Karina
The first few months were difficult, but I was nothing if not a survivor.So I adapted, learning about everything I could in the modern human world through observation with the occasional asking. I got jobs and observed more. Learn more.When I had enough money, I changed my location, and slowly but surely the cycle went on.During my earlier times, my heart raced with panic after I realised that I hadn't gotten my period. The thought of being pregnant with any of those scum’s children filled me with continuous anxiety, unable to eat or sleep properly for several days. It wasn’t until the day I finally got my period, that I could finally be relieved of that possibility. I had cried myself to sleep that night.The habit became a part of my life, and in the blink of an eye, seven years had passed.I was a lone wolf, a rogue. At times, I hopped from city to city, always staying near the modern areas. Never breaching any forests.I was aware that there were some packs in the area, but I paid them no mind. With what was now second nature, I remained inconspicuous and invisible to any werewolves.I sneered at myself at the thought of the pack. That name and all it represented was tainted in my eyes. I was well aware of the pack's perception of the word rogue used as a dirty word. I had become exactly what they had expected of me - no, what they had made me.My only regret was my mother, whom I left at such a turbulent time. Hopefully, no matter how badly they treated me, I hoped with my absence, they would comfort her.I breathed in the cool evening air.I had already spent several months in this town, seeing all the scenery and working. It was one of the fixed routines in my lifestyle.And just like the other times, I was already prepared to leave.All my bags were packed and my things were ready. Tonight was my last night in the city and it was time I simply laid back.Stepping into the restaurant was either the best or the worst decision I had ever made.There was nothing on my mind when I stepped in, ready for my one-woman celebration when I locked eyes with him.He was a vision, looking almost lost as he sat at the table. I had to stop in my tracks to admire his visage. From his defined cheeks to the wild splay of untamed hair that framed his face.He was handsome in a uniquely strange way.And then he rose.When I locked eyes with him, it happened out of nowhere.‘Mate’My heart stuttered. What?After due contemplation, my body moved on its own, toward him. I eyed the menu he was holding, seeing his fingers aimed toward one of the unattractive options.“Ordering that is a bad idea,” I said, ignoring the stutter as he looked up at me, confusion written clearly in his gaze.“There's usually no difference aside from some extra bread,” I added.He blinked, looking back at the menu with wide eyes like that of a child.The more I watched him, the more I was sure that he didn’t know what he was doing. I helped him to order, doing the same for myself whilst I sat on the chair.He stayed silent throughout in a meek fashion. I almost couldn't believe my eyes. Did he have no knowledge of the human world?Immediately our food was brought, his eyes brightened.“Thank you." He spoke.My hand tightened on the glass or water I held. I should be annoyed and yet, it wasn’t annoying. On the contrary, it was endearing.‘He’s your mate.”“Shut up!” I said to my wolf, Germaine, giving him a smile.“So, I think I should know the name of the man who’s my mate,” I blinked immediately and realized what I said.It wasn’t supposed to come out that way.It didn’t matter either way because when I had recovered, I realized that he wasn't too focused on my expressions in the first place. I watched as he blinked several times, as though he was processing everything I said. I almost snorted as I watched him, almost a minute passing before he seemed to realize what I had said.A genuine smile almost crept up my lips, but I soon straightened, inwardly scolding myself.“Connor. My name’s Connor.” He spoke after clearing his throat, looking slightly flushed under the lights.“A-and… and you?”‘Give him a fake name, something that’s unrecognisable.’ My survival logic screamed at me. Yet as I gazed at his purely clear coppery green eyes, I couldn't lie to him.“My name is Karina. It’s nice to meet you, Connor.”His smile made my heart flutter a bit, but I reigned myself in.“So what are you doing in a place like this?” I asked. I stubbornly hoped that the moment I got to know him, I would push him away. He had all the reasons for me to, as he revealed he was the Alpha-in-line for his pack and had come to visit another pack. The idea of 'alpha' and 'pack' was everything I despised.However, even learning all of that didn’t push me away. Because I learned that he wasn't used to the human cities, or the expanse of noise people made all at once. Because he spoke of teaching children in his spare time. Because of the way he spoke fondly about his parents, the witty jokes he made that made me laugh to the way he smiled in spite of the worn edges.And I would call it stupid, but at the moment, it felt like everything was good.The little I learned about him had me craving more. I laughed, sharing jokes and stories with him with the occasional comeback to match his. It was almost unreal.Throughout, he never made any indication that he knew I was a rogue. It wasn’t a secret, something that should have stood out with my scent. To my surprise, he never mentioned it.What felt like an hour passed before I felt his eyes on mine, slightly sated than normal.