When Asher stepped into the house, he saw Esther standing in front of the oven. Inside the oven was a tray of cupcakes, and she watched the timer, waiting for the oven to turn the lights off.Just then, Asher grabbed on to her shoulders and turned her, startling the girl. She shot him a puzzled gaze.โAre you frightened of me?โWhat sort of absurd question was that?She stared at him in confusion. Nonetheless, she shook her head.โEven after finding out I am not human?โEsther was taken aback. She wondered how Asher figured that part out.โShocked, yeah, but I was not scared,โ Esther responded honestly.โBut you have phobia of wolves,โ he pointed out.โThatโs there, but you are a human now, and I know you arenโt a mindless animal. I have been living with my parents, Amy, and Luke my whole life.โโYou knew about them too?โAsher found it funny. They all tried to hide the truth from her, thinking that Esther would be scared only for her to know everything the entire time. She sure didnโ
After spending the weekend at his brotherโs place, Esther returned home. Amy and Luke pestered her with a lot of questions. The obvious concern in their eyes made her feel touched, and this made her voice out, โI want to talk to you all together. Dad and mom included.โ Given how busy her parents tend to be, Esther thought that it would take time, but she was surprised to see them all gather for dinner, wearing that solemn expression. It was in a way funny. Esther looked down feeling slightly overwhelmed and played with her fingers before revealing, โI know that all of you arenโt human.โ Amy was the first one to react. She jumped forward and grabbed on to Estherโs shoulder, almost shouting, โWas it that bastard who exposed it?โ Esther shook her head. โI knew from the beginning.โ Her mother narrowed her eyes at Esther. That gaze of hers was oppressive, and although her mother went relatively soft on her, she still managed to shake Esther up. โSo, you lied about losing your memory?
โI am sorry about treating you harshly. Itโs just that you make me worry too much, and I have terrible control over my temper,โ Amy sincerely expressed. โMe too. I am sorry for troubling you. I just wanted to protect you,โ Luke confessed. โI am sorry for being a bad older sister. It should be me taking care of you all, not the opposite,โ Esther voiced out. After that, they looked at each other and laughed before hugging it all out. ยฐยฐยฐ Carrying a plate full of snacks, Esther stepped into her room only to see Asher holding her diary. He seemed to have found it on her shelf, and as he was about to open it, she instantly placed the plate down, rushing off towards him. โYou canโt read that. Itโs invasion of privacy.โ Asher had no plans of going through it at first, but Estherโs reactions amused him. He wanted to see what was it that she wanted to so adamantly hide. โOh.โ That was enough for Esther to understand that Asher had no intention of listening to her words, and this made h
Inside the class, Esther played with Asherโs fingers as they waited for the teacher to arrive. Soon the door opened, and a man stepped in followed by another one.Esther raised her head. When her eyes fell on the man who stepped in, she visibly stiffened before calming herself down.No, this isnโt him. He died, just someone who looks similar to him.Upon noticing her momentary distress, Asher shot her a concerned glance. Esther merely smiled and shook her head.โSettle down, Students. This is your new literature teacher, Mr. Stephen Wright, who will be replacing Mrs. Bella.โAt that, Stephen faced the class and introduced himself. He had a gentle tone and a friendly smile on his face. Once he was done with his words, his eyes fell on Esther, and for a second there, it gave her a sense of dรฉjร vu.She felt the chills.โI donโt like him,โ Asher said lowly, only enough for Esther to catch.Esther knew that Asher hated a whole lot of peopleโ most even without a good reasonโ and this time
โYou must be living pretty happily now. You found your mate just what I was waiting for.โEsther was confused at that. What was a mate? A concept of partner for animals? Did he refer to Asher by those words? And why was he waiting for her to fall in love?Because they were part animals, she supposed it was common for them to use such terms.Feeling wary, Esther grabbed on to the handle of the car about to push it and leave. The anxiety inside of her grew. Was he about to take her away right now?โNo need to be so scared. I canโt take you at least for now. With that bond, you are bound to be found.โโBond?โ Esther asked, puzzled.What sort of bond?Her obliviousness made the man smile and ask, โYou donโt know anything about it?โEstherโs eyes narrowed, and that was enough for the man to understand.โYou have no clue on how that boy and you are fated to be together, or the bond that joins the two of you.โEsther almost shook her head before she stopped herself. She didnโt want to appear
Following this, the man opened up about his story, and Esther did too.He was called Dylan Cooper. Unlike her, he was a werewolf. But he was weaker than his peers comparatively. The reason Stephen took interest in him was due to special substance found in his blood, and the same went for his child as well.The childโs mother was brutally killed ten days after she had given birth. Esther was shaken up when she learned how the child wasnโt even a month old.If the child stayed here, he wouldnโt make it past his first month. At that, Esther knew that she had to make plans to escape. Dylan understood that too.Nonetheless, they didnโt talk for long because Esther feared about Stephen returning and catching the two of them together. Thatโs why, giving her word that she will be returning, she left the room through the window.After a while, Stephen came back, and absolute silence surrounded both of them as he dropped her off at a distance from her home. He left her with few threatening word
