STEFANIA

Chapter Ten

The word 'Happy' would lose its meaning if it were not

Balanced by sadness.

By Carl King.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WE CAN TAKE FOR GRANTED? As the seasons are changing and the uncertainty of tomorrow increases. . . Is there anything that we can take for granted?

She guessed not. Even a person's feelings can't be taken for granted, and the slightest expression can complicate things. Feelings change like seasons and become uncertain, but when you don't know someone's personality, how would you know what to expect? So, nothing is to be taken for granted.

Even during a fight, you stay alert to notice the weaknesses and strengths of the other person. Everything about the opponent must be caught. Even something as dense as a person's emotions should be seen. Like when a person is powered by anger, every attack becomes fast, painful, and unpremeditated.

From the beginning, Terina had given Manya the upper and was only toying with her, taking it as an opportunity to study her opponent and aggravate her even more. Terina's irritation was directed at Manya but not the depth of her anger. This fight for her was only an outlet, and the fact that she hadn't been able to land a hit successfully only made things worse.

Terina was upset about something. Manya could see this because her every attack was uncalculated and done rashly, giving Manya opportunities to avoid her attack and deliver her own successfully. The only reason Manya was stretching a combat she should have ended a few minutes ago was because Manya was giving Terina time to vent her anger like she wanted, but right now, Manya thought it was time to end it.

Taking the opening as Terina tried to send a hit to her side, Manya turned them both with her back to the ground and Terina on her back, on top of her. In normal circumstances, Manya could have traced them both because it always leaves her opponent appalled, but knowing the bracelet wouldn't let her, she pushed that thought away.

With Terina pinned on top of her, Manya hooked her legs around Terina's waist, also caging her arms close to her body in the process. With her right arm around Terina's shoulder, Manya buried her head in her neck, her fangs piercing her skin but not deep enough to draw blood.

Manya knew it wouldn't be long before Terina submitted, so she tightened her grip as Terina continued to try to free herself.

After a few unsuccessful attempts to free herself, Terina slumped against her. " Let. Me. Go. You win. " She drew out each word through clutched teeth. But being a dominant female, Manya doesn't like being ordered, especially by someone she didn't consider herself to be close with, so instead of letting Terina go, she tightened her hold for a few seconds before slowly unwrapping her legs around Terina's, and slowly tilt her head back. Catching Terina off guard, Manya pushed her forward.

After Munya pulled herself to her feet, she stretched out her hands, which Terina gripped to pull herself to her feet. While it looked like she hadn't even lifted a finger, Terina looked exhausted, with sweat glinting on her skin and her clothes wet. Terina looked like she would pass out at any moment. As if trying to support her shaky legs, she slouched forward and placed her hands on her knees.

Terina let out a shuddering breath, quickly becoming a pained grunt. Manya could see she wasn't hurt, but maybe the pain she felt wasn't physical but internal. That's why no one but yourself understands your pain.

Terina's fast beating heart wasn't loud enough compared to the scream she suddenly let out, forcing Manya to wince and to place her hands over her ear with her glare fixed on Terina." Are you always this begrudged and smoldered every time you lose?" Manya gave her a displeasing look." Your princess syndrome must be severe." Manya said, deciding that the only way to avoid pointing out the fact that Terina was mentally absent during the fight was because it could open doors to questions she wasn't ready for.

Terina squared her shoulders. " Stop talking nonsense. Who do you think you are?" She straightened and, shot Manya a condescending look, and turned away.

"Definitely more serious than I thought," Manya said, then shook her head.

While Terina, with her back still towards Manya, wiped the sweat off her body using a blue towel, Manya busied herself by moving her gaze over the interior of the Terina safe place. The vest room is built a safe distance from the pack house, well hidden within the tall trees, just like how her room had a personal touch to mark it as her territory.

She must love the fragrance of lavender flowers and strawberries because, just like her room, it was prominent here, but gone was the bed and wooden furniture replaced with weapons and everything needed for physical training. It looked like a gym and a place where weapons were kept. Manya was so shocked the moment she walked in, especially when she saw the boxing ring built in the center of the room without the ropes around the edge and the shooting range. When Manya asked why she had used gong-shaped steel shooting targets, Terina said it was built for knives and arrows, making Manya wonder what kind of knives and arrows she was using.

"It's almost dark, I'm leaving." Without sparing Terina a glance, Manya headed towards the entrance of Dasikós, as Terina had called it.

"I'm not leaving now, and I hope you know your way back?" Manya didn't see any need to give her a reply." Wait! Let's go together." She called out immediately. Manya pushed the door open.

