Leonard's POVI heard a knock on my door and it sprung open, it was no other than Derek. “You okay? You seem a little disturbed since you got back,” he sounded concerned about me.“Mmm… mmm… I'm doing well. Have you looked into what I asked you?” I was quick to change the topic. Derek looked like he didn't buy the whole ‘I’m okay’ stuff, but for now, he pretended to back off.It's hard to admit, but ever since I got back, it's been hard to keep my mind off all I saw and heard. Hearing how she and Oriel took out a guy was weirdly amusing to me. The fact she could have that sense of protectiveness wasn't making too much sense.And what baffled me most was knowing someone was after her and now Oriel. I wouldn't have thought too deep about this if I hadn't seen what happened the other night.So, of course when I got back, I had Derek to discreetly look into some things for me. It's foreign how someone could sneak into that wedding.It can't be a coincidence that at first it was Liza and
Leonard's POV A part of me felt like I shouldn't go into my study in my apartment, but then I have learned to trust my gut feeling. With the formidable trust that I have in my gut, I stepped out. Just a few strides away from the building, I noticed a few pack members thronged.They were speaking in hushed tones, and I couldn't make out what they were discussing.Due to the urgency I was feeling, I didn't pay attention to them and kept going. But when they noticed I was walking by, they all hung their heads in respect.And those who didn't notice, kept their gossip going. For what it is, a particular group stood out because of their voice.“Is it true? After all his pride and fuzziness… he's not even the…” before she could finish her statement, she was shushed to keep quiet by another.In fear, terror and confusion, they all stopped talking and focused on adjusting their dress.But whatever they were discussing was a trifle matter to me. I needed to get to my study and figure out whe
My anger boiled up to a hundred degrees Celsius. Lucil was more than furious. I mean, he never for once liked Tricia.It doesn't make sense, yet I know it does. I knew I had seen that tattoo before, but it never crossed my mind it'd be on her.I marvelled at her courage and audacity to spy on me, the impetus to f*** a man in my study room. I couldn't see the man's face because he was wearing a mask.It made me laugh, who does that? And the answer came curtly. Someone who knows I know him and didn't want to blow his cover.I called Derek, and in the twinkle of an eye, he was with me looking as confused and enraged as I was some minutes ago.“The h*** you say Tricia did?” He was fuming in anger.“She f***** someone in this room and she's been a spy. It's as simple as that,” I laughed hysterically.Derek got it; he knew I only laughed in such a situation when I wanted to clear my head and not allow a bloodbath. Because honestly, that's what I'm thirsty for.“Leo, you have to calm down. W
Liza's POV I sighed in utmost frustration. You know the kind that makes you feel like you aren't doing anything right no matter the level of sincerity and effort you put into getting something done.The number of times that I have huffed in the past week is so unhealthy. You can say I was going through a writer's block. It's been messy.Seems my head is not just a blocked head, it is as empty as a brokeass pocket.Why can't I just figure this out? Just a simple drawing… well, not that simple, but at least to whoever drew it, it was. So, why must it take forever to figure this out? They were right there in that lounge and I couldn't see them.I feel terrible looking at Oriel and the fear in her eyes. With my little time with Oriel, I know she's a strong lady, but this seems to be a bit too much for her.Imagine having such an encounter when she was so optimistic about finding her mate and boom! Out of nowhere, someone was unto her to molest and cause her so much pain.What if I hadn'
Without hesitation, I picked up my phone and on the third peep, the call was connected.“Thank goddess you called. You must be a mind reader now, ‘cos I was about to call you myself,” Chris' voice came sharp on the other end.“Ohhhh… that sounds cool. Why were you planning to call me? Can it wait? I have something urgent I need to let you and Oriel on,” It's urgent and for some weird reasons, I want to hear what Chris has to say first. He's been involved from the very beginning.I had dragged him into this unpleasant situation and he never for once complained. So, if there's something he needs me to do for him, I can spare him some time.“Well… why not this? Let's meet up at Oriels. I think that's better because she needs to hear this too,” he suggested but I could sense a bit of urgency in his voice.“That sounds like a plan, I'll be heading out now. See you soon,” the line went off and I drew my not-so-lazy body from the chair, picked up my notebook and headed out.I placed a subtl
Chris confirmed he had seen the same tattoo on the man who had come into the party and attacked Oriel.The pieces are gradually coming together, we can say, but it's still not making much sense to me.This is to what end? What's this madness for? Why me? Why Oriel? Is there more to this? How did they know where to find us? Who helped me the other night?So many questions with no clear answers. I thought I was done fighting in my past life. But clearly one keeps fighting as long as you live.“How did you know about this, Liza?” Chris inquired.“Well, the other day we went to Morningstar lounge and then, we got a note. It didn't mean much except for the drawing that caught my eyes,”Chris is a goddamn good listener, he never interrupted as I went on filling him on what had happened when he was away.“The note said ‘curious? Be patient,’ but then this same drawing was at the edge of the note,”“I decided to look into it ‘cos I felt I had seen it somewhere. Then, I realized I saw it on th