โWas that what upset you these days?โ Asher asked.Over this period of time, he noticed that Esther was unusually tense and spent lesser amount of time with him. He didnโt push it, thinking it was due to exams coming up. She should be stressed over it.โWhy didnโt you tell me about it?โ Esther asked.At first, she thought that she would have to act sad, but now, the reality of everything hit her, making her emotionally unstable. Asher didnโt want to do anything with her.When it was an unrequited love on her part, she wasnโt saddened by this because for her, it was impossible for Asher to like her back then. But now that she got to taste his sweet affections, everything was painful.Asher sighed.โIt didnโt matter,โ he responded, โthatโs why, donโt let it create an issue.โThis made Estherโs heart sink.โYour mate, it could have been someone else, and you would have treated her the same.โ Esther voice was low. Her eyes were on the floor, and tears started to well up in them.At this,
Asher made her frustrated, incredibly at that.Because he believed Esther fell in love with someone, he kept an eye on her the entire time, and once the day at school was over, he dragged her to his apartment. She couldnโt even resist because he was ready to start a fight with her siblings over her.Esther too held on to her will and didnโt talk to Asher unless it was regarding breaking the bond. That only got him to be more aggressive, and he threatened about marking her.Just when Esther thought one bond was too much.Marking is the werewolf version of being tied until death. At least it was too harsh to force it upon someone else. But the way Esther kept on challenging Asherโs bottom line, she distinctly saw it as a future possibility.Thatโs why, she had to do something drastic.She tried a lot of techniques. She cried and begged him, screamed at him and tried to provoke him, threw a hunger strike, and attempted to come out of her shell to act ambiguous with another man which ende
โWas your love for me a lie?โ Esther cried out.Asher pressed on to his forehead and expressed, โQuit being so dramatic.โโMen are really heartless creatures or else how can you push me to the execution ground. Yesterday you were hugging me and loving me, and now, you want me dead?โโEsther.โAsher stared at her sternly.This made her pout and deflate, almost falling off to the ground in the process. Asher grabbed on to her collar to prevent that from happening.โWhy have you only grown to become more and more childish?โ Asher pinched her nose while staring at her with adoration in his eyes.She scrunched up her nose.โAlright. Your family is waiting outside of the door. I will go and open it.โEsther showed a helpless expression. Whatever, sooner or later, she will have to face her family. It doesnโt matter if she gets beaten up. Just a little painful and a whole lot embarrassing.Taking in a deep breath, she steeled herself and gestured to Asher to open the door.โAlright. I am read
Asher sounded disappointed.โThatโs all? Because I hardly looked at you for few days, you thought I had no feelings for you? Even after I opened about everything to you? I told you over and over again that breaking the bond wouldnโt change anything. You couldnโt trust me?โโHow am I supposed to read your mind!? You are always blowing hot and cold. Itโs tiresome. What about you? You werenโt any less insensitive! Didnโt you think it would hurt me if you avoided me?Donโt you have common sense? Or was it a game you played to torture me because I wanted to break the bond with you? Thatโs your favorite hobby, right!?โโMy hobby? Yeah, you are right. I am paranoid. I enjoy testing people at every turn and donโt trust anyone. But I wanted to do that with you. Fuck! If it wasnโt for your sake, I wouldnโt have ignored you.Do you know what I felt like every time I looked at you? Tortured. Do you understand how empty I felt without the bond? Unable to read your emotions, it was all too foreign
Asher stared at her in disbelief.โI am in last stage of stomach cancer. Thatโs why, I will be content to get to see you married, and itโs sad that I wonโt have the luxury to see your children. Nonetheless, I hope you will be happy in the future.โโYou are lying,โ Asher responded.Esther sighed.โI wish I was too. Thereโs a lot I wanted to do, but too bad, my life is short.โAt this, Esther saw Asher taking out his phone, and alert, she grabbed on to his hand, asking, โWhat are you doing?โโArranging for the tests. You will be done for if you are lying.โThis made Esther nervous.โCan you not? I am exhausted of having to go to doctors, getting poked, and having to take medicine. I wonโt stop you from doing whatever you want, but please, donโt force me to see a doctor. Thereโs no hope already. I just want to spend my last days peacefully.โโShut up,โ he ordered, โthereโs no way thatโs the case, and you will be seeing a doctor whether you like it or not.โโI was sad, thinking that you w