“Can I kiss you?” He breathed out, and in spite of my restrictions, I agreed.When our lips touched, all I felt was electricity. It felt like coming home.I pushed down the feelings that erupted from the mate bond, trying to figure out what to do. In light of my confusion and dilemma, only one thing stood clear.I wanted him.In spite of my shaking nerves and tumbling stomach, I gave what I hoped was a confident smile as I spoke.“Take me to your room?”My belly tumbled further as I followed him into the room of the hotel he stayed in.I didn’t tell him that it was technically my first time, only to be shocked as he looked at me cautiously.“I’ve never done this before.” He whispered.My heart tumbled in response to his words, yet I managed to get a semblance of sanity, relief inwardly washing over me.When he touched me, I didn’t think of any other hands at all.Whilst I went through the motions of pleasure, I heard every single word he said. Words of endearment and praises and promises. I took them all.“You're so beautiful."I flushed at the reminder, watching him in what felt like deep sleep.It was an early morning. I had woken up and for the past minutes, watched him sleep.All my happy, soft thoughts fell short the moment reality hit me.He is the Alpha to be of his pack, a pack that would never accept someone like me.He was nice and he seemed okay now, but I couldn’t forget what I was.A rogue.And who knew if he had only wanted me for the night?Slowly slipping out of the bed, I wore all my clothes passing him a glance.Whether or not he was serious about the things he said, the result was still the same. It would never work out between us.He was better off without me, and I, him.I would forget all his gentle touches and kisses. I would erase his words from my mind as well as how his eyes looked underneath the lights.At least, I hoped so.Karina“Hey, Katherine, you’re needed here.”“Coming,” I replied in turn, preparing the order.Katherine was the name that I went by in this city, close enough for me to get familiar with it yet farther from my real name. I tried not to think much about the reason why I changed my name, pushing away all thoughts of the idea that Connor was actually looking at me.He was likely in his pack by now, living his life and probably doing what he was born for. It had been almost a year after all.I moved past other people, excusing them as my large baby bump grazed them whilst carrying the ordered food.Discovering that I was pregnant came as a big shock. Only a few weeks after I had travelled I found myself sick. It all clicked together when I used a pregnancy test, confirming my suspicions.My brain had a hard time wrapping around the thought, but in the end, I made the decision to keep it and treat my child with the same unconditional love my parents gave me.So for the first time, I had m
KarinaI constantly waited for the other shoe to drop. It felt too good to be true.But it didn't. For the first time, I made friends with others, not just temporary connections and I was greeted with a pack that accepted me no matter where I came from. The other young women doted on Levi, helping me out when they could. For the first time in a long time, I found something I hadn't realized I missed. Support. Safety. Family.And now, even though it had only been three months, my wolf and my heart echoed the same thing.The place felt like home.“Isabella’s parents are coming over today.”I turned to Sam, the young woman I had been working with amongst others.It came as a surprise to me as all the others addressed her by her name before even she persuaded me to do the same.Even though people gave her the respect of a Luna, it didn't seem that way. Rather than the ruler I had grown used to, she acted more like a motherly and friendly figure. She was always there to assist me in adju
Karina.The air grew more suffocating with every second that passed after. I felt my throat tightening the more I remained in place. My tongue was more like lead, weighing me down through the deafening silence.It was all too much.He seemed to have the same idea, considering how he remained equally speechless, as though dumbstruck. Yet he never stopped staring. His green eyes pierced me, judgemental even through the shock.The same eyes that Levi bore.My mind raced with no solutions. What was I supposed to do? I drifted to Isabella who looked awestruck to Leo and the other two older people.I didn’t want to figure it out.During all my years as a traveler, there was one thing that saved me even in the most dire of situations, even in the earliest days when my stealth hadn't grown. It was the instinct I'd learned to hone, the one that allowed me to leave unnoticed whenever there was no other way. It was my flight response, the urge to run away before things got more dangerous. Be
