Ch. 61..70

Chapter 61

Daniel sighed as he collapsed on his bed, tired and exhausted.

He had run all the way to the pack house and after putting on some clothes, had jumped on the bed on getting to his room.

’Daniel?’

Daniel froze on hearing his aunt’s voice but he didn’t turn. He didn’t hear that voice behind him or at his door.

He heard it in his head!

’Daniel can you hear me?’

’Aunt?’ He called back inwardly and heard her release a shaky breath before saying,

"I thought it wouldn’t work...’

Daniel scrunched up his face In confusion.

’Is there something I’m missing here?’

’The blood oath’s been finalized and you can use the mind link now. Honey, you’re now an official Alpha!’

She sounded excited and very happy unlike the person she broke the news to.

Daniel wouldn’t deny he felt just as happy as Marcy did but for some reason, after hearing the news, he felt like something was missing

Someone...

’Honey, do you know where Naomi is? Is she perhaps with you?’ Marcy asked

Daniel paused, his head against his pillow as he imagined Naomi already halfway to her home by now.

’No. I haven’t seen her. She’s not here with me.’ He forced himself to say. It wasn’t a total life after all. He cut off the mind link and sighed.

He wondered what his aunt’s reaction to Naomi’s disappearance would be.

He glanced back at where he had run from and sighed before closing his eyes, trying to shake off the short memories of her, her scent, just everything about her.

Suddenly, he hears some noise downstairs and rushes out without a second thought only to see...

"Alpha Koan?" He looked at the Alpha who had a large duffel bag hung around his shoulders.

He looked dressed, like he was about to go somewhere.

Alpha Koan was startled on hearing Daniel’s voice but he didn’t show it and oNly let Daniel climb downstairs to stand Infront of him.

"Were you heading back to the party or..." Danile’s voice trailed when he saw the bag. He was obviously not going to the party this way!

"I’m going back to my Pack."

"Is there any problem? Is it an emergency."

"No. I’m just leaving. I wanted to see you at the party but since you’re here, it’s better I just tell you what I have to."

Daniel stood still and watched him pause before he said,

"With great power, comes great responsibility. You know that, right?"

With an uncertain look at where this conversation was heading to, he just managed a nod.

"I’m saying that this entire pack is now in your hands, it’s your responsibility. The death of anyone, the attack of rogues or any rival pack...You’ll take responsibility for anything as long as you made a choice to rule this pack. You should be ready to take both serious and trivial matters into your hands and find a solution to everyone of them like a real leader you are..."

Danile stood there and just listened to his words, soaking everyone of them in without interrupting him.

When he was done, Kaom placed his hand on his shoulder

"I see potential in you kid. You just have to have focus and directrix. I’m glad I got to see you before leaving..."

"But why so late at night? Did something really happen at your pack?"

He was reluctant to ask again, considering he had told him none of such happened but it was still suspicious that he was just leaving at this time.

"It’s personal. I’ll inform my Beta through the mind link to meet me at our pack tomorrow but I have to leave now." With his signature stoic face, he leaves the room and Daniel, exhausted from the activities of today throds back to his room. He fell asleep in no time

As he slept, he had a dream about her.

His best friend.

It wasn’t necessarily a dream. Just a recount of his past memories buried away in his heart.

"...and the Alpha, his mate and their cubs lived happily ever after." Naomi’s small hands closed the book with a smile on her face directed at little Danny who lay on the bed, tucked in with his small mouth opening and closing once in a while as he yawned with huge sleepy eyes.

"Nana?"

"Yes Danny?" She kept the book aside and leaned over on the bed to dim his bedside light.

"When do I get a mate?"

Naomi giggled and pinched his cheeks tenderly.

"Not so fast Danny. You’re still too young to think of having a mate."

"Well," He puffed his cheeks with a thoughtful look in his sleepy eyes as he said, "When I grow up, I want to have a mate as sweet and beautiful as..."

Naomi anticipated hearing the name ’Julia’ who was the beautiful, sweet and kind FL in the storybook she just finished reading. However, her lips fell open in shock when he utters the word,

"...you!"

She giggled again, absentmindedly re-tucking him in bed with a sweet smile.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I’ll pray to the Moon goddess every night! She’ll find me a mate as beautiful as you, kind, sweet, who can cook and read me bedtime stories every night!"

"Hey," She pretended to look offended, pouting her lips. "Are you replacing me?"

"You’ll have your mate too and you won’t be with me any longer." He admits with a pained look in his eyes, almost as if the thought of her leaving him with her mate like Julia in the book was hard to accept already.

"Oh Daniel. I promised I won’t ever leave your side, remember?"

"Ever?" He asked in his cute voice, eyes huge with earnest.

Naomi sighed. She had lost count of the times he had made her promise him like this.

"Yes Daniel. Forever and ever."

"Then," he stared down with his adorable face before looking up at her with his huge innocent eyes. "Will you be my mate?!"

"Ahhh," she reached out and pinched his nose which was something she did when he did or said something naughty. "Don’t say things like that Daniel."

"But..."

"Hush! Now sleep, will you? You have school tomorrow."

She didn’t let him talk and sternly said. She tends to use this tone when she wanted to get him to sleep.

Just as she spoke to him, he yawned and rolled his eyes heaven-ward in a sleepy stance and soon, his heavy eyes lids dropped and he was sleeping off soon.

Naomi leaned close, kissed his cheek and left the room, chuckling softly when she remembered what he said.

 

Chapter 62

An loud uproar was heard as everyone celebrated the finalization of the blood oath.

The music was raised and the sound of glass hitting glass resounded around as everyone began getting drunk without a care in the world.

The oath was over and it was time for the main occasion which was to party in Celebration of the new Alpha.

The guests of the ceremony began leaving and that was when Talia realized Nancy and Koan weren’t even amongst the crowd of people.

Dora had left for the mansion with Lebanon to guard her on the way. Alpha Justin and Luna Ciara, her parents had tried to persuade her to stay for a bit but she was adamant about leaving to see Daniel. She had noticed Naomi was missing from the party too. She just hopped her biggest fear wasn’t true.

John was submereged in the crowd, she-wolves flocking around him as butterflies would be attracted to the nectar of a flower. He was having the time of his life while his twin was fiddling with his drink on the High table. Jephthah would have willingly rushed home, avoiding the sultry gazes of horny She-wolves but he wasn’t sure John would make it back to the Alpha’s mansion after drinking so much.

This would explain why their father, Alpha Kris was giving the next position of the new Alpha to him instead of his twin who looked like he’d rule better than him

When he had complained about this to his father, he just laughed and waved it off.

