Ch. 21..30

Chapter 21

Naomi had barely taken two steps to the door when she felt his arms wound round her waist, blocking every single air from entering her body. Blood rushed to her face and ears. Her face could be mistaken for a tomatoe and in less than seconds, she felt his ’phone’ poking her down there; which felt really uncomfortable.

Why was he putting his phone that way?

Aside the phone...what was he doing? She ...she felt like all the air in her lungs were being pushed out to her chest and getting stuck there.

At least that’s how she felt. Breathless.

His hot breath against the curve of her neck drove her crazy much to the point that she unknowingly released a shaky breath, grabbing onto his arm to support her sagging body, her head slightly thrown back against his, her cheek against his jawline which was bent as he buried his nose in her hair.

"D...Daniel". She whispered in a hushed voice, her lips quivering in shock and horror at what they were doing.

She pulled away and turned to lock eyes with him.

"What do you want ?!".

Daniel fell speechless at the angry tears pooling in her eyes.

"What do ..you mean..".

She narrowed her eyes at him. Why was he always so close to her. He was getting too clingy to her discomfort.

Perhaps 𝐬𝐡𝐞 was overthinking everything. Why would he be in the slightest, interested in someone like her.

Focus Naomi!!!

"I just think....". Daniel stuttered; tearing through the awkward silence in a hushed whisper. "We can ...tell my aunt we’re home...tomorrow..and just spend the night without waking her up or if you insist, you can tell her we decided to crash at a hotel or something".

"Why would I tell her that. I...I can’t lie". Saying those words, she felt tongue-tied at once. Her inner-conscience scoffed at her.

Yeah right? Like she wasn’t keeping her identity a secret from him, letting him live a life of believing a lie that she was actually dead. She just hoped he’d never figure out who she was. He would never forgive her.

"Trust me. It’s better we Inform her tomorrow morning. She might cause a ruckus this evening and attract the guests". He explained further.

She cast her upturned crystal blue eyes to the ground; making a decision. She was so oblivious to the fact that his gaze was suddenly drawn to her face, lust purely dancing in his eyes. It was night and they were alone in the kitchen, in the dark. The boiling passion which he tried to suppress earlier began rising up again.

To stop himself from a misjudged move, he stepped back, away from her. Something he had never done in his life. Restraining himself.

What the hell was this ’masked’ woman doing to him.

"Okay". She finally said, not bothering to look up, only raising her orbs to meet his. "But you can’t stay here".

"I can’t leave the room either. I’m sure she’s on my floor for some reason. You have to let me sleep here".

"I’ve been in my mask throughout the day and I’m getting uncomfortable in them..I ...".

"That’s your problem. I, on the other hand don’t have a problem with you removing that stupid thing on your face". He scoffed at her, cutting her off while she glared at him.

She fisted her arms at her sides, her knuckles turning white, lips pursed to a thin line as she watched him stroll into her room, hands in pockets, back, large and broad.

"It’s not stupid".

"It is if you don’t have a valid, reasonable reason for putting it on". He pointed out.

She chose to ignore him at that moment. She moved with a brisk air about her as she began grabbing things off her bed to the ground.

Interest dancing like stars in his eyes, he watched her in amusement, leaning against the bed headboard.

She seemed to be making some sort of substitute bed on the ground. She took a fresh clean sheet from the wardrobe and sprayed it on the ground along with a pillow from her bed.

Taking a shower was the last thing that crossed her mind. Not when Daniel was in the same room she was in. He was acting a bit pervy all night.

Bundling her hair up in a messy bun, she adjusted the mask over her face before turning to the amused young Alpha seated at the edge of the bed, his eyes not leaving her the entire time.

"I guess this is goodnight?". Without waiting for a reply, she turned over and fell asleep.

Okay..she didn’t fall asleep almost immediately. Her eyes was open the entire time, her ears alert, listening to every little sound that occured in her room.

She was facing the other way but Daniel could definitely tell she was still awake. However, he smirked and went ahead to take a shower, the sound of her fast heartbeat, a melody in his ears.

She finally turned when the bathroom closed and the shower was running after a while. Her eyes darted to and fro, pupils dilating when she saw his clothes placed in a heap along with underwear close to the bathroom door.

She turned back, placing her head on her pillow, hugging her cold shoulders while running her palms over her arms, teeth chattering. The air coming from the atmosphere outside was chilly. There was just one blanket existing in her room but unfortunately she had to sacrifice her body to the unbearable cold for Mr. Narcissistic.

She was planning on waiting for him till he was done and had slept off but the goddess of sleep visited and in a second, she was fast asleep just as he walked out the bathroom, a towel slung around his neck, another one wrapped around his waist.

He sighed as he sniffed the towel, letting the scent of her wash over his system flushing out the negative energy of today. He couldn’t imagine how crazy he had become of her scent already.

He smiled at the small frame lying, back-faced to the bed, while rubbing her feet against each other.

Her heartbeat was slow and steady; which meant she was fast asleep.

He wore his shirt and after rummaging through her closet, he found one of her joggers which he fit into perfectly.

Feeling refreshed from the cool shower, he grabbed his pillow and a blanket from the bed and didn’t hesitate to join her on the floor.

He would have opted to carry her to bed but he might wake her up. It was wiser to just join her on the ground.

When he had set his pillow next to hers, he knelt over her small frame, careful not to touch her as he spread the blanket over her body, tucking her in all the way to her chin.

A sigh suddenly escaped her lips and she grabbed a handful of the blanket, pulling it closer; around her chin. She really was cold after all.

He couldn’t move and just stayed over her frame, grinning at her profile.

"So stubbornly stupid yet so cute. I want to punish you but at the scent time I want to make you orgasm for me". He murmured, reaching out to tuck her hair behind her ear.

His gaze landed on her mask.

"Now’s your chance. Find out who your true mate is. This is the chance you’ve been waiting for so don’t throw it out the window". Kelvin hurriedly said in his head.

"I can’t".

"What? What do you mean you can’t".

The girl moved under him and sighed again, deep asleep.

"Common Kelvin. She actually agreed to share a room with him. She obviously knew something like this might happen. Yet she let me still. Don’t you think she’s willing to trust me".

"But she’s just right there. Don’t you want to take a peek".

"You don’t know how badly I want to". He suddenly reached out and caressed the side of her face, the material of the mask, cold against his fingertips. "But I’ll let her reveal herself to me when she’s ready.. ".

Kelvin sighed.

"Can’t we just agree on one thing for once in your life!!".

Daniel smirked and rolled off the girl, falling in place beside her.

"Well we’re going to spend the night cuddling with our mate. That’s something we’re agreeing to".

He could almost imagine Kelvin doing flips in his head just at the thought.

Daniel snuggled in the same blanket, well aware their legs were touching underneath. Gosh!!! She was so soft. He inhaled her divine scent as he wounded his arm around her waist.

Suddenly half-asleep and still feeling a bit cold, Naomi sensed a warm unfamiliar heat coming from behind. It suddenly felt like glaciers being stuck to her body from the cold was slowly melting. She pouted when she couldn’t quite feel the heat as intensely as she wanted.

Without an Invitation, she suddenly turned to the source of heat and snuggled closer to him.

Daniel’s heart flipped once. Twice. Thrice. It began summersaulting in its ribcage, threatening to burst out at the sight of the small looking woman snuggling close to his chest, his arm, her new pillow.

Her arm was thrown across his chest as she slept soundlessly, muttering meaningless voice.

"Cute". He mummured, turning over to grab her waist. For a while he stilled, not sure if he should.

He sneaked up and left several short pecks on her forehead before closing his eyes and wrapping his arms round her waist.

 

Chapter 22

The scent of hot pancakes, syrup and freshly sueezed orange juice wafted through the nostrils of everyone as they settled at the dining for breakfast, there was enough chairs being let out from the storeroom by the Omegas when they were informed about the guests coming.

The room was filled with a mellifluous flow of different voices, chatters, giggles and laughters and sounds of banging utensils as the food went round.

Everyone seemed to be in a good mood that morning.

