alice exchanged a look with her mate, before looking at their son.“I couldn’t tell you what it feels like to lose a parent. You can try imagining it. When my mother died, I didn’t have the time to mourn as I had to run. When your grandfather died, I blamed myself. I didn’t want your father to suffer such a loss, because I knew how it feels. The guilt was so great. Your father lost his father and then his mother not long after. As he had to shoulder the responsibility for the pack, I don’t think he had the time to grieve as well.” She slowly related. This is something they haven’t talked about before. Those were terrible incidents that they would rather not speak of.“Let her be.” Conrad advised, but his mate looked exasperated.“That’s tricky.” She turned to Clyde, “Let her be, but don’t let her f
Alice knew she wouldn’t wait long for her son to return so she simply waited while keeping Sab sleeping in her arms.“What happened?”“I suppose she’s too tired. Take her home.”Clyde looked at Sab for a moment before turning to his mother.“When you say home… should I take her back to their house? Or…?”Alice raised an eyebrow. “You plan to take her to your room?”“Wouldn’t it be better? Their empty house would definitely remind her of her loss.”His mother sighed, “You have a point, but there’s no real danger at their house. She would have to face it in order to accept that her mother’s gone. Their memories are there. It wouldn’t just remind her of her loss. It would also remind her of the happy memories she had with her mother.”It was his turn to sigh, “So, I should bring her to their house?”“Yes. I’m sure she would also want to stay there instead of anywhere else.”“Alright.” Clyde accepted it and went to carry Sab.“Careful.” Alice reminded him.He made sure her position is com
The mother was with the children when Sab knocked on their neighbor’s house.“Sab…” The woman was clearly surprised to see her and then her expression showed her guilt.“I’m so sorry about your mother. I’m really grateful for her help. If it wasn’t for her…” When the woman teared up, Sab couldn’t help crying as well.“I’m sorry.” The woman hugged her and Sab accepted it.After a while, they composed themselves.“Is there anything you need?”Sab felt uncomfortable, but she still tried. They’re just kids, she knew, but they’re the ones who saw what exactly happened.“I’m sorry to ask this, but… would it be possible for me to talk to your kids? I need information.”The woman pursed her lips as she contemplated. “I think Arryn’s old enough. He’s also traumatized but I do believe talking about it helps him process what happened. Have a seat first. I’ll talk to him.”In a way, she felt it’s the least they could do. She told her other kids to stay in the room as she took Arryn into the livin
She pursed her lips. It’s not that she doesn’t trust the pack to exact revenge against those bastards, but… it’s just not personal to them. And those who experienced actual loss, some continued to mourn, some would feel as she does. Not everyone is feeling as haphazard as she is now. The Alpha would still need to go through a process, to make a plan… she can’t wait for that. And it’s no guarantee they would allow her to be part of it. They might think she would be too emotional for it. They’re not wrong. Right now, it’s as if she has nothing to lose. When she steps out of the territory, she understands the risks. She may die. She may not return. But what matters to her is that she tried. She would avenge her mother.There was another thing that convinced her to act on her own. Her father. When he died, her mom said they didn’t get the revenge she wanted. The attack back then was probably more chaotic than what they recently had. More died from both sides, so…Sab found a trail with a
“Two hours is the least amount of time we would require to hastily prepare what we would all need if we’re to ensure this mission would be a success. It may be more than two hours, actually.” His beta explained and Clyde looked helpless.“I’m going to prepare, then. Or are you briefing us already?” He asked his father.“Given the circumstances, I don’t think I should give you leadership of this mission. Wayne would lead. Would you be able to follow orders?”Wayne stepped forward and looked at Clyde. He can understand his worries, but still… it’s a bit unsettling to see it from someone they look up to. They have high expectations for Clyde, but alas… he’s not unlike many of them. He’s also prone to extreme emotions that might cloud his judgment.“That’s better, actually. I can follow orders. I’ll listen to you.” Clyde stared at Wayne and gave him a nod.Conrad let out a deep breath. Good. For a moment there, he expected him to insist on leading it. It’s something not easy to relinquish