Gabe returned home almost three days after he set out to meet some of his friends.Ulf had been taking care of the puppies, and he already gave two of them for adoption, so only four remained now.{Are you satisfied with only two members in the pack?} Ulf asked. {And one of them is not certain, either.}“I don’t want to take just anybody into the pack,” Gabe retorted.[Then why did you go to Venkat’s house?] Systa asked him.“Because I just wanted to see how he’d react. I’m sure he won’t come to the place I told him to,” Gabe confidently said. “He has this nasty habit of not being able to digest it when others are happy. That’s the kind of guy he is. His ego will not allow him to come. And it’s better for us if he doesn’t come.”[Even if he does come, I doubt you’ll take him.]Gabe smiled. “Well, it all depends on how Venkat behaves. Anyway, I’m sure Venkat won’t come. That leaves us Victor and Baazee. They are both no-nonsense guys. And their lives aren’t in good shape, either. So I
A few minutes later.{Are you sure with your decision?} Ulf asked Gabe. {He doesn’t look like he’ll make a good addition. In fact, if he sticks close to you, he’ll learn the truth sooner or later. And then he could end up hating you and become your enemy. It’s not safe to have such a guy in your pack.}“He did shoot accurately, didn’t he?” Gabe reminded Ulf. “He does have the talent. If we had left him alone, he looked like he’s going to drown himself in alcohol. So, I thought of giving him a chance even though I was thinking of giving it to his younger brother Jamie. Let’s hope he’s brave enough to join my pack. We’ll find out tomorrow.”{Tomorrow is when you’re going to fight that woman Sansa, right?} Ulf frowned. “It’s a useless fight, if you ask me. If she wins, she’ll take the alpha system from you. If you win, they’re still not going to stop coming at you. There’s no real benefit for you by participating in this fight.}Gabe exhaled audibly. “There’s no other way. I can’t just r
“Ah, ‘the strong should also be responsible’ logic, huh…” Leona could only roll her eyes. “What a boring and conservative mindset… that reminds me of my parents.”Gabe rapped her skull with his knuckles, making her cry out loud.“What was that for?” she yelled at him while rubbing her head.“Respect your parents,” Gabe said, making her feel regret as well as anger at the same time. “Anyway, talking about responsibilities…” he hesitantly told her. “Do you want to join my pack?”Leona’s expression changed. “Pack? Why are you talking like we’re both dogs or something?”“I can’t take you into my pack unless Mia also agrees with it,” Gabe said. “So, why don’t you come along since I’m going to see her now?”“What exactly are you talking about?” Leona still didn’t get what he’s saying.“Just come with me. You’ll know it soon,” he told her and walked out of the store.“Are you and your wife trying to form some secret mafia or something?” Leona wondered. “I don’t mind joining a mafia, but I wo
Gabe came to meet Mia first, as she was living in the guest house next to the estate where Jessica and Russell lived.To his surprise, the doors were all locked. And there were curtains completely blocking the sunlight going through the windows.Gabe could not see what was happening inside.“Why is everything sealed off like this?” Leona muttered. “It’s like a vampire is living inside.” She looked at Gabe and teasingly said, “You are sure that your girlfriend, no, your wife isn’t a vampire, right?”“If she was one, do you think she would have left you alone to work in my store?” Gabe asked her.“P-Probably not,” Leona said. “Anyway, how long are you going to stand here? Go and knock on the door.”“About that… maybe, she’s sleeping inside,” Gabe said, as he could hear her steady breathing, which made him realize that she was indeed sleeping.“Huh? You’re too foolish,” Leona snorted. “You want to stand here until she wakes up or what?” She quickly went to the door and knocked on it mult
“S-Sparring?” Gabe looked at her in a bit of shock and confusion, unable to tell if she was joking or not. He was wondering how to hold her hand, but she asked about fighting him, which was quite unexpected. “You mean fighting?”“Yeah,” Mia contained her excitement, but he could still see it in her eyes. “I’ve been fighting a lot in my dreams. Now, I’m not the same as before. I don’t think I’ll lose to Bart if he fights me now.”“Oh…” Gabe was surprised. “You think you’ve gotten stronger than Bart, already?”“I don’t think so. I know so,” she confidently said.“You haven’t fought him at his full strength, so how can you say it with such certainty?” Gabe couldn’t help but ask.“Because you defeated Bart, didn’t you?” Mia retorted. “I think I can defeat you right now, so I can automatically defeat Bart, too.”Gabe's expression froze for a second, and then he forced out a smile. “Your logic is perfect, but don’t you think you’re underestimating me a bit too much? I’ve gotten so much stro
In a dream world that looked very similar to the school both Gabe and Mia studied at.“Are we really going to fight here?” Gabe asked her while briefly glancing at the flower-hilted sword resting at her waist“Why not?” Mia curiously asked.“I remember you clarifying my doubts once in class,” Gabe told her. “That’s a good memory I have. I don’t want it to be replaced by any others.”“Ah-huh, then what about me? I have SO MANY memories of you doing free labor for girls from our class and other classes as well,” Mia countered. “What about all those memories? Shouldn’t I also replace them with a memory where I beat your ass?”“U-Uh, you got a point,” Gabe didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Mia definitely was a soft-hearted woman, but that didn’t mean she would let everything slide. He was beginning to understand her more now, and he didn’t hate this personality of hers. “Alright. How are we doing this?” He had to ask her because they were standing in the classroom with benches on one
The white sword clashed with the golden sword in a magnificent manner like two mountains kissing effervescently. They both felt as if their souls were also touching as they pushed each other, smiling, and eyes full of vim and vigor. Gabe’s lightning sword was strong and scintillating and showed no weakness. Mia’s flower-hilted sword was soft yet full of the joys of spring, for it bloomed white petals that cut blocked the hot sparks that released from Gabe’s sword and melted in the process, which released a sweet fragrance in the air. Dream world it may be, they could feel the flower scent filling the air. Gabe felt a bit distracted by the sweet smell, which allowed Mia to get a sneak attack in. “Rippling Rose!” she thrust her sword which gave the illusion of bending and snaking through the air. Gabe quickly jumped back in response. As a result, he managed to move out of the class and into the corridor. But a few strands of his hair still flew into the air, which surprised him. He
There was a time when Mia was jealous of her friends who had boyfriends and chatted with them and went out to party with them. She only went to a bar once out of curiosity, but then hated the environment there and did not visit a bar another time. She also gave up on dating because nobody looked remotely interesting to her. Every man she knew, including the ones in her house were not worth sharing her feelings, or so she felt that way. There was also a time when Mia thought of not marrying at all so she wouldn’t need to compromise herself to live with a man she might not love. But all such feelings, thoughts, perceptions, and illusions flew to the moon when Gabe kissed her. Lightning sparked in both their hearts. The school background also faded away and was replaced with a night sky fully lit with stars and moon, reflecting the mood she was in. She closed her eyes and hugged him, accepting his love, warmth, and feelings which made her feel equally excited and sheltered. In the de