"Son, you just lack confidence. Trust me, when you find that special someone who would boost your confidence, you’ll be the best Alpha in the history of Alpha’s. You have it all. Prescision, Honesty, determination and you’re hard-working. Your brother," he scoffed while John who had been sitting there the entire time, raised a brow, waiting for his next words while sulking. "He’s the mist irresponsible child I’ve ever seen!"

"Dad what the F**k, I’m 16!"

The Alpha snorted.

"It’s not like I want to rule your stupid pack anyway. I’ll be much happier in the other side."

"You won’t survive in the human land a day before you expose yourself and get killed."

Jephthah just sat there and watched the ususal exchange of words between father and son and at the end of the day, he still didn’t think he deserved to rule the pack. He always looked up to Daniel who didn’t look in the slightest bothered or nervouse about having to rule an entire pack.

And what was that about finding someone special to boost his confidence?

Father was always on about finding his Luna who would aid him in ruling the pack but he didn’t think it was possible for someone like him to find a Luna who would be willing to rule alongside a weakling like him.

He sighed and couldn’t help but think about Talia anytime he thought about his father’s words. No...Talia would much rather be mated to someone like John than him. He turned to her. For some reason, throughout the party, she had been acting weird to him like he had done something wrong. When she looked up and their eyes met, his widened and he pretended to stare at something interesting in his drink.

Talia ignored him as usual, scanning the crowd from where she sat for Nancy who had gone off to dance with Koan, Speaking of which she hadn’t seen them after that time. Could she have gone to the mansion from the party. But that was unlike her to leave in the middle of an event like this and without her knowing.

Royce finally emerged from the crowd with a worried look.

"Did you find her?" Talia heard Jephthah ask and she turned, curious as to why he was worried

"No. I want to track her with the mate bond right now..."

Jephthah got up.

"I’ll come with you."

They leave and halt when Talia suddenly walked past them and barred their way.

"I think might know where she is."

Talia and Jephthah stopped side by side and watched as Royce ran towards Brittany where she stood next to her twin against a car, crying.

Barton was trying to comfort her but it only made her cries worse. He was more than happy to relive himself of her when Royce came into the scene, grabbing her towards him, enfolding her into a hug, muffling her tears.

He didn’t even say a word and just let her cry silently. He suddenly lifted her up, bridal style and got into the back seat with her, cradling her like a baby.

"Let’s get to the mansion, Barton." He hurriedly said and Barton slid into the car, turning on the ignition and stepping on the pedal.

They stopped just beside the pair and Royce popped his head out.

"You guys going back to the mansion or you’re still heading back to the party."

"I still need to check on Nancy but...could you give me a call if she’s back at home?" Talia replied.

"Sure...Jephthah?"

"I...I don’t think John would remember his way back after drinking so much so ah...I got to go too." He reluctantly said.

"Okay." With that, Barton sped away and the two were left standing in the middle of the forest, the silent atmosphere consuming them as they mindlessly walked side by side, back to the party.

The silence was soul-recking and you wouldn’t decifer who was more uncomfortable of them two.

Talia was actually angry and was trying hard not to stare at Jephthah much more, notice his prescence.

Talia held her dress off the ground and quickened her pace. She didn’t know why she was suddenly angry but why did it look like he was always uncomfortable being close to her.

As she angrily walked off, the edge of her dress got trapped underneath the outstretched roots of a huge tree.

"Ah!" She almost fell back at the force she exerted while stalking away, ignorant of her dress being hooked by something.

"Talia!" Jephthah rushed forward without thinking and grabbed her arm to steady her but Talia was quick witted and was on her feet before his hand curled around her arm, sending sparks up her hand.

She gasped at the spark she felt and looked up. HOWEVER, she saw ignorance in his eyes.

He didn’t feel it.

Anger shrouding her mind, she jerked her hand away from his grip and faced the other way, missing the look of hurt and confusion in his eyes.

"I don’t need your help!" She snapped at him when he bent to get the rest of her gown which was stuck.

Jepthaph stepped back and watched as she angrily tugged on her dress, cursing and swearing.

"If you keep tugging at it like that, it will..."

Riiiiiiiiiip!

 

Chapter 63

To say he blushed was an understatement. He looked like a freaking tomato as he turned to the other way, panting hard, trying to still his fast beating heart.

Talia gasped and staggered back with a red face when she saw the root of the huge tree had taken a generous amount of her dress along with her self-being.

Her gown was long and strapless and all was left now was the ragged pieces which barely covered her thighs.

"No... No....No."

She turned to hide behind the tree and took a pentative peek at Jephthah who was still faced the other way. She lowered her eyes before calling out in a small but audible voice.

"Give me your jacket."

Jephthah flinched when her voice came from behind, taken back by how small it was. She sounded vulnerable.

Without a word, he lowered his gaze and began fumbling with zipper. There was a plain white T-shirt underneath it. He held the jacket in his hands and didn’t know what next to do.

Talia rolled her eyes and sighed. She went up straight behind him and grabbed the jacket, yanking it away from his hand before tying it around her waist, her face still red.

"We should go back to the party. Thanks for the jacket by the way." She simply said and turned to leave.

Jephthah blinked and turned in time to realize she had walked a long way ahead of him.

Why was she acting so strangely?

Was she angry with him?

What did he do?

He didn’t know if he should run ahead and catch up with her or just keep walking so he chose the latter and decided to watch her stalk away from behind.

Talia on the other hand expected him totp run after her. After all, she had intentionally made it obvious that she was angry. Why was he acting so nonchalant?

No Talia, why are you so worked up over him. You’ve got so many guys from different packs who would kiss the ground at your feet just to be with you. You’re beautiful, strong, independent... Why do you even wish to have someone like him feel anything for you. You don’t even know him as much as your childhood friend, Cardin. Why are developing such a stupid feeling for him?

It was like her wolf was cautioning her as she fisted her hands by her side, fuming.

Suddenly, she could hear soft foot steps ahead and she froze and looked up, anticipating who it was, coming at her.

Jephthah could hear the sound of something or someone advancing towards Talia and without a thought, he rushed forward, ready to protect her.

He was already at her side when a woman came at them from no where.

Talia recognized her almost immediately and narrowed her eyes coldly at her. She was sure Jephthah would recognize her.

She was the sl*t from the party. The brown eyes, raven black haired woman who practically threw herself at Jephthah at the party.

Seeing her up close, Talia noticed how she had such a beautiful hour-glass shape. Unlike she who was lacking on the hip area and chest area.

The woman had this full heart-shaped lips whereas hers was full but she felt it was out of shape and a bit big. Overall, this woman was everything Talia was not.

"Jephthah...I saw you leave the party and I followed you here. What are you doing here ..." it was then her eyes fell on Talia who had a Killing intent disgusied as an unfathomable glint in her eyes. "Sorry...was I interrupting something here?"

