BY'

m today, and I'd already made a fool of myself. What would he think of me now? A freak? Or worse, a whore? I trembled as I considered the possibility.

I could not afford to lose

ingled with the musky scent of human sweat. Underlying it all was a hint of iron, the metallic scent of bloo

ix of sweet and tart, like wild berries ripening in the sun. It was both into

the moment I sighted the baby in mother's a

, and dark circles hung beneath her eyes. Her hair was disheveled, an a bead of sweat trickled down h

ooming laugh, punching his fist into the air. "An alpha!

a gentle smile. "I never kn

a you bring out the best in me. You're my light. My essence. My mate. And my everything. In the next world, I would lov

igning disinterest, but I knew in

er did not stop w

ntrolled giggling, he finally s

n I ask for? Thank you for giving me this bundle of joy. I love you

tent in the warmth of his embrace. "I love you too Fenris.

them was Gerard's mother. She stood by the corner, smiling to herself as she folded bloodstained shawl

em had noticed me. I did not know if I

oft cooing of the baby, who had

ting jealous of our attention

he baby. "I'm sorry little one

en't serious Alyssa." He cleaned his eyes, and bro

again, another boisterous laughter from father. She gently gave the child to fath

oed, rocking the baby gently in his arms. He even

wanted. Nothing more. Since I was born, father had never been this way with me. All he gave me were pain, insults

re to congratulate mother. But I failed. I couldn't. I just could

ked without removing his eyes from the

me him Alan." M

red. She remembered the name I suggested for the baby. That was so loving of her. T

en." Father hu

ut loud, until father, mother, and Ge

e said, pointing at me like I was an unwanted stra

r said, beckoning to me w

" He growled, his tone sounding dangerous. The sound

l what was running through her mind. Seeing that things were abo

e his baby brother. He has every right to." Mothe

ought we had settled this?" He sa

ing treated like an outcast." Mother

re me, Alyssa

ey-dovey to each other some minutes ago. Now they h

"Come here, Colby."

hypnotic. I had almost neared her when father's strong fist came flyi

e sharp edge of the bedstand in the process. The taste of blood f

shrieked, her voice r

es, glowing red with anger, were fixed on

that changed everyth

ver love and accept us. Something inside me snapped, and I felt Varo's presence

hat w

dead sprint, leaving fa