The adults were exclusively set to stay in the dining room while the young ones enjoyed their meal in the lush garden. It was their choice. They didn’t like the idea of listening to the adult’s boring talks and decided to stay outside. Just them teenagers. Some were set to even lounge in the pool for a bit after eating as they all planned out their activities of the day while waiting for the main Alpha’s ceremony tomorrow.

Alpha Justin of the Moon Howler’s pack, his Luna, Ciara and head pack warrior, Lebanon were in the dining room.

Alpha Koan of the Crescent Moon’s pack along with his Beta, Raiden were present as well.

Stacey, Beta Royce’s aunt from the Blood moon’s pack was also present, a big broad smile on her face as she helped Marcy dish out the food for everyone at the table along with the Omegas who later left them to eat, leaving for their homes only to later return to prepare lunch and dinner.

Things had changed after a couple of years. Omegas who worked for the Alpha no longer lived together In a small room in the mansion and instead had the privilege of living with their families only coming to the mansion to fulfilled their responsibilities and duties.

Omegas lived in blocks where there were several small apartments in. Approximately 30 families could live in a block depending on the number of apartments.

Gammas lived in flats, duplexes; depending on their status. They had the top Gamma and low rank Gammas which was almost close to ranking as Omegas. There was only one Beta bloodline living in the Dark Risers pack so they lived in the Alpha’s mansion along with the Alpha.

The Elders of the pack lived in luxurious houses along with their families. These were former Alphas and Betas who never died but only gave up their positions due to being unable to rule because of their age.

"Say, where’s little Danny. You said he went out for some work but he hasn’t come since last night till this morning". Stacey announced. It was like she had asked the same question which was pestering everyone. So at once, they all stopped talking to stare at Marcy, expectancy in their eyes.

The smile on Marcy’s face froze as she ran her table knife over her pancake, syrup dripping on the sides of her plate.

"Well..um...actually uh....".

"Beta Marcy...don’t you know where your nephew is". Alpha Koan slowly asked. Marcy gulped silently.

Alpha Koan was a no nonsense Alpha who could do anything but tolerate disrespect and careless and Daniel was respecting the entire three packs by being absent since their arrival.

She had done well by convincing them that he was out surveying the Pack since it was a while he saw the environment.

They had taken her story with the tip of their tongues; still retaining that he would have at least welcomed them in.

"If he wasn’t happy about our arrival, he should have just said so than causing you to lie to us believing that...".

"Alpha Justin please .. everyone please calm down". Stacey spoke up, feeling a bit guilty that she had started the ruckus at the dining table.

Marcy got up.

"Please excuse me".

Ciara flashed her a small smile as she left the dining room, pulling her phone to make a call.

For the nth time, she tried calling both Daniel and Marcy but they weren’t picking up. She didn’t hesitate to recall and recall, hoping one of them did pick up, her thumb between her teeth as she held the phone to her ear.

In Naomi’s room, the atmosphere was chilly and the sounds of laughter from the young teenagers outside coupled with a phone ringing nosily caused a pair of metallic blue eyes to fly open.

It squinted for a few seconds ,adjusting to the bright light from the cracks of the velvety curtains.

That familiar ringtone began playing again. Groaning, he stretched his hands and grabbed the phone, adjusting the arm around Naomi’s waist while the petite frame was fast asleep against his chest.

He blinked slowly only for his eyes to widen on seeing who was calling.

9:30am.

He had slept for too long. He should have been with the guests at the dining room. Oh-f**k.

He hurriedly sat up, waking Naomi in the process. She jerked up as well, not because she was in a hurry to leave but she was wondering what he was doing on the ground with her.

Her cheek burned bright red when she realized they had spent the night together..to.ge.ther. And she was using his chest as a freaking pillow. She suddenly wished the ground could swallow her up at once.

"Where are you...what are you doing". She hurriedly asked, crawling up from the ground. The look of panic on his face and the way he put on his jeans signified that something definitely wrong.

"I totally forgot about the guests..".

"Are you planning on going out like this?!".

"I don’t have a choice, do I? It’s either that or Marcy kills us".

"Kills you". She retorted, her crystal eyes narrowing in anger.

Dora follows through the back; the kitchen door. She wanted to get her headband and probably change Into something more convenient.

The youngersters had planned out today’s event while waiting for the Alpha’s naming ceremony tomorrow.

They’d go to the big fields just outside the Packhouse to play numerous field games, have their lunch back at the Alpha’s mansion in the garden and spend the night at the Pack club, celebrating their friend’s last night before turning Alpha.

They were skeptical about Daniel’s absence but his cousin had reassured them he’d be joining them today. That was why she was bent on going back to her room to get dressed up just for him.

You could only imagine her delight when she learnt she was going to spend her time on the Alpha’s floor just with Daniel.

The soles of her sandals clicked quietly on the stairs as she climbed up noiselessly, her heart thumping in excitement. Of course she hadn’t forgotten the tactics she and her father had discussed about when it came to seducing Daniel.

It was a 100% guarantee that he’d fall for her and make her his Luna without hesitation. After all, in looks she had it all and her curves were something she was proud of. Unlike their last time, she was going to make sure Daniel falls head over heels In love with her.

On reaching the Beta’s floor, she hears whispers in a room just before she climbed up to the Alpha’s floor.

Daniel?

Before she could decifer who the owner of the familiar voice was, the door opened a second later.

She didn’t have time to hide or pretend like she wasn’t standing right Infront of the room.

However she wasn’t prepared for who she saw and neither was Daniel.

There a complete stand still silence in the Beta’s hallway as one woman stood face to face with a pair.

Daniel had his hand on the doorknob, his fingers promptly closing around it in shock of seeing her just standing there like a ghost.

His other hand held Naomi’s. Her look was rather bewitching because Dora wondered why she herself hadn’t pounced on her, ripping her to shreds. Naomi’s lips opened and closed like a goldfish and her eyes were so wide, it could be mistaken for large crystal blue saucers.

Dora...she was shocked. But she wasn’t the most shocked. Infact she was likely the most angry one from the three. Her hands fell at her sides, sharp nails piercing her palm so hard she began to bleed.

Daniel unconsciously released Naomi’s hand and stepped forward when he saw her eyes twitching. That was some habit he noticed Dora had from childhood. When she got mad, her eyes twitched ineffably.

Naomi was just left like a shocked, unmoving person at the door; watching everything with a still heart. Her heart had been beating very fast earlier but it stilled immediately Dora locked eyes with her. It was like black clouds were forming in those enchantingly bright Emerald green eyes of hers which were twitching terribly.

However when Daniel noticed her bleeding palm, he stepped forward and finally said something, tearing through the heart-chilling silence.

"Dora..your hand. It’s...".

Paaa!!!

Naomi gasped, hands raising to conceal her face as Daniel’s head turned the other way at the impact of her thundering slap.

Everyone froze once again, Dora breathing hard with a cimmerian look on her face while Daniel stayed in that position, not moving a single muscle.

Naomi just took everything in with a heavy heart. She forced herself to do something, to move, but her legs chose to do otherwise and let her stand still and witness everything.

Angry tears pooling in her eyes, she rushed upstairs, her feet pounding on each staircase with a resounding noise.

 

Chapter 23

Marcy was just about giving up and joining the others at the dining table, dreading the fact that she had to reveal the disgraceful truth. She truly didn’t know where her nephew was.

She however, almost toppled to the ground on seeing Daniel shuffling downstairs, Naomi just behind him.

"Good morning". Daniel said while Naomi echoed his words. They walked off to the kitchen, Naomi almost jogging to keep up with Daniel’s long angry strides.

Marcy blinked several times. If it weren’t for the fact that she had been trying to reach them all morning, she wouldn’t have believed that these two were missing since last night.

She heard Ciara calling out to her for something. A strong battle began on who to go after but after Stacey called out to her as well, she reluctantly went to the dining room to face the angry Alpha’s.

The kitchen was quiet, the other Omegas having gone home to their families only to return by evening to repare dinner and for the Alpha’s naming ceremony.

Naomi piled his pancakes on a plate and began running the syrup over his pancakes.

Daniel was silently boiling in rage. He had never been slapped in his life!!! Never!!! Not by his aunt or his late father or his nanny, Naomi. And the first time he gets hit and it’s by Dora because she misunderstood a simple scene of him leaving a room with an Omega with disheveled clothes in the morning when everyone believed he was absent in the mansion.