"Of course not," Talia cut in with the scariest smile Jephthah had ever seen. "You want to talk to him? He’s all yours." Without turning to glance at Jephthah, she continued walking ahead and the woman by name, Angel, just stared at her retreating back in confusion.

She turned to Jephthah apologetically.

"I’m sorry for intruding. I-I just thought you were leaving and I wanted to say goodbye so..."

Jephthah just sighed and held the bridge of his nose.

"It’s okay. I’m heading to the party venue to get my brother."

There was a glint of excitement in her eyes.

"Okay...let’s go together!"

Jephthah was reluctant about it and his gaze moved to Talia once in a while who kept walking forward like a programmed android.

However, Angel was a chatty type and kept him entertained with her sweet voice talking of several and fascinating topics. Some which made him laugh out loud without realizing how his laughter caused Talia’s heart to wring like a fabric.

She found herself eavesdropping on them and didn’t notice the rock in her way and her feet landed against it at once.

Cursing out loud, she swore and winced before hurrying her steps, running even.

Jephthah stopped smiling when he heard Talia swear at something but he didn’t have the chance to inquire what was wrong because she suddenly ran away from them like she was chasing after something.

"Did you guys fight or something?"

When Jephthah didn’t reply, she quickly said,

"Um...I’m sorry. It’s none of my business. I shouldn’t have asked."

"She’s just been acting strange all evening. It’s like she’s mad at me for something but I don’t know what I did."

"Wait...was she the girl you were dancing with before you left her standing alone on the dance floor?"

Jephthah raised a brow.

With the way Angel put it, it was like he had something wrong

"I didn’t leave her...I just wanted a drink..." he held his face with his two hands. "Is that why she’s mad at me?"

"You thought that’s what happened but the way I saw it, you made her feel like you didn’t enjoy dancing with her. That was humiliating for her."

"Why didn’t she just tell me?"

"Girls are different Jephthah and besides, you could have asked her why she was so angry when you had a chance."

"And I think she’s jealous..." Angel suddenly said staring ahead of her with a sheepish smile.

Jephthah turned to her like she was an alein.

"Talia? Jealous? Of who?"

 

Chapter 64

"Talia!"

Talia turned at the sound of footsteps and crunching leaves.

She narrowed her eyes on seeing Angel but stopped when she noticed Jephthah was missing.

Also, the look of panic on her gorgeous face kind of scared her a bit.

"Jephthah is in danger!" Angel said the moment she caught her breath and Talia suddenly went past her and scanned her eyes around, hoping to see Jephthah standing there.

This was a prank, right?

She just literally saw him a minute ago as she ran ahead of the ’couple’.

When Angel saw she wasn’t convincing enough, she grabbed onto Talia’s hands and trembled, almost convulsing as she spilled out with teary eyes.

"We were just about to join you a minute ago when he was rounded up by rogues. He tried fighting back but there were so many of them."

"If there were any rogues around, I would have heard them all the way here..."

"We don’t have much time to argue about this. Jephthah is in danger. Please. You’re the only one around, just save him!"

She couldn’t deny how her heart beat fast hearing the word Jephthah and danger combined in one sentence.

"And what did you do?!" She suddenly turned to the girl in anger and Angel shrunk under her glare. "You couldn’t even shift to help him...you would ruin your perfect little skin, wouldn’t you?!"

Angel stepped back in horror, thinking she was going to hit her. She didn’t know Talia was this short-tempered.

Seeing the fear In her eyes, Talia just waved her hand at her in a ’getout’ way, turned back and ran without hesitation.

Angel sighed in relief and turned to go back to party, her heart still beating from their encounter just now.

**

"Talia, I’m sorry I shouldn’t have left you standing alone at the party. I didn’t know you felt so humiliated...ah...this is not going to work." Jephthah sighed to himself in frustration.

He was standing alone and was trying to go over his apology speech for Talia while Angel did him a big favor by heading back to call Talia.

How she was going to do it was what she didn’t tell him. He was a bit worried for her, having seen the scary smile Talia had given her earlier.

"I know you’re mad at me and you don’t want to talk to me right now but I really want you to know how awful I am for what I’ve done...no! This is so stupid. It’s Talia I’m talking about here...she’ll probably laugh in my face! This is the most terrible apology I’ve ever came up with." He sighed and held the bridge of his nose in frustration.

**

Talia sighed again as she stumbled over something and held the bark of the tree to support her weight, preventing her from hitting the ground.

She staggered forward before she realized the Jacket around her waist was stuck on the outstretched branch of her tree.

Swearing, she took it off and threw it aside.

She looked down at the length of her gown and grimaced. Her entire leg was exposed.

"Jephthah!" She screamed and her voice echoed In the forest.

Jephthah suddenly appeared from the bushes and she sneered as she said.

"Well...Angel isn’t much of an actress." She folded her arms. "Why did you tell her to lie to me. Are you trying to make a fool out of me?!"

Jephthah had been around, trying to find a more convincing apology speech for Talia and had heard her scream his name before rushing out to meet her.

He was focused on her angry face but for some reason, his eyes trailed down her face to...

He whirled around and backed her, squeezing his fist as he yelled without thinking,

"Why do you always make things so difficult for me Talia! How am I going to apologize if you’re going to be half-naked Infront of me!"

Talia shrunk back under his voice and a mist of hurt suddenly clouded her eyes.

"Angel told me you were attacked by rogues and I rushed down to..." her voice was suddenly hitched up her throat and the next thing that left her lips was a muffled cry. Jephthah felt his heart smash into a million fragments like a glass mirror. "Since...you seem to be fine, I would be going now."

Without a word, she shifted into this navy blue colored fur wolf with crimson red eyes and ran off like lightening.

Jephthah turned on hearing clothes rip in shreds and it was too late. She had ran far behind.

No! If he didn’t apologize now, she’d hate him forever and he wouldn’t get this same chance.

He didn’t hesitate to shift into a huge black furred wolf with dark gold colored eyes before leaping into the air, running after her.

Talia fell behind a tree and shifted into her naked human form, holding her hand over her mouth.

Why did her heart ache so much?

She was sure Jephthah wouldn’t follow her here but stiffened when she felt a wolf growl from behind the tree she sat close to.

She turned and her eyes met from not far off, two dark gold eyes that held hers captive even when he shifted back to human form.

Her eyes widened at the sudden change but relaxed when she realized she still had his pants on.

Jephthah had been involved in an accident in his pack where he shifted into his human form Infront of some she-wolves in his school and made his father get him these type of elastic, expandable pants that couldn’t tear no matter what. (Could only be destroyed by fire, though).

Her eyes left his to trail down his chest.

Everything about his upper body screamed masculine. Those abs of his looked like 8 bronze sculpted treasures that glistened under the moon light.

