Raphaela's eyes opened in a blur. It took sometime before they adjusted to the sunlight filled room. She was in her bedroom. Memories of the previous night flooded her kind and she grimaced.
She searched through her bag which Julien had been thoughtful to keep by her bedside for the hidden herbs.
"Three leaves a day. Chew carefully and meditatively."
She breathed out before folding one of the bitter herbs into her mouth. An hour later, she was out of her bedroom after brushing and taking a bath.
Her house was gleaming clean and smelt nice. A walk into the kitchen gave her Julien in an apron squeezing fresh oranges.
"You shouldn't be on your feet." He rushed to her and guided her to a stool. She watched him calmly. Julien had always been a cold and aloof man, he had been that way for the first three years they had been working together but then later on, he relaxed a little around her and began showing her signs of care. He had cooked for her only once in the entire six years. This part of him, cleaning her house and keeping her company was entirely foreign to her.
"You were really sick last night." He told her as if answering her question, "don't worry, I didn't spend the night here."
She got up to help set the table but he pushed her back down.
"Don't do a thing." He ordered.
Her wolf snarled but made no other response. They had gotten used to him and his orders already.
He laid out a small breakfast feast on the island. Omelettes and scrambled eggs, pancakes and syrup, fresh bread and mugs of tea, freshly squeezed juice and diced watermelon.
"Thank you."
"Thank me by making sure you own the interview."
*********
"Raphaela! It's Raphaela!"
"Raphaela, look here!"
"It's the actress, she's finally here!"
The reporters took photos like crazy as Julien led Raphaela into the building for the interview.
"Raphaela, what do you have to say about actor Sheng's death!?"
"Raphaela, your last movie was a hit! Can you tell us your feelings on it!?"
"Raphaela...Raphaela..."
Raphaela paid no heed as she elegantly walked, shielded by bodyguards and her manager.
"Raphaela will speak to you after her interview." Julien announced shortly before they disappeared into the building.
The reporters had no choice but to wait outside for the next two hours. Reason being that Raphaela wasn't the everyday celebrity that vied for fame and occupied the news everyday with scandals and interesting topics.
She was rare. She rarely accepted interviews or went on shows or attended events, she was rarely seen in the entertainment industry space but when she appeared, her appearance always caused a commotion. She had several awards to her name and she was first on the list for best actress on every one's lips.
"Raphaela, so pleased to meet you." The director of Your Interest interview, shook hands politely with her.
She took off her sunglasses and smiled politely, "Same, director White."
"Ok, make up is ready and set to go."
Forty minutes later with makeup done and everything set, the interview began.
The host wasted no time in jumping into the main questions of the interview.
"Raphaela, actor Sheng was murdered recently. Do you have anything to say on that?"
"I wish him the best in heaven."
"Amen, amen. Everyone is curious as to why you keep such a low profile. Is it simply to avoid the media's probing or you have secrets to hide?"
She was tempted to roll her eyes, "My life is my business."
The female host nodded, obviously not pleased with her short clipped responses.
"You and Gabriella were recently nominated for the MMMAs award. Everyone thinks she's a worthy rival, even better than you, what do you have to say to that?"
"It's best not to compare, it leaves no space for growth."
The host laughed, "Please be more generous with your responses, miss Raphaela. Your fans are listening and would like to know more about you. What do you have to say about your empty love life?"
*********
"You're too thick skinned." Julien complained after he took her back to her home.
"Weren't you the one who told me to be mysterious?" She breathed out a sigh, pulling off her heels and throwing it carelessly.
Julien shook his head and picked them up, leading her by the arm to her room.
"Take a bath. I'll prepare dinner and then we'll talk about your future movies."
"Go home, Julien. If you keep taking care of me this way, how are you supposed to get married?"
Julien didn't respond.
"I'll be waiting." He said instead, before pushing her into her room.
She did as he said.
She dressed up in a sweatshirt and baggy jeans, her hair up in a messy bun before going out to meet him.
"Julien, go home." She said again.
"I'm your manager, it's my responsibility to take care of you."
She wasn't a fool. She knew there was more to it.
"Let me" He insisted, softly this time when she stood still, "Let me take care of you."