Oriel’s POVI watched with keen patience and looked less interested as Liza and Chris went back and forth.If not for the situation at hand, I would have made huge fun of their childish bantering.But what can I say? These two look like siblings fighting for someone's attention sometimes. And if I didn't know better, I would have considered them siblings and not friends.I know they are both worried about how I'm processing the whole thing, but what about them?Seeing the two work tirelessly to make sure the culprits are served the justice that they deserve makes me feel bad doing nothing but scare away.I won't even lie, the whole Morningstar event shook me up a lot and if not for Liza coming into my room the time she did, I wonder what I would have done to myself.But I can't complain about being blessed with people who care about me so much. Can I?As for Liza, I know she is doing this because she feels responsible for what is happening right now, but far from it, I do not blame he
Chris' POVI set out of the pack after one of my men told me about a lead to their hideout.I know Liza didn't fully buy the whole idea of staying behind with Oriel, but what I didn't expect was for them to tail me.I could sense their scent so strongly and I don't know why it's that way. Maybe it's because I'm used to the two being around me a lot.I kept going, never for once did I make them feel like I knew about their presence.Getting to the thick woods, I was attacked by a group of rogues. I didn't want to hurt them.Truth is, lately, I've been feeling more powerful than usual. It's as if my body is going through a face of transfiguration.I've avoided training with Liza for this very course- I do not want to hurt her.And that's why I've stretched my hand of peace to these rogues the moment they had me in their ring.But I couldn't just stand and watch them come at me, especially when I was on a mission.So, when one of them charged at me, I humbled him. Thinking that's all? So
Chris' POV I left Liza to meet Oriel who mind-linked and sounded urgently.“They can't get their eyes off you, Hun?” She teased the moment she saw me coming I chuckled and winked at her, “You don't blame them. Do you?” I teased back“No. But given how handsome their Alpha and Beta are, they shouldn't be drooling over your impressive physique,” he replied “Well, well. I'm a new face, they must have been tired of eating the same dish over and over, you know,” And there she went ahead to laugh her heart out. “You sounded so cocky right now. Where is our Chris? What have you done to him?” I couldn't help but join in the fleet of laughter.“You sounded like there was an emergency,” I said as I roamed my gaze around the vicinity for anything or anyone suspicious and weird.“Ohhh that,” she rolled her eyes and I huffed.“Yeah… there was actually an emergency just before you came,” she sounded serious“Okay… what's that? What's the problem?” I became more serious and sensitive myself.An
Leo's POV “Reject me,” What? “Just reject me, Leo. There's no point. Let's just end this painful tension between us. Let's release ourselves from this unnecessary bondage,” I felt a pang of pain in my chest. Just the mention of that word alone was enough to water the boiling point of what I was feeling.Why would she say such a cruel thing? I know I haven't been the best to her since she opened up to me and I deserve to be treated however she wants.But rejection? I'm not going to settle for that. I know the Moon Goddess can be on our side and help us find a second chance mate, but I deeply don't want that.She probably thinks she's so different from the Liza I used to know. I thought the same too, but I know that's not true now.Rather than separate the two I feel they are both one. I don't know how that is possible. But they act in similar ways.“I don't want to do that,” I said to her the moment I realised I couldn't just keep the thought to myself.“I know I've been nothing b
Those words should be sent back to wherever they were coming from.“There's nothing to want to know or learn about me,” my head screamed but my mouth wouldn't say.No… this is never happening.Not now and not ever. “The only way forward is to be rejected and then we end this ill-fated thing between us.” “But he doesn't seem to want to reject you now. Does it?” Amma shot back at me.“Amma, he can't love us, he can't love you the way you deserve,” I replied.“Why would you conclude like that? Hun?” She asked hurriedly “Because he'll always want to see the Liza he was supposed to mark as his. And that Liza is not me. You know this Amma,” I said, my voice dropping an octave “It doesn't seem like that. You haven't gotten to know him either,” Amma persisted and it was building heat within me.“No Amma. I don't want him. I have plans and I won't allow someone who doesn't care about me to destroy them. Do you think he cares about us? Wait, until I can't fight like Liza, can't meet up with