She suddenly realized he had been staring at her all these while and hid her face where the rest of her body was hidden behind the tree.

"You want to talk...don’t you?"

Talia ignored him, holding her naked chest with her hand, trying to still her beating heart from what she had just seen. Gosh! He was so hot!

"Let’s talk." He finishes and advanced towards the tree.

 

Chapter 65

Talia’s eyes widened and she scrambled further away, hiding her entire body behind the tree on hearing footsteps sounding close to where she sat.

"You idiot. I’m naked!"

Jephthah face redenned as he profusely blushed.

"I know that, I just wanted to get closer to you."

"Say whatever you want to say and leave."

He sighed and Talia sensed his nervousness. What was he nervous about? Hurting her again?

"I...know I’ve hurt you." He began and almost snapped before Talia said arrogantly

"You didn’t hurt me." She denied, pretending to sound nonchalant.

He ignored her and continued,

"I didn’t realize how wrong it was leaving you alone on the dance floor like that...it was Angel who told me I had done wrong..."

"You wouldn’t have known if she hadn’t told you?" Talia suddenly got up and Jephthah swiftly backed her as she stood behind him, completely bare with a furious look on her face.

"... Everytime...all these time, all these years you do this. You do this over and over again and the first time you’re apologizing is because someone actually tells you what exactly you did wrong?"

Jephthah didn’t say a word and figured out she had much more to say. He wanted to turn to her and tell her how hard it was just staying so close to her, talking to her. How his heart spiraled out of control just inhaling the scent of her. How crazy he was about her. Won’t she just think he was ridiculous.

"I was five when we first met...do you remember? My late dad, Beta Max along with his Alpha, the former Alpha visited your pack for the two moon festival?"

How could he forget? It was the first time he had come to like any one and it happened to be her.

**

The kids were left to get along and play for a little time while the party venue was being set up.

Little Royce and John had enticed Jephthah and Talia to leave the confines of John’s room to steal some sweet cakes kept in the kitchen, yet to be taken out to the venue.

You could only imagine how hard their hearts pounded and how they giggled and laughed as they ran out of the kitchen being chased by one of the Omegas, a cake in each of their hands.

Jephthah who was reluctant about the whole idea of stealing in the first place fell behind while others ran ahead of him, ignorant of him being left behind.

He stumbled and fell, his cake rolling on the ground. Just when the mad Omega was gaining in on him, he saw a small chubby hand stretched out infront of him and he trailed the hand up to see her.

Talia.

She was a chubby kid then. Adorable chubby cheeks, huge, round eyes and long hair that grazed her waist line. She had a cake In the other hand and the other hand she held out for him was stained with icing but he took it anyway and the two ran ahead to catch up with John and Royce, their short legs moving quickly.

When John and Royce and Talia were talking about random stuffs while eating their stolen loot, Jephthah just sat there in the corner, looking so vunerable and petty especially since he had no cake to gnaw on.

He suddenly looked up on inhaling the familiar scent of honey and blueberries. It was Talia and she was smiling at him as she held out a piece of her cake.

"Here. We can share my cake." Her eyes were huge! And she talked slowly and carefully as if afraid to set off the ticking bomb that sat on its own.

Jephthah, red in the face took it and meekly munched on it. He stiffened when she sat beside him. He thought she would turn back to talk with others.

He began fiddling with the cake as she ate hers cheerfully, swinging her chubby legs.

"Is your daddy the nice man with long brown hair?" She innocently asked, still swinging her legs.

Jephthah just nodded.

She frowned and got down.

He thought she was going back to join the others, probably not interested in him like the other kids that usually visited from other packs. But he leaned back when her face was suddenly so close to his, her huge eyes scrutinizing his closely.

He felt his forehead break a sweat as he leaned back.

"Don’t you talk?"

"I talk." He meekly stuttered and she pursed her small cherry colored lips.

"Then you don’t talk much like your brother. This is the first time you’ve ever said anything to me," she kept talking and for the first time, he didn’t feel irritated hearing someone talk so much to him. He stared at her like she was some precious jewel while she rambled on about many things. "I’m Talia. What’s your name?" She suddenly asked after talking for some time.

He blinked and realized after some seconds that she had asked him a question

"Jephthah."

"John and Jephthah," she said out loud, thoughtfully. "Are you two twins?"

He nodded again.

"You two are so different! Hey! C-Can we be friends?"

He blinked again.

"You want to be friends with me?" He was dumbfounded and in disbelief.

She nodded vigorously and he just thought it was dream.

People usually made friends with John and never reconsidered him but she was the first person to actually want to be his friend.

"Oh...okay." He stammered, seeing the huge pleading look In her eyes.

"Yay!" She jumped on him and he almost fell back as she strangled him in the tightest hug he had ever been held in and for some reason, he felt comfort.

"What should we do as friends now." She leaned back and asked.

He scratched his head and gave her a lost look.

"Let’s grab some more cakes from the kitchen!"

"Huh?"

He was suddenly pulled and he found himself following her from behind with her hand around his. It barely covered up his and he ended up, holding hers back.

She looked back at him with a smile and he smiled back before looking down coyly.

They ended up taking an entire tray and ran off to his room to split it instead. They ate so much sugar, the two ended up sleeping against each other on the bed and was later found by the adults. It was such a cute scene, no one was willing to wake them up.

John snuck his Dad’s phone out and took pictures of them and didn’t stop teasing Jephthah about it for weeks.

 

Chapter 66

She was 12 the next time they met. It was at her pack this time and Jephthah as usual was huddled up in one corner of the garden while John, Royce and other kids played games and threw tantrums. They later went upstairs to play spin the bottle but he kept himself busy with his phone.

And then he noticed someone looking at him and glanced up.

His phone dropped to the floor and so did his jaw.

"T-Talia?"

She smiled and his heart flipped.

Though they had called (Well, she called) and had spoken over the phone several times, this was the first time he was seeing her after 7 years.

The chubby Talia he knew had an athletic body. She had a body fit for a female warrior. Her hair was long as usual, grazing the tip of her hip bone. Her eyes weren’t as huge as before but he would never admit they lost that same spark of light he had seen when they first met.

She held a tray of something but he didn’t mind that. He was bewitched by her smile. He didn’t even realize when she blushed and looked down until she chuckled.

He blinked and redened in embarrassment as he picked his phone. He had been staring like a stupid goldfish!

"I thought you didn’t come. It was John that told me you’d be here."

She said and he just stared at her as she came close to him and stiffened when she sat next to him. That familiar scent of honey and blue berries enticed him like an expensive alcohol and he looked at his fingers, knowing too well that she was looking at him.

"I made this." She said after a while and he looked down to see sweet cakes. He felt nostalgic looking at them. These were the same snacks that brought the two close.