"I can take care of myself." She persisted, "You've been with me for six years. I can handle anything. At first, I thought you were too cold and strict to get any girl but then years later, I noticed your reason changed. You can't like me, Julien, you can't. I can assure you that it won't lead anywhere."
Julien stared at her, his attractive face calm and expressionless.
"It's my decision." He stated firmly, "Whether I like you or not, it's my decision to make."
She shrugged, "I'm only warning you. We can never be together."
He pulled out a chair for her and she sat.
"You should go shower too." She offered, seeing he was still in his usual suit.
"I'll go home later."
"You can shower here. Your clothes from the last time we travelled are still here."
He paused.
"It doesn't mean anything." She reassured him, "You've been the best and most patient, I'm simply showing my gratitude."
"Then don't eat until I'm back." He quickly walked off.
She waited for him and in less than twenty minutes, he was back and they began eating.
He had noticed that she ate a lot of meaty foods so their meal contained a good variety of poultry.
"What do you mean by we can never be together?" He questioned some minutes later.
"Exactly what I mean."
"Do you have anyone in mind?"
Her mind flickered to Lorenzo. She shook her head. Not her brother.
"No."
"Then give me a chance." He put down his fork and placed his focus on her, "I've been with you for years and I know you, I've watched you for long enough to know you're the one I want...need, the one I need. I've never fallen in love before so all this is new to me but I'm willing to give it a try... If you'll let me."
Her heart ached for him. He was so cold and aloof from the world that he barely even had any friends and yet he opened up to her and even loved her but how could she tell him that she was a werewolf and she had a destined mate she had killed with her bare hands? How could she tell him that she couldn't bring herself to be with anyone else? How could she tell him that her heart and her wolf yearned after her heartless brother? What kind of person was she?
She had killed many and she wasn't ashamed of it...but this man was good, too good and he had no idea who he was dealing with.
Raphaela held his gaze calmly."Julien, I'm sorry."A pained look flashed across his face before he became as calm as usual.He suddenly laughed."My first heartbreak, I'll definitely remember you forever, Raphaela." He smiled gently at her.It only made her feel more guilty. In fact, she began to consider it. They would make a good couple. She could never have Lorenzo and even if she could, she could never be with someone as selfish as he was. It was time she moved on from her past.But gazing at him, she couldn't do it. She could never love him the way he deserved, they were far too different, from different worlds, they would never work. And perhaps, what scared her most was the thought that one day, she might lose control of her wolf and end up tearing him to pieces. That lingering threat was ever constant in her mind.Julien looked up and met her gaze."You don't need to pity me. Even if I can't have you, I'll still keep l
She was a feminine beauty to behold, the perfect Luna material. She was slim and elegant, tough and ferocious like the warrior she was. Their eyes clashed and locked, surprise and admiration flickered through her beige brown eyes but he felt nothing. Not pain, not regret, not love, nothing except a burning thirst for revenge. His gaze shifted to her new mate who stood tall and proud in the middle of the duelling ground. The audacity... He strode leisurely to them, seeming not to notice the bows and trembling that followed as he passed through the gathered people. "Alpha Aurelius, I'm sure you know the price of what you've just done." He said threateningly as a form of greeting once he got to them. Alpha Aurelius smirked, golden curls fluttering behind his head. He was the ladies man. "I won't beat around the bush, Lorenzo. I'm here to take over your pack." Lorenzo's brows went up. "I have my warriors sur
Loud collective gasps followed, Antonio sprang up from his seat, the Silvermoon head warrior froze in shock, Davina had a complicated look on her face while Aurelius stood victorious. "Come on, Lorenzo!" He taunted, "Aren't you the famous Alpha of death!? Come on, get up!" Lorenzo spat out blood, his nails clawing through sand. His vision flickered between various shades of grey and pure white. He clawed his way to his knees, heaving as angry chants filled the air. Just as he got on all fours, Aurelius smashed him back to the ground. "How does it feel to fall at my feet, huh?" He laughed mockingly, squatting down to Lorenzo's bloody face, "How does it feel to lick the dust at my feet?" Aurelius grabbed a handful of dust and threw in Lorenzo's face. Lorenzo choked, coughing heavily, struggling with all his might to get up but he was too weak, his eyes were burning and he felt like his intestines were being twisted and chopped simultaneously. Wo
