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
Leo's POV As much as I love to watch offenders suffer, I don't normally torture them myself. I love to watch how they break and forsake all they used to stand for. But for a few occasions when it pleases me? I torture them myself. “She keeps asking and pleading that she sees you,” Derek broke the silence that's been sitting soothingly.Like an uninterested lover in his spouse's ranting, I kept my face right on what we were working on, and “why?” Came my response.“I don't think I have the right answer to that. I'm sorry,” what's he sorry for? Derek!“So, she's just whining to see me without a reason. Why should I grant her request then?” I asked curiously “The guards keep saying throughout her torture, she wouldn't stop saying she's got something important to tell you and she can't say it to them,” Well, after hearing that- maybe I should go hear whatever she has to say. She had given us a rough mental sketch of their hideout, or at least where she had been initiated. I wondere
Now, I began to understand what Tricia was trying to say. If one had gotten injured by those arrows, you'd end up in their den.By luck, if you don't, you won't get far. Because the arrows were laced with poison.Maybe they aren't as dumb as I thought. But sadly, they are no match for this opponent of theirs.They are still learning. “What the h*** was that?” Derek blurted out deeply, trying to catch his breath.“Are you seriously breathing so heavily? You must have gone weak bro,” I teased“Are you kidding me? Do you think I have gone weak? Have you seen the way your biceps keep heaving up and down?” He burst into laughter I joined in the laughter, “Man, your weakness is as a result of your loneliness,” A scoff instantly left his mouth, and that's him dismissing the topic I was trying to bring up. “Loneliness you say? That's so rich coming from you. But not to worry, Derek got you always,” he playfully spanked my shoulder“You know if I didn't know better, I would say something is
Zoe's POV Alex has been working more than usual and due to the timing, I can't figure out why.I was hoping we'd visit the Pack’s clinic together today, but just at the slightest minute, be bailed on me.“Babe, are you going somewhere?” I asked when I noticed he wasn't preparing for our visitation. “Have you forgotten I have responsibilities to take care of as the Alpha of this Pack?” He answered aggressively.I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. Standing on my feet, I moved closer to him and helped button up his shirt.“I know you have lots of work to take care of, but we spoke about visiting the Pack's clinic together.He didn't waver in his stoic look. “Yes, we spoke about visiting and I didn't say you shouldn't go. Did I?” He asked with no iota of care or concern“Alex, this is my-” he didn't allow me to finish my statement before he cut me off “And so what? Someone has to keep the Pack running, isn't it? Or do you expect the whole pack members to start living inside the cli
I sprung into immediate action the moment Liza's voice echoed through my mind.I just left her in about how many minutes and this is happening?"I'm coming right away. Do you want to leave here? So be it," I replied, hoping that would calm her down a bit before I got to her."Is anything the problem?" Oriel asked. I guessed she must have noticed a change in my countenance."Yes... Of course, everything is great," I lied. Well, I had to. I didn't want to get her agitated and worried. Liza has always wanted to leave her, and I knew it was a matter of time before she'd lose her patience.I can't blame her, given the relationship between her and Leo. But I thought they were getting along again.I have no understanding of what is going on. They were happy to learn that the Moon Goddess had paired them together as mates.And after the accident? That aircraft of enthusiasm just died without showing any sign of malfunctioning. "Let it not be a disastrous misunderstanding," I found myself p
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