"Still worried about what your brother might feel when he knows that something happened between you and my granddaughter that night?" Isadora asked the second she appeared behind my back. Shit. She knew about it. "He's my stepbrother," I replied, my voice coated with concern. "I cannot afford that my relationship with him will end up breaking apart just because of one woman." Isadora shrugged while glancing from afar. "So, you are the type of big brother who would rather sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of his siblings." then, she laughed shortly. "Felise will be here in a few minutes. You better not let her hear those words coming from you, Ezra." "She'd be here?" I furrowed. "Why? It's already late." "I plan to train my grandaughter to access the alpha blood that runs through her veins. It's about time, Ezra. My wolf started having nightmares and weird feelings that we are already running out of time." Isadora explained, her voice serious. "And yet here you are, not te
"Don't be such a killjoy, Ezra," Isadora announced from the distance. She was with a black guy who, if my brain serves me right, was the same man Felise almost killed on her first shift. "Everyone is having fun!" yells the man. "Just go with the flow." Easy being said than done. The party was at the apex of its energy. The jubilant night sky was etched with the silhouettes of Razel’s rugby buddies. Laughter, shouts, and the splash of water echoed off the high, stone fences of someone's luxurious seaside villa. A quick glance around revealed the typical party debris – abandoned red cups, teetering beer bottles, and the rustic scent of half-eaten pizza. The centerpiece of the scene was the sapphire-blue pool where most of the gang congregated. Among them was my stepbrother. On their rowdy urge to create some excitement, they had set their eyes on Felise and me. Felise was petite, ethereal-looking with her untamed curls that framed her doe-like face. She always had a silent, co
"Enough." Felise cut the tension between us in the car. "Enough of this blaming thing. It's not Isandora's fault. It's not Ezra's fault either but mine. If I only make things clear with Razel, this could have been avoided." "But it all started with Isadora. If she and her hard-headed wolf listened to us that those humans will only make things worse, the incident could have been avoided." Hearing my venomous declaration, Isadora looked down, composing herself, and nodded, "I know and I'm sorry," was all she managed to utter. When the sun beamed down on us, the car continued its journey, carrying the silent tension along. Every one of us is lost in our thoughts and fears, mentally bracing ourselves for the confrontation with the rogue wolf, Dexter. And the echo of our intense discourse finally disappeared, replaced by the hum of eternally whispering trees, we approached the cusp of the first forest on our list. Isadora's emerald eyes held a quiet apprehension, w
"Brother Ezra, please, say something." he added. It was at that moment my wolf just realized my stepbrother reeks in alcohol. "Just this once. Please? Can you break up with Felise?" The school's bell had long since tolled, reverberating off the lifeless, silent corridors, signaling the end to yet another day of academics. Children dispersed, leaving an eerily cold aura behind. As everyone left, two individuals remained, their figures outlined against the door; a tableau of uncertainty and apprehension. Razel, his face etched with pain, stood motionless, looking less like the jovial friend I knew, and more like a man burdened by an unspeakable grief. His eyes were tainted with unshed tears, hinting at the silent battle raging within him. Razel had always been an open book. That he tried to conceal his emotions this time was an unprecedented sign of his deep turmoil. "Please," to my surprise, he dropped his knees to the ground, his voice just above a whisper and heavy with emotio
"So, you choose her over me then?" Razel clarified before he scoffed. "Okay," he nodded. "I get it now. But remember this day and for the rest of your life, Brother Ezra. 'Cause this is going to be the last time I call and accept you as my brother. Go to hell!" His words were a bit harsh, unreasonable, and backstabbing, but he was still my stepbrother. Nothing can change that fact no matter how many times he misunderstood me. No matter how many hurtful words he is going to throw at me. If not because our professor went into the room, our awkward conversation could have extended further. Razel was a bit drunk. And I believe he will not stop nagging me unless he gets what he wants. Sad to say, enough is enough. I have been a good brother to him since then. And I am done understanding and giving everyone their chances. Later that night, I mustered my courage and trekked my uncertainty toward our pack village. I did not bring Felise with me, not because we are still
"What are you doing here?" Razel asked in a furious tone. His eyes were even blazing in flame upon seeing me in front of their house. Mom and his new mate already welcomed me every time I visit them so I did not find it hard to get into their village. I met a few werewolf guardians wandering the streets but they already recognized my wolf. So they let me in without growling at me. But mom and her mate were not in the house at the moment. And it's a good thing because I don't want her to worry about us having intense misunderstandings. "I want to talk to you about something, Razel. Can we, please?" I smiled at him, ignoring the growing tension between us. "I already found a part-time job. And sooner or later, I can move out of Felise's apartment." "Do you think I care?" Razel growled. "Get out of my sight before I ask the werewolf guardians to drag you out of the village, Ezra. Go to hell." Razel was about to shut the door but I blocked it using my bare hand. It was
The unexpected revelation hung between us. She let go of my hand and hugged her arms about herself. Felise and her wolf were always strong, always resilient - but right now I could see the flame of fortitude flickering in her eyes. She was searching for a counter-argument, but I had left no room for debate. "I'm so sorry, Felise," I murmured, my breath hitching. She swallowed hard, nodding in silence. Understanding had swept through, but acceptance still lingered on the boundaries. After a few moments, she whispered, "I see…" Her voice held a pain that told me the conversation was over. In a bustling world of minute sounds, the sonorous ring of the school bell echoed through the vast corridors, reverberating against the brick walls, marking the igniting fuse of the beginning of the first morning class. The once tranquil morning was now alive with a mixture of vitality and chaos, as hundreds of lively young students, like atoms in a state of constant mo
Glester could tell my mind was troubled, and he gently placed a hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?" he asked, genuine concern evident in his voice. Before saying a word, I faked a smile, feeling relieved to have someone to confide in. "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern. My stepbrother... He was just mad at me about something. But he will be fine soon." Glester nodded, understanding the weight behind my words. "People say things in the heat of the moment, but that doesn't mean we should let it define us," he reassured me. "You're stronger than that, my friend." His words struck a chord within me, and I felt a glimmer of hope. Glester had always been the voice of reason, and I knew he spoke from his heart. "You're right," I admitted, a small smile forming. "We are a family, and we'll overcome this." With his comforting presence by my side, I felt encouraged as we approached the parking lot. Just as we were about to reach the parking lot, Isadora and Felise are a