"Are you going to keep staring or you’re going to have a taste. I really want to know what you think about them."

He quietly but tentatively picked one and bit a small piece off. His eyes widened and he looked at her before looking away when their eyes met. He missed the slight blush on her cheek when he had looked at her with so much admiration in his eyes.

"It’s delicious...really delicious. You ...you made this?"

"My mum helped but I guess you could say that. Do you really like it?" He nodded and she handed another one. "Here have more."

"Aren’t you going to eat?" He carefully asked, not taking the last piece she offered.

"Hm. Okay. Let’s split this one." She had a mischievous smile as she held the other piece in her mouth and leaned over, eyes closed waiting for him to bite the other piece off.

Jephthah wanted to refuse immediately but she didn’t look like she’d even listen. His face, extremely red, he looked around before shyly moving forward to bite the other piece, not realizing he had pulled her close by grabbing her arm.

She gasped internally and her heart skipped several times at the pull as she inhaled his masculinity.

He was careful not to let his lips touch hers and when he had pulled away, his face had completely turned beet red.

Talia, aware of what she did, laughed out loud and he turned to look at her. Her smile and the way she threw her head into the reflection of the moonlight made his heart beat so fast that he feared she might hear it.

She turned to him, her eyes lowered as she pushed her hair to lap behind her ear .

"Why are you always cooped up some where like some new kindergartner in class?"

"I don’t-"

"Don’t even deny it. You know it’s true. You’re so different from John. He’s rowdy and reckless...so unlike you. I guess that’s why... I like you more."

He looked down and blushed again.

Talia grabbed his phone and said as she began fiddling with it.

"Mum finally got me a phone so we can exchange contacts and call each other on OUR phones instead. Hey. I also opened my own Instagram account last week and I already have 100 followers."

She kept talking as usual and all he did was just listen, not feeling bored in the slightest but infatuated by her.

They exchanged contacts right there and she got up and offered him her hand. He trailed the hand up to her face and imagined the similar situation 7 years ago when she had stood in this exact same pose with the similar smile on her face.

Without asking questions, he just took her hand and felt strange sparks travel up his wrist as she led him somewhere.

"Where are we going?"

He finally asked

"I want to show you around the pack. It’s your first time here, isn’t it?"

"Yes but..." he was about to protest because going around meant meeting people which wasn’t what he was looking forward to.

"And where do they think they’re going to?" A sweet but stern voice called out from behind and the two turned to see the Beta’s wife, Talia’s mother, Indie.

"Mum, I’m just showing him around." Talia calmly explained.

"Good evening." Jephthah mumbled.

"Hey sweetie," she turned to Talia. "Is this your boyfriend Royce was telling me about. The one you call almost every day?"

The red apron she had on couldn’t hold a candle to the color rising on Jephthah’s face.

Talia fumed In embrassment, blushing as she said.

"Mum!"

"Sweetie are you okay?" Indie said and Talia turned to see Jephthah looking like a tomato.

"I’m...fine" He managed to say and didn’t realize when he squeezed Talia’s hand.

Talia held onto his hand when she realized he was trying to pull his hand out, but he did anyways and left the two without a word.

Talia just stood there and watch him leave.

She ran after him but didn’t see him at the garden again. She went upstairs to see the others playing in Royce’s room but didn’t see him there either.

All night, she didn’t even spot him.

The next day when the twins were leaving, she looked down from her room and locked eyes with Jephthah before he got into the car without waving or doing anything. He looked like he was eager to leave.

She felt hurt for weeks and wondered what she had done wrong. She called after some time and realized the call was as usual very short ever since they’d grown since he barely said anything on the phone and she was usually the one who did.

She noticed he had never called her before. She was usually the one who did. So she didn’t call him anymore and anticipated his call but it never came.

Their next meeting was when she finally went to visit him alone. She was 16.

 

Chapter 67

She needed to get away from her childhood friend, Cardin for a while anyways. These few years as they grew up into young adults, he had begun to creep her out by making advances towards her. His closeness was discomforting and she didn’t like the way he had turned to such a slutty playboy.

When she got to the pack, she was welcomed in personally by Alpha Kris who had taken a liking to the girl the first day he saw his socially awkward son sleeping side by side with her, a tryta of half eaten cakes strewed on the floor.

"Jephthah is in school but he’ll be back soon. You can go up to his room. We didn’t know you were coming so while you wait in there, I’ll inform the Omegas to prepare a room for you."

"I’m sorry for not informing you about that. Thank you."

"If you need anything, the Omegas are around the mansion 24/7."

She thanked him profusely and went upstairs, dropping her duffel bag on Jephthah’s bed. She fell across the bed and grabbed his pillow, inhaling his scent. She sighed and inhaled a little deeper, letting the scent of his manliness wash over her system like a refreshing experience.

Soon, she got bored and walked around the room aimlessly. She noticed there was a huge shelf there and lots of book occupied every single inch.

"...Such a book worm." She mumbled with a smile as she touched a book and got it out, flipping through the pages.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

She jumped at the voice and turned. She just sighed in relief and rolled her eyes as she turned to put back the book.

It was John and he had a bag slung across his shoulders.

"Hello to you too." She sacarstically replied and sat on the bed, crossing her legs.

A brow rose on his face and a confused look replaced the angry grown etched on his face. Suddenly, Talia smiled and his eyes widened in realization.

"Tasha?"

"It’s Talia." She spat at him but he did get the first letter of her name right for the first time.

"Whoa," His bag dropped to the floor with a thud and she tensed and flinched when he towered over her on the bed and raked his eyes over her body. "You’ve...grown."

"Uh..." She pushed him and moved to the other side of the bed. "Yeah, there’s something called puberty. You’d know of you’ve ever experienced it."

He ignored her words.

"You’re gorgeous, come on. You’re acting like you don’t realize how beautiful you’ve become."

She blushed a bit at his compliment but quickly covered up by rolling her eyes at him.

"And you’ve grown too, I see?"

"Yeah," he got up and shamelessly pulled up his shirt to expose his huge chest and hard rocky abs which glistened under the chandelier lights in the room. She couldn’t admit she wasn’t impressed with what she saw. "Look at these abs. Just thinking of running your hands over them, right?"

"I’m thinking of giving you a few punches below the belt if you don’t step back." Her voice was dark and laced with warning and she almost chuckled when he hurriedly put down his shirt and stepped back.

"Where’s Jephthah?"

She asked as he picked his bag, ready to leave.

"He usually stays back to do some reading in school. He’ll be back in an hour or so."

"An hour? Seriously? I can’t wait that long. I’ve been here all day."

He looked shocked.

"You’ve been waiting for him?" He chuckled and something like a glint shone in his eyes. "I knew something like this would happen."