Besides..even if she had assumed he had slept with an Omega, why does it rile her up so much. What’s her business if he decides to sleep with everyone in Dark Risers’s pack. It’s not like they were engaged or mated or anything. Why did she have to slap him. How dare she?!

If it was one thing he had learnt from his aunt, it was never laying a finger on a woman no matter who and no matter what she had done.

But Daniel knew his restraint was coming to an end, and one day and he might as well just strangle one to death.

His angry thoughts were however put on hold and his fiercely narrowed eyes relaxed and softened, a glow to his sparkling blue eyes when he noticed the way Naomi had spread out his syrup on his pancakes.

The way her hands moved over them, sprinkling the thick caramel liquid over the pancakes, it reminded him of ...

FLASKBACK

"No ..do it like this". Daniel pestered in his babish voice, his adorable huge eyes twinkling as he grabbed the jug from the Omega’s hand to pour the syrup over his pancakes which were piled up on his plate.

The Omega was irritated with how he leaned over the chair spilling syrup all over the ground in a bid to pour them over his pancakes.

She swiped it away from him and the boy toppled over the chair and fell to the ground.

The Alpha was out for work and even if he was around, he barely had time for his son and wouldn’t notice If someone had actually kidnapped Daniel unless he was kicked away from his office right outside to the opening. So it was not surprising that the cries of Daniel only resounded in the kitchen while the maid glared at him with so much hate.

"Oh..how I hate you!! Do you think it’s easy cleaning up after every mess you make in this house and now look!! Look at the mess you’ve made on the ground. You are not having a single morsel of food until everything’s been wiped off the ground. Here!! Have this". She threw the sobbing boy a towel and it landed on the mass of shiny black curls on his head.

"Nana!!". The boy suddenly yelled, dropping the towel and running to a skinny looking girl who just walked in with a basket of dirty laundry.

Naomi froze on seeing his tears and didn’t hesitate to drop everything and let him into her embrace. Her lips parted in surprise as the older maid walked over, intending to grab the boy.

The young girl used her body as a human shield, hiding the boy behind her.

"Stay away from this. This boy have to be taught a lesson. He thinks he can do whatever he likes because he’s the Alpha’s son. I’ll show him how to be more careful and useful next time. Out of the way!!".

Naomi spread her arms wide, restricting the cruel woman from touching him.

"He’s just a child Tasha. Do you expect him to know what he did wrong. He’s barely four years!!".

"The others were right. You’re suddenly playing the role of his mother just to gain favor from the Alpha. You’re just a little girl. You can’t stop me from punishing him".

Naomi ignored her words but didn’t let the woman go close to the boy.

"I’ll clean it up myself".

The woman sneered.

"I’m in charge of lunch later this afternoon. I’ll make sure you don’t taste a morsel till evening. Maybe next time, you’d mind your business". With that, the woman sauntered away.

Naomi didn’t say another word and only fell to her knees, hugging the boy close to him while he sobbed, wondering what the woman would do to him if Naomi wasn’t around. Maybe he’d receive a few rough pinches on the cheek or his food ratio could be halfed like other times?

"Nana promise me you won’t leave me alone. Everyone’s so mean to me and very scary".

"I won’t ever leave you Danny. I promise". She softly said, hugging him tighter with closed eyes.

After a while, she sent him off and grabbed a towel to clean up the mess. Daniel didn’t leave as she wanted him to and only stood at the door, food trembling in hand as he watched her clean up the mess he made.

When Naomi was done, she was prepared to leave when she saw Daniel still standing there.

"What are you still doing here Danny. You’ve not even touched your food. You won’t like it if it’s cold".

"I want us to eat together Nana". The boy suddenly ordered when she was about carrying the basket of clothes which was twice her size since she was too skinny for her age.

Naomi froze and was about to decline to the order when her stomach growled in the silence of the kitchen indicating how long Tasha had kept her hungry.

"See ...even your tummy says you should eat".

"Tummies can’t talk". She almost rolled her eyes.

"But you said if my tummy growls, it’s saying it wants to me to eat".

Naomi was suddenly speechless when he used her own words against her. She couldn’t force him to eat alone. He’d definitely not eat and if he gets sick from skipping breakfast, it’d be her fault.

Reluctantly but gratefully, she joined him to eat, taking care to let him eat to his fill before eating the remains after. He had noticed that but didn’t press the issue further. The fact that she still ate, meant a lot to him.

END OF FLASHBACK

He could imagine his inner conscience sighing while holding the bridge of his nose.

Why can’t he just let go of the fact that Naomi had died, leaving him alone in this cruel world without caring If he’d feel lost without her, without caring to stick to her promise of never leaving him.

She was the reason he was sent away, yet he was still looking forward to seeing again before his father had broke the news to him.

"Here". Naomi suddenly said, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Do you need blue berries or...,".

"It’s fine". He stiffly said, taking the plate.

"Don’t you want her as the side piece though". Kelvin suddenly said. You could imagine him waggling his eyebrows as he noted.

Daniel rolled his eyes and couldn’t help but picture Naomi on the bed with syrup sprawled over her naked body just like he liked it on his pancakes.

The thought of licking every inch of her, ardoning and worshipping every part of her body till she pleaded for him to take her there was...

"Shut up". He suddenly yelled at Kelvin when his imagination began to run wild and it was all his doing in the first place.

Kelvin retreated to the back of his mind with a chuckle while Naomi jumped on hearing him yell.

"What?". She wasn’t sure she heard him well. Who was he talking to?

"Nothing". He replied, annoyed.

"Okay..um..". He gaze moved to the mark on his cheek. "Do you want an ice bag for that".

Her exquisite eyes dug into his very soul and he was left shocked by her words and the genuine care in her eyes.

"No I’m...Okay. It’s just a little bruise". He murmured, not used to young women caring about him. Women were tools of pleasure. How could she possibly care about some stupid swell on his cheek.

He didn’t wait for her to say anything else before leaving the kitchen, the scent of chocolate liqueur and citrus driving him crazy.

If he could just have one night with her, rest assured that he had gotten a taste of the mysterious Omega who wouldn’t even reveal herself to him, he’d reject her as his mate before moving on to more beautiful women to flex on his bed.

Like that blonde haired beauty he was almost close to f**king at the club before Naomi walked in on them making out and killed his turn on with her scent.

It was a total fail though. At least he starts school next week (If Marcy doesn’t kill him by then) and he’d probably see her again and they could sneak out to more places very often. Yeah....

He finally arrived at the dining and once he did, he made a beeline for his seat which was once his father’s seat, the largest chair with exclusive intricate carvings on them at the head of the table.

Everyone paused their conversations to stare at him, almost like they were staring at a ghost. The whole room was silent but for the faint sounds of the wild youngersters lounging in the garden just outside.

 

Chapter 24

"Alpha Justin. Alpha Koan". Daniel acknowledged while the two Alpha’s stared at him like he had grown horns pointing towards his back.

"Sir Lebanon". Daniel acknowledged as well and Lebanon managed a slight nod, the cup of orange juice he held, frozen on the air. It was not a shock he was surprised as well. This was someone that hadn’t arrived all night or since morning and he just showed up like he appeared all of a sudden.

"Beta Raiden". The Beta managed to clear his throat but couldn’t say a word. He finally nodded to his acknowledgement.

"Oh". Ciara gasped when Daniel stepped to her side, stooping down to leave a kiss on her cheek.

He did the same for Stacey and Marcy(who cringed as she was still angry with him) as well. On turning back to his seat, he finally faced them all, keeping a straight face, not a single expression visible.

"My...". His eyes wavered as he sought for the right words to use. "Utmost sincere apologies for any inconveniences I may have caused due to my absence since last night. Please accept my apology for not being present to welcome you in my abode. I’m the soon-to-be Alpha and I didn’t act like one and I’m truly sorry for my actions. I hope we can forget what happened and focus on the fact that I’m here now".

A brief moment of silence passed in the dinning, some of them not fully adjusted to his sudden prescence and were still in shock. However, Alpha Justin spoke up before anyone else did.