A chill travelled down Estherโs spine. At the sane time, she felt indignant. What right did he have to accuse her in this manner as though she cheated behind his back?Back then, it was him who fervently ignored her, and these years, she suffered badly. She was all alone with strangers. And itโs not like she wanted to be away; she had to be away.โI-uh, itโs none of your business. Itโs been five years, Asher. Werenโt we just childish high school students back then? What happened back then shouldnโt even matter?โAsherโs eyes darkened further.โSay that again.โEsther was about to repeat those words when she got intimidated by his eyes. Her senses could easily perceive the danger, and she silently turned to face the window. She wasnโt foolish enough to provoke the beast.And then, they stopped in front of a mansion. It was grand. Esther stared at it in amazement and wondered how much Asher actually made in a month. Asher then got down of the car and ordered her to follow behind him. A
โDadโs home. Yikes! I am going to bed, Esther. Good night.โBefore Esther could say anything, the child rushed off to her room, and she laughed at her antics. Despite Dylanโs repeated warnings, Lily still got into a fight in school and got injuries. Not wanting to be scolded by her father again, she hid.Esther shook her head.The main door opened, and Dylan stepped in. She raised her eyebrow at the signs of joy seen on his face. Work made him exhausted usually, so this was new.โWhat happened?โ she questioned as the man removed his blazer and placed it on the couch.โI met with an old friend from the council today, and it seemed that Stephen was caught, five years ago at that. Itโs sad we lost connection for long.โStephen and Esther did lay low for these five long years. Esther had no connection with the werewolf council, and Stephen didnโt have complete trust in them. He was afraid getting involved would result in him being caught.โYou sure?โ Esther asked.Dylan nodded.โConfirmed
Esther bent down and fixed the hair of the child in front of her. No older than five, the girl had doe brown eyes, brown hair pulled into two ponytails, and chubby cheeks that made one want to pinch them.In other words, she was adorable.โNow, take care of yourself, and donโt get into fights.โโYes, Mom! Are you coming to pick me up?โEsther pretended to think about it for a while.โI am not too sure about it.โโI will give you a kiss, Mom.โWith that, the tiny girl plastered her lips on to Estherโs cheeks, leaving behind a small kiss before stepping back with sparkling eyes, blinking at Esther in expectation.Esther laughed. She hated leaving her apartment, but she could do anything for her adorable baby.โSure.โThe child grinned widely.โThen, make sure to bring enough money with you. I want to buy this big dollhouse. Dad scolded me, saying itโs a waste of money, and I will break it. What would he know? The dollhouse is so pretty. I want it.โThe girl scoffed, folding her hands ov
Before he passed out, he growled at Esther. Although he tried to resist, the drug was too potent for his self will.Stephen was a cautious being, but due to his arrogance, Esther had the upper hand in this. He thought he figured her out entirely, and due to this, he felt she would be helpless. Esther was after all like an open book.Estherโs acting skills surprised even herself. When push came to shove, even Esther can adapt and act accordingly. She was proud of herself for staying calm under the situation and not breaking down.Of course, Esther did not have the time to celebrate for long. What was way more tasking for her had to be when she moved the man to the shotgun seat, so that she could take the driverโs one.With all the rough handling, she was almost scared he would wake up. His weight felt nearly impossible for her to handle, but her willpower made sure she carried on.Following so, she drove the car following the GPS. Upon spotting the man and his child by the roadside, sh
Asher made her frustrated, incredibly at that.Because he believed Esther fell in love with someone, he kept an eye on her the entire time, and once the day at school was over, he dragged her to his apartment. She couldnโt even resist because he was ready to start a fight with her siblings over her.Esther too held on to her will and didnโt talk to Asher unless it was regarding breaking the bond. That only got him to be more aggressive, and he threatened about marking her.Just when Esther thought one bond was too much.Marking is the werewolf version of being tied until death. At least it was too harsh to force it upon someone else. But the way Esther kept on challenging Asherโs bottom line, she distinctly saw it as a future possibility.Thatโs why, she had to do something drastic.She tried a lot of techniques. She cried and begged him, screamed at him and tried to provoke him, threw a hunger strike, and attempted to come out of her shell to act ambiguous with another man which ende
โWas that what upset you these days?โ Asher asked.Over this period of time, he noticed that Esther was unusually tense and spent lesser amount of time with him. He didnโt push it, thinking it was due to exams coming up. She should be stressed over it.โWhy didnโt you tell me about it?โ Esther asked.At first, she thought that she would have to act sad, but now, the reality of everything hit her, making her emotionally unstable. Asher didnโt want to do anything with her.When it was an unrequited love on her part, she wasnโt saddened by this because for her, it was impossible for Asher to like her back then. But now that she got to taste his sweet affections, everything was painful.Asher sighed.โIt didnโt matter,โ he responded, โthatโs why, donโt let it create an issue.โThis made Estherโs heart sink.โYour mate, it could have been someone else, and you would have treated her the same.โ Esther voice was low. Her eyes were on the floor, and tears started to well up in them.At this,