"What are you talking about."

He pointed at her chest, just in between her breast with a smug smile

"You’re obsessed with Jephthah and that’s because you love him!"

Her cheeks had a hint of red on them as she swiftly grabbed his finger and twisted them, smiling at the pain she extorted on his finger which was visible by the lines on his forehead.

"I don’t." She denied.

He leaned back, flinging his broken finger in the air.

"Hey! How did you get so strong?!"

She shrugged.

"Training?"

His eyes widened

"Seriously? I thought training wasn’t for gir..." He was about to say ’girls’ but when her saw the familiar dark glint in her eyes, he pursed his lips.

"Um...so do you want to head to my room and make out while we wait?"

"Grow up John."

John smirked as he left while Talia fell onto the bed and Lay there like a corpse.

After ten minutes, John seemed to realize how bored she was and arrived with a tray of orange juice and sponge cakes.

Talia sat up from where she had picked up a book and was reading. She had been on her phone for a while, taken some pictures for her insta but had gotten bored immediately.

"You’re finally using that brain of yours. I thought you lost it." She said in mockery but he just sat beside her and placed the tray on the bedside table, rolling his eyes.

"At least a THANK YOU would be great. Do you know how hard it is to squeeze this out of an orange."

"For a strong 8-abs Werewolf, I don’t think you have anything to worry about." She sacarstically said and John bit his tongue.

He left her to sip her juice and surfed insta on his face.

"Hey, are you Ta_Lyaxoxoxo."

"Yeah. Why?"

"Seriously?! You have like 7 million followers and you’re following just two people? How do you do do it?"

"Uh..." she starts talking like she was explaining to a kindergartener which got him mad. "I pick up my phone, pose for a picture, click on the snap, pick a filter and I post it..."

He rolled his eyes and sneakily followed her profile.

"Hey this sponge cake is so good. Did you make this yourself?"

"Baby girl I just squeezed some juice into a cup okay? I’m not a baker."

"What did you just call me?"

"Nothing." He hurriedly said and ran out of his room, mumbling something about doing homeworks.

He brought in his homework soon and kept her company. They talked and bantered mostly which ended up getting John another broken finger.

Talia picked up her phone and frowned.

"It’s 9:00pm."

"What?" He sat up and realized his brother was supposed to be back two hours ago."

"What if Jephthah is in trouble," Talia was already up. "Have he stayed out this late for so long?"

"No." John replied honestly. He was also a bit terrified.

They ran downstairs to see Alpha Kris having what looked like an important meeting with someone who John recognized as the Beta’s wife.

"Dad! Jephthah isn’t home yet!" He said, running downstairs, his hands on the railings, Talia behind him.

The two stopped Infront of the adults.

Alpha Kris frowned.

"Jepthaph arrived two hours ago. What are you talking about?"

"I saw him in the garden on my way here." The Beta’s wife said innocently.

John and Talia exchanged looks

"Does...he know I’m here?" She asked with a shaky voice.

"I told him once he arrived that you were up in his room. I thought he was upstairs all these while." Alpha Kris replied and the tension in the room turned very stiff and choking as everyone looked at her, including John.

She squeezed her fist and suddenly ran outside, almost breaking the door as she ran past it.

"She’s going to kill him." John mumbled.

 

Chapter 68

And like the Beta’s wife said, she saw him sitting outside on swing bench, hands clasped between his legs.

John ran up behind Talia but didn’t say a word and just shook his head in pity.

"When were you planning on taking your sorry butt upstairs." She said and Jephthah looked up. He flinched on seeing anger...pure murderous anger in her eyes. It made her look scary, in contrast to the Talia he had known all these while.

He got up and the bench was left swinging behind him, the sound echoing in the silent garden.

"Talia..."

"I came here by 11:00am," she cut in and began counting her fingers. "That’s 1,2...10 hours Jephthah. I waited ten hours and when you arrive two hours ago, you don’t even care to say ’hi’. You just sat your sorry butt here and acted like I wasn’t important."

John muffled a laugh when she kept saying ’butt’ but cleared his throat and looked away when Talia turned to him with a murderous gaze.

"I knew you were upstairs. I just..."

"Didn’t feel the need to talk to me because I’m not important to you?"

"Stop...saying that. Of course you. I just..."

Talia just shook her head and instead of lunging at him like John imagined, huge tears dropped down her eyss, rolling down her cheeks to wet the ground she stood on.

Jephthah was taken back by her tears. It was the first time seeing her like this and he was so shocked he just stood, rooted on the spot.

John was giving him signs from behind to go close to her and comfort her but he looked unwilling to move an inch and just stared at her in shock.

John didn’t think he would go close to her either. What if she broke his fingers again?

Talia sniffed and rubbed her eyes.

"I’m sorry for ever coming here. I’m sorry for even trying...I..." her voice was hitched up at her throat at her muffled tears and she ran back inside.

Jephthah just stared at her, following her footsteps with his eyes till she got inside.

John went after him and shoved his chest.

"Are you just going to stand there like a statue or do something? What’s your problem dude!"

**

Talia grabbed her bag and ran downstairs, using the kitchen back door. She saw her driver, Chad who was getting ready to settle in his room simce Talia was meant to spend like a week here.

He was surprised seeing her run out of the mansion in tears, holding onto her bag with shaky hands.

"Miss... "

"We’re leaving!" Talia pulled open the door, threw her bag in and got inside without a single word.

The driver knew something was wrong but he knew he’d worsen matters just asking questions.

He obediently got in, threw his bag beside him on the Passenger’s seat and drove off. Jephthah hurried into the living to see his father. He did not look happy.

"She’s gone." He said and shaking his head, he went upstairs.

Jephthah just stood there, trying to process the news. John stopped behind him and scoffed.

"You better apologize or she’ll NEVER forgive you."

He went upstairs as well and Jephthah just stood there, unable to move or utter a word. He just stared In the space where she had run off to.

When he got to his room, he could almost savore the mild scent left hanging in the room. The scent of honey and blueberries. He held the half opened book on the bed and noticed the half eaten snacks and empty glass of orange juice on the tray just on his bedside drawers.

Sighing in frustration, he grabbed onto his hair, almost yanking it out as he thought of what to do now. He fell back on his bed and pulled out his phone.

He searched for her contacts and saw her name.

𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒂 ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

His finger wavered over the name for a full minute and he just couldn’t do it. He wanted to but he couldn’t. He dropped the phone and hit the shower, soaking himself In the cold bath, sighing every now and then when the image of Talia crying before him reoccured in his mind.

It was still late into the night and he was yet to call her. Each Time he built a resolve to dial her number and call her no matter what, the scene of Talia crying earlier would hunt his mind and shatter his resolve into fragments of a mirror.