"It’s okay. As long as you’re here it’s definitely fine!!! Apology accepted...we were worried earlier on and I was personally angry with you for not being present to welcome us but this apology sums up for the disappoinment".

Daniel bit back a scoff. Justin would do anything to be in his good books. After all, he wanted his daughter be the Luna of the second largest Pack in the Werewolf territory at all costs.

"Apology half-heartedly accepted". Alpha Koan said gruffly, not the type to hide his true expressions and thoughts which Daniel admired. Maybe it wasn’t a bad idea to be in his good books Incase they needed an ally against their rival pack.

"I would completely forgive you if you tell us where you’ve been. I’m sure it can’t be more important than us".

Danile however fell speechless when he racked his brain and couldn’t find a suitable excuse to give them especially Alpha Koan who’d see through his lie like a transparent glass cabinet. He wouldn’t say he was scared of him, he was just cautious about been caught lying. That’d be something really shameful and Marcy would be madder at him that she already is.

"The boy’s apologized. Do we need to go through this ..". Ciara softly spoke up but shut up when Alpha Koan shot her one Inquisitive dark look which Daniel almost chuckled at. The rumors were true. Alpha Koan didn’t have a single atom of respect for anyone other than himself. The coldest Alpha in history amongst the seven Packs in the Werewolves territory. No wonder, at 25, he was yet to find a mate.

Daniel wanted to be just like him. A lone wolf.

"She’s right. Besides, Marcy’s already filled us on his location". Stacey added when Koan was still intent on hearing an explanation from Daniel.

Alpha Koan just scoffed, looking back down at his plate like he had just found an insect and was looking forward to killing it.

Daniel reluctantly sat down to breakfast. The tension in the room was however very uncomfortable especially when no one talked and just the sound of cutlery against the plate resounded in the room.

If Daniel stayed any longer, the tensed atmosphere could choke Marcy to death.

"Daniel...I think it’s better you join the others outside after breakfast". Marcy calmly said.

Daniel almost sighed out in relief and began eating like there was no tomorrow. He needed to leave as soon as possible!!!

"Sure aunt". He looked up and their eyes silently met like two bombs clashing in a warzone area.

The words ’I will kill you later’ were bodly written in her eyes before he looked down to finish his meal and escape.

Before he got up to meet his friends outside, he missed his cousin, Barton climbing upstairs.

The green haired lad had been waiting for the green eyed Tasmanian goddess to get back from changing but decided to see her personally when she was yet to come downstairs.

Unlike he did, she didn’t recognize him at all. Infact he had just felt stupid when he had approached her last night just before her luggage was moved up to her room.

It was such a coincidence that she was the daughter out of several Alpha Justin had to bring along.

It was a loss that she didn’t recognize him and a bigger one when she showed less and less interest when he tried to talk to her always asking about Daniel. Daniel this. Daniel that.

Infact, his plans about spending the night with Talia, his twin sister’s mate’s sister was put on hold on sighting Dora. The first woman he was willing to spend another night with again.

Something about her curves and enchanting emerald green eyes always got his eyes transfixed on her, leaving the other women unnoticed by him.

Dora was washing her palm under running water when she heard a knock on her room door. She turned off the faucet and glared at the door like she could see the person standing on the other side before she moved to open it.

She half-hoped it was Daniel who has come to apologize and half-wished it wasn’t him. She didn’t want to see his stupid lying face.

She was already dressed in a summer dress which stopped at the centre of her knees. She had on a green scarf to match her eyes tied round her neck in a looped-jabot style. She put on sock-boots , black like her straight shiny hair.

It was going to be cold out so she put on a hoodie. Gucci latest edition. Her clothes were so expensive, a single sweat shirt of hers could buy an Omega’s entire wardrobe.

Half-running to the door, she suddenly froze Infront of the 9-feet mirror on the wall.

She pouted, making sure her lip gloss was smeared all over her big pouty shaped lips evenly.

She opened the door.

If Dora wanted to hide her disappointment, she wasn’t a very good actor and she didn’t care.

"Can I help you". She calmly asked.

"Dorr....".

"Dora". She snapped, irritated with how he forgot her name almost every second and she had to remind him.

What was up with this guy.

It was obvious he was hitting on her and he liked her.

He was a hunk. He had the body, the ripped abs visible underneath that shirt and that adorable honey colored eyes that could make any girl crazy about him, melt. But Dora wasn’t that girl. She was crazy about someone. But it wasn’t him.

Barton almost slapped his forehead when he realized he was fidgeting. Fidgeting!! Infront of a female. What was up with him and this girl.

"We’re about heading out to the fields. I thought you weren’t joining us anymore", His eyes raked over her body. "I see you’re dressed".

"Yes". Her answer was direct and stiff. She just wished he would get the message that she wasn’t interested in his tactics of getting her in his bed and leave her alone.

"Um...". Barton scratched his head, missing her sigh and rolling eyes when he wouldn’t leave. "..So are we going to join them or..".

"Where’s your cousin". She bluntly asked, not in the least interested in walking side by side with him.

This is the nth time she’s asking about him? Did Daniel forget to mention something about her to him while he was at the Moon Howler’s pack.

"He’ll be joining us at the fields". Barton said, unsure of himself. He hadn’t seen Daniel since last night and was worried but going along with his mother’s plan, he reassured the others that his cousin would be joining them at the games this afternoon.

"Okay". Dora folded her arms, tapping her tapered fingers against her arm. She was pleased to hear he’d be joining them. Maybe he’d like to explain what she had seen this morning.

"Are you going out in this". Barton politely asked, just to start up a conversation while she turned to lock the door.

"Is there a problem". She demanded, turning to him with irritation flashing in her eyes.

"No.. nothing". Barton hurriedly replied, mentally face palming himself at another failed chance with her as he ran to catch up with her fast pace.

When they arrived, the two froze on seeing the commotion outside.

Brittany was hugging Daniel so tight, his legs were literally hanging up in the air, his face red.

The others surrounded the pair smiling at Daniel’s blushing face. However Dora caught Nancy, Talia’s best friend twisting her finger in her hair while smiling seductively at Daniel, her sharp pink eyes raking over him like a hungry she-wolf.

"Um...your eyes". Barton suddenly pointed out.

"What about them". She impatiently asked, her eyes not leaving the girl who hadn’t noticed the glare coming from the other side of the pool house.

"They’re...twitching".

 

Chapter 25

"I’ve missed you sooooo much!!! You’ve grown so big and heavy!! What have they been feeding you Cuz!!" Brittany growled as she put him down while Daniel tried not to die from embarrassment especially when the other girls began giggling in the background and the other boys tried as hard as possible not to laugh.

"Maybe that’s because I’m two times your size," Daniel pointed out while exchanging handshakes with the Crescent Moon’s pack Beta twins. John and Jephthah looking incrediously hot and good looking with their matching thick matted brown hair and violet colored eyes.

"Liar," She retorted. "You weigh a feather compared to my strength."

"Are you saying you’re fat now." Daniel smugly asked. Brittany finally huffed and rolled her eyes with a playful smile. However, Daniel moved to her side and in a second, lifted her up as well, much higher than she had lifted him.

Brittany trashed out while laughing as Daniel almost swung her backward, exorcising his strength. He put her down after some seconds and received a punch on the shoulder.

As Daniel shook hands with her mate, Beta Royce, Brittany locked eyes with Dora who was standing across them, standing next to her twin brother. Her smile broadened.

"Look it’s...Dora. Dora come and say hi!!! Daniel’s finally back from goddess-knows-where."

Daniel’s deep blue eyes turned to the pair who finally walked towards the group. The smile in his eyes however darkened when it moved from Barton to Dora. Dora and Daniel locked eyes and he pretended to look past her at Barton who smiled at him. The smile was akward which made him question what had happened in his absence.

Talia and Nancy however didn’t notice Dora coming along the pool side and grabbed Daniel on either side of his arm, smiling like two models on the runway ready to cat-walk. Dora froze just some feet away and her brows went up at why the girls were looking at him like they wanted to gobble him up.

They were touching her man!!! Her man!!!

"Now you’re here, it’s only fair you make up for being absent all through last night and joining us at the game event Barton’s planned out." Talia formally announced only to release him and look back at every one who nodded in approval.

