I've been staring at my necklace this whole time after the nap. The big question I have ever since been tackled. Few questions about the past are still unanswered in my thoughts. I can hear cheerful noises inside Matheo's room when I was about to knock. They're having fun, not even able to notice my opening the door. I found them playing a board game on the bed. A peaceful family after a long separation. I knocked on the opened door again and finally engrossed their attention. "Hessuel," Lanasia says, "would you like to join? We did not disturb you as you were sound asleep a while ago." "No." I dropped my sight at the board game again. "I only have a question to ask but I'll address it later." I step out of the room, then leave silently, staring at every step I make on the dolomite marble floor. I need extended time to recover... that is my thought while watching the waterfalls. Carefree bonding and happiness of my family remained in the past. It all came to pass and brought only
"Silence, men!" Luna Maia warned, standing firm in front of her seat. The wolves look down on the floor. None dared to look at the Luna in the eye. "I will not allow disharmony and violence amongst us, Shio!" Other than that, none else dared to speak against her. After a momentary fuming silence, Alpha Shio sighed, then proclaimed his decision. "Alright... I don't want resentment in our pack either. I can see how important this friend to you is. But I warned you. Cados," he called, "lead him the way to the penitentiary." "Right away!" Cados responds submissively. He throws a glance at me before shifting, ["This way!"] He left the hall through the doorway behind me. I bow my head for the Alpha and Luna. "Thank you," I said, then ran after Cados. I ran with two legs alongside him. It's meters away from the borders of the palace, inside the dark woods, in the mouth of a giant stone cavern we enter. Hopping above the piles of half-buried rocks. Stepping cautiously because of the d
Lanasia and her family are waiting for us on the terrace behind the waterfall. We got splattered when we passed through and landed safe and sound except that I almost slipped. I lift Dandeline with my arms again and took her inside her room urgently while Lanasia keeps throwing questions. It took an hour for both of us to rest and recover. For now, none else will visit her but only her acquaintances. After a momentary rest, Dandeline can lift herself again. She's leaning at the headboard, Lanasia is sitting at the side of the bed, I'm at the white royalty chair provided beside, and Matheo with his son is at the window ledge. Lanasia hands me over a mug of tea, one for Dandeline as well. "That will support your body to regain strength faster," she said. I saw a tiny spark swirling in the tea before I took a sip. The silence afterward holds back the words that must be told. Uncomfortable interaction. I wandered my eyes around until it landed on Lanasia's. We both glance at Dandeline
I spent the rest of the day lying down and staring at the cuff on my wrist. ["Daydreaming. Always daydreaming."] Letting out a sigh, I drop my arms on the bed and reply to Acro, "This place is driving me crazy." It's complimenting to imagine the white wolves will serve me, that I got the genuine blessing for Alphas, and to accept the consecration means to shoulder the responsibilities. My Luna will be the fated one. Which means that I can't be with the woman I desire. If this is the work of the moon, how shall I defy it? Or can I? I'm already born in the oath of having the blood of a silver wolf flowing in my veins. The situation of this age I woke up to is dire. Or it's just my responsibilities from the past haunting me. It'll probably fill half of my life in guilt if I run away again. If I become the Alpha, I have to stay here, away from the people I've grown up with. Far from those people who helped me reach this place. Far from the life that I used to have. Or else I can have
I'm addicted to her smell. The snow subsided outside. I watch it fall gradually from my position in the bed. Dandeline is sound asleep in my arms, her naked body in contact with mine. I've been sucking the scent of her hair this morning. Inevitable smiles streak as I recall what we had last night. Finally, she opens her sleepy eyes and looks up at me. And I want her to see her favorite eyes first thing in the morning. She reaches my cheek with her soft hand and raises a gentle kiss on my lips. There could never be a happier morning than this. I lean on top of her, then brush her lips with my gentle sticky kisses. When my kisses arrived on her neck, I saw my bite mark turning into a scar. I kiss it and ask, "Does it hurt?" "Hmm, a pain in pleasure." "You're going to be a werewolf soon." "Huh?" "Because you're bitten. Your cells mutate your genes to make you a werewolf. Just like zombies. If a zombie bites you, you'll become one of them." "They don't work the same." "What if
I feel empty. I don't want to do anything. I just want to remain on my bed. However, another person reeks in my room. I push myself up and scan my room with my sleepy blurry vision. It's the thief sitting-pretty beside the table while reading a book for mages. Acro is on the table too. Another thing that astonishes me is the pile of gifts beside my bed. It's not my birthday! "You're finally awake," Zaeramil said, dropping the book on the table, then sitting on the chair like horseback riding to face me. "How long have I been asleep?" Hunger must be the reason why I feel empty. "Only 10 hours, I guess." "Then how come you say 'finally'?" I sigh and scratch my messy hair. "Because I'm bored." "You're bored because you're here. Why are you here?" He caresses his finger on Acro's breast. "I'm still interested in your owl." "Traitor..." I cast my eyes upon the gifts again, lift my butt out of the bed, then poke about it. "What are these?" "A doggo culture," he says, "they gi
Tomorrow is the formal enthroning. I opened up my plans with Matheo and he insisted on coming with me. He said that he handles the dimensional passages and shortcuts to make my travel back home faster. I'm packing the offerings to present to Cormelio. While changing my clothes, I tilt my head, wondering about the purpose of the ribbon on my ankle I've been wearing all this time. I unknot and stare at it as I try to recall where I got this. Yet as far as I can remember, I use it for communication in my wolf form. I left it inside a drawer. It'll not be useful in the future. When I open the door, I pause my every motion because of Cados and the werewolves waiting for me outside. This phalanx of Omegas already surrounds my room. Not for good news since they're all preparing their claws. Unfortunately, their tremor and the smell of cold sweat are obvious. Seems like they're compelled to face the monster. "What's going on?" Cados reaches for my shoulder for a friendly touch while his
I briskly rummaged for a new coat and proceeded to the hall of the palace. I enter, I walk, and I keep my glare fixed on Luna Maia who's sitting, as usual, in the circle of couches. This hall seems how it usually has been ever since the beginning. The only difference today is that all werewolves, except Luna Maia, are bowing their heads at me as I cross their spot. "Luna Maia, I need to talk with you privately." She gave a sign for the werewolves to leave us in this circle. I sat in front of her and threw questions without further ado. "Was it your plot to cage us inside a room for the rest of the night?" "..." She leans her back, elegantly sitting with her legs crossed. "It was. I lent her the help she needed to gain your love and trust. I hope you're aware of how dedicated she is to be the next Luna. Have you two reconciled?" "We did. That could be the only good news I brought for you today, Luna Maia. I've wasted so much time cooperating with your traditions knowing that I have