KAI-VIIIn the gazebo located behind the house, three men stared at me as I discussed my plans. The day had just broken, yet I had called them all together after failing to fall asleep the night before. I hadn't been able to shake off a weird feeling all night."Boss, where exactly would you like us to start first?" one of them asked after listening to me attentively.I rubbed my chin, still resting my back on a pillar. "Go into town first. Check every building, whether suspicious or not. But I need you guys to have a look at any building that doesn't seem like it would have a lab. You know, people like hiding stuff in the strangest places. You three can divide yourself between the regions. At least, one person should concentrate on the outskirts, while the other two..."Yes, you guessed right. I was sending them to look for the lab run by Seven's mother when she was still alive. I had this strong feeling that once I located her lab, I would get a good lead on the Phoenix Orb.Destroy
KAI-VII"Why?"This word came out of my mouth before I knew it. I pressed my palm against my lips in instant regret.Ratio instantly flew off the handle. "What do you mean why? Since when do I need to cite a reason after assigning you a task?""No, no," I said quickly. "I didn't mean it that way, master. It was a slip of the tongue. My curiosity just got the best of me."He snorted, "You had better not make that mistake again.""I won't. I promise."Ratio sighed again. "Bring me Seven's ashes before the end of today. I don't care if you have other engagements. All those mourners can wait... In fact, send them all away. The death anniversary was yesterday, after all."I was reluctant. "But, master...""No, buts, Kai," Ratio said, his voice laced with venom. "It's high time they moved on. You can't keep cuddling them every year. It serves them right that they lost all those people in one day. If they don't want to move on, they might as well do me a favor by offing themselves!"I said n
WINTERStanding up to Kai was something I didn't know I would ever do. But with Dawn's life hanging by a thread and my pleas falling on deaf ears, I didn't particularly have any other choice.My heart was in my mouth as I threatened him. Strangely, my threat had worked. Who knew Kai would do my bidding as long as I threatened to throw a tantrum? How I wished visitors could keep coming every day. Maybe I would be able to escape from this prison with time.I watched with rapt attention as the nurse checked Dawn's vitals. When she brought out an injection, I darted forward and asked, "What's that? You are not about to poison her again, are you?"The nurse leveled a frown at me. She flicked the syringe and responded, "You don't have to know what it is. All I can say is that this will make your daughter better. You want that, don't you?"Hearing those words, I withdrew my hands which were outstretched. I stared at my poor daughter's pale face and then nodded at the nurse. "Sorry... Please
WINTERFingernails scratched my wrists in a flash. I spun around and almost bumped into Kai. I looked up, only to find that he was glaring at me murderously. His hair was wet for some reason and he smelled of that stinking smoke. On the side of his face, a bead of sweat rolled down his taut jaw.Shit! How did he even get in here? I thought I locked the door? Did he pick locks now?"Ermm... You are... You are here..." I mumbled, my stomach twisting in knots.Kai growled, "What were you doing with my phone?""Ermm... Nothing. I wasn't doing anything," I stuttered, sitting on the notepad which was still on the dresser.Kai looked me over with his eyes slanted. He then huffed, "Do you think I am stupid?""Huh?""I said, do you think I am stupid?" he repeated, his voice louder. "I just saw you copying something from my phone, yet you say you weren't doing anything with it?"Before I could say anything, he looked at his phone screen. His face darkened moments after. In a flash, he grabbed m
SEVEN"You need to take things slow," my wolf said for the umpteenth time since I saw that impostor hitting Winter.I had left the woods and called the staff of a security company I was previously in contact with. At the time, all I had in mind was to waylay that jerk on the road and beat the shit out of him.It was either that or I barged into that house once and for all. Despite my anger, my wolf, whom I had named Six as a child, seemed so chill. Usually, he was the one who was angry while I tried everything to make him calm. Why did the tables turn now?"You have been patient for five years. Don't throw everything away now," Six said, as I did my morning exercise. "It's stupid!""Shut up!" I spat angrily.He sure did shut up. As I did walking lunges carefully, I added, "You witnessed how he treated her last night, yet you believe I should just sit back and do nothing? I have to send him a warning. How bad can that be?""Very bad," Six argued.I asked, "How so?""Your legs have not
SEVENThe motel I was currently in wasn't located in the highbrow area of Laurel Hill. Rather, it was in a fairly remote place with a lot of abandoned buildings and an elderly population. Its quietness was one of the reasons why I chose the motel.Trast Old Factory was just a factory abandoned by a major corporation after a recession hit decades ago.I had sighted the factory in question a few times. And on each occasion, it was deserted. Its front was almost overshadowed by tall grasses. As a result, I was fairly certain that I wouldn't draw unnecessary attention to myself if I met Stuart and Tyler there."Do you think they are gonna come?" I asked Six, refreshing my mailbox for a response from both young men."Of course they will. I mean, if I were them, I would be so curious to hear what an anonymous person has to say about my pack."I chortled, "You seem to be forgetting that the elders are very suspicious of anything. Especially since most of them are descendants or relatives of
SEVENThe light which had been raised up to my face soon bounced to my feet. At this moment, I saw both men stagger backward in astonishment."Alpha Seven? What are you doing here!" Stuart exclaimed, pointing at me.Tyler was slack-jawed. His eyes were bulging out of the sockets as he regarded me. Soon after, he stuttered, "But... But we just saw you yesterday at the memorial. Why... Why did you... Why did...""No, you didn't see me yesterday, Tyler," I began, taking a step closer. "The person you saw yesterday and have been seeing for the past five years is an impostor.""What!" they exclaimed at the same time.I pointed at myself. "I mean, I am Seven Greywolf, the first son of Luka Greywolf and Dawn Holland. But the person you guys saw at the memorial of my father's passing yesterday was actually an impostor who has been passing off as me for the last five years."In shock, Stuart put his fist into his mouth. His eyes glistened with utter disbelief. I noticed that Tyler gripped his
SEVENA lot of talking was done for the next one hour. Both Stuart and Tyler were shaken up as I gave them further insight into all I had been through in the past few years. On several instances, the usually calm Stuart couldn't help cursing. It wasn't exactly pleasing to the ears, but I put up with it since it was directed at my greatest enemy.Tyler was silent for the most part. However, now, I knew that he no longer disbelieved me. It was almost as if he felt angry with himself for not noticing the discrepancy early enough."Guys, it's not your fault," I said, regarding Tyler. "No point beating yourself up for not noticing soon enough. Actually, I have to hand it to that thief. When he confronted me, it was as if I was staring at a freaking mirror. Since he could clone my face so well, I can only imagine how he cloned my mannerisms and deceived you all with it.""But still..." Stuart said with a regretful look.I waved my hand. "That is all in the past now. Very soon, I will get my