MELVIN POVAfter my standoff with Father, I just couldn’t cool off completely. Even a cold shower couldn’t work its divine magic.I strutted up the stairs leading to the open verandah at the top of the building. I needed to clear my head and the verandah was the one place I knew never disappointed me. I could already feel the cool evening breeze as I got closer and I wasn’t surprised when I saw the door leading to the verandah open. I walked into the verandah and knew immediately who had left the door open. My mother stood at the edge of the verandah.“Mother,” I called out.She turned around from holding the metal railing, “Melvin?”The breeze was stronger and a tad colder than it was in the stairwell. My mum was finding it hard to keep her long black hair in place as the wind kept floating it all around her and in her face.I walked up to her and held her upper arm. “You needed some air?" I asked in a low voice as if speaking any louder could break her.“Yeah,” she replied. As usu
MELVIN'S POVThe night went on longer than necessary soiling my mood further.I could hardly sleep as I thought about my father and his sick beliefs. What he did to Ariel and her family was worse than any of the things he had done. I couldn't let him continue. I had to talk to her.I was certain that together we would be able to come up with a solution. A good plan to stop my father once and for all.People didn't have to live in fear anymore. Jada didn't have to stay so far away from the rest of the pack anymore. By the time Ariel and I were done, everyone would live in peace and harmony.By the time morning came, I was dressed and ready for the day. I stepped out of my room and headed straight to the exit."And where do you think you are going so early in the morning, boy?" My father's deep voice thundered, cutting through the room.My heart squeezed as the rage I felt all through the night returned. I clenched my fists and turned to him with a forced smile plastered on my face."Go
MELVIN'S POVJada and Ariel walked a few metres ahead of me. I was far less excited about heading back into town than they were.Usually, a trip to the market was always one of my favourite things to do but not today. Today, my attention was divided because all I had been thinking about was getting here and talking to Ariel about what we were going to do next and I already had a handful of things —crucial things— to suggest to her.Jada suddenly turned to me. “Hey, pretty boy,” she said, snapping her fingers in front of her to get my attention, “pick up your pace. We don’t have all day!"I groaned and moved my feet faster.“Stop your whining,” Jada said, turning away from me, “unlike you, some of us have to work.”"Some of us are not daddy's boys..." Ariel chirped in and they shared amused glances.They continued walking —still ahead of me— but not as far apart as it was a moment ago."I didn’t even know you worked," Ariel stated, looking up at Jada.“So how do you reckon I survive,
MELVIN'S POVAriel closed her eyes as if to calm herself and register what I had just said. She opened her eyes again and said nothing. I could tell she was thinking hard about this.She wasn’t so hard to read, after all, I thought with a smirk on my face.She got up from the couch and turned around. She took a few steps before turning to face me again, “Fine.”Then just as quickly as the words left her lips, she disappeared into the cabin. She needed training and she knew it too. This was war and her A-game had to be more than excellent if she wanted to win.I heaved a sigh and crashed back into the couch. I clutch my stomach as it growls in protest. I frowned. The close run-in with my Father at the market made me forget for a while that I still hadn’t eaten anything.“Jada!” I called into the cabin, “I’m starving!”“We have some leftover Spaghetti and meatballs from this morning,” she responded from within the cabin almost immediately.That worked for me.I got up and hurriedly ma
ARIEL'S POVMelvin was coming unto me and I trained my eyes on him. I wasn't about to let my guard down. I remembered what he did the day we had that fight in his father's throne room.He moved so fast that I didn't see him until the blows landed on my face and I became semi-blind. But that was then —not today.I refused to blink watching every move he made with his leg. He wasn't running, he was just moving like on a regular day. Not like he did on that day.My breathing was calmed as I counted his steps and prepared to give him a hit he never saw coming.But just like that day, I saw him a second too late.He landed a punch on my shoulders and my balance was broken. I fell to the couch in an unladylike manner."Always keep your eyes on your eyes on your opponent and never underestimate them!" He yelled.My eyes narrowed into slits and my fist balled. Rage bubbled within me and I wanted to do nothing but to have his head.I got off the couch and launched at him but he stopped me effo
ARIEL'S POV Jada held my hands as we waited for him to finish chewing the Borito in his mouth. His expression went from a frown to a scowl and slowly —ever so slowly, a smile formed on his lips."So, how did it taste?" Jada blurted, unable to wait any longer.The smile quickly faded and he replaced it with a fake scowl. "It was terrible. I don't know what you guys enjoy about it!" He said, dropping the portion he held back onto the tray.Jada's face fell as she bought his lies but I saw the way his eyes lingered on the piece of Borito a second longer than necessary. He wanted it. He just didn't want to admit it."I was so excited thinking about how we were finally going to have a feast together even when Ariel leaves! You are no fun Melvin!" Jada hissed."Whatever..." He said with a roll of his eyes. He got off the couch and straightened his t-shirt then turned to me. "I should go check on Adonis. He almost died because of me. It wouldn't be right if I didn't go visit," He said.Ther
Melvin's POVAs we got closer to the healer's house, I couldn't stop the feeling that took over me. It was there when we left the cabin but the further we walked, it became more eminent.Ariel had intentions that were going to put us into big trouble.The questions she asked about my father's betas and who was stronger were all red flags. But no matter how deeply I stared into her face, I couldn't figure out what it was she had planned.As we were about to take the last street down the healer's place, I saw the royal guards coming from the distance. I frowned as I wondered what they were doing out here.Then before I could react, my father's entourage appeared behind them.Shit! I hissed as I held Ariel back but being who she was, she pulled back at once and glared at me."What is wrong with you?" She hissed as her beautiful eyes searched my face.I pointed into the distance and her eyes followed my movement. But understanding still didn't shower her features. She returned a blank sta
ARIEL’S POVI walked on ahead with a little smile after successfully landing that kick on him.I stopped to call out to him again because I didn’t know the healer’s house, “Hey! you are falling behind and you’re supposed to be leading the way!”“Well, I didn’t kick myself,” he shot back from close behind me, “besides, we’re already here.”He stopped beside me and pointed to the brown detached bungalow that sat in front of us, “That’s where we’re headed.”I didn’t wait for a second and just sauntered off in the direction of the house he pointed to. I was determined to get Adonis to train me and maybe eventually have him on my side.This was war and there were many different ways to win a war. While I tried to play catch up in terms of combat and physicality, there was more I could do. Being here in Joharres’ haven just played more to my advantage. I could destabilize them from within.And I planned to wreak enough havoc.I got to the house and knocked on the black door immediately with