by Alicia Banks
“I know, right? I was so worried about you. The way you beat him up though!” Anna said.
“Okay, girls! Stop praising me so much!” Rose said, laughing.
“One more match, and our girl will be in the championship!” Anna said, and Delma cheered.
Rose was laughing when her eyes fell on Taylor. He was hanging out with his friends nearby, and his eyes were on Rose as he drank his drink. He seemed less loud today. He was quieter than his friends and surprisingly, not surrounded by girls.
Rose gave him a warm smile, and he smiled back.
“Excuse me, you guys. I will be back,” Rose said, putting her drink down and walking off.
She walked towards a more secluded corner, and she saw Taylor walking towards her.
“Hey,” Rose said, smiling at him. “Thank you, for all your help.” She noticed that he didn’t have Sayor in his hands. He held a clay cup with water in it. Rose was pleasantly surprised. She had always seen Taylor with a drink in his hands.
“You are welcome. Though you know where you went wrong, right?” Taylor said, smiling back.
“I should have stuck to our strategy. I shouldn’t have jumped at him. I almost got pinned down and lost,” Rose replied.
“Good. Never underestimate your opponent, even if he is down,” Taylor said. “I will meet you tomorrow, at dawn. You still have another match to win.”
“Got it. By the way, congratulations on winning your match today. You qualified for the quarter finals,” Rose said.
“Yea. It was easy. The guy was barely a match for me,” Taylor said, shrugging.
Rose rolled her eyes. Whenever she started thinking Taylor was different, he would say something like that and remind her who he was.
“I will see you at dawn tomorrow?” Rose asked.
“Yea,” Taylor said, smiling. “See ya.”
∞∞∞
Rose stood there panting, facing her opponent, Gina. It was her final match, which she needed to win to qualify. The match had already been going on for over an hour, but Gina and Rose were too evenly matched.
They had both managed to pin each other down twice and managed to get away each time. Rose knew she had to do something unexpected, otherwise this match could go on forever.
Gina lunged at Rose, who dodged her. Rose turned around rapidly and jumped towards Gina. They both clashed mid-air, slashing at each other. Gina and Rose both managed to injure each other, but neither injury was serious.
Rose jumped at her again, and Gina tried to twist and slash her as she dodged Rose’s attack. This forced Rose to move away at the last minute, and she landed on the ground. Gina took advantage of Rose’s fall and jumped on her. Rose rolled away before Gina could land on top of her.
Rose got up, and she and Gina started to circle each other, growling. Both were trying to find the opening to attack the other. The match continued on for another two hours, with both Rose and Gina attacking each other, but not succeeding.
Rose didn’t know how long she could keep this up. Gina lunged again and they both collided, trying to claw each other’s skin off. Then, Rose got her chance. Gina was clearly as exhausted as Rose was and wasn’t guarding her right flank properly.
Rose knew she had to wait for the perfect chance to attack. If she failed, Gina would realise that she was open to an attack and become more defensive. The moment came when Gina had almost pinned Rose down. Rose managed to dig her claws into Gina’s side, while kicking her. The moment Gina collapsed, Rose jumped on her, pinning her down.
The announcer started to count, and Gina struggled to get out. Rose held on fast, and the announcer stopped counting. Cheers rang out as the announcer shouted, “Rose is our winner.”
Rose got off Gina, who stood up. She looked at Rose, panting, and said, “Good match. Well done. You deserve it.”
Rose smiled back. “Thank you. You were a very worthy opponent,” she said.
Rose walked off, shifting back to human. She headed to the healer’s tent, who bandaged her up. Her friends were already there, waiting for her.
“Oh God, Rose. You are officially in the championship,” Anna squealed hugging her.
“I don’t believe it. Well done, you!” Delma said, hugging her as well.
Just then Taylor walked in and Rose excused herself. She had recently noticed small changes in Taylor. He spent less time with his friends, and when he was with them, he was mostly quiet. He had stopped drinking, and now Rose only saw him drinking juice or water.
