Vermillion Haze (Red Riding Hood Series)

The King wants to see me today.I feel my chest become heavy and my heart pound wilder. It was unusual for him to make me see him. The Generals would always be the ones who would summon me. I wonder what was so special about this?I look back at my other apprentices. They were behind me, trailing– also with curious eyes. I stop my tracks, turn my back, and then ask them."Both of you look nervous." I crossed my arms. "Is something wrong?"They shook their heads. "Nothing."But I knew that something was bugging them. That softened look, furrowed brows, and pursed lips. I knew that something was bugging them."No, I insist," I told them. "What is it?"I heard one of them sigh. "We find it very peculiar, Captain Vermillion.""Peculiar?""We wonder if something wrong happened? Is the King upset, perhaps? Did we do something wrong?"I chuckled at him and placed a hand on his shaking shoulders."I believe it is none of that." I gave him a reassuring smile. "He could be summoning me for anot

Tall trees. The sound of the waterfall.I closed my eyes and traced my small fingers at the long blades of grass as I skipped happily towards Grandmother's cottage. I remember vividly as I jumped from rocks to rocks just to cross the stream, with my newly sewn basket.Mother made it for Grammy, if I remember correctly. Inside were goodies that had just come from my uncle's farm. My father was busy cutting trees and my mother should be at home- mending our garments with threads and needles.When I arrived at the path, I remember the smell of smoke and rotten eggs- or at least, that's what I thought it would be. I remember correctly that Father told me to wrap myself with my red cloak to intimidate the predators lurking in the woods. I thought it was foolish, until I saw one myself.From behind the huts stood a creature so beastly and ugly. It seemed like a hyena standing on its hind legs. Because of how devilish it looked, I never thought that it would be a wolf.I've always seen the w

I watched as the filth from my skin flowed upon the water.This hideout isn’t as bad as I thought. They have electricity and water supply just enough for everyone to use. I was brought into the omegas’ shower rooms to wash myself.“I thought I was gonna take a bath in a freezing river. ““Oh no, of course not. Do you prefer that, perhaps?”“Of course not. I don’t die because of hypothermia. I still have to smack that guy’s head.”The woman sighed. “Will you guys ever be able to get along in the future? Both of you are destined mates.”I took a deep breath. “We are not mates. And besides, how can he decide that so quickly? Is he making fun of me? Does he want to torture me by making me feel humiliated? Ugh.”“A Were, like us, do not decide our mates. You could say it is just fate.”I rubbed my skin in frustration. “Oh yeah? And how do you confirm that?”“Your scent would be stronger to him, and it would be different than ours.”“I didn’t know that you guys could be this weird.”“Weird?

RUBY VERMILLIONEverything in this place sucks, especially that moronic Alpha of theirs. At least I have Linda with me, whom I can talk to and express all my anger."Ugh!" I kicked the cage with my feet.I hate this. I've never been caught in my entire life, and now I cannot believe I see myself inside this cage!Karma got the best of me, huh?I always acted so tough and reassuring that I forgot the principles of this world. I can't believe that I am this pathetic!Linda looked at me and sighed. "You'll injure your feet if you keep kicking the bars. You still want to get free, do you?""Yeah. And the first thing I'll do would be kicking his ass and punching him in the face before bailing."Linda was mopping the floors of the vast hall.Ugh. Did I tell you already?My cage is inside Riftan's throne room! Displayed for everyone to see! Isn't that maddening?!Every now and then, Weres would come and pass by. They would laugh at me and make faces like stupid monkeys.Seconds later, after

I woke up to the sound of dangling chains.I straightened myself into a rod before sticking my hand out, ready to face my opponent. I glided my eyes across the room only to see it normal, as it was before.In a few moments, a head popped up from the side of the bed which of course, made me jump."Holy moly, Linda! You scared me!"The woman laughed, "Sorry about that. You were sleeping the entire afternoon. You forgot to eat lunch."I palmed my face and took a deep breath while trying to recover myself from the shock she caused me.She unlocked the chains and wrapped them against her palm, "Sir Riftan told me to wake you up. By the way, why... are you in his room?"A heat rushed through my cheeks. I heaved a sigh and slipped myself away from it with a composed feature. "Nothing. He just invited me inside-""Oh my God, did you mate?! Are you okay?!"Linda walked towards me and placed her palms over my shoulders. I shook my head repeatedly, trying to deny everything that she was thinking