Malcolm
I desperately believe I let myself cross, revealing it; it’s a jarring thought. As I think back, I’m unsure what overcame me to reach out and touch Mika.
The sensation of her soft skin under my fingertips was so delicate, almost ethereal, as I gently caressed her cheek. I noticed her lips appeared full and inviting when I nervously brushed my thumb. The way her cheeks flushed a deep crimson from my closeness revealed her surprise and vulnerability, making my heart race. Each little detail lingered in my mind, amplifying the weight of what I'd done.
The urge to reach out, to touch her soft skin, to kiss her gently, and to soothe her with tender words was almost overwhelming. Yet, at that moment, it felt like an invisible weight was pressing down on me, making it hard to act and resist those feelings.
Somehow, I managed to break free from the haze enveloping me and swiftly walked away, leaving Mika alone in the cozy kitchen, the dim light casting soft shadows around her.
The rest of the night was a struggle as I retreated to my room, the quietness amplifying my thoughts. I tried to immerse myself in books, scrolling through my phone, anything to divert my attention and keep my mind from drifting back to her. But no matter how hard I tried, memories of Mika lingered like an unwanted echo, refusing to fade away.
I gently closed my book, the words blurring together as frustration boiled within me. I turned off my phone, the screen going dark, but the thoughts of Mika persisted like an unwelcome shadow.
With a heavy sigh, I pushed my chair away from the desk, the wooden legs scraping against the floor, and made my way to the bed.
The familiar sheets felt cool against my skin as I lay down, staring at the ceiling, willing sleep to envelop me and sweep away the turmoil inside. I closed my eyes tightly, hoping for the sweet escape of dreams to distract me from the weight of my racing thoughts.
Sleep eluded me as my thoughts continually wandered to Mika. Even though she often wears hand-me-down clothing that hangs loosely on her frame, there’s an undeniable allure in the way she carries herself.
Her long hair cascades down her shoulders in a wild tangle as if it has never felt the touch of a comb or brush. Yet, it’s impossible to overlook the beauty that radiates from her, illuminating even the most pronounced imperfections.
Her gentle spirit truly captivates me; it’s a rare blend of honesty and strength that, paradoxically, makes her resilient and vulnerable. Each time I think of her, I’m reminded that her imperfections are merely an extension of the authenticity she embodies, making her all the more enchanting in my eyes.
Finally, as the hours stretched into the late night, I felt the weight of fatigue settle over me, and I drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
Even in my dreams, Mika lingered in my thoughts, her soft skin and plump lips weaving through the fabric of my subconscious. The night was quiet, wrapped in a gentle stillness, allowing the vividness of my dreams to take hold.
When the first light of dawn broke through my window, I was jolted awake, my heart racing from the intensity of the dream I had just experienced.
It was as if Mika had been right there beside me, her presence so real that I could almost feel the warmth of her hand in mine. My member stood hard, aching for a release; what was happening to me? Why can't I stop thinking about Mika?
As I glanced at the clock, a wave of surprise washed over me; it was almost five in the morning. The dim light filtering through my curtains reminded me I had a new day. With a reluctant sigh, I threw off the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed, feeling the hardness of the wooden floor against my feet.
I stood up and stretched, trying to shake off the drowsiness that clung to me like a heavy blanket. Today was a training day—a chance to channel my energy and focus away from the turmoil brought on by thoughts of Mika and the confusing mix of emotions I had been grappling with. The remnants of sleep faded as I padded across the room, determined to immerse myself in the rigorous demands of warrior training.
I could already envision the discipline and intensity of the session ahead. With a deep breath, I mentally prepared, hoping that the sweat and exertion would help clear my mind and distract me from the evidence of my restless night.
Once I had finally dressed in my training gear, feeling the anticipation for the day ahead, I approached the kitchen, eager to grab a chilled bottle of water to hydrate before heading out. The cool tiles underfoot felt refreshing, but as I approached the doorway, a wave of loud, heated voices reached my ears, causing me to pause momentarily.
Curiosity piqued, I recognized my father and brother Mark's familiar tones, both unusually intense for such an early morning hour. I couldn’t help but wonder who they were raising their voices at and what could have provoked such a reaction so soon after waking.