Just recently, almost all of his friends had been at a party that lasted all night long. The forest was filled with sounds of the men dancing, chanting wolf songs. Rose had assumed that he would be there, but she later found out that he had stayed home. The most surprising thing was how he went from flirting with every female wolf to barely talking to any.
She walked over to Taylor and said, “Thank you. For helping me.”
“No problem. Fancy a walk?” he asked, smiling.
Rose nodded, and they both started walking out. They walked silently until Taylor finally spoke.
“I have been thinking about what you said. Who am I?” Taylor said. “I don’t know. That’s the answer. I have always done everything for fun. There are times I have been inconsiderate of other’s feelings, but not intentionally. I have never wanted anything bad for anyone.”
“I never thought that you would want to hurt anyone,” Rose said, softly.
Taylor stopped walking and turned towards her. He sighed and said, “I have never had any purpose in my life. This is all I have ever known. Due to the great battle, I lost both my parents. I grew up with my friends, and this is what we did. We drank, we partied, we smoked. We picked up girls and slept around. To me, I was just having fun.”
“I am sorry. Maybe I did judge you too harshly,” Rose said,
“No, that’s not what I am trying to say. I am arrogant and cocky. I do think that you would be very lucky to have me as your mate. I also think that there isn’t much I lack. You are right. The point is, I don’t know what life is. Why am I living? What’s my purpose? What am I doing, Rose?” Taylor said.
Rose just sighed and said, “Don’t worry. You will figure it out.”
They were both silent for a while, staring at each other. Then Taylor leaned forward and placed his lips on hers. Warm feelings rushed through Rose’s body, as she felt herself melt into his kiss. He was gentle, his lips soft and moist. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Rose deepened into his kiss, and they stood there in the moonlight, intertwined in each other’s arms.
Chapter 11
Taylor
Taylor didn’t know how to explain the feelings rushing through his body. All he knew was that nothing can ever feel so right. Nothing can make him feel as complete as this. He loved the way Rose’s delicate body felt in his arms. He loved the softness of her lips and the way she kissed.
Then, suddenly, she pushed him away. Taylor looked at her, astonished.
“Rose? What’s wrong?” he asked, trying to smile.
“I can’t do this,” she said.
“What?” Taylor asked, confused.
“I can’t be with you,” Rose said.
Taylor felt himself freeze. He had never thought he was so repulsive to Rose that she wouldn’t even be willing to consider him.
“I am sorry,” Rose said, and ran away, leaving Taylor standing there, devastated.
∞∞∞
Taylor was hanging out with his friends in their favourite hangout spot. Lucas had brought his recent girlfriend, Brittany, and she had brought her entire friend group. Normally, Taylor would be charming the pants off the prettiest girl, but today, he just sat there, drinking.
In fact, he was well and thoroughly drunk right now. He didn’t understand why Rose had rejected him like that. They have been growing closer and closer for the past few days. Taylor had been trying to change himself, drink less, party less, and be less cocky. Now, he wondered why he even bothered w
ith it.
He didn’t know why Rose affected him so much. He had never been the kind of guy who lays down flat and lets the girl walk all over him. Yet, he had done it for Rose. He changed his ways, he had changed himself, for her. He didn’t know why his heart was hurting so much.
He had done his best to change for her, in what little ways he could. He stopped drinking and spending all night partying. He had stopped mating with random girls. In fact, he had been trying to concentrate on training and reading books. He didn’t know what else he could do. This alone was hard for him. It meant changing his lifestyle completely, and what made it harder was that he had lived like this since he was young. Yet, he was still trying to give up his bad habits.
“Hey, man. All okay?” Jacob said, coming to sit down next to him.
“Yea. Fine,” Taylor said, trying to fake a smile.
“You sure? It’s Rose, isn’t it?” Jacob asked. “Look man, I have had my fair share of problems with Christina. I can tell when a man is moping about a woman.”
