Liyah's POV
It was hard to keep a straight face when you were with Drew. Add Margaret and Annalise into the puzzle and you've got yourself a perfect day. I don't remember the last time I had laughed this much. I don't think I had ever laughed this much in my entire life. And it felt really good. My ribs were literally hurting. I was actually starting to feel like part of something... part of a family. With people who cared me, who supported me. Sometimes I would wake up thinking it was all a dream, and then to reassure myself that it wasn't, I would race to the nearest person's room, which happened to be Annalise. When she recognized me and was her usual nice self I would sigh in relief and go about my day like normal.
"I'm serious though," Drew said still laughing. "The last time I stayed up so late. My parents had no idea I had hid in a corner. When I saw them start to pile up the presents under the trees and in the stockings, I nearly had a heart attack."
Nikolai's POVI stood horrified at the entrance of the kitchen, my palm permanently glued to my forehead. I couldn't understand why I cared so much that I began to feel embarrassed. As if to make my point clearer, my face heated as Drew began to describe in detail how I used to chase him and Anna all over the garden with my booger fingers whenever they provoked me.When I heard Liyah gasp in disbelief and then start to giggle, I wanted to rush into the kitchen and clap a hand over Drew's mouth. Why did he have to tell all these embarrassing stories in front of her? Just why?"And it's so cool how you're all still very good friends," I heard her say.Brief seconds of awkward silence took over, and I could imagine them thinking of what to say."Well, we all grow up don't we?" I heard Drew laugh awkwardly, then silence ensued.My heart clenched as I turned away and started to walk back to my room, lest they walk out to me standing suspiciously at the door.
Liyah's POVIf I wasn't so scared of being bit by an insect, I would have sat in the grass and enjoyed the scenery. So I decided to walk instead although it was getting a little late. Margaret and I had made a little trip to the other side of town earlier today to treat some members of another pack who had gotten badly injured. I still wasn't used to the freedom, and so I told Margaret to go ahead. I wanted to take a little stroll, enjoy the scenery and such, before going back home. Now I was here, I didn't regret it one bit. I had never seen anything so beautiful, so refreshing. The lake, the small river, the meadow, the birds, the clean space. Everything about it was perfect.I started to worry when it began to get really dark. I had gone so deep into the woods that now I couldn't find my way out. Every path I took only led to a dead end, and I started to suspect that I was only moving around in circles."Oh no," I facepalmed as I came to another d
Liyah's POVTo say that I was shocked would be an understatement. Frankly, I was dumbfounded, and no matter how many times I gaped at Nikolai breaking the silver chains off the werewolves, I couldn't seem to get over it. When he was done, he made way for the two middle-aged women who were in charge of the hideout to clean and feed them, then make sure they were well rested.I saw him look away when our eyes met and I couldn't help but do the same. As I watched him walk out of the room and down the stairs, I began to think of possible reasons why he could be doing this. If there was anything I knew about him, it was how selfish and cold-hearted he was. So what was his motive? I wasn't going to argue the fact that it was a good deed. He was saving lives, restoring hope and happiness in these people when they thought they'd never again find it. He
Liyah's POVI was still trying to make sure my seatbelt was secured when he zoomed off. I turned to face him when he continued to increase his speed rather than do the opposite, and I could see the anger in his eyes as he stepped harder on the gas. My stomach churned and I held on for dear life.I was scared to death when he suddenly hit the brakes, bringing the car to a stop with a deafening screeching sound. I turned to him in shock wondering what had come over him, but when I saw him stoic and his face expressionless, I kept my mouth shut.He sat hunched over, and I could see the veins on the back of his hand bulge as he clutched the steering wheel. Minutes passed and not a word was spoken. The silence was almost deafening and all I could hear was the rapid pounding of my heart.
Liyah's POVI wasn't completely sure why my head was aching so much. I knew I had been tired and overwhelmed more times than I could count, but it felt different this time. It felt... worse. After everything that had happened in the car, I had begun to see things differently, understand things I didn't before. It all made sense now. Why Drew was still so protective of him although they had become distant, why Nikolai was always so bitter. It didn't change the fact that I was still hurt, but it did make me see things from a different perspective.I hated the fact that I understood now. I didn't want to, I wanted to blame someone for everything that happened to me. I wanted to feel that pure hatred when I looked at him, and revel in it. But now... I couldn't even identify what exactly I was feeling. Sadness, anger, pity, confusion, all jumbled up in my heart. It was so overwhelming I th
Nikolai's POVSomething was off. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was definitely up. I knew that there were wolf people who never transformed their entire life, but in most cases it was either the result of a wolfman and a human mating, or vice versa. And Liyah was a purebreed, from purebreed parents, so that wasn't even remotely possible. The only other situation for such an occurrence was when a spell was cast on the werewolf in question. But I wouldn't even be considering that because as far as I knew, witchcraft was forbidden. I opened the refrigerator to kill time as I thought of what to do. From what she had told me tonight, she had been put to work at a young age. So my hunch was that her wolf was not yet mature because she hadn't had the time to develop. That could be helped. But she needed time. Lots of it.A soft gasp made me look up and I stared at Liyah's startled form. "Uhh, I'm sorry I didn't expect to run into anyone," She blurted, clearing her throat a
Liyah's POVI jumped up from my bed as soon as my alarm rang. I had been awake for about an hour already and was just waiting patiently for an excuse to get out of bed. The possibility that I might have a wolf was enough to keep me permanently excited. As soon as I was done getting ready for the day, I unzipped the suitcase Margaret had gotten me to find something suitable to wear. I paused in the middle of ransacking the suitcase. What was I even supposed to wear for a session on self-defence? I've never had any sort of training, so what? I thought of asking Margaret for help but it was too early to go see her, so I decided on a pair of stretchy jeans, a tank top, and sneakers.When I felt ready, I tied my hair to the back and made my way to the training ground. He had told me to be there by 7am and I was already ten minutes late. I couldn't help but feel very nervous.I immediately saw him unpacking some equipment from a bag when I arrived. Watching him made me realize what training
Nikolai's POVI was at the training ground earlier than the last time. After I had spent about twenty minutes and there was still no sign of Liyah, I began to wonder if she would come today. I wouldn't be surprised if she eventually didn't, I would understand why. She was still trying to heal, and if being around me was getting in the way of that then it was probably best to stay away. As I lowered myself onto a large log of wood, my thoughts drifted to the events of yesterday. It was shocking to see her lash out the way she did. And one thing I was completely sure of was that, as I watched her chide me and put me in my place yesterday, I knew that I never wanted her to let anyone push her around the way I had.And she left me in shock everytime we spoke. After everything I had done, she still wanted me to realize that it all hadn't been entirely my fault. What person on earth would do that? Who would apologize to you for your pain after you hurt them over and over again? She was suc