As I took another step closer, it suddenly hit me—could it be Mika? The thought sent a slight shiver down my spine, worrying about what trouble Mika got into, particularly in the early hours of the day. With my heart racing and concern growing, I quickened my pace, my sneakers softly thudding against the floor as I made my way to the kitchen.
Arriving at the entrance, I stood momentarily, contemplating whether to intervene or simply listen. But the urgency of the situation took over, and I cleared my throat, asking aloud, “What’s going on?”
Mark was being particularly rude and ungracious towards Mika, whose demeanor was visibly affected by his harsh words. As I watched the situation unfold, I felt a surge of protectiveness for her.
I knew I couldn't let this go any further without intervening. I stepped forward, my voice steady but firm, and reminded Mark of the importance of respecting every member of our pack, regardless of their rank or status.
Mark seemed to jump to conclusions, believing that my input on the situation stemmed from my romantic feelings for Mika. I found this frustrating because, while it's true that I do have feelings for her, I’m still trying to figure out what those feelings are or even mean.
It’s a confusing mix of admiration, affection, and a desire for connection, but labeling it straightforward feels like infatuation is premature.
I wish Mark would understand that my input on the matter is not solely based on my feelings for her; it’s also influenced by my concern for our leadership and how our pack members would view us.
I continued to remind Mark of our father's constant emphasis that every individual plays a vital role, and it was essential for us to uphold that principle. With my words, I aimed not only to defend Mika but also to foster a sense of unity within our group.
Thankfully, my intervention spared her from any further embarrassment or unjust punishment, allowing her to regain her composure and dignity, or at least what little she did have.
After Mika exited the kitchen with a huff, I grabbed my water bottle from the counter and stepped outside, the fresh air hitting my face as I made my way to the training grounds. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the path ahead. As I walked, I heard footfalls behind me and turned to see Mark striding up to join me, his brow furrowed and a determined look in his eyes.
Unable to hold back his frustration any longer, he launched into a tirade. "How dare you undermine me in front of the little sheep, Mika?" he began, his voice a mix of indignation and disbelief. "I am your elder brother!"
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at his melodrama. "First of all," I shot back, "you’re only older than me by a minute and two seconds. That's hardly a notable difference. Secondly, our father raised us to be better Alphas than he is to ensure this pack.
We should be supporting each other instead of airing our grievances like this. Seriously, get with the program." My voice grew firmer as I tried to rein in his overblown sense of entitlement. The training grounds awaited, and I wanted us to arrive focused and ready to train.
"I understand, Malcolm; Mika has the potential to be a hot she-wolf, and you would like to deflower her," he replied. "Sometimes, in your case, it’s better for you to be seen and not heard," I replied, my voice steady but firm.
The words hung in the air between us, thick with unspoken tension. I could feel the weight of the conversation pressing down on me as I turned away, determined to end this unwanted exchange with Mark.
With each step, I focused on the rhythm of my feet against the pavement, hoping to distance myself physically and emotionally, longing for a moment of peace away from his incessant chatter.
As soon as we arrived at the training grounds, we spotted our brothers, Max and Mathew, already engaged in rigorous drills with our warriors. They moved in sync with the warriors, demonstrating techniques highlighting speed and precision. When Max and Mathew caught sight of us, they gestured for the rest of the group to continue their exercises without interruption.
Max, his brow furrowed with concern and disappointment, approached us. "Always arriving late isn’t good, Mark. Every minute counts when we’re training our members, especially knowing that an attack could happen at any moment," he said, his voice laced with urgency.
Standing slightly behind Max, Mathew couldn’t suppress his playful smirk as he said, "So, what’s the excuse for being late this time?" His teasing tone lightened the atmosphere, but there was still an underlying seriousness in the air as we all understood the stakes.
“If you both really want to know the whole story, father and I were just giving Mika a good talking-to about her recent behavior,” Mark began, a playful tone lacing his voice. “But of course, our charming lover boy here, felt the need to step in and defend her the honor. It turns out Malcolm has developed quite the soft spot for her,” he continued, a teasing smile on his face. While Mark’s words carried a lighthearted tone, they had an underlying truth.
I turned my attention to Mika, determined to push aside the swirling thoughts that threatened to distract me. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my focus.
Even as I concentrated, I made a mental note to reach out and check on her the next time I had a moment. Her well-being had been weighing on my mind lately, and I wanted to ensure she was okay.