“Yea, alright. Man, I don’t get it. I have known her for years. Why do I feel this way?” Taylor said.
“Yea, the feelings really fuck you up. All your life you have been living without this person, and suddenly you find your mate, and within a few days, you can’t imagine life without them. This mating stuff drove me crazy. Look, I always liked Christina, and I had always been insanely attracted to her. But I never really paid these feelings much attention. Then when we found out we were mates, it took me less than a week to fall madly in love with her,” Jacob said.
Taylor took a swing of his drink and said, “I guess. I kissed her today. I thought things were going well between us. We were friends. We had fun when we hung out. We had deep meaningful conversations. I tried to change for her, man. Then I kissed her, and she pushed me away, and said she can’t do this.”
“That’s harsh. I am sorry. Things will work out though. This mating stuff messes with your head. Sometimes I feel like it’s some joke the moon spirit plays on us. Things do work out though. Maybe you should talk to her,” Jacob said.
“Nah, man. I am done. I tried my best. I changed for her; I made her my priority. I respected her dreams and wishes and tried to help her. I can’t do it anymore,” Taylor said.
“Taylor, buddy. You want to be with her. You will be miserable without her. Trust me. When Christina and I broke up for a while, I was severely depressed. Your mates are a part of your soul. You lose them, and you will never recover,” Jacob said.
“I tried, man. She doesn’t want me. What can I do, force her into it?” Taylor said.
“Talk to her, ask her why. Maybe the way your feelings are confusing you, her feelings are confusing her. She must be feeling torn, if her feelings towards you suddenly changed. She probably just needs time to think and sort out her emotions,” Jacob said.
Taylor sighed. “Maybe. But this relation feels very one sided, right now. Like I am the one doing all the effort.”
“Yea. It feels like that at times. At least talk to her. Then you will know if there is something bothering her, or if she is genuinely not into you at all,” Jacob said.
“The opening ceremony is tomorrow. The championship officially starts,” Taylor said, trying to change the topic.
“Did you hear? Bellatrix is back,” Jacob said.
“Really? Dominque’s sister?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. Jacob nodded and Taylor took a swing of his Sayor.
“She is here for the opening ceremony?” Taylor asked.
“She is. Who knows, she might stay this time,” Jacob replied.
“I don’t think so. She still hasn’t gotten over the loss of her parents. Whenever she comes back, this forest reminds her of it,” Taylor replied.
“I guess. You gonna talk to Rose then?” Jacob asked.
“Will I regret it, Jacob? If I let her go, will I regret it?” Taylor asked.
“I don’t know how to explain to you. Mates are a part of your soul. When you don’t know them, you live just fine without them. Once you find them, living without them is the most miserable experience ever,” Jacob said.
Taylor sighed and leaned back. “Thanks for talking to me, man,” he said.
Chapter 12
Taylor
It was the opening ceremony for the championship. Taylor was sitting with Dominque and Bellatrix. He could see Rose sitting nearby, laughing with her friends. She looked up, and their eyes met. Taylor looked back, and he saw her expression change. She nodded at him, but Taylor ignored her. She blushed and looked away.
The wolves were starting to perform choreographed acrobatic dances as the ceremony started. Taylor barely paid attention, lost in his own thoughts. He had another Sayor in his hand, even though it was morning. He gave up drinking for Rose, but the way he had been feeling, he had started drinking again. The dances lasted for a while, before the announcer came on.
“My dear wolves! I am your announcer for this year’s championship, Abigail!” Loud cheering followed this, and Abigail waved at them.
“This year’s selection process has been completed, and tomorrow we start with our first match of the quarter finals!” the announcer exclaimed. The crowd cheered at this, and the tournament board was brought out.
“We will have two groups. Group A will include Brenda, Harry, Andrew, and Rose. Group B will have Jacob, Taylor, Andrew, and Romain,” the announcer said. “The first match will be between Brenda and Rose! Followed by a match between Andrew and Harry! The matches for group B will be between Taylor and Shella, followed by a match between Romain and Jacob.”