Manya stood still with a countenance contorted into a scowl as Terina walked out." Are you sulking, or is this an act of audaciousness?" Manya walked out, letting Terina shut the door behind her. Terina didn't respond. Her fist tightened around the doorknob, then closed her eyes and whispered a spell under her breath as she had done when they arrived.

It was the second time she had watched Manya do this, but it stopped her from feeling amazed as the building she just walked out of turned into nothing. The building disappeared right in front of her eyes under the moonlight. When she first did it, Terina explained that the building didn't fade or appear as Manya thought. That the building was still on the same spot, but because of the concealment she cast over it, it would be invisible to anyone except her, which was incredible and would be perfect if she could get Terina to cast that spell on Waldron.

They walked side by side for minutes in silence before Terina nudged Manya's arm." There is a new guest at the packhouse." She announced." He is a sorcerer. I'm telling you this so that you will be careful."

"A sorcerer? Why? Should I avoid him?" Manya asked, genuinely curious because she knew Terina was referring to Waldron.

"His name is Waldrom." Manya didn't fail to notice the way Terina said his name. She had pronounced his name as Wal-drom instead of Wawl-druhn. But Manya didn't point this out. She kept quiet, letting Terina continue." He is a mighty sorcerer, and for obscure motives, he is here after being lost to the earth for years." Terina said, her words carried a high degree of skepticism, attracting Manya's full attention.

"You sound so leery. Did the Sorcerer wrong you in the past?" Manya insinuated, studying her reaction closely.

"Yes, he wronged millions, born and yet to be born. The last time I saw him, I was just a child, and even until this moment, our path hasn't crossed. Look. . ." She stops and turns her gaze on Manya, which makes her do the same." The things I've heard about him and seen showed that he might still despise your kind." She alleged, eyes pinned on Manya's intense gaze.

"Do you think his obscure motives have anything to do with my kind?" Manya questioned while trying her past to conceal the question fleshing through her mind because she didn't want Terina to find that she had about the history Waldron shared with her kind. A history she would do anything to seek at that moment.

"After so many years have passed, I think that's the only reason that would bring him back here unless he has other motives." Her eyes skimmed over Manya's features, then stopped on her eyes. Terina tilts her head with a question in her gaze." You should know about Waldrom, but it looks like you are hearing his name for the first time."

Manya tries not to show she had been caught off guard by Terina."I know. . . "Terina's phone chimes, cutting her off.

Manya eyed Terina as she pulled the phone out of her front pocket, and with one slide on the screen, Terina placed the phone against her ear. Because of her excellent hearing ability, Manya could hear the king's voice through the speaker, but knowing why he called Terina had nothing to do with her, she let her mind run over her newfound suspicion.

She always knew Waldron had a significant path to play in her past. That was a proven fact, but she didn't realize how decisive his role was. Even though Manya hates him for keeping her in the dark, he is someone Manya trusts most. But now she had doubt raising its ugly head in her mind, which made questions like, was she just a pawn on a chess board controlled by Waldron? A pawn he owns and does whatever. If he genuinely had a dark past with her kind, then why was he helping her? Is it out of guilt or out of sole vindication?

Because she was so lost in thought, she didn't hear Terina trying to get her attention by snapping her fingers together right in front of her face until Terina hit her gently on her shoulder." Okay. But can't I do this tomorrow? Wait, wait, don't hang up. Okay." She groans with fatigue, letting her hands drop to her side. From the expression on her countenance, Manya could tell Terina felt displeased by whatever the king said to her." Manya, I'm sorry, but I have to leave you alone. Thank you for today." With one last smile, she disappeared into the dark, leaving Manya to continue her strides toward the pack with thoughts centered on Waldron.

The red-haired sorceress was no doubt going to play a helpful role in helping her discover a lot of unattainable secrets.

DREAMS ARE Only for nighttime, and of course, she had a dream, too. But. . . The shadows are always there in the distance.

It was unnatural waking up to a peaceful silence without the terror of a dream. Still, Manya didn't put a thought to it as she moaned softly, savoring the feel of relaxation with her eyes closed, still tightly gripping onto the quietude surrounding her mind and body.

She let out a yawn as she mindlessly walked into the bathroom. Standing before the sink, she opened her lids to meet her reflection. In shock, she flinched back." This can't be possible." Flustered by the change that stared back at her. She warily moved closer to the mirror, studying her reflection closely.

She looked the same but younger and shorter. Manya was back to being a child." Impossible." She lifted her right hand and patted her head before running it over her body, trying to figure out if it was a figment of her imagination.

"Manya." A soft whisper caught her attention, and she turned around without thinking. She was no longer staring at a wall but at trees, the cloud clear as day. She was standing on a cleared field with tall trees around her." Child." The voice called once again.