It was early in the morning when he finally closed his eyes with one hand and dialed he number.

As it rang, he felt his heart beat fast against his chest until he was sure he couldn’t even breath again.

He thought she wouldn’t pick up after it ringed several times but she eventually did. He sat up in an instant and ran his other hand through his hair.

She usually said ’hi’ or ’hello’ very enthusiatically but it was very silent, so silent, he could hear her breathing.

"H-Hello?" He said, running his hand down his hair to the back of his neck as he swallowed.

"Hi." It was stiff...almost forced but he could hear the croak in her voice. She had been crying.

"Are you...back at your pack?"

He almost face palmed himself at the stupid question he asked. Of course she was? Where else would she be?

"Yeah."

"O-Okay."

There was silence over the phone again and he felt his hand turned clamy and sweaty.

"Are you still there?" He asked after a while of silence and almost hit himself for another stupid question.

"Why did you call me?" She asked in a calm voice.

He cleared his throat and mumbled.

"I Just...wanted to..." he sighed and brushed a shaky hand across his hair. "Apologize."

She didn’t say anything again and he assumed she was probably waiting for his apology.

"I-I didn’t realize how long you waited for me in my room. I would have come up to join you but you were with John and I thought that maybe it’d be rude to just interrupt and I know I sound dumb right now so I just want to apologize either way.’

He sounded lame and he knew it but he didn’t realize how his words hurt her the more.

"You thought it’d be rude to enter your own room and interrupt us? Was I making out with your brother or something?"

Jephthah blusbed and he hurriedly said,

"That’s not what I said..."

"That’s what you meant..."

There was another round of silence over the phone and Jephthah thought he’d explode at the awkward silence.

"W-Will you come back again. I promise to make it up to you..." he hopefully asked, his heart beating.

Talia just blinked and stared at the floor, her hand clutching the phone close to her ear, her other hand holding the fabric covering her chest where her heart was hurting.

"Maybe." She simply said

Another round of silence.

"Okay...I have to go to school now." Talia said this time when it didn’t look like he was going to say anything.

He parted his lips to say something but she had ended the call and that was the last time they’d ever spoken until Dark Risers’s pack had invited them all for the Alpha’s ceremony.

It was almost two years after their last encounter and even though they hadn’t kept In touch for such a long time, Talia was hoping he had changed and was willing to be close to her again.

But no matter what she did, it always felt like those years when he acted like she was annoying leech he was trying to get rid of.

And she hated it.

She hated it because it broke her heart.

 

Chapter 69

She wouldn’t stop crying as she told him everything. She explained every single detail of their encounter and he would be crazy If he said she lied. Everything she said was true. Everything that happened was real and he couldn’t deny it but hearing it now, he realized how much he had hurt her.

The night was suddenly silent as Talia stopped, cleaning her tears with the back of her hands, tears still rolling down her cheeks.

Jephthah was backing her, completely sure she was naked before him but that wasn’t what he was thinking about.

His thoughts were filled with how much of a horrible person he was to make her feel this way.

He sighed and Talia looked up

"...I hate myself." He sighed out and continued before Talia could obviously deny it ."You were right to hate me and... I wouldn’t blame you if you had wanted to terminate our friendship them. I’m a horrible person, Talia."

"I don’t hate you Jephthah. I never did. You just... " She sighed and folded her arms around her breasts, rubbing her hands over her arms. "Made it seem to me that you hated me."

"I’m in love with you Talia!" He snapped, angry at himself for making her believe in such a lie all these years.

Talia’s eyes widened and her face blushed pink, her lips forming an "o".

"W-W..." He didn’t let her say anything before saying,

"The first time we met... you were the only one who offered friendship. Something no one had ever done. Everyone either ignored me or stuck with John and left me all alone and I was used to it. Not until you came along. You showed me the benefits of being with someone you love and cherish. You tried to get closer to me no matter how I tried to avoid you or push you away from me. I was scared to hurt you but I didn’t realize just how much I did that, thinking pushing you away from me would prevent you from associating someone like me. You called me and I never did. But every single time you called, I cherished it, I cherished and treasured every hour we spent talking despite you did all the chattering. I... "

He held his face with his two hands and lowered his head and Talia stepped forward to touch him but hesitated, her hand which was left dangling in the air slowly drooping to her side.

"You’re the only one who was willing to ... talk to me. You were there for me ... all the time. Even when I felt like I didn’t need you. You made me feel... loved."

Talia cast her eyes down and tears dropped to the floor.

"And what did I do... I hurt you. I’m. So. Sorry. Talia. I wish there was a way I could make up for lost times. I wish there was a way I could prove to you just how much your worth means to me. How I want to spend the rest of my life knowing I have someone like you by my side to support me..."

He lowered his hand and she could see his palms were glistening with tears under the moonlight.

She bit her lower lip, holding her shoulder with her other arm before summoning the courage to walk towards him.

Jephthah looked up, startled when he felt her soft footsteps approaching him from behind.

What was she doing?!

Talia stopped behind him. She was so close to him, she could touch him without having to stretch her hands.

"Turn." She ordered.

"What?!" His eyes widened as he said out loud, not even turning like she asked.

"Face me or I will stand Infront of you. Your choice."

Eyes squeezed shut, he reluctantly agreed and turned very slowly and stiffened, feeling hot when his naked chest brushed against hers slightly.

They were facing each other now, the moonlight between them on the sky, the stars twinkling up ahead, brightening the black canvas above. The wind tussling their hairs to and fro, away and against their faces, the bushes around them rustling with wind.

Talia stared at him for a while. His eyes were closed and his face looked tensed. She felt nostalgic looking at how vunerable he looked like now. . just like the first time she saw him huddled in the corner, his hand stained with icing from the sweet cakes, his face smeared with dirt from the fall, looking so innocent.

She sighed and looked down, gathering more courage. Her heart was beating, sounding against her chest like it was threatening to burst out and she could hear his resounding in her ears, beating hard.

She looked up at him again and slid her arms around his neck, her naked chest leaning against his. His eyes jolted open at the physical contact and their eyes locked before he could shut them quickly as he had opened them.

"Don’t..." She hurriedly said when she noticed he was about to look away. "Don’t you dare..."

He felt the hurt and longing in her voice and forced himself to submerged into the emotions swirling In her eyes, his eyes melting into hers.

"You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen." He whispered to her and she teared up again because she would have known if he was flattering her.

He wasn’t.

Every single word he uttered left her feeling breathless and emotional. She could see the light in his eyes as he stared down at her with so much admiration.

He suddenly reached out and tucked a stray hair behind her ear and she leaned into his touch, feeling his warm hand caress her ear as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

His tensed brows cleared and the light in his eyes turned to flames, one that showed his burning passion as they slowly left her eyes to drift down her lips which was softly parted.

