THE UNTAMED

OUR GOAL

Today Tagi started seeing her vision clearly. While her sickness gradually disappeared. Her hearings are even clearer now.

"Good to hear that thing! I'm happy for you besh!" I said and gave her a closer hug.

While walking in the lobby of school, I hear some students whispering about me and Alpha Marvin, the teacher. That is not good. I need to be more careful. So I brought it up to Joel, and I suggested it would be nice to put his arm around my shoulders while walking me to class.

He agrees with it, "Of course! you know I can always treat you like my queen, bowing my head to ask your gentle hands."

"I'm not joking here." My lips formed a pout while my forehead creased in a frown.

I agree with it. It is good to give them something else to gossip about and divert attention away from his teacher brother. I'm certain that Marvin trusts his brothers, but the bond intensifies his protective instincts right now.

"Do you think she is seeing them both?" I hear one student said.

"She has a good looking, anyway she can handle that two guys. Well, I'm not sure if this guy named Joel is really in love with her." another female student said.

"Hmm. maybe Joel used the teacher so that he can stay closer with Abby Jezz."

I heard it a few rows back. I roll my eyes and try to ignore it.

"Besh, Auntie Solidad drove me to school, she just left for work. She also prepared this lunch for you" Tagi says.

She came even earlier to the classroom and brought my lunch box. Tagi used to hang out with my parents. Without me, my family is still intact in our home with her.

"Tell my Mom, I already missed her that much."

I told her with a smile. I was happy that my parents always cared for me.

However, we both heard another girl murmurs a little too loudly. I want to turn around and shut them up. But I stayed calmly in my seat.

"Hey, relax! Just ignore them. I'm here if you want to talk or if you want to punch me. it's alright" Tagi said.

Tagi and I were caught up in some lighthearted teasing, and it made me chuckle, which, of course, made her laugh too. We were the only ones who truly understood the feelings we were hiding, a little secret just between the two of us.

As the exhausting day came to an end, Marvin locked the door to his classroom, and I once again found comfort in his arms. The feelings rushing through me were more than just energizing; they had a healing touch to them. I felt like I could keep going for a little while longer.

"Finally."

"Seriously, I thought I would die before I got to hold you again." I said.

"How's your feeling?" Marvin asked me.

"It's just comfortable." I tried to reassure him.

"Well, I was more than uncomfortable, if I can't see you. I wanted to run out of this classroom and grab you out of your history class." He puts his hands on my cheeks and looks me right in the eyes.

"Maybe I should avoid being near you sometimes here in school." I said. But he brings me back to his chest and holds me close again.

"But this feeling makes it so worth it. If that makes you comfortable, I'm okay with that." He reminds me.

Later, we hear a knock on the door. Jade is talking with Joel and Tagi outside. Marvin opens up, and we walk to the car.

"Okay guys, I will drive Tagi home first. Both of you, be careful. Remember! "Eyes on the road," Jade says.

"Bye Besh," Tagi says, and we both hug each other. Then Jade's leaves first with Tagi.

As we stroll together, Joel casually drapes his arm over my shoulder. Suddenly, a low growl emanates from Marvin, a sound that catches me off guard. It occurs to me that I neglected to inform Joel about our arrangement. I turn to him, my eyes wide with surprise, and he responds with a playful wink, seemingly unfazed by the situation.

"I will tell him when we arrived at home" Joel says. I know they are going to speak through their minds. By the time we make it to the car, I notice Marvin's shoulders relax a bit. I get into the back seat with Joel instead of the front. There are lots of students hanging out in their cars. We need to be more discrete.

"If anyone even mentions Jezz, you guys better speak up for her." Marvin grumbles the moment all the doors close.

"Don't worry, brother, we've got this." Jade says it casually. His relaxed demeanor is a nice thing right now. Hopefully, it can calm Marvin.

"And by the way. Why are you putting your arms to my mate?" Marvin growled talking to his brother.

"Sorry about that brother, it's a misunderstanding, I will explain when we get home." Joel said.

Marvin glances back at me, as if checking my face if there is a poop.

"There is no poop on your face!" he said, then he quickly grabbed the steering wheel and started driving.

The next day represents an important turning point as I start my training journey. A blend of nervousness and excitement envelops me as I get ready to enter this new phase.