She snapped her head towards the direction of the voice but found nothing but trees." Child, you should have saved me." The voice sounded thick with sorrow.

At the exclamation, Manya gazed down to find her right-hand fist around a knife coated in blood, and the belted vest coat and mock neck dress she had on was also stained with blood." Why didn't you save me."

"No. I tried." The words break out from her quavering lips without her control."I I. . . Didn't d-didn't want this to happen." Hot tears rolled down her cheek. She couldn't understand what was happening or why she was acting like that and was in so much pain, but it seemed her body had a mind of its own because it said and acted differently.

"I can't." She said quietly, as her eyes shut on their own accord.

Just as her eyes shut, they snapped open, but instead of the trees, she stared up at the ceiling." Hey, relax, it's me." Terina's voice startled her into the present.

Manya clicked her tongue." Why are you here?" She turned her gaze to meet Terina, seated beside her on the bed.

Terina pulled her wrist back from Manya's unconscious grip." You act like you didn't wonder where I was throughout the day. I know you missed me today, Manya." She asserts.

"We aren't best friends. We aren't even friends, Jaketerina." She stressed her name as she used her legs to push Terina off the bed.

"It must be true that a vampire says everything that comes to mind because the muscles in their throat hurt if they don't. It's ailing."

She stands on her feet. Manya's eyes slid over Terina's body and then stopped on the point between her shoulder blade and her neck." Another fact that's true is that I have never tasted the blood of a sorceress before, and your nice redolence and the healthy rhythm of your heart tell me I would enjoy it. Would you like to be first?" She raised a brow with no smile or grin.

"Would you also like to lose your fangs as well?" She smiled, contrary to Manya's cold expression.

"I don't think-" Manya shook her head, cutting herself off as she gazed towards the window to see the moon was already out." What's the time?" The day had gone by since she spent it working in the kitchen. She remembered they had just finished preparing dinner when she returned to the room. She must have fallen asleep immediately after her body made contact with the bed.

"It's 8 pm already."

Manya was hoping it was midnight already, but it was barely late, meaning she had to survive through ten hours before a new day began. After the kind of dream she had, she won't be able to fall asleep.

With a thought in mind, she headed towards the bathroom. She washed her face, styled her red hair into a low ponytail, and then shrugged on a gray hoodie." Why are you here?" Manya asked as she returned to the room to find Terina seated on the bed, legs crossed." Your curfew starts at 8 pm, right? I don't need the king calling my phone asking why you aren't in bed yet."

Manya wanted Terina to leave because she had no plans on spending the next ten hours in the room. Rather than counting the hours, Manya would spend those hours seeking the answer to the newfound doubt in her mind. Knowing Waldron was in the packhouse, she needed to seek answers, not because she was sure he would tell her anything, but because she was determined to push to the limit.

She wrinkled the corners of her mouth, putting a lour."I won't be here by this time out of my free will."She rolled her eyes at Manya. Manya fixed her gaze on Terina as she rose to her feet and entered the walk-in closet." Is this your only belonging?" Terina queried, walking out and holding Manya's bag.

"Why?"

After a few minutes of reluctance and persuasion from Terina, Manya finally went with her. A place much better than the pack house, where she would get all the freedom she needs away from the lurking Lycans and primarily no more kitchen duty. Terina, exact sugar-coated words, but Manya thought it would be no different from the prison the king had built around her.

Manya wasn't wrong about Terina. She made the right decision by getting close to Terina to know more about the Lycan King she hadn't seen for so long until this moment. Manya didn't have to overthink ways to see Kazimir because he had instructed Terina to bring her to his home, away from the pack house, trapped in a dangerous place.

While he sat before her, the dining table was the only thing separating them. He acted unfazed, eating calmly like he didn't place a ticking bomb between them, waiting to blow up.

She lifted her gaze from her untouched meal, unaware that his gaze was already on her, so their gaze locked when she raised her eyes.

Kazimir's hand stilled, his expression fierce. The expression on his countenance made a wisp of unease niggled at her stomach.

"How was your upbringing?" He questioned, leaning back and casting his full attention on her.

Mirroring his action, she sat up and looked him straight in the eyes."Why are you trying to find out if I'm from a family of wealthy influence?"

"You refuse to accept this bond despite not having any backup and having so much to gain from this."His arrogance knows no bounds.

"I have never been greedy. I'm aware of what I do and don't need."She shrugs like his words had nothing on her."So what's your decision?" She asked.

He stands."We decide what is right."He tilted his chin up, looking down his nose as he examined her."Come with me. I will direct you to your room."

