THE UNTAMED

THE BROWN WOLF AGAIN?

"Psst.. Your voices.. gosh! they can hear you.." Jolina tried to stop me.

We both came back to the table to bring the salad and desserts.

Mom tells us a funny story about Jolina when she was pregnant with the twins. They went dress shopping for a big event, but Jolina felt huge and refused to try anything on. Mom finally convinced her, but Jolina never came out of the fitting room. When Mom went in, she found her sitting on the floor, crying because the dress wouldn’t fit over her belly. Now they both laugh about it, and I’m glad they can share happy memories instead of only the painful ones.

Then Dad tells us how he and Mom met. It was when I was still little and they were in the same class. He thought she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen and kept “accidentally” bumping into her to introduce himself. Mom avoided him at first, but he didn’t give up. They finally met properly at the library when they reached for the same book and decided to share it. The rest is history.

I’m so grateful they found each other. After everything Mom went through, she’s stronger than I ever realized.

We went home after dessert, the night calm and deceptively normal. After taking a long, warm bath, I finished the rest of my homework and finally crawled into bed. Tagi lay beside me, her legs crossed as she read a book, the soft glow of the bedside lamp spilling across the pages.

My mind, however, refused to rest.

It was full of Marvin.

I reached for his sweatshirt, the one he had left behind, and pressed it to my face. His scent wrapped around me instantly warm, deep, unmistakably it's him. It was sweet in a way that didn’t belong to flowers or sugar, but something richer… grounding and intoxicating.

I inhaled deeply.

Tagi snorted, lowering her book. “You look so crazy, you know that? Smelling unwashed clothes like that. It’s dirty. Eww!”

I laughed at her reactions, not even looking at her. “His smell is very sweet,” I said softly.

“The scent of his aura… it’s intoxicating. It makes me feel safe.” I breathed it in again, my body relaxing without effort.

Tagi sighed. “Hayst. I wouldn’t dare stop you from falling in love with that man. I can feel he’s a good guy, though.” she said.

The moon had risen high when Tagi suddenly stood and closed the window. A cool breeze slipped in just before the glass shut. She returned to her book, flipping the page of a romance novel.

I must have fallen asleep shortly after, because the next thing I knew, I was dreaming.

I was running through the woods.

My feet slipped on wet earth as invisible hands pulled me back. Marvin was ahead of me, his silhouette fading into the trees. I screamed his name, reaching for him, but the forest tore us apart.

I jolted upright, heart racing.

The room was quiet. Then I noticed my phone flashing a message. Fifteen minutes ago.

Jezz, I miss you so much. I’m running by your house. If you’re asleep, that’s okay. I’ll be in the backyard for a while, trying to focus on the healing power of your energy. If not, sleep well, my love.

My chest tightened.

I grabbed my robe and stepped onto the balcony. The cold night air kissed my bare skin. I closed my eyes and breathed in slowly.

I felt him.

When I looked down, a massive black wolf stood below, his fur blending into the shadows, eyes glowing softly as they locked onto mine.

My breath caught.

I raised one finger, signaling him to wait.

Then I ran...down the stairs, out the door, barefoot on the cold ground. I rushed toward him, but he stepped back instinctively, giving me space.

“Would you rather let me touch you in your wolf form?” I asked gently.

He nodded once.

“Okay,” I whispered. “I’ll wait. But I really want to know what your fur feels like. It looks so soft.” I smiled sadly. “I wish we could communicate telepathically already.”

He lowered himself to the ground, placing his head on his paws, eyes never leaving mine. Maybe because he couldn’t speak, the words poured out of me freely.

“I never thought I could care about someone this much,” I said. “I don’t know if it’s just the pull… but I don’t think it is. I think I’d be drawn to you even without it.”

He leaned closer, just slightly.

“You’re handsome. Smart. Kind. I respect you. I want to learn everything about you, what you like, what you hate. I want to know you inside and out.” My voice trembled. “The moment I met you, I knew you were good. Someone who puts others before himself. Someone who deserves to be cherished.”

A tear slipped down my cheek.

“I’m so glad I get to be that person for you.”

He shifted closer again.

I wiped my tears and laughed softly. “Sorry… I don’t know why I’m so emotional. It’s just been a crazy couple of weeks. I moved across the country, started a new school, found out I’m a werewolf… and found my soulmate.”

I looked around, shaking my head.

“And now I’m sitting out in the freezing cold with no shoes, talking to a wolf.” I smiled. “I’m hungry all the time, and none of my clothes fit anymore.”

He listened patiently.

“But even with all that,” I whispered, “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I’m excited for our future. I can’t wait to be your wife someday.”

His golden eyes burned into mine.

I loved this man, I love his wolf.

The week passed quietly. Marvin would come to the yard some nights, watching over the house for an hour or more. Always protecting. Always present.

Saturday came like a gift.

Dad agreed to let me spend the weekend with Tagi.

“I’m sure you’re going to love biking!” she announced excitedly over breakfast.

She knew I didn’t know how to ride, and that only made her more determined to teach me.

“Tagi and I are going biking at a nature park in the other village,” I texted Marvin. “Would you like to come with us?”

A reply came soon.

That’s a great idea. It will help your bones develop more. I want to come, but I can’t today. Mom and I are attending an event with the twins, and there’s also a meeting with the werewolf clan leaders.

I smiled.

Okay, I understand. Call me when you’re free. I want to hear from you. See you tomorrow!

Marvin sent his response. Have fun, love. I’ll join you next time.

I didn’t reply again. I didn’t want to distract him.

The nature park was peaceful, cool air, tall trees, far from the city’s noise. We rented bikes and gear, and for almost two hours, Tagi patiently taught me how to ride.

When I finally got the hang of it, she collapsed onto a chair, exhausted, watching me circle the path proudly.

Soon, I joined her. We ate lunch, laughing and talking about childhood memories.

Then she asked softly, “Do you mind sharing… how things are between you and Alpha Marvin?”

“We’re good,” I said honestly. “I just wish the days would move faster. I want to be with him forever. I want to marry him.”

I noticed her expression shift, but I didn’t ask.

“I just always wanted to protect you,” Tagi said quietly.

“I know,” I replied, touching her hand. “And I won’t leave you behind.”

She smiled. Then her nose twitched.

“Did you smell that?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said slowly. “I smell him.”

The same scent from last night.A voice spoke behind us.

“Ladies. I didn’t expect you to come to my place. Destiny works in strange ways.”

When we turned. It was the brown werewolf.

“Your place?” I asked cautiously.

“This park belonged to my grandfather,” he said calmly. “Now it belongs to the White Stone Pack.”

Tagi leaned forward. “Is he alive?”

He shook his head. “No. Our lives could last longer than humans, but my grandfather died at the age of 201. That’s why I don’t waste time.”

His eyes lingered on us. "Now, may I request that you two, must get out of here?!" he added.

I crossed my arms. “Are you bothered that we came here? don't worry we are not here for any war, we are here for a little exercise!" I announced.

He smiles slowly.."Exercise huh?"

Tagi looked at me with an uncomfortable expression on her face, does it means this guy had something to do with us?

She turned to him. "Anyway, what's your name?"