(Beatrix)STRONG, WEAK, young, old, rich, or poor, I believe we were all pretty much the same. We were all searching for home, for a place we could call ‘ours’. We were searching for that little warmth to get by in this harsh world. The strong ones looked for it to either keep their strength or become stronger. The weak craved for it in hopes of being strong. The young needed it to survive, the old looked for it to have something to hold on to until the day they would have to say goodbye to living.The rich would kill for it while the poor would thrive for it. That’s what home and warmth could do to people.The werewolves were no different. We fight for our place; we fight for warmth, for home.Once upon a time, I found mine. I found home. I found my version of haven, my peace of mind, my strength, and the source of my joy. I was silly to think that just because we were wolves, we would be together forever. But in the end, he became the source of my sorrow, too.When the humans killed
WHEN Alexandra left the house, I was about to follow her but then, Kenji tried to catch up to me and held my hand. This time, my tears fell. I had learned how to believe in the goodness of humans because of him. He was my sliver of hope.And when he proposed to me, I wanted to leave everything behind and just take the ring and run away with him. But I could not afford to be greedy with the man I had fallen in love with. I thought if we were to live together, I would only make him miserable. I was afraid to be the reason why his eyes would lose its sparkle.Wolves lead a very dangerous life and I didn’t have the heart to keep dragging him in my misery. That’s why I let him go. Who would have known that I would be the one dragged instead?“Do you have something else to say?” I asked in the coldest voice I could muster. But the tears in my eyes betrayed me.Kenji glanced at my left wrist. I noticed how pain flickered in his eyes when he no longer saw the gold watch that he gave to me. I
(Alexandra)I GLANCED at Beatrix while I was driving. The weight of another heartbreak that she was bearing was shown on her face. I had seen that expression before. That was also what she looked like when her mate died.“I’ve been a fool. I’m so sorry for not realizing it sooner, Xandra. I failed you and the pack. I feel so ashamed. I want to die from humiliation.”I had seen Kenji’s expression whenever he would look at Beatrix and the latter was not aware. That was how Luther would gaze at me, too. Maybe it was not one-sided. Kenji might have fallen in love with Beatrix along the way. But that love did not placate the deep-seated anger he had been harboring for both werewolves and humans.When I heard her sob, my free hand reached out to hers and gave it a light squeeze. I learned that from Luther. During the emergency meeting this afternoon, Beatrix had been grilled by the Alpha as well.In the morning, Clay found an envelope outside their house. There was no sender written on the
(Duncan)San Antonio, Nueva Ecija 1990“IT was tragic, wasn’t it? Losing the one we love. They leave permanent scars in our hearts which no medicine in the world could heal. I know that terrible feeling that’s why I’m here to help you. I can wake Therese for you, Duncan.”Slowly, I lifted my face when I heard that voice. I was greeted by a tall man with pale skin and blue eyes. He was wearing white all over. From his hat and trench coat down to his leather shoes. It was night time, but he was shining so brightly.“Are you… god?” I asked in a hoarse voice.He laughed. “God. I like the sound of it. You amused me, human. I hadn’t laughed like that in a long time. I am no god, Duncan. I am much better than him. I heard how many times you had prayed to that same god, but you were unheard, weren’t you? Unlike him, I listened to your plea, and I am here for you right now. Your family is embarrassed of you. They shunned you. All your friends had already left you. But I will not do that. I wil
Present time, 2022“Kenji! Magnus! You two-faced monsters! Come out from wherever the hell you are and face me!” I yelled while gripping the steel bars. I kept screaming, it didn’t matter if there were other prisoners inside. I needed to talk to Magnus and Kenji. Desperately.They tricked me. How could they do this to me?“Be quiet-“When I turned to the prisoner who tried to shut me up, his voice quivered and he took a step back. Why wouldn’t he? In this town, I was known as the worst criminal of all. I was the sinner who cannot be pardoned that other criminals would shrink away from the sight of me.I got rid of my own humanity and sold my very soul to Kenji. I became their loyal servant and killed numerous people, wolves even, to get them the blood they needed in order to become hybrids. I could not be late in delivering the blood bags because Magnus, Kenji’s righthand man, would tell me that his master’s powers would weaken and it would affect Therese.And I couldn’t allow that to
LUTHER held my hands and begged, “Stop using these hands to kill people and surrender now, Pa.”When I closed my eyes, I saw him trying to wipe my tears away. He kneeled beside me and with a haunted look on his face, he whispered, “Pa… why do you love seeing me suffer? Don’t be like this. Stop killing me. My heart is not as strong as yours. I’ve barely recovered. Please don’t kill me again. If you do that, I don’t think I could survive again. Do me a favor. Just this one thing. If I’m going to die, at least let me die by the enemy’s hands. Not by my father’s. That would be too much of a tragedy, don’t you think?”My shoulders shook when I wept for the countless time today. When I was younger, I didn’t know why a father would treat his son the way he treated me. I made a vow to be different once I become a father myself. But I was no different. I had hurt my own flesh and blood. I trampled on Luther’s heart so many times before and even attempted to kill him.I didn’t even get to teach
AS IF ON cue, I heard Suzanna’s voice.“Sir Luther, Sir Magnus has arrived.”Not long after and I saw Uncle Magnus rushing to Kenji’s direction.“I heard what happened. I’m sorry, Luther. You know I trust you. But I can’t let my son stay in this place as he recuperates. He’s the only family I have. I need to take him to the hospital to make sure that he’s okay.”Uncle Magnus didn’t give Kenji the chance to decline. He guided his son along with his bodyguard. Kenji just sighed and waved at me before leaving. And then he mouthed, “Sorry about this, buddy. I will give you a call later.”I nodded. “Please do. Get well soon, brother.”Their limousine was gone before we knew it. It was as if they were all in a hurry to leave. I turned to my team. “How did Uncle Magnus know what happened? Who informed him?”All of them shook their heads. And I believed them. None of these men would act alone. They would normally wait for my order. I didn’t see Kenji use his phone either. It was impossible fo
(Suzanna)“LUTHER is surrounded by many good people. That even if something were to happen to me one day, I am not worried at all. I know you will be there for him. May it be as Suzanna, the chef, or something more. You’ve stayed silent for so long. And I have nothing against that. There is peace in silence. But I believe there is bravery in standing your ground and speaking up.“There is hope, too, that the moment we end our silence, it could be the stepping stone for things to get better. I believe in you, Suzanna, the way you believe in Luther that’s why you stayed with him this long. I hope when the right time comes, you will make the right choice.”I almost cut my finger when I heard Alexandra utter those words. I put down the carrot and the knife on the table before I looked at her, wide-eyed.“What are you saying, ma’am Alexandra? I don’t understand. By chance, is this a prank?” I pretended to look around even if I didn’t feel any presence near the kitchen aside from hers.Alex