Karina
I walked cautiously amongst the other pack members, avoiding their eyes and stares. Amongst them, I was an alien.But wasn't that the truth?I was never treated as their own.My palms stung from the places where thorns had once pricked into my skin. I didn't care for it. In the face of my new routine, it was now a new constant in my life. One I embraced wholeheartedly. Roses were my father’s favourite flowers after all. If putting flowers on his grave meant being stung every single day, it was worth it.The news of his death had come the past week, with them explaining it as a rogue attack. Numbness filled me as I heard the news, only gaining enough of my senses to hold my mother as she broke down.He was buried five days ago, given a burial worthy of his position as the Gamma of the pack. He has protected me ever since I was born. With his presence, even though the rest of the pack loathed me, they never openly said so otherwise, only passing disgusted glares my way.He had barely rested in his grave, and they had already lost all their inhibitions.I ignored all the insulting glares I got and all the murmurs I could hear. In the end, they still said the same things time and again.BastardRogue mutt.Shutting my eyes, I did my best to block all of their words away. I had heard those words all my life and I was used to it. It shouldn’t have bothered me as much as it did, and yet…I curled my hands into fists.I had been raised in this pack my whole life, born from members of this pack and yet they called me cursed. An anomaly. Even whilst I was in grief, why couldn’t they spare any mercy?If not for my sake, then for the sake of my father, who had served as the Gamma of the pack? Why not for my mother, who had suffered for something that was out of her control?So lost in my thoughts, I didn’t pay any mind until suddenly, a sharp hot pain filled my senses. When I opened my eyes, seeing the stone that rolled past me stained with blood, I instantly understood what had happened.Their snickering came from behind, as though injuring people was something worth laughing about. Nobody tried to help, believing that I deserved it.Burning rage flickered through me, I could easily recall how my father patted me on my head, laughing heartily.“Dear child, you may have your Mother's features, but anger? You certainly took that from me.”The reminder of my father was enough to douse my anger back into the bottomless grief. I blinked back the burning tears that fought to leak out, shutting my eyes tightly.In spite of the abuse and stigma I had faced within the pack, he had loved me unconditionally. They both had.For their sake, I would walk away.So ignoring the snickers and mocking, I moved forward, toward my home.I made sure to cover the bloody stain by weaving my hair at the nearest reflection. It would have been difficult considering the light nature of my blonde hair, but I was satisfied once I didn’t see any bloodied strands.I entered the house to find my mother in the living room, staring into space as she often did now. My heart hurt at the sight. When she turned to me, her face eased a little as she came forward to lightly hold me.I had gained all her features, from her golden blonde hair to her green eyes. I recalled the teasing from my father that I was a carbon copy of her.The grief hit me once more with a pang.She was the same in most ways, but no longer shone as she used to. Her hair was limp and greasy, face holding more and more lines which made her look older than she actually was. Most of all, her eyes, once bright with life, were now hollow.The weight of her grief hammered down on her. We both suffered the same pain. I had lost my father and anchor and she had lost her mate.“Are you alright, my darling?” She asked, looking at me. It hurt that in spite of her pain, she still held so much concern for me.The back of my head throbbed, but I forced a smile on my face.“Why wouldn’t I be?” I spoke in a false bright tone, hoping she wouldn't notice. I looked toward the dining room, only for the slight hope in my chest to crumble. A mix of sadness and disappointment struck me once my gaze met the table. The food I had made for her earlier lay uneaten.“You should eat, mom,” I chastised her, pushing her blonde strands away.She nodded absentmindedly. Inside, I knew she wouldn't take my advice. Still, I forced my lips into a smile.“Thanks, mom,” I said.Suddenly, the air shifted as she looked at me in silence. Confusion filled me and I was about to speak when she smiled. All my thoughts froze to a halt.Rarely had I seen a smile on her face. Although it had only been a week since his death, it felt like eons had passed. “Look at you, so young yet so grown up." She said.I flushed at her teasing. I was only a few days to eighteen, but she made it seem like I was older.I waited for her to say anything else, but she remained quiet, eyes full of contemplation.“Mom?” I asked.She smiled once more, and my heart fell at the sad look in her eyes.“You're my treasure. Your… your father's treasure.” My heart ached as her voice broke at the last part.But she wasn't done just yet.“It doesn’t matter what anyone says. You are a blessed child. I love you so much.”My throat grew heavy from those words. I would have held her then and there, if not for the fear of breaking the moment I did. Instead, I reached down for her hands, holding her tight.“Thank you, mom,” I whispered to her.Her shaky smile made my heart hurt.She didn’t stay long, retiring to bed with the excuse of exhaustion. I pretended like it was okay, smiling supportively as she slipped into her room.I looked through the window. The clouds were darkening. It was nearing evening and by now, the people outside would be very little.This was my chance. Our food storage was near finished. Even in this time of grief, I couldn't let us starve.Taking a basket, I cautiously slipped out of the house.I weaved through my path into the forest, away from the prying eyes of other people.From the little plants and fruits to vegetables, I collected all I could find, inwardly mapping out all the dishes I could cook. I would have laughed in irony at the thought. Usually, it was my mother who did most of these things. I only serve as an assistant most times, helping her through her work with the occasional complaints just to make her laugh. I could imagine it clearly. Her cooking in the glowing kitchen whilst my father would be laughing on the couch, teasing my mother and I.But it was all in the past, an illusion which could never become a reality anymore. My father was gone, and my mother was a hollow shell of the person she used to be, lost in her grief.I had to be strong for the both of us.The basket was overfull, bouncing against me as I made my way out of the forest, back to my home.My blood ran cold in alarm the moment a voice stopped me in my tracks.“Well, well, look who it is.”KarinaI turned, stiffening as I saw the group of young men and easily recognizing them. The Alpha’s son, who despised me, along with the Beta’s son. Ryan, the one who was trained as the Gamma in my stead, also stood amongst them, passing me a mocking grin.I wasn’t close to them, always trying to remain unbothered, but they always found a way to torment me. They only did so in secret, whispering veiled insults my way. With my father’s presence, they never dared to do a thing.Now though, I didn't know what to expect.I stood guardedly, watching them. Inside, Germaine, my wolf growled in hostility completely aware that they were up to no good.“What do you want?” I asked cautiously.Unfortunately, that was even the wrong thing to say.“A filthy rogue like you has no right questioning us.” The Alpha’s son snapped instantly, scowling.My free hand curled into fists as I looked at them. It was the memory of my father’s words that calmed me down.“Patience, my love. Sometimes, the best th
KarinaThe 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,
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