Liza's POV Mum? That was weird to pronounce. It was hard to bring myself to make that word roll from my mouth.It wasn’t until I said; “All right mum,” that I realized how much I missed saying the word.It brought me down memory lane. Those times when I was as free as a bird.She was a wonderful ballet dancer, and very good at playing the piano too.“I want to grow up to be as talented as you, Mum,” I blushed as I watched her play the piano.“Yes… my beautiful Princess will be so talented and more talented than her mother,” she smiled back at me.It was a soothing smile that settled in the depths of my heart.Most times, I remember her smile and it gives me a longing and strength to keep moving.“Baby too will be talented, Mum.” I chuckled running around in circles “She would have loved to see her brother bring a woman home,” Leo's mum, Luna Teresa's statement brought me back to realityShe was getting the wrong impression about me and Leo and I wouldn't want to keep misleading her
“You promise not to tell, and I promise to get you those chocolate bars I got the last time,” I said with a pleading eye She looked straight into my eyes with her little yet penetrating forest-green eyes. She joined me in pouting and brought her hand forward for a pinky swear, “Promise?” She asked “Promise,” I reassured her and she jumped in excitement.“He will put you in trouble, Laura,” Derek said from behind.I shot him a glare to stay away from spoiling my deal with my little sister.“Don't listen to him. He's just jealous that you chose to protect your brother,” I said to her while holding her cheeks and playing with them.“Make sure you don't forget my chocolate or the deal is off,” she said hastily with her sharp mouth.Only a blind eye won't see how much the two are into each other.Laura and Derek are almost the same age and the annoying connection between them at such a tender age is so sweet and could make a grown man rot jealous.I left to get my backpack at the other
Leo's POV I haven't seen a smile as beautiful as that ever since I lost Liza.Such a pure, unadulterated and inspiring smile. I didn't realize when I asked the most unintelligent question, “Did you just smile?” I mentally knocked myself out when I wanted to stop, but I couldn't.It looked like I was having a replay of a cherished moment that I had with Liza.“I'm definitely making a portrait of your beautiful smiling face,” I uttered with my gaze fixed on her face.“You better do that,” she rolled her eyes playfully and shredded into laughter.“You should see your face when you smile, Liza,” I said, tucking her beautiful and curly black hair behind her ear.“I know right? It makes you want to stick with me forever,” she replied with a pout on her lips“Or, it make you want to just hold the marking ceremony?”Gosh, that day has been living rent-free in my head and I can't imagine I'm reliving that moment right now.“I haven't seen you smile so pure since like forever,” I blurted out
I felt the need to follow Chris and ask what the problem is.In my attempt to stand up all by myself, I almost slipped and hit the ground.With each passing second, I await the echo of my falling and a loud bang on the floor.But surprisingly, I arched my brows as what I felt wasn't the ground but a wall.It was sturdy, firm, impressive and powerful.I opened my eyes to realize my back was still glued to the wall.“Are you okay?” That voice chimed in my ears, and yes, it was as I had last remembered it.Calm, collected, deep and warm. Always shamelessly making butterflies billow in the depths of my stomach.And the fresh grass scent that filled my nose caused me to close my eyes momentarily and allow it to sink inside of me.“I… yes… I'm okay,” I muttered under my breath. It was like my voice went on a long vacation.Amma purred in the cutest way I had felt. She ran in excitement through every corner of my mind.Unwillingly, I detached myself from his firm grip. It was firm and it ma
Liza's POV “Yes?” I asked, surprised by Chris' answer.I can't believe Chris would actually do that. What was he thinking?“You don’t mean that, do you?” I ran my fingers through my hair and squinted at him.He came closer and stretched his hands forward in an attempt to wrap me in an embrace.Was he kidding me?I shifted a bit to show me I didn't want him to hold me.It was just yesterday I was discussing with Oriel about going home to face the consequences of our actions.But guess what happened?Chris was nowhere to be found.I was certain that a nice, cozy hug from him would instantly calm my worries, but no… I'm mad at him.“I'm sorry Liza, there was no way I could have told you before doing that,” he scratched the back of his neck nervously.“Why didn't you take me home?” I asked disappointedly. I was wrong to have thought that Chris of all people understands my situationship with Leo, but he made it glaring that he doesn't with this action of his.“We needed to get you to a
I couldn't believe my ears. Just when I thought I had succeeded in distracting this man from looking into Anny's death.He decided to change his course like the chameleon that he is.“Of course… but if I may ask,” I was cut short by his dismissive response “Don't ask, Alex. That's a dead end,” what does that even mean?What infuriated me more was the tone with which he was saying all those unprocessed words.Someone whom your daughter whom you claimed to love called her best friend died and this is all you have to say?She didn't just die. She was a spy sent by someone who wanted to harm you or harm the ones close to you.She got caught and in the process took her own life to protect whoever sent her.Yet, you asked me not to look into who she was working with or working for. Does that make any atom of sense?To say I was baffled was an understatement. I was livid.“Let's not open up dry wounds, Alex. She was the problem we had and she took care of herself. Isn't that simple?” He chu