A second passed, followed by two seconds. Four. Long enough for Kazmiri to reach the door but too short for Manya to process his words.

"What does that mean?" She quickly stood up. She was definitely not panicking at that moment.

"It means you would be my Lycan Queen in the eyes of others." He says without turning to meet her gaze, "You have four days before the announcement and ceremony. Prepare yourself."

She blinked slowly, eyeing him as she struggled to assimilate the information he had just delivered. "Wait, What? No, I will not let you brand me." She would rather throw all caution away and kill him herself than stand beside him as the Queen because accepting to be the Queen means he would leave his claim on her. A brand of Lycans and Werewolves leaves on the necks of their mates to complete the bond.

A claiming bite is a seal, sealing their fates together, making them one. Accepting his claim meant she would be sacrificing everything she had fought this long to have. She won't be free and would have to live like a trophy beside him. Living but dead.

She thought of the possibility of him wanting to brand her, but she rounded it down to zero because he hated her for being different, and his kingdom would never accept a vampire as their Queen. But now, he would do exactly what she feared, which made her panic.

"You don't have to mark me. I can be by your side without the customary ritual."

At her words, he turned his face towards her."It is my choice to make."

"Then make the right one." She said, biting into his words."You're only deciding on a solution that you can live with. What about me? Do you think the Lycans would accept me as their Queen, knowing what I am?" She felt pressure and frustration clawing deep within her.

"That doesn't matter." Kazimir grated."Being my mate gives you everything you lack and makes you essential. Isn't that more important than anything?"

She flinched back as if physically slapped by his words because his words landed with a sharpened, heavy thud. True, she was standing right in front of him because of what being his mate meant for her, but the curtness of his voice reduced her to rung far lower.

If his words hadn't made her feel insubstantial, his intentions and reason behind his decision made her feel worse. He wanted his Queen because his inner beast had acknowledged her as his, but the human side hadn't accepted her. To him, she would be a mate meant to soothe his lycan, and to his people, she would be a Lycan mate crowned to be their Queen.

"Aren't mates supposed to accept each other? Or was I wrong to believe that you are supposed to accept me? Why do you have to try to change my identity? What so wrong with what I am right now?"She knew the answer, but the fact didn't stop her from asking herself that same question through the years. She was different, but what was so wrong with what she was?

The thought spurred her temper."My mate is selfish. You genuinely don't see me as a person, you snatched away something that I feel empty without, and now you plan to rob me once more. " For how long she could remember, she has been fighting herself for being different, with her past memory, and now was she to have the same fight with her mate?"Kazimir, as long as you see me as something to be altered, I will keep fighting you like the monster you are and the moment you try to force your mark on me. I will drink you dry." She stood with her eyes flashing, her chin raised. Her words hang in the air between them, heavy and sincere.

He stood still, staring at her, letting the silence grow thick between them. She couldn't read the expression on his handsome countenance, but honestly, she didn't care as long as she could vocalize her stand on the matter.

"You're about to learn a lesson I grasped very early."He said, breaking through the silence. She thought he would leave her with those words, but he surprised her by closing the distance between them. He gave her time to move back before his hand tightened on her neck."Remember this. I'm not a good man. I'm selfish. I take what I want. I do what I want. I don't do the right thing or consider emotions. Mate or not makes no difference."

She stiffened against him as he lowered his head until his breath skated over her skin and breathed her in, letting her scent cloud his nostrils, which made his beast growl loudly within him, happy that he could feel his mate after the long days apart. It felt like crushing a burning hunger, which had long affected his senses.

Noticing how tensed she was because of his touch, he pulled back, locking his gaze on her."You scared, right?"

She refused to be seen any less or to be an open book for his amusement, squaring her shoulders, she said."If you don't take your hands off me in the next seconds, you won't have hands."He ground his teeth so hard that muscle ticked in his jaw. He was having an internal battle within himself over her direct command.

He finally released his hold on her neck, but Manya wasn't done with him."You don't want to make me your enemy, so make the right decision." The cards were his to choose from. Either she stays beside him without the marking ritual, or she becomes his vampire Queen. She hoped he would choose the formal."Kazimir, I can't, and I won't be tamed to your will. Try me."

She had him by the neck where she wanted him. She had nothing to lose, so that gave her the confidence to meet his gaze without flinching, but on the other hand, he had something to lose. Because of his lycan, he won't be able to exist without her, so he is willing to mark her despite his hatred towards her. He unknowingly proved to her that he needed her as much as she needed him for her plans.

Life is cruel like that. People only maintain relationships they can benefit from, wanting to be dominant somehow. That's why no relationship is easy. You can never be comfortable, and it becomes difficult and exhausting trying to keep up with the flattery.