Looking at her now, it was like he was a thristy man in a dessert and she was the only oases left to drink from.

However, when Talia reached up, her toes left on the ground as she leaned closer, he turned bright red and she paused mid way.

"I can’t believe I fell in love with you." She sighed with a sad smile and just when he parted his lips to say something, she crashed her lips on his. He gasped Into the kiss, feeling the lips of a woman on his for the first time In his life.

It took him some time to regain his senses as he leaned down, dipping his head to press his mouth harder against hers, drawing her close by her naked waist which felt cold in his big warm hands.

She eased her hands up his hair, feeling the silken strands between her fingers.

Their hearts hammered in unison as their kiss Intensified, their longing passion melting away as they poured their entire emotions into the kiss.

As he drew her closer, she gasped when she felt his naked chest crush her breasts. Her hand grabbed his hair harder and she tilted her head the other way, leaning closer to push her tongue between his moist lips.

He was new at this but for some reason he seemed to follow every movement of hers uniformly, his hormones getting the best of him, the carnal desires which he had never felt for anyone else rising up in him, threatening to shatter his retraint.

Their tongues danced against each other, tangling as they went into war in their mouths, battling madly for dominance.

Her lips was soft and yielding and warm against his.

As they parted for air, she slowly leaned back from the kiss, their eyes opening and their gazes locked again.

Just before she could finally lean away, their lips still inches close, he grabbed her chin with one hand and dipped his head close for another kiss, his wolf urging him to devour her.

Her forehead created lines on them when he traced his lips against her lips and relaxed when she let him in, shoulders hunching up as she reached up to grab his hair again.

 

Chapter 70

He returned and Talia shyly peeked out from the tree she hid behind and caught the jacket he threw at her.

Their eyes locked as she caught it in her hands and they blushed, looking away.

She turned and put on the Jacket, zipping it up. It was Jephthah’s and since he was much taller than her, it stopped way above her knees but was modest enough to cover her thighs as she meekly stepped out from behind.

As she walked out, Jephthah took in her presence. Flushed face, swollen lips and huge eyes with a bright glint in them.

"Aren’t you... cold?" She asked as they walked side by side, her hand buried deep in the pockets of the jacket.

"I’m okay. What... about you?" He asked with a shy look when she turned to him.

She suddenly grabbed his warm hand and he felt her small cold hand in his and reflexively wrapped his hand tighter before he blushed, realizing what he just did.

"I’m better now." She smugly said and he redenned.

As they got closer to the venue of the party, they could hear the sounds of music and partying.

Luckily for them, John chose to step out at that moment, looking around like he was searching for someone. When he saw them from afar, he rushed over and froze on seeing them clearly.

"Hey hey hey", he had a naughty look in his drunk eyes. "What happened here?"

The two blushed, especially when his gaze moved to their entwined hands.

"Shut up John. We’re going home now." Jephthah said.

"Why are you wearing my brother’s jacket? I don’t have a vivid memory but I clearly remember you coming to the party with clothes on."

Jephthah noticed she was feeling uncomfortable with his questions and neither did he like the way John’s eyes began raking down her body.

He stepped forward, shielding Talia from John who focused his gaze on Jephthah this time, only to stiffen on seeing the cold warning look in his eyes.

"We’re going home. Now."

He finally found his voice and clicked his tongue.

"Let’s go then. We have a journey ahead of us tomorrow Our Pack isn’t a stone’s throw away you know." He turned away, acting nonchalant while Jephthah pulled Talia to walk side by side with him.

**

Naomi huffed and puffed as she climbed up the hill and upon getting on her feet, she dusted her hands which was filled with sand and suddenly felt something tug her leg back. She turned to see her locket had dropped and entwined itself on a twig and the other end had gotten wrapped around her shoe.

Bending, she pulled it away and placed it in her hoodie pocket.

The breeze suddenly blew from all sides and she unknowingly shuddered as she kept walking forward. Her hair which was let down her back from running from the Kitsunes was blown to and fro from the wind.

There were tears pooling in her eyes but it didn’t fall no matter how emotional she got, no matter how much they threatened to spill over.

**

Beta Raiden finally reached him room and pulled his phone, dialling his Alpha’s number immediately.

"What was that about?! You just used a mind link telling me to return to the Pack the next day and you just left?"

"Yes that’s what I said. Is there a problem?"

"What’s wrong Koan?"

Koan sighed and almost rolled his eyes.

"There’s not a fu**ing thing going wrong with me. I just decided to head back Early."

"I’ve been your childhood friend for as long as I can remember. Something happenneed and don’t you f**ing dare lie to me!"

"I found my mate." He bluntly said without missing a beat and the entire room was silent as Raiden tried to comprehend his words. It was only four simple words stating the obvious but it felt like his heart burst out of his chest just hearing it.

"Who?"

"Believe me... you don’t want to know."

"I already know you’ve found your mate... why can’t I know who... "

"Nancy."

The phone went flying to the ground but he fell along with it, catching it in his hand before it came crashing down.

His heart beat quickened as he said the first thing that crossed his mind.

"Did you reject her? Did you kill her??!"

He remembered not seeing Nancy at the party tonight when he noticed Alpha Koan was missing as well.

"Kill her? Who do you think I am? I’m not a monster."

He could almost imagine Raiden giving him a knowing look and he sighed, holding the bridge of his nose as he said,

"She’s in my room... and she’s naked so..."

"Naked?! Just what did you do to her?!!"

"Let me finish or I’ll end this call, I swear it."

Raiden just sat there on the floor, brushing his hand across his hair, impatiently waiting with his hand left at the top of his head, elbow on his knee.

He told him everything, from when she had asked him to dance to when they had left the party on finding out they were fated together. He told him about trying to reject her and Raiden stiffled a chuckle when he heard about Nora hitting him in the groin. He stopped when Koan paused on the phone, which was a habit he did when he was about to end a call. He resumed and finalized the whole thing about them shifting and her fainting from getting tired.

It took a while but when he was done, Raiden sighed, realizing that he had been holding his breath all this while.

"Well, the good news is that you didn’t make the choice this time and she did," Raiden pointed out and a vein popped at the side of Koan’s head. "...You didn’t think you’d be a loner wolf forever, did you?"

"Raiden... I’m being serious now. You are going to return to the Pack tomorrow and you’re going to return alone."

Raiden chuckled for a while but when Koan paused again, he stopped and said,

"You can’t be serious."

"Do I look like I will joke about something like this?"

"Koan..."

"She’s a f**king kid. A weakling. A dumb, weak kid. If I’m going to have a mate, I’d have anyone but her."

"Koan, I am not leaving Nancy here. She is your mate. My LUNA and I will bring her to you. You will mark her and you will love her."