Lorenzo struggled up, swaying and staggering. He was blind, he was partially deaf but he was driven by a greater pain, a pain for blood, blood of revenge. "Come on, throw your puppy punch." Aurelius laughed, dodging easily as Lorenzo swung a weak punch at him. He stood tall and proud, not a single scratch on his tanned skin. Another weak punch and Aurelius slammed his foot down on his head, sending him crashing down again, his brain buzzing. "Come on, Alpha! Is this how you lead your people!?" ********* Raphaela got closer and closer to the Silvermoon pack and with her shared mindlink with Lorenzo open, she sensed more and more his weakness and pain...and hatred. Was his hatred directed at her? The connection was weakening. Meaning only one thing... She travelled faster. *********** Davina sat cross-legged watching the bloody scene in front of her. She couldn't wait f
"His condition is fatal but it's a bit easier since he is an Alpha. He was poisoned with a very powerful herb, Staphicocci, very probably thirty minutes before the duel began. The herb is rare, very rare and very dangerous, I'm surprised how whoever got their hands on it. If it was a normal wolf, they would be dead by now; infact, they wouldn't have lasted past an hour but he's an Alpha and a very strong one at that, that's why I said it's a bit easier. I've managed to drain out much of the poison but there is still a bit more in his blood. That's very dangerous. If I don't get it out in twenty four hours, he'll die. Alpha or not."Raphaela listened to the pack doctor, Emily; a middle aged woman; in a daze. He'll die..."Dialysis" She spoke up feverishly, "The human world. They do it for their patients with kidney problems. We can do it, right? Drain out his blood and inject him with new blood."Emily seemed like she was considering it before a complex look cros
"Golden lights, golden lives;Warriors today, princes tomorrow;Your legacy lives on in our hearts;We part today, we meet tomorrow;Free of pain and worries to follow;May your joy never end;Beati Bellicosi."Fire touches were lit while the whole assembly of Silvermoon pack stood solemnly with their heads bowed. Antonio stood at the head, Raphaela beside him and Valentina; the girl that had run out to save Kayla, the she wolf who had risked her life for Lorenzo, Kayla's cousin; stood with them with tears in her eyes.The Silvermoon head warrior and other elders of the pack stood behind them. All holding fire touches.But their Alpha was absent, unconscious in the hospital.The bodies of their fallen heroes, the wolves killed during the duel, including Kayla's body, were laid out on separate bamboo beds on the lake surface. They were nineteen in number.The night was bright, stats glittered a
Antonio wrinkled his nose in confusion. What was that sweet scent? He had been smelling it since that morning but he had been too distracted to figure it out. And now, it was stronger...and intoxicating...and exciting...and it filled his heart with... Mate! His wolf shouted in excitement. Mate! Mate! Mate! His heart thudded and his gaze fell upon the she-wolf walking beside him. Mate! His steps faltered and he halted. Valentina stopped also, looking up at him with questioning eyes. Her heart was surprisingly beating faster and she couldn't help but gaze at him in adoration. "Valentina..." He called with tenderness, "How old are you?" She blinked, her throat suddenly dry. "Eighteen" She croaked out, "I turned eighteen today." He chuckled, taking her hand and drawing her closer. She swallowed. What was he doing? "I'm 28, an old man. Do you mind being with an old man?" "What?" She whispered,
Raphaela looked at the time. He still had about nineteen hours. She wondered what that meant. She had him with her all these while and she pushed him away but now she had come to her senses, she probably had just nineteen hours to spend with him, with an unconscious him. Life was truly wicked. Nineteen hours... ************ "So you're saying I just have to lose a few pints of my blood and I'll get myself a powerful clone?" "Exactly, my lord." A slow evil laughter followed. "Well then, get me a vial of his blood, let's run a test." Alpha Lucius leaned back in his couch, a smirk on his evilly good-looking face. His right thumb slowly stroked his jaw. Just a few pints of his blood and he'll have the great Alpha of death under his control, doing his every will... He chuckled. Life was indeed sweet. ********** "The door's not locked." Antonio entered, foll