Raphaela and Antonio watched as the pack warriors trickled into Lorenzo's room and walked out solemnly, guilty and sad looks on their faces.Raphaela had insisted not only the warriors pay their Alpha a visit but a good number of the pack members also. She wanted them to see what their hate caused, she wanted them to experience even a little of the pain she was feeling. Even the young pups weren't exempted. That way, they would grow up protective of their Alpha.As they walked out, they cast she and Antonio solemn appreciative glances, some couldn't even look at them. It was all their fault. They were alive but their Alpha was in-between life and death.After the last pack member walked out, she went in and checked on him. There was a good amount of black blood in the collecting container that had been changed five times already. Just one more day, she thought. One more day and she'd have him back.Antonio watched her through the open door, thinking back

Valentina hurried all the way to the pack hospital but on getting there, she found the whole pack warriors performing the customary salute meant for the Alpha alone. She stood at a distance, watching curiously. Was their Alpha awake?She could sniff him out but she had no idea if he was still unconscious.She could sniff out Antonio also.She became disappointed. If their Alpha was awake then there would be no use of her working in the hospital.And she couldn't determine if Antonio would spend time with her and visit her parents now that Alpha Lorenzo was awake. He would probably get more busy.She sighed, leaning against a wall. What could she do to get his attention?The only thing she could think of was getting to work in the pack house where he lived. But how would she do that? *********Antonio stood, all smiles, at Alpha Lorenzo's bedside."His body is still really weak. I'll advise that he stays ano

The sudden appearance of Raphaela stunned Valentina even more. "You said what?" Raphaela queried, going closer to them. Antonio sighed, looking away from her, "Its scent is hard to cover up." Raphaela looked down at the tiny wrapped fold on the ground. She suddenly looked up. "Who's Victoria?" She asked. Antonio glanced at her, "Probably a kitchen staff?" Raphaela glanced at the door, her emotions hidden. "I want her here now." She ordered before walking away. Antonio followed her, "I've mindlinked the head staff already. Is the Alpha okay? Emily said he's supposed to rest for another two days." "He's an Alpha. He can handle it." They walked across the wide floors of the villa, open targets to whatever evil lurking in the shadows so it was quite easy for whoever to shoot a poisoned arrow down below to the two unsuspecting victims strolling across the open space. Antonio was the first to sense it.

"When I thought you were dead, I thought of dying myself, you don't know how bereft I felt. Those days, I... Raphaela... I was going crazy, it was only when it occurred to me that you were okay that I felt some level of peace. What I'm trying to say is... Raphaela, I can't live without you." Raphaela stared unbelieving at Julien Hugo, the man who had stayed with her though thick and thin for six good years, the man who truly loved her and was ready to sacrifice all for her. But to think he... "Julien..." She started, shifting closer to him on her bed where they both sat. "No." He stopped her, holding up a hand. "You know me" He held her petite hands instead, "you know the kind of person I am, don't you?" She stared at him before nodding slowly. "So when I tell you I love you, when I tell you I love you more than my life, you believe me because I'll never lie, especially not to you. Are you scared? Are you afraid I won't treat y

"Tell me what you're feeling." "I feel trust, I trust you" she answered, "I feel a bit disappointed but I trust you... and I feel love..." She paused in her tracks, causing him to stop also and looking up at him with eyes filled with adoration, she finished, "I love you." The air between them crackled with tension, the branches of trees around them and the leaves kept swaying, the birds in the bright blue sky kept hovering around, the wind blew around them gently but none of them moved. It was a moment in time, a moment where two fragile hearts were bared to each other. To think that the heart he had thought could never truly love romantically was pounding so furiously in his chest, tamed by this gentle rose. He actually had no idea what to do. Valentina suddenly laughed, her cheeks rosy and bright. "You look so strange." She said, still laughing. She then grabbed his hand and forced them to continue walking. He let her take th