Diffused light filtered through floating dark bundle of clouds helps to tone down the darkness. 2 pairs of footsteps crashing through long grasses, rampaging the fireflies, leaving behind the world as they know it.“Zaden, wait. Why are we running?” Selena said with panting breath“I need to talk to you before your wolf comes out” Crisp shuffled beneath their feet stilled “Then talk, don’t run” she pulled her hand which is in Zaden’s hands to halt him. She then grabbed her knees, trying to catch up with her breathing. Zaden thought for a while, frowning at her fragile state.“I’m sorry…for what happened this morning…” he finally came out with his words, having her full attention to him. Selena stood up slowly.“It’s fine…no big deal” Selena shrugged her shoulder. “No, it is. Orion was right. We have been...no…I have been pushing you really hard” his voice softened as he paced closer to her and she smiled with a swift blink that is adorned by the twinkles in her eyes. Sati
“It doesn't make sense. It just doesn’t add up” Selena frowned at the pacing Zaden.“What doesn’t add up?” Zaden. Selena stretched her hands and patted the chair next to her, gesturing for him to sit down.“When you keep walking like this, your blood flow gets interrupted and you can't think properly. So, SIT” her hands circled the air next to her head meditatively, mocking him. Zaden did as told and looked at her with an intense this– better– be– good glare“Elisa put all the effort to be reborn into a family that resembles her original family. A mate that will love her infinitely is crucial, correct?”Zaden nodded. He hid the silver lining that he is her mate. He simply said her mate is already born and Elisa knew it the moment she was born, which was not entirely false.“Let's compare, shall we? “ her palm weighed the invisible topics.“Elisa didn't believe in God, I don't believe in god. Elisa's life took a horrible turn because Ozrain found his mate, I don't believe in the mate co
True to his promise, Zaden and the leader’s pack took or dragged Selena to the camping. And as expected, not even a drop of peace left in her brain that it began to literally ache. For time being, her mind-reading capability only works on protecting these 5 people. It might have worked for her father and brother as well, but there is no way of finding out since they are not with her. Zaden and Orion behaved as if they have vowed to make Selena suffer. They attended the girls, talked to them in private, and even gave them a welcoming hug– sending them down a swooning spiral. Their thought train wrecked hell in Selena, purely raw. She could never figure out how school girls, younger than her, could have known such vivid information about sex. If only their thoughts had been put to work all at once, Zaden and Orion would be ripped to pieces. Sophie was there too, as the teacher’s pet. The lake that they have chosen is Lake Thao, the same that allowed everyone to
“A WHAT???” Sitka, blaring off his anxiety level, formulating thousands of counter-attacks they would need in the near future.“Amphisbaena, according to her. " Zaden points to Selena. "Now, first of all, it would be perfect if we can stop that thing from getting out of our waters. If it does, then our only option would be to sit and wait. How are we going to find and fight that thing? It is buried in the lake bottom” there is only 1 answer but none dared to speak it out“Selena” A shaky voice came from behind– Grandpa Kai, as blunt as usual“If the creature is still there, it will come out for Selena,” he reinforced his idea.“I was hoping for a Plan B” Zaden mumbled to himself since he had dismissed this option long ago.“No, we can't do that!!! She hasn't recovered from her injury and you’re suggesting to push her into the waters again? That's insane!!! We might risk losing her” Orion exclaimed. The fear of losing her is writhing in
Two days passed by slowly at the hospital. Selena's ribcage fused back well enough. Her neck compression pulls heavy on her head and needs a day or two to surpass. The splatter of red splotches on her eye has vanquished into thin air and the bruises begin too, still faintly altering her skin tone, though. Orion has been missing throughout this phase. Anger-induced fear for other’s safety had left him on 4 feet, roaming the only place that could smother his depression and angst. The forest and their hidden portions, of course. The other pack leaders, especially Zaden, had been helpful and kept her company throughout the supposedly dreadful stay. She squirmed in his arms, stressing her ability to walk, again and again. But it slips off his ears. Actually, it slips overhead of the whole leader's pack, who insists and offered a hand in exchange. The brick house that sourced anxiety months ago has had a facelift. Warm, cozy, inviting and simply stood mighty as a wel
A layer of sticky residue tempered her usual skin texture, demanding extra effort to scrub herself clean. The hot water did well for any remnant sign of body ache. A flush of pink kissed her pale skin. She secured a towel around her chest and rubbed her hair between another small towel in her hands as she walked out of the bathroom. Not even a step out of the threshold, she bumped into a hard chest, making her stagger in an attempt to grab something. A pair of devoted hands grabbed her upper arm and pulled her forward, preventing her from falling back. She looked up with wide eyes. Who else can the culprit be, if not Zaden? She gulped her saliva at his lust-weaved eyes and the gesture of biting his lower lips. His scent seemed to have heightened noticeably. Temptation stifled a dampening heat over her skin. She closed her eyes slowly as she rolled her neck, not much different from her wolf. After being with her wolf so many times, Zaden can read when she is lust
With much manipulation and sweet talk, Makeala hands over Selena to him. The sense of freedom between them comes with a package of clinginess and needy to feel her – every minute of the day. He kidnapped her in the name of territory watching, tracking to the tip of mountains, learning which is under them and which is not. They wound up at the highest peak of Mount Manuka, with rugged cliffs threatening each step. Heavy gusts of wind blew from time to time. It may sound deadly but the actual fact is, the two of them were holding hands and conversing silly matters, bumping shoulders, and stealing kisses which made it more like a romantic getaway. Zaden has turned out to be too protective. Each step is watched and propped, touching her way more often than is necessary. He just couldn't keep his hands off her. They settled down at a grassy cliff, knees bent and Selena leaning on his shoulders. Sunshine beamed a warm blanket over them. A cluster of interlinked
The dinner buffet accommodates more desserts tonight. Selena is now a friendly pack member and the dinner has been the main contributor to it. She hasn't been announced as Luna of Mount Manuka yet and only the leader's pack knows about it. But the pack has developed a deep connection with her in a considerably short period. Their natural protective instinct towards their Luna never failed to impress Zaden. Some neighbors tend to bring her homemade ice cream, in favor of her sweet tooth. Especially the kids tend to gravitate towards her, although she claims she is 'not good with kids'. Selena and Makeala had gone down to dinner first, leaving the boys to their beauty nap. Once Zaden merged with the buffet line, his eyes skimmed through the vast Sacramento field for Selena. He spotted his fawn, nestled at the usual rocky corner, next to a bonfire. Crackles from the bonfire dusted stray sparkles into the air and her smile rubbed off moonshine, creating a coherent scene of t