Karina.My world froze as I stared warily at the door.‘You're overthinking it.' ‘Its okay.’ By all the gods and goddesses, I didn't want to face this. Face him.“Kiara?”Instantly, I relaxed at the familiar voice. It was just Isabella. I sighed to assure myself.My relief came to a halt the moment I remembered the recent events. How I had indirectly caused a scene in her reunion. Most of all, Connor.He must have told her everything. I even lied and gave her a false name.My heart raced with all the possibilities, but at the sound of knocking, I startled up.I was never one to escape confrontation. Sucking in my breath, I stood up, moving to open the door.Isabella stood on the other side, her pale hair in a side braid that rested on her chest. Her gaze relaxed at seeing me, a smile crossing her lips.Shock ran through me at the sight. I expected her to be angry. Why didn't she look angry? “Aren’t you going to let me in?” She broke me out of my thoughts, raising an eyebrow.I s
Karina.‘'You're beautiful."I smiled at his words. He seemed to notice as he smiled in turn.Despite everything in me rebelling, it wasn't fake nor forced. It was real.Suddenly, like a switch his face fell, growing angrier and more hateful. Even though I didn't know why, the fear struck me to the bone.He was going to say something. I didn't want to hear it. Didn't want to taint the one good memory I had.No!I gasped out for air, pulling myself up.‘It was all a dream.’ I let out a breath, trying to relax.It was dawn. The first orange hues of the sunlight stretched across the room.Stretching, I looked down at Levi, who slept beside me peacefully.Reaching out, I stroked his cheek gently. “You're alright,” I muttered. Germaine purred within me once I leant down and kissed his forehead.Looking around, I processed the reality, including the remainder of the day before.Two weeks at least. Connor was going to stay for that long and considering their closeness, it was no doubt going
Karina. He was looking in my direction. No. ‘No, no, no, no, no, no.'I ducked away before I could think, racing out of the field.When I finally stopped, my heart was racing.‘Did he see me?’ I silently swallowed.I didn't know how to feel if he did. It would only be proof that I was actually avoiding him.I let out a sigh. Whether or not he actually did, that was a close call. Especially just on the second.I walked slowly, yet watchful.It was okay, I assured myself. I had hidden in plenty of towns and cities with packs without being noticed. Surely avoiding a single person in a large pack like this wouldn't be too hard.Right?My thoughts halted when I bumped into a body. Immediately, my thoughts took a turn for the worst and I whipped my head in defense mode to see who it was.“Calm down there, tiger." Sam chuckled, even then I noticed how her arms were raised. She had thought the same thing.Immediately I backed away, relaxing while she did the same.It was in our instincts. Y
Karina.Stepping into my home, my search immediately took me to the closet. I rifled through the clothes quickly.‘Nothing too flashy. Too long. Nothing too bland. Not my style anymore.’ I muttered as I pulled away clothing after clothing that didn't fit my aim.I had to fit in perfectly, like a viper to the grass. Using clothing as a guide or even better, as a shield was one of the ways I had survived through the years.That was why I had to be picky. Only then could I be avoided.Not to mention that the majority of the clothes that fit me in the past didn't anymore. I had just given birth after all, and even though I had bounced back in no time, it wasn't the same.I huffed out in displeasure, shutting my eyes to calm down.The sooner I did this and came there, the sooner I could leave.I finally settled in on a teal cotton dress I got half a year ago while I was going through the earlier stages. It was able to hide any signs of my pregnancy whilst being good enough to not be overly
Karina.Shit.I could have cursed for hours and the days beyond if I could. I would scream out curses like they did in the movies and within all the seedy parts of the city. This was the last thing I wanted. Yet here I was, facing him.My gaze roved over his face. His jaw, chiselled and angled. The tiny bit of stubble that shadowed his face. His hair, though seemingly darker in my view, flopped on his forehead.His lips. My heart skipped a beat despite everything.I was in the forest, alone with him. Even with my natural strengths and evasion, he was far larger and stronger than me. I could easily be overpowered when push came to shove. It was a situation to be afraid of. I should be afraid.Yet, looking at him, against every survival instinct I bore and had honed for years, there was still no ounce of fear in me. Even now, as he stood by the door, he didn't look like he would harm me.What happened to my gut instincts?“Long time no see." I tilted my head to the side, trying to g