40- “A new friend.” Camilla Castello.The next day, I woke up even before my alarm clock rang, as I was determined to not make the same mistake I made yesterday. Today, the men and women have different activities—for while they carried on with their meeting on board patrol and everything, the ladies, we are having our brunch together to get to know each other and figure out a way to help them as well.As one of the hosts of course, I could not be late to such an event. We are supposed to be in charge of planning it as well, but since they only know about me yesterday, they planned it themselves but I will be part of the hosts.After Cassain and I came back from our dinner last night, I had the chance to speak to Ria about it, and her words played in my mind like a broken cassette, reminding me of just how much I have to overcome here.“All the she-wolves seems to have a thing against you so my best guess is, they will try to find a way to undermine you tomorrow, might even start the

42- “Nip it at the bud.”Camilla Castello.For the few hours that followed leading up to the brunch passed by in a blur. When I met Aurora, there was only a little bit over two hours, and had it been I went on ahead to what was planned, we would have rounded it up in thirty minutes and be all set.However, does me tearing the paper on that clipboard mean anything to you? If it had not, let me remind you, and confirm any thought you have, I meant it when I said I am tearing the shit down…literally.I scraped off the entire hall to begin with—deciding it is too congested, closed off, and just not anything that will go right with what I have in mind. It is a good thing I know how to manage time and plan these kind of events. Over the past seven years, given Cassain does not have a partner and barely is involved physically in events and stuff unless necessary, Ria handled the planning for anything that will arise.There is one thing that remained consistent, the annual Blood Dinner. Sound

44- “Battle of Lunas.”Camilla Castello.I was the first to step out into the lawn where I had decided to hold the brunch instead, because having it outside just fits better than having it inside as they originally planned. There is just something about the light ambiance of being outside and being under the sky—the sun is not up, it is, but it is not scorching or anything. Rather, the air was warm, just the right temperature and the sun was high enough to illuminate everywhere with its light but not bright enough to disturb anyone.There is a greenhouse in the lawn with enough space inside to host the brunch. It was covered with lass walls, allowing anyone outside to see everything going on without any obstruction, and the sunlight filters in through the panels, giving it a warm glow and an air of nature to surround it as a whole. Considering it is already filled with flowers at the extremes and specific sides, we had vines hung up to give it a natural look.For tables, they were of

46- “Pushing the right buttons.”Camilla Castello.She is calling me out in public, but she is making it sound kind at the same time, in a hypocritical way. I quickly realized then even if I had missed it before that Roseline is the manipulating type—the one that will stick to you and gaslight you into thinking you are the bad person when in actuality, they are.I unfisted my hand, lifting my thumb off my knuckles as I leaned back on my chair as well, crossing my legs in the way that I mirror her, only I rested my arms on the armrest beside me. “What do you want to know?” I hummed, “Lay the questions out.” Though I kept my gaze on her, it was directed to everyone seated there. I have nothing to hide—except Luna, but I doubt they will link anything to that since no one knows of her existence.Their questions came pouring almost instantly, while Roseline held my gaze, a smug look taking over her features no doubt getting exactly what she wants.The first question came from a voice that

48- “Hidden Bond.”Adrian Moretti.“It is when the lives of our people are already being lost,” Once again, it was Alpha Kai that dared to speak, saying his mind without a second thought whatsoever or fear. It is one of the reasons he and I have always been good friends, because we seemed to share the same opinion on these kind of things—his being more firm than mine always. “they killed ours, there is no reason for us to spare theirs. You do not fight fire with ice,” His voice dropped, his tone cold. “You fight fire with fire.” His eyes held the same flaming determination as the one his words held.See, that is where the difference between I and him lies. Alpha Kai is a firm believer of an eye for an eye, no middle grounds. It has always been in his nature, when you do something to him, he pays you back—he does not forgive, or forget, especially not when it comes to fights and those that he loves. It is always the strong ones, he gets along with those that are strong. Weak people are