Daniel chuckled at their firm nods, feeling alive to be surrounded by his peers. He didn’t really like it when he heard the news about so many people coming. But the fact that he had to exercise his boredom with them was going to be memorable especially with the beautiful women around ...except his cousin of course. Brittany was a man when it came to him describing her. Today was promising to be full of fun and excitement.

"Yes. You should come!!! It will be so fun if all of us participated in fun field games together." Nancy cheerfully agreed, hanging onto Daniel’s arm without letting go; unlike Talia. Her sweet smelling fragrance drifted through his nostrils and he found himself admiring her with amusement in his eyes.

Nancy was a very beautiful person with long shiny blue hair and bright azalea colored eyes. She looked like the most beautiful anime character being brought to life. She also behaved like one too. She talked too loud, was very clumpsy, could cry at the drop of a hat and was a sincere sweetheart. But in bed, Nancy could act like a prowling tigress. The combination was just too akward considering she acted like a three year old most of the time.

It wasn’t really her fault though but she was never like this. As the only child of the Alpha Henry of Ruby Stone’s pack, he pushed her too hard both academically and physically. She was going to be the first female Alpha in their pack and the third in the history of werewolves so he wanted her to be ready when the time came for her to rule her pack.

Her mother died a long time ago so Nancy didn’t get any parental love or care. She was either in her study, reading like hell for a test or exams or a competition or on training grounds with her father and other pack warriors.

But soon, the stress began to build up, the zeal to make her father proud caused her to push past her limits and she had a mental break down.

She was rushed off to their pack hospital and after a series of tests, the pack doctor finally called in Alpha Henry. The doctor had been reluctant about telling him about his daughter but he told him bluntly.

"Alpha Henry. Your daughter is suffering from a personality disorder which we call Age regression. We’re not exactly sure what caused it because it could either be from the combination of the genes she inherited or from environmental influences. I’m sorry but there’s nothing we can do about it. She won’t be able to act normally again. She has reverted to a younger state of mind. I’m not sure she could be snapped back to normal but I suggest you give her all the love and care you could shower her with. Don’t stress her...at all. I still have some hope left for her because her diagnosis is not 100%. She tends to act normal once In a while so it’s possible she might go back to normal one day."

Alpha Henry didn’t know when he broke down infront of the doctor. His baby girl was gone and it was all his fault. He knew he was pushing her hard but he just wanted the best for her.

Now she was gone.

The doctor tried to assure him that she might be normal again but that was years ago and there was no sign of her being normal. Henry had gotten married some years back to produce another heir who would rule over the pack since the position didn’t deem fit for Nancy.

Pamela was born and she was just five years younger than Nancy but it was a sure news by everyone in the pack that she’d be the next female Alpha ruling.

No one outside the pack knew Nancy’s full story aside Talia. People like John, Jephthah, Dora and the others thought she was someone who just liked making people happy around her so she acted too clumsy and had gotten used to it.

They also didn’t know her birth right position was being given to her obnoxious little step-sister, Pamela.

Daniel suddenly turned.

From the corner of his eyes, he caught the searing hot gaze aimed at her from Dora whose eyes were twitching thunderously.

"I’ll tell my mum to make us lunch so we could have a picnic in the fields and return back to the mansion for dinner." Brittany shared and on nods of approval, she ran back into the house.

Between John and Jephthah, the two had different personalities. While John was a social bird, rowdy, perverted and a man-whore who loved girls and parties, Jephthah was the complete opposite. Infact, he was so naïve that he had never been in a relationship talk more of actually kissing a girl. His innocence was like a white cloak; yet to be stained. But they had one thing in common. They liked Talia.

 

Chapter 26

While Jephthah was forcing a resolve to finally open up and talk to her, John was already hitting on her, making her giggle and playfully punch him on his shoulders.

Beta Royce and Daniel were talking about small matters and how he was planning on ruling his pack after his ceremony tomorrow and Daniel had to admit that he had thought lowly of Royce. He was actually very smart, talked from experience and wasn’t quick to judge him when his replies were slow and dull when it came to tactical measures when ruling the pack.

Meanwhile, throughout the entire conversation they had, Nancy was latched onto his arm like she was stuck there and only resorted to staring at his perfectly sculpted jawline, shamelessly complimenting his lips and how much she wanted to kiss him.

No one really minded. Nancy was Nancy.

However someone did mind her shameless voice and her twitching eyes evidently said it without words. She wasn’t even paying attention to Barton who made several failed attempts at trying to get her to talk to him.

When it didn’t look like he’d shutup, she suddenly said outloud.

"You know Barton. I’m really thirsty. You know how you can be of real use to me right now?"

Daniel stopped his conversation to finally stare at the duo. His countenance changed at the way she spoke to his cousin like he was her slave and it darkened when he realized how Barton soaked in her words and nodded his head to every syllabus like a gold fish.

"You want some juice...wine? We’ve got everything. We could even get them together. I could show you the kitchen. It..."

Irritation flashing in her eyes, she managed a smile.

"I’d like some apple juice."

Barton was speechless for a moment at her direct order. However, he swallowed her obvious shallow treatment like a huge pill and managed a smile.

"Apple juice coming right up!"

"Honey I’d also like some apple juice as well please." Talia politely asked, pausing her conversation with John.

"No way. I’m not letting another man get my girl her apple juice. I’ll get it myself." John said.

Talia laughed, her laughter a melodious flow of music as she playfully rolled her eyes.

"Who said I was your girl?" She asked, feigning anger but Jephthah could see the hidden smile in her eyes and the small blush that crept up her cheeks as John winked at her before joining Barton to leave for the kitchen.

Dora turned away with a smug smile for finally getting rid of him. However her smile froze when she saw the dark look on Daniel’s face. Directed at her.

What had she done?

Before Daniel could say another word, Nancy grabbed his cheek and pulled him close so their noses almost touched as she shamelessly said.

"Aren’t you going to get me a drink Daniel?"

Daniel really liked Nancy. She was sweet and incrediously hot but he really wasn’t planning on hitting on her. He felt like he was hitting on a little cute sister. But since she showed interest in him and Dora had been shooting her silent icy glares, he wouldn’t mind playing along with her in her little ’flirt game’. The look on Dora’s face was priceless and he enjoyed the little payback.

"Sure. Apple juice, right?" He asked, already making a move to leave, a satisfied look on his face when Dora’s hands fell by her side in dismay.

"Unbelievable," Royce suddenly chuckled. "Everyone’s getting a drink for the women."

"You’re welcome to join if you don’t want to feel left out." Daniel remarked with a playful twinkle in his eyes.

Royce gladly accepted the invitation to be with the boys and soon, the girls were left alone with Jephthah who stood at the side, feeling nervous yet taking in the beautiful view of Talia as she held up her hair and placed a band around it, pulling it up into a tight pony tail.

She suddenly looked up on noticing his gaze on her and he looked away like a child caught doing something wrong, his hands fiddling with his clothes.

Feeling the urge to taunt the cute and quiet version of John, she walked towards him with a smug smile on her face, leaving Nancy and Dora alone.

"I can feel myself soaking wet at just the thought of him." Nancy suddenly told Dora, her eyes twinkling as she stared at the door where all the boys walked through to get the juice.

Dora whose arms were folded again with a sneer on her face suddenly froze at Nancy’s next words.

"What did you just say?"

Nancy didn’t note the lethal warning attached to that question as she shamelessly replied,

"I was talking about Daniel," Dora’s eyes began twitching. Nancy sighed as she closed hers, relishing his scent of alcohol and forest when she was close to him. "I’m not letting my chance go by in seducing him before tomorrow."

"I don’t think he’ll be interested in someone like you." Dora quietly remarked, a smirk on her face as she prepared to see the hurt look on her face.

"You’re right!" Nancy said in an ’oh-no’ tone, not realizing the insult hidden in her words which caused Dora to boil in rage; resisting the urge to drown the bright blue haired colored girl in the pool. It’s not like Nancy was more prettier than her. Not only was she prettier and had the better curves, she behaved normal asides Nancy who acted like she was a kid at times. Why would Daniel be interested in her.

