THE UNTAMED

THE PULL-OFF

At this time, I knew Marvin must be busy..or maybe already asleep, so I didn’t send another message. I stared at my phone for a long moment, thumb hovering over the screen, feeling the familiar ache settle in my chest. It was strange how silence from him felt louder than noise. Like something vital had gone missing.

Eventually, exhaustion claimed me.

Sleep came softly, carrying me somewhere warm and wild.

I dreamed of Marvin again.

But this time, he wasn’t human.

He stood in the middle of the forest, moonlight spilling over his massive wolf form. His fur shimmered in silver black, eyes glowing with an intelligence that made my heart clench.

I was human in the dream, walking with my barefoot breathless, but fearless.

He ran, and so I chased him.

Branches whipped past my arms as we darted through the trees. Leaves crunched under my feet. I could hear his deep, playful growls, feel the ground thrum beneath us as if the forest itself recognized him as its Alpha. We circled each other, teasing, laughing without words. At one point he slowed, letting me catch up, and when I touched his fur, warmth surged through me with comfort, and safety.

We collapsed beside a stream, his great wolf body curling protectively around me. I pressed my cheek against his neck, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart.

Mine matched it.

When I woke, I already saw the morning light spilled across my room.

For a moment, I lay still, feeling disoriented. My heart racing as if I’d truly been running. The dream clung to me like a mist. I could almost still feel his fur beneath my fingers.

But then the reality crashed in.

I sat up quickly and rushed to the bathroom, but halfway through my shower, a sharp pain twisted in my stomach. Nausea surged violently, forcing me to brace my hands against the tiles.

I gagged, breath coming in shallow gasps.Not again!

I shut off the water and pressed a hand to my mouth, fighting the urge to give in. This... whatever was happening to me... wasn’t going to break me. I had faced fear before. I would face this too.

“I’m stronger than this,” I whispered to myself.

After getting dressed, I forced myself downstairs. Mom was already there, her eyes softening the moment she saw me.

“You don’t look so good,” she said gently.

“I’ll be okay.”

She didn’t argue. She never did.. not anymore. Instead, she placed a small bowl of food in front of me and sat across the table.

She had been there once. She knew what this kind of sickness meant.

“Marvin will be here soon, sweetie,” she said calmly. “You’ll feel better when he arrives. Go grab your bag, alright?”

I nodded, suddenly grateful for her quiet certainty.

Before I left, she handed me a packed lunch. “This is all I could prepare. You can go straight to his room at lunch.”

“Thank you, Mom,” I said, hugging her tightly. “I love you.”

“I know.”

The moment I stepped outside, I felt relief...

Alpha Marvin’s car was already parked in front of the house.

Then in an instant, my eyes landed on him... After that, something inside me settled. The nausea eased. The tension loosened. All of my nerves rested, it was insane how my body knew he was near before my mind caught up.

And so, I felt alive again...

I walked toward the car with a smile I couldn’t suppress. Marvin looked up, and lit up completely. As soon as I slid into the passenger seat, his scent enveloped me, with a warm, and peaceful environment, like home.

I took a deep breath.

It felt like this is the first real breath I’d taken since leaving him the night before.

“Better?” he asked softly.

“Yes,” I admitted. “Much better. Thank you for picking me up.”

“It’s my pleasure, love,” he said, eyes flicking toward me. “Everything feels right again when you’re with me.”

I noticed him then. Broad shoulders. Strong arms. The kind of presence that commanded a room without effort. He looked like one of those men on city billboards, untouchable, but real.

He brushed his fingers through his hair and then paused, catching himself before his hand reached my face.

“Sorry,” he murmured. “It’s getting harder not to touch you.”

I smiled, my heart is pounding.

Then we drove to school.

Mom had already called the principal earlier that morning. Explanations had been made. Arrangements set. The principal promised discretion, especially with my English teacher and the two boys involved.

I exhaled in relief. The last thing I wanted is, I don't want to make him troubled.

The twins had agreed to spread the story that our families were close.. that they saw me as a sister. It wouldn’t stop all the looks, but it would dull the sharpest rumors.

We reached his classroom early. Marvin locked the door behind us. Privacy like rare and precious.

I stepped inside while the twins waited outside like guards.

The moment the door closed, Marvin pulled me into his arms.

We hugged tightly, as if afraid letting go would hurt. Then his lips brushed mine... it was so soft and restrained. Not hunger. Not yet. Just need.

Too soon, we pulled apart.

Later, during lunch, my thoughts kept drifting back to him. My cheeks warmed as I imagined stealing a kiss when no one was looking.

“What is it, Jezz?” he asked, amused. “You’re blushing.”

“Oh, nothing, Mr. Albanzo,” I teased. “Just imagining making out with you on your desk.”

His eyes widened. He stepped closer.

“Miss Urdanzo,” he said sternly, voice dripping with authority, “that is completely inappropriate. Am I going to have to give you detention?”

“Oh no,” I replied sweetly. “I’ll be a good student.”

I walked away with an exaggerated sway. When I turned back, his jaw was clenched, eyes dark with restraint.

“That was cruel,” he muttered. “Detention after school.”

Before I could answer, there was a knock. The twins entered, grinning.

“Interrupting?” Jade asked.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Marvin said dryly. “I can’t even touch her.”

They laughed.

“It’ll be over soon,” Joel said quietly, meeting my eyes.

I nodded. “Thank you.”

After lunch, I headed to my next class with renewed determination. I refused to let distractions win.

“So… are you dating one of the twins?” one boy from the class asked.

“No,” I replied firmly. “They’re like brothers to me.”

“Oh,” he said, hopeful. “Then maybe you’d like to go out this Saturday?”

“I’m sorry,” I said kindly. “I need to focus on school right now.”

He nodded, disappointed but respectful.

Later, under a tree, I saw two girls laughing over a phone. It reminded me of Tagi... my best friend, studying far away in Surigao.

So I checked my phone also. Until I found out, Five missed calls?

My heart skipped. I called her immediately.

“Hello, besh,” I said. “Sorry, I was in class...”

“Abby Jezz?” a trembling woman’s voice interrupted.

I froze. I know who's person it is.

“Yes… Auntie? Where’s Tagi?”

“I’m calling because I’m worried,” she said, panic leaking into every word. “I don’t know where else to turn.”

My chest tightened. "What is it Auntie? tell me... What's wrong?"

"It's about my daughter.. Tagi.." I can hear her voices like almost crying

“What happened to her?”

And suddenly, the world felt unsteady... like the calm before a storm I wasn’t ready for.