I looked up, sending a genuine prayer into heaven, brimming with thankfulness and a request for direction. The words I spoke, though just whispers to my own ears, echoed profoundly inside me, capturing the true depth of my feelings

"So, shall we start?" I ask, trying to get Marvin's mind off the gossip.

"Just some basic stuff today. I need to see how strong you are. How much you can take. I don't want you to be too sore." he said.

I think this is a tiring day for me, but I make sure that her mother Jolina will prepare more food today.

"You need a lot of protein when you work out, Jess" Jolina the luna reminded me.

"If only I had a choice for this!" I mumble as I eat a carabao steak.

Training is far from the enjoyable and effortless experience that Marvin did. After just two hours of rigorous activity, I find myself utterly exhausted, while the others seem to remain unfazed. His two younger brothers and Tagi have joined us from school. We navigate the exercises with remarkable ease, as if they are not exerting themselves at all. This stark contrast leaves me feeling disheartened and questioning my own abilities.

"Jezz, don't give up. This is just the first day."

Marvin reminds me while I sit on the ground, panting.

I glance up at him, and he exudes such confidence. I reach out my hand, and he effortlessly pulls me up. As he wraps his arms around me, a little spark of energy courses through me, and then I continue.

After another hour of running and stretching, we go back to the kitchen for more food. I am so thankful for Jolina at this moment. Marvin tells her what he thinks I did. He sounds more confident in my abilities than I am. But I appreciate the assurance.

After the tiring day, Marvin drives us home. We arrive around seven. I don't want to get out yet of the car. I hold his hand tightly.

"Jezz, I need you to be strong and openly accept what is the reality in this kind of life. I need you just as much as you need me." He runs a finger down my cheek. I close my eyes and enjoy the tingle it leaves behind.

"I love you so much." I tell him as I'm taking my deep breath.

"I love you too. We can handle this." He said.

Right after Marvin's car left. I waited for 10 seconds more then started my walk.

Marvin has no clue about the secret that Tagi and I are keeping. I was just being cautious, waiting for him to head out before I made my way to Tagi, who was hanging out in the other street.

While riding our tricycles, we headed towards Fifth Street, and then we hopped on a bus to visit the White Stone Pack. The doorbell rang just as I was about to think about Richard inviting us tonight.

"Hello young ladies! welcome to my home."

"So, is this your house?" I asked.

"Yes, I inherited this from my grandparents." He said.

The house is so big constructed from wood, and its walls are made of pure white stone. We find ourselves surrounded by bright, milky corridors.

As visitors we settled ourselves in the living room, where there is a slow waterfall behind our back, then Richard returned from the kitchen and brought three pizza boxes in his hands.

"Don't you eat that much?" He laughed, but I didn't reply.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me, Jezz and Tagi. It all means so much to me; I don't know how I'll repay you." Richards says. Then I remember Stella.

"How was she?" I asker.

"She was here last night actually. I get embarrassed when I see her personally. Mom is very angry with me, because I rejected her as my mate."

"If that's the case, you still have to make a settlement with her." Tagi says. I knew she just felt pity for Stella.

"I don't want to get involved in any problems that you two are facing, but I feel guilty every time I remember her defeat. I want to apologize to her because I know what it feels like to be rejected." I said.

"Why did you tell me that. Stella is not a good friend. She's a dangerous one in our pack including her Aunt.. Their family has dark secrets and we currently observing this two."

"I believe, each of us has a dark secret, obsessions, dreams. It's normal, but it depends on how do people around you, treat you well. So you can handle it too. In some cases, you can be an enemy, or from enemy to ally." Tagi said.

"You're really smart one Tagi.." Richard said but Tagi just showed her simple smile.

Then Richard asked Tagi again, "Have you experiences to fall in love?"

"Yes I do."

"Is this guy know how you'd feel for him?" Richard is determined to investigate her feelings. I laughed at myself.

"No." Tagi said.

"Why?"

"Because..it's complicated." Finally, Tagi disclosed the topic.

"Why are you looking at me? Tried to ask Abby Jezz, she's the one who really in love as of this moment." Tagi suddenly pointed the topic on me.

"Oh she is?" Richard nod.

"Yes, She's 18 and they are such a sweet and lovely couple. This handsome guy in school at the age of 23 is very close to me." Tagi says, and I frowned looking at her.

I could feel my cheeks turning bright red, but why did she have to lie? When she already knows that Marvin is 28.