"Do you think I’m a bit too clingy? It’s just that I can’t get enough of his scent and I’m just so crazy about him. I’ll soon be 18 and yet to find my mate." Dora rolled her eyes when Nancy began talking non stop in her cheerful voice. What did she mean by ’yet to find my mate’. Was she implying that Daniel might be her mate. "My dad thought it’d be a good idea for me to come and spend more time here with so much people at a gathering. I might probably find my mate tomorrow at the ceremony. Isn’t that wonderful?!"

Dora almost choked at her words.

For an Alpha’s daughter who was supposed to have her shoulders raised high like Dora, she was just too cheerful and stupid to know who hated her guts and who didn’t. And she was so careless with her words. Did she really think she’d suddenly turn 18 tomorrow and find her mate? Pathetic.

"Hi". Talia politely said, slowly walking closer to Jephthah like he was a ticking bomb who would explode at one misjudged move.

 

Chapter 27

The way his face shone red like a ripe tomotoe and the way his eyes darted to and fro in nervousness made her think he was just too cute to ignore.

"H..h..hi." He stuttered and backed away when she came close. She stopped and hid a smile.

"I’m sorry am I intruding?" She pretended to sound sorry and hurt by his actions.

Regretting the fact that he backed away like she was a pestering bug, he quickly replied while coming close to her, waving his hands in the air.

"N..no no. Infact I love your company..." He blushed at his words, especially when a sweet smile broke out on her face. "N...no...I mean..."

"No? So you hate my company?" She finished for him. She knew it wasn’t what he meant but she couldn’t help but want to tease him the more.

Another round of stuttering ensued.

She suddenly giggled and he reddened again, all the while complimenting himself in his head, giving himself a pat on the back for making her laugh like John had made her. Maybe he was close to making her like him?

"So what are your ideas for a fun filled field activity today. I’m thinking tug-of-war. What about you?" Her voice was enthusiastic as she forced him to start a conversation with her while he just wanted to hide under a rock.

Dora looked across the pool and on spotting the two, she rolled her eyes and looked back at Nancy with dark eyes when she realized she was still talking. She was saying something about being bummed for not being able to rule something blah blah blah.

Why does she talk so much, she thought.

"Me?" He began stuttering again till he finally said, "I don’t know." In a low voice.

"How old are you Jephthah?" Talia suddenly asked, curious. He acted a lot like Nancy but while Nancy was actually more childish and talked alot with so many people, he was always lurking in the shadows.

Feeling like a criminal being investigated, he lowered his eyes, fully aware that her gaze was fixed on his face.

"20 and ... you?".

Not expecting him to ask back, she blinked before replying.

"I’ll be turning 18 by October."

Jephthah noticed that asides Brittany who already found her mate, the other girls were yet to turn 18. Soon they’d be able to find a mate. At the thought of Talia finding a mate, someone asides him, he became bummed.

There was another round of silence. He forced himself to start up a conversation. Say something damn!t. But he was left staring at his feet, fiddling with his shirt.

"Talia...come and hear this." Nancy yelled excitedly from the other side of the pool.

Talia rolled her eyes at having to stand close to Dora who she hated so much. That girl was such a proud drama queen. She however went over for Nancy’s sake, wondering what Dora was telling her with so much spite in her eyes.

Jepthaph finally looked up when she turned away from him, feeling angry with himself for letting this opportunity of talking to her slide off his fingers.

"Mum’s playing boring chess games with the others while having a chat and the Omegas are all busy in their homes. Please Naomi." Brittany pleaded while Naomi who had just dressed up after a shower was vehemently bent on refusing to go to the fields later in the day to drop a basket of lunch.

It’s not like she didn’t want to make it. It’s just that she wasn’t willing to face all those people. People of respectable families and names. And she wasn’t willing to face Dora after their fiery encounter or Daniel who always acted weird around her. Like she was wearing his perfume or something.

After much pleading however, she couldn’t bear to see her friend beg and finally agreed to drop off the basket at noon.

"Thanks Naomi. You’re the best." She gave her a quick hug and ran out the door.

Naomi’s smile wavered once the door shut close. She’d have to wear her mask. But how would she explain to Brittany that she couldn’t reveal her identity because Daniel thought she was dead.

"Whoa." Brittany gasped with a smiling face. "Did I miss something."

All the girls had apple juices in their hands, being presented to them by the men respectfully.

She blushed when Royce handed her a box of apple juice, bowing like a squire adhering to a princess’s commands.

"Where have you been. Did the Alphas’ drag you into their boring game of chess and row of boring chatter?" Daniel asked in a lazy tone.

Brittany laughed.

"No...I was actually with Nao..."

"Are we going to the fields or what? It’s almost noon!" John said and a loud cheer erupted from everyone in approval.

"We’re taking a hike. No cars. Besides, the field’s just after the forest". Daniel explained as they walked past the mansion gates with the others behind him.

They grouped themselves in twos.

Daniel who had Nancy still stuck to his arm was having a lively chat with Royce, his arm around Brittany’s waist.

John and Talia were involved in a playful argument about something while Jephthah stayed on the sidelines just observing with a long face.

The last pair was Barton and Dora who were walking side by side. While Barton made attempts to talk to her, she ignored him, her whole gaze fixed on Nancy the entire time they went hiking through the forest till they climbed a small hill before arriving at the fields filled with lushy green grasses, so soft they could serve as a bed while the beautiful flowers were in varies of species and colors and compliment the field really well.

There were trees on the vast land of greens, just about three huge ones, existing for the sole purpose of serving as a shade Incase there was a lot of sunlight but it seemed like the weather had other plans today.

**

The girls were lounging around a heap of mud, chatting lively under the heavy clouds, their lazy eyes constantly moving to the boys who would disappear into the forest and reappear with tins of mud.

They had found several tins lying around in the forest and were using it to gather some mud in the Forest, piling it up in the fields one after the other to make a mud pit for the game, tug-of-war.

The boys queued up one after the other, piling the disgusting blob of brown nonsense on each other much to disgust of Nancy and Dora. But for a Tomboy like Talia, she was simply elated, imagining the look of the boy’s faces when the girls would eventually win and couldn’t wait to see mud splashed on everyone. Brittany was interested in knowing where they got the mud from, being tired from just lying on the grass, she went along with them. Most of them however knew she just wanted to be closer to Royce who didn’t mind and even gave her a pggy back ride. The girls were envious a bit and couldn’t wait to find their mates soon enough so they’d enjoy the life they’ve been dreaming about with them.

While Talia and Nancy chatted about their future love lives, Dora just listened with a smug smile, confident that Daniel was her mate. Come on. They’ve been close friends for so many years. The moon goddess would even approve of their bond.

Her gaze moved to Daniel who came down the hill along with the Beta twins. They poured in their tins of mud one after the other. It’s not like the girls didn’t do anything. They contributed to digging the shallow but widespan hole for the mud. Except Dora of course who claimed that the dirt would ruin her nail-do.

"Where’s Brittany and Royce?" Talia asked.

John only made kissing noises which made the girls laugh along with Daniel when they got the joke.

 

Chapter 28

"Brittany and Royce up a tree. K.I.S.C.I.N.G" Nancy starts singing in a loud voice while Daniel looked at her with a look of amusement and awe wondering how childish this girl really was.

"It’s K.I.S.S Nancy. There’s no C." Talia sighed as she explained, patting her friend’s hand while Dora just glared at her in irritation. Who doesn’t know how to spell it? She was obviously looking for attention. She saw the way Daniel turned to look at her. He hadn’t even glanced in her direction and was already leaving; with John behind him.

Jephthah was the last to pile his gathering and join the guys back in the forest. He turned to leave and finally locked eyes with Talia.

She smiled at him but he turned crimson red and walked away, not realizing when Talia’s smile fell.

Dora chuckled loudly and Talia turned to her with a frown.

"I can’t believe you’re sucking up to him Tasha. It’s obvious you’re not his type or his twin brother’s."

"It’s Talia and I’m not sucking up to him or anyone."

"Yeah right and butterflies have five toes."

"You’re the one to talk" Talia muttered, looking away to flick a speck of mud off her bright glittering skin.

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Oh. Nothing" Talia retorted with a forced smile.

