Agreeing to go on a date with Dane was the only option that remained after the long, heartfelt discussion we had.
At first, I told him I needed to think about it, but he pulled me against himself and told me the party was today and I had no more time to think. When I tried to protest, he kissed my mouth, and I had no other choice but to accept his offer.
A victorious smile came onto his face and he kisses my lips again before telling me when he’d pick me up.
Going out together wasn’t really the idea of keeping apart and taking things slow, but none of us cared at this point.
I miss him and my want for him grows with every passing day, and the trial is still in process and the last thing I want is complicated issues with my union with Dane, but I am believing we can find balance in all of this.
Dane assured me that since we were going to a masquerade party, it would hide my true identity because everyone would have
When the bus came to a stop before the passage that lead into the woods, we thought it had developed some mechanical issues that needed to be resolved. Not until Hunter announced our arrival at the trial location did I know.“Welcome to your third day on your eight weeks of trial. I will be your supervisor,” Liam announces, stepping up before us with his hands tucked behind him. He has black leather, long sleeve jacket on a pair of black Jeans. His head, unlike before, bald of hair and now thinking about it, looks good on him. The first time I saw him was many weeks ago during the recruitment period and I didn’t expect to see him here.Seeing him now makes me wonder how today’s training would go. He looks like the no-nonsense type of guy and the woods is a no-nonsense type of place.I already feel cold and I’m sure not the only one.“In the last few weeks and under the leadership of Avril, Ian, Joodas and Sam, you
“Thank you,” I say to the ice cream man who just handed me a strawberry ice cream along with my change and he flashes me a radiant smile. I discovered this place sometime last week, and it’s been the only place I’ve gotten strawberry ice cream that tastes almost like the one Aliyah used to make Ken and me. I’d still pick hers any day over anyone else, but since I can’t get hers now, this would suffice. It’s now lunch break, and while the rest four are at the company’s lunchroom getting their own food, I stepped out and get ice cream instead and meat pie. I also needed the breath of fresh air. Being cooked up in my corner barely gives room to even a stretch of one’s leg, but with this, I stretch my leg, breathe in the fresh air and admire the view of the city side. Three birds with one stone. My phone vibrates in my pocket and lowering my head, I dip my hand in to pick it out. I slow down on my steps as I stare at my screen to see a message
I wake up from bed with a slightly puffy face, but clinging to what lies ahead, I rise from bed and spruce it. Today is the last day of the trial. In order words, the top three will get picked and the one with the best performance would be the winner of the trial. I’ve had dreams about the winners of the trial and in all my dreams, though I didn’t grasp the names mentioned, it wasn’t my name. Well, today will clarify everything. The top five others, except they decline, will receive induction into the Rogue pack (which is one of the city’s most feared and respected packs). They will also receive scholarships to study at the University of their choice, while the top three will get a position at the company to work and earn even while they further their studies. The overall best will get to choose their desired position at the company. I glance at myself once more in the mirror. I am wearing a turtlenecked blouse and black trousers. My hair
My eyes narrowed as I comprehend his words and I slowly withdraw my hand from his, feeling cold at his confession. I tossed the novel onto the couch. “You are not in love with me, Ken. That’s a joke, and it’s not funny.” “I wish it was, but I am. I’ve been for a while now, but you’re obviously in love with the alpha and as soon as the trial ends, he will claim you as his mate.” I stepped away from him as if the distance was what’s going to change his mind. “I didn’t know you harboured more than the feeling of friendship.” He let out painful laughter. “I did. Mom wasn’t the only one rooting for you to be my mate, Jaclyn. I was too. I felt it long before India.” “What?!” I run a hand through my hair and tug on it. Why is he telling me this now? Why is he choosing to ruin me a day before the finals? How did I not see the signs? Ken harboured feeling all along. Feeling he never acted upon and probably never will. I t
Arriving at the company, we make our way in just as we always do and my eyes dart to the side and I catch Ace not so far away staring at me with a smile on his face. He waves at me, realising I’ve seen him. I wave back but do it in a subtle manner to not bring attention of the rest four and nod my head at him before entering the building. The trial of each began and the rest of us wait outside the evaluation room. Each trial takes a minimum of twenty minutes, which is the time Indian spent with the judges and the maximum of forty-five minutes, which is the time Quinton spent with the judges. Once it’s lunch time, they release us to go for break. Those who have had their trial, Quinton, India and Caroline ate separately from those who haven’t, Ken and me. We get served stake and plantain with sauce and orange juice, and while Ken eats heartily, I can’t. Our relationship has remained the same with less awkwardness despite Ken's revelation about his
The door to the party hall, which we’ve used for a few parties in the past, opens and Liam follows behind inside and a few faces we’ve grown accustomed to in the last five weeks are present. Most were our superior and instructors and supervisors and they all gave a round of applauds on our entry, celebrating and cheering us on. The rest mingle while I stand apart, not wanting to think about the result, but not being able to stop the thought. “Still thinking I see.” I turn around and see Ian, the mischievous devil, before me. My heart skips a beat and I shake my head, “No,” I lie, then realise he can see through me. He looks rather casual for the party in a pair of blue jeans and white round-necked polo and his red hair in a bun while the rest of us maintain our formal wears. He also looked relaxed and unaffected by everything happening and while most of our supervisors choose to hang around each other, he’s standing far away. I’
“We should celebrate,” I tell Ken as we step down from the bus and approach the gate of the estate.We have a few more days to get ourselves ready to leave the estate and begin our new lives. While I don’t know about the rest, Caroline and I already made plans to attend the same uni, which is that of Northrich, the most prestigious university in the city. It has always been my dream to attend and despite having the opportunity to attend any institution of my choice; I feel they can give me what I want. They are also a good choice because they have a no-violence environment that discriminates against no one. I hope to learn as much as I can and when Caroline heard about it a week ago; she came on board. We applied and submitted our results to the university’s portal and their response would come in today or tomorrow, hopefully.There’s so much to celebrate and be thankful for, and I want to celebrate every moment. Ken’s still ye
My beeping phone wakes me up, and I blindly reach for it on the nightstand.I bring the phone up and my lashes pull apart to see Dane’s ID boldly written on its screen. I sit up and pick the call.“Hello, good morning, princess,” Dane’s radiant voice charges through the phone, causing my stomach to flutter in a good way.I rub my eyes. “Hello, Dane.”“I woke you up.” he now sounds withdrawn, probably rethinking his choice of calling at this time.“I don’t have work anymore. Instructions were to come in and clear our desk of belongings, so I hoped to at least sleep till 8 a.m.”“Then I’m sorry I woke you up. I just wanted to hear your voice before starting my day, and now I have. I can’t wait till I see you later.”It was Monday and unlike the past Mondays; I had no work or duties. So I can leave for the industry whenever I&