The crowd cheered and whistled as the matches were announced. “The four people who win their matches will qualify for the semi-finals!” Abigail said. “Now, I would like to show you this champion’s trophy.”
The trophy was raised on a pedestal as everyone cheered wildly. Taylor was barely paying attention, his mind thoroughly preoccupied with Rose. He was very confused about what to do. He wanted to go and talk to her, ask her what was wrong. On the other hand, his ego and pride didn’t let him.
“This year, the championship is special. The winner of this year’s championship will be given the title of the captain of the army. This is why Dominque has decided that this year there will be a match to test the strength, a match to test the brain, and a match to test ethics! Each pair will first battle each other, followed by a match of chess! The ethical test will be taken personally by Dominque when the finals start,” the announcer said. “Now, let the party begin!”
Everyone got up, laughing and cheering. Taylor looked over to Rose and found her dancing with her friends. Some people got together in the centre, where a bon fire had been lit, and started to perform the ancient dance of the wolves. People cheered them on, joining in with the chants. He couldn’t believe it. He was miserable, and here she was, dancing and enjoying herself. He got up from his chair and walked off to his own group of friends.
He grabbed another bottle of Sayor and went to sit with Lucas. Brittany was there as well, along with her entire girl gang. Taylor took a swing of his Sayor, leaning back in his chair.
“Hey, handsome,” a girl said, walking over. “I am Penelope. Nice to meet you.”
Taylor took a swing of his drink again and saw Rose dancing with her friends. He turned towards the girl and gave his best charming smile. “Hey. I am Taylor. It’s very nice meeting you.”
Penelope giggled. “I know who you are. I saw you compete. Also, you are pretty popular,” she said, pushing a lock of her hair behind her ear.
“Popular, you say?” Taylor said, grabbing her hand in his. A part of his brain told him not to do this, but seeing Rose so indifferent made him furious.
“Yes. Very. In fact, I have wanted to meet you for a long time.” Taylor pulled her onto his lap, and she sat down laughing.
Taylor gave her his most charming smile and pulled her closer. She was chatting away about some party, but Taylor wasn’t the least bit interested. Al
l he could think about was Rose and how she would feel in his arms. Also, he was starting to realise how much more fun it was to talk to Rose. She talked intelligently, about meaningful, interesting things. She was well-read and could converse on any topic.
Taylor had always been used to girls like Penelope. The only thing they talked about was clothes, shoes, and parties. Rose was different, she made him think in a way that he never had. He looked around again, and saw Rose sipping on some Laligurans juice, sitting alone. Taylor had barely slept all night, thinking about her. He felt furious about how indifferent she was.
He pulled Penelope up and took her outside. She followed him, giggling.
“I heard you are a very good kisser,” she said, when they were alone.
Taylor didn’t reply, he just pulled her close, and kissed her. It was unpleasant, compared to how Rose had felt. Penelope tasted bitter and repulsive, and that made Taylor angrier. Rose had ruined other women for him. Now that he knew what it was like to kiss his mate, no woman will ever meet his expectations.
Penelope was moaning against his lips by now, her hands all over his chest. Taylor continued to kiss her, if only to push Rose out of his mind. He couldn’t believe she was out enjoying herself, when he was suffering. He was burning up. She was his mate; she knew the affect mates had on each other. Didn’t she for a minute think that she had hurt him?
He knew they didn’t have anything between them. He had accepted it, but she hadn’t even offered an explanation. She didn’t even treat him with the courtesy one would give to a friend. He kissed Penelope harder, feeling his frustration with Rose build up. Even now, he felt miserable. He just wanted to pick Rose up, talk to her, kiss her, but she had treated him like a worthless pile of shit.
Taylor was so lost in his thoughts, he didn’t hear Rose calling his name. It wasn’t until she had walked in on them, kissing, that he realised she was standing there. Taylor pushed Penelope away and turned towards Rose, who was standing there frozen.
Then she bolted, running away in the opposite direction.