"I think Jephthah is cute. If he would only say something!!! He’s so quiet...unlike his brother of course. Always hiding under John’s shadows. It’s so unfair," Nancy said out loud, not realizing how loud her voice was.

"It’s so not my business and not yours to talk about either." Dora replied and Nancy chuckled innocently which infuriated the emerald green eyed drama queen.

Talia scoffed.

"Why am I not surprised."

Dora finally put down her nails which she was studying under the dim sunlight, hidden by the dark clouds still hovering in the air.

"Hey Tania. If you want to talk to me...talk to me straight and stop throwing shades at me."

"You’re the one to talk about throwing shades. Why don’t you tell Nancy how you’re craving to tear her apart because she’s more closer to Daniel that you can ever imagine." Talia blurted.

Dora rose up from the matted green grass she was sprawled on while Talia rose up as well. Nancy just sat in-between them, feeling like the silent thunderbolts flashing from her friends’ eyes were hitting her from every side. "Listen here Tania..."

"It’s Talia. You snap at poor Barton everytime he pronounces your name wrong but you can’t remember mine. Just because you have a stupid crush fantasy on Daniel and he doesn’t feel the same about you doesn’t mean you can be mean to Barton. It’s obvious he likes you."

"Oh shut up. You talk like you’re the innocent one here. Like I don’t know you’re out to have a threesome with the Beta twins. You’re just too pathetic to convince them to indulge in your dirty business. And how’s it any of your business how I treat that dunder head. It’s not my fault he won’t leave me alone. If you know how much I like Daniel, why doesn’t he?"

"I knew I was right hating you the day my Dad and I visisted your pack. You’re such a spoilt brat. It’s no wonder Daniel doesn’t even spare you a glance. I’m pretty sure he f**ked you like other girls and you’re hoping he’d see you as a woman again."

Nancy got up and stood between the two, freaked out by how Dora’s eyes twitched angrily.

"Are you guys really out to fight on such a wonderful day?" She stammered

"Wonderful?" Dora scoffed and pointed at Talia, ensuring that her finger was placed like an arrow head on her chest. "Everything would have been perfect if Tania wasn’t here."

"It’s Talia and don’t you dare touch me!!!" With that, Talia pushed Dora and she slipped, screaming as she fell back into the mud pit.

Mud splashed everywhere as she collapsed on it.

"My dress!!! My hoodie!!!" From where she sat, wiping brown muck off her face, she glared up at Talia who felt guilty of pushing her too hard while Nancy felt this one was getting out of hand and stepped back in panic. "This hoodie’s worth your life you useless bitch!!!"

Talia was ready to apologize to her. She knew she had pushed too hard and didn’t mean to resort to violence at first. She immediately built a strong resolve in her mind to apologize once Dora fell like a sack in the mud pit.

But once Dora said those words, she bent down to her height. Grabbing a handful of mud, she smeared the whole thing on Dora’s face down to her hoodie.

"There!!! Now it’s completely ruined!"

Nancy gasped when she saw red flash in Dora’s eyes.

The boys were chatting gleefully along with Brittany. On hearing a loud yell and a scream from Nancy, they all dropped their tins and ran down, almost falling down the steep hills.

Their eyes widened at the sight of Talia and Dora rolling around in the mud clawing at each other and dragging each other’s hair. They had part-shifted and were vigorously tearing at each other’s skins, not minding the mess caused on their clothes by the mud.

"Hey!! Hey !! Hey!!!" The boys yelled as they moved forward to separate the pair which took a while.

Daniel and Barton held onto Dora while John and Jephthah held onto Talia.

Brittany was consoling Nancy who thought the girls would kill each other and had begun crying.

"What happened here!!" Royce yelled at his sister who the twins held, arm to arm. However, on seeing the boiling rage in his eyes, they respectfully backed away.

Talia bowed her head in submission, not saying a word, her hands fisted by her sides.

Like Dora, she looked like a mess. Her clothes and hair were stained with mud and blood and there were so many scars on her body. The fight was livid and the commotion in the field began.

Dora yanked her hand away from Barton’s, her other hand not leaving Daniel’s as she spat out.

"I’m going to tell my father about this and make sure he severes ties with your pack and wage a war!!!"

"Do you think I care!!!" Talia yelled, venturing forward but Brittany was quick to hold her back, well aware that Royce was ready to kill Talia if she made another move.

"Dora that’s enough" Daniel quietly said, his heart thumping at what he just encountered earlier. "Let’s get you cleaned up."

With that, he dragged her over to the forest where they had seen a lake earlier while Talia was yelled at by Royce.

When it got out of hand, she walked out on him and away from the field. Brittany called after her but she didn’t reply and went to the other side of the forest.

"We can’t just let her..." Jephthah began saying but Royce raised a hand.

"She needs to think about what she had done. She hadn’t just gotten into a fight with anyone. That was the Alpha’s daughter. Alpha Justin of Moon Howler’s pack. The largest Pack in the werewolf territory. If Dora acts on her threat, we’re all done for. Whatever Dora had done, she should have tolerated it."

"What if something bad happens to her. What will ...." He suddenly cut in.

"Brittany. No one goes after her"

The others exchanged glances but didn’t say a word and kept silent still, waiting for Daniel and Dora to arrive.

**

The long time silence was ear piercing especially when Daniel took off his jacket and handed it over when she was just about stepping out of the lake where she had washed her face and arms.

Her hoodie had been regretfully thrown away, having been ruined completely by Talia’s claws. Her sun dress which had been shielded by her hoodie during the entire fight was a bit manageable.

Daniel took off his jacket and gave her still.

She yanked the jacket from his grip, pulling his arm as well so that they were face to face, their noses almost close to touching.

"Why don’t you want to talk to me?" She was already twitching, her mouth pursing at every word she uttered, dark clouds hovering in her eyes.

 

Chapter 29

He pulled away, standing a good three inches away from her.

"Oh right," He replied sarcastically. "Like you didn’t hit me across the cheek like a slave the last time I tried talking to you. Did you expect me to suddenly start talking to you again. Only goddess knows what next you’d do to me. Maybe drag me into a mud pit and beat me up."

She gritted her teeth.

"She pushed me in first and what did you expect me to do when I see you leaving a room with a maid who you obviously spent the night with."

"I don’t know..maybe mind your business," He spat out and she turned away from him with narrowed eyes, fake tears pooling in them as she put on the jacket.

Daniel sighed and held the bridge of his nose when he realized she was about crying. He still had a soft spot for Dora and definitely didn’t like to see her in tears.

He stepped forward to hold her but she backed away and made to leave. He grabbed her from behind and hugged her to himself, not letting go of her even when she struggled, the scent of shampoo and strawberry filling his nostrils as he buried it in her hair.

"I know it’s barely been a week but I missed you," Dora quietly said, turning to wrap her arms around his neck while pulling him in Into a tight hug.

Daniel pulled away to look at her and reassure her that they were cool but Dora had other plans. She hurriedly planted her lips on his, drawing him closer to deepen it.

When she was done, she leaned back and pretended to be sorry.

"I...I’m sorry. It’s just that I thought..."

Daniel still recovering from the shock of what just happened, suddenly drew her close and placed his finger on her lips. She raised her eyes up to meet his, light shining in her eyes, thinking he was going to kiss her but he only said curtly.

"Don’t...do that."

With that, he grabbed her arm and she reluctantly followed him while Daniel chipped in topics they discussed, with her being unenthusiastic especially when he brought up Barton.

"It’s obvious he likes you," Daniel, the second person to say this pointed out and she rolled her eyes. "...and I don’t like the way you treat him"

Her eyes however perked up at that last sentence. So what if she was nice to Barton, would Daniel notice her? He did seem to care for his cousin alot so she decided there and then that she had to put up with the facade of playing along with Barton to be in Daniel’s good books.

She kind of liked the way Daniel held her hand by the way and smugly walked back to fields to join the others, not noticing the hurt look in Barton’s eyes at her smile when she was around Daniel and not him.

Her eyes instead moved to Nancy, trying to use eye contact and tell her to back off from her man.

However, Nancy did otherwise and latched onto Daniel’s other arm so tightly that Daniel left Dora standing alone again.

"Now we’re all here, we can finally play tug-of-war. The guys refilled the mud pit while you’re away," Nancy brightly said while Daniel stared at her amusingly. She talked so loud.

Dora stood there fuming.

"What took you guys so long?" John asked, waggling his brows which made everyone roll their eyes at his perverted thoughts.

"We were making out," Dora shamelessly blurted and Barton’s head whipped up like he had been electrocuted.

Jephthah looked away, resembling a tomatoe.

Though no one really minded. They knew about Dora and Daniel anyways. Even Nancy didn’t mind. Barton however did mind but what more could he do than look hurt for some reason.

He was stupid to have thought every girl he came across would actually be interested in him.

Daniel silently turned and met her eyes with a frown which Dora returned coolly.

"Where’s Talia?" Daniel asked and Dora rolled her eyes.

Nancy pursed her lips, about to talk when the bush rustled and everyone looked at someone climbing down the hill to come meet them.

It was Talia!!!

What was more shocking was that she was smiling brightly at everyone of them, even waving.

"Talia!!" Brittany and Nancy ran over and pulled her in a big hug, not minding the dried up mud on her clothes.

"You sent her into the woods?" Daniel turned to Royce in horror.

Royce glared at her.

"She left on her own. I don’t know why she’s here."

"Oh shutup Royce. I don’t know why you’re so mad at her. It’s not like she didn’t realize her mistake," Brittany cautioned while Nancy fussed over Talia’s messy appearance.

"Mistake? You call what happened earlier a mistake?"

"Let it rest," Brittany pressed further and Royce rolled his eyes.

"What’d I miss?" Talia said with a cheerful tone. She was so happy, genuine smile in her eyes so bright that everyone was surprised at her change of mood, especially her brother who knew her all too well.

Talia never smiles after a fight. By now, she’d be fuming or blowing a fuse. What the hell was happening? Had Talia been replaced so suddenly or something.

Nancy however didn’t notice the change and only said,

"Nothing at all!! You’re just in time for the game."

"Found this in the forest," John said, bring up a long green vines tied together with another to form a rope.

"Are you okay..Talia?" Daniel asked.

"Sure!!! I’ve never been better," She replied with a twinkling smile. Suddenly she and Daniel locked eyes and he swore he saw something like a red glint in her eyes.

 

Chapter 30

Since Royce was the oldest from them all and wanted the game to be even, he offered to be the coach.

He stood just some inches from the mud pit, in-between the two teams who were holding onto the ropes, ready to pull.

They all had excited looks on their faces, filled with competitive determination in their eyes.

John, Jephthah, Barton and Daniel held the other end with Daniel up front while Talia, Brittany, Nancy and Dora held the other end.

Dora opted to stay at the end Incase they failed. She didn’t want to fall into the mud completely. Talia happily insisted on staying upfront, face to face with Daniel who found her bright smile very awkward and creepy.

"Are you guys ready? We all know the rules and the ways of playing right?"

"Right," Everyone said in accordance to their coach’s loud voice.

"Alright...one...two," Once he counted till three, all right of them poised, ready to pull. Their knees were bent low, their backs straightened, their arms strongly holding onto the vine.

"Pull!!!" At once, Royce stepped back to watch the game so he wouldn’t get messed up if the loosers fell into the mud and splashed it everywhere.

The boys were obviously stronger and were holding back a little to spend more time dragging the vine with the girls while chuckling at their feeble attempts.

However, the girls were slowly pulling them into the mud pit.

The boys were left mouth open and finally decided to give it their all and make sure the girls were drawn into the mud pit.

However, the rope didn’t budge. It was almost as if, the girls’ strength were equivalent to theirs.

Daniel looked up and his eyes met with Talia’s. She was smiling at him. What happened next was only between the two of them. She suddenly released one arm from the vines and used just one hand to pull all four boys into the mud pit.

It was obvious to Daniel that all these while, it was Talia who was holding the vines back. Someone like Dora and Nancy couldn’t have been that strong enough to pull the ropes with them for so long. Brittany was strong but she wasn’t ’that’ strong to pull in four grown men.

As the boys chuckled and helped each other up while covering up by telling the girls that they were holding back, Daniel sat still in the mud pit, his thick locks over his eyes dripping with mud.

The girls were jumping and squealing in excitement while Brittany ran at full force and jumped over Royce, toppling him into the mud pit with a smug smile, Royce roaring in laughter.

Daniel finally stood up and grabbed Talia’s arm, pulling her around to face him. Everyone froze and stared in silence and confusion at the pair.

"Daniel what’s wrong". Dora asked, when she saw red flashing in his eyes as he glared at Talia who silently smirked at him. Everyone stopped what they were doing. Even Brittany climbed down Royce’s back while John stopped trying to grab Nancy into the mud-pit by her waist.

"How did you do that?" His question was directed at Talia whose face broke into a confused expression, her lips parted in shock when they all turned to look at her. She was such a good actor. No one saw the evil glint in her eyes directed at Daniel when they weren’t looking.

"Do what?" She asked, shaking her head slightly.

Daniel turned to the others who were staring at him like he was mad or something. Even Nancy who always seemed to be smiling no matter what wasn’t smiling anymore.

"She literally pulled us in with one hand," He explained to them and their shocked expressions was mixed with confusion.

"Daniel," Royce came forward. "Are you saying the others weren’t pulling on the vine. I clearly saw you all participate in the game."

"It’s just a game you silly monkey. We won and you’re just mad about it," Brittany cut in with a smile crawling up her face as she high-fived Dora.

"You don’t get it," Daniel turned to Talia and began shaking her, panic on everyone’s faces. "Tell them what happened. You and I know what happened!"

John stepped in and grabbed Talia away while Jephthah stood behind her and the twins stared at him with a similar warning look.

"Daniel let it go. Besides, we were holding back. The girls wouldn’t have..."

"No...we weren’t holding back. We gave it our all and I saw her yank the rope with just one hand," Daniel said and came forward but Barton stepped out.

"I don’t understand Daniel. Everyone participated in the game. Why are you making it seem like I did something wrong?" Talia sounded pitiful and everyone looked at him in confusion and anger.

Even Dora thought he was overreacting over a little game.

Suddenly Kelvin started growling.

He only did that when there was trouble and now he was growling non-stop, threatening to break out of his inner mind.

Daniel stepped back, falling on his knees while holding onto his head like it was a ticking bomb about to go off.

Everyone exchanged looks as they ran towards him. Only Talia stood rooted on her spot, watching them all with a blank look.

Suddenly, Just when he thought he was going to drift away into the darkness, the scent of citrus and chocolate liqueur made him look up, unconsciousness clearing from his eyes. Kelvin began to calm down on getting a scent of their mate.

Dora’s eyes rolled inwardly when she recognized her. That slut. She had some nerves coming here. Why was she here anyways? She was worrying about Nancy taking all of Daniel’s attention. Now she was here and Daniel couldn’t keep his eyes off her.

Daniel stood with difficultly along with Royce’s support, his gaze not leaving Naomi’s.

"Naomi. You’re here!" Brittany suddenly said and Daniel froze at the name.

He had never even bothered to know her name.

Naomi?

He suddenly pulled his arms from Royce’s shoulders and began moving forward, his gaze lingering on hers.

However, the look on Naomi’s face caused everyone to freeze. Even him.

"What’s going on?" Nancy whispered.

One minute, she had arrived with the basket of lunch and the next thing, she had frozen still, her gaze on someone behind them.

Suddenly Naomi pointed and they all turned to Talia who stepped back with dilated pupils.

"Who are you?" Naomi asked softly with quivering lips and narrowed eyes.

Everyone realized Naomi was suddenly acting strange like Daniel...

What was really going on. They all turned to Talia as if trying to decifer what they couldn’t notice earlier but all they saw standing there was just...Talia.

Before they could process the situation, Talia turned and bolted away, heading for the forest like a wild animal.

Naomi immediately followed, dropping the basket, the box spilling its contents on the ground. She didn’t care that everyone was frozen in shock at what just happened. She was intent on following Talia who was running like her life depended on it.

Daniel ran after her without hesitation and the others ran after him, looking forward to what would ensue later on.