14. Living Without Freedom

Sablecrest Pack House

June sits cross-legged by the river, hands on her knees and eyes closed. She let out a breath before focusing on the chaotic energy flowing inside her.

Her magic training class ended a while ago, but she used some of her freetime to practice alone. Being around Paige was suffocating for her anyway.

She was suddenly reminded of the strange man with white hair and rolled her eyes behind her eyelids. 'Focus,' she urged herself.

She imagined her magic as a raging sea that she sailed through, which greatly helped her visualize what she was working with. It was difficult, but she wouldn't give up. After all, she was doing it for her.

That's when a foot kicked her lower back and she snapped out of focus. With a glare she looked back to see Paige, curly hair tied in a casual ponytail and body dresses in a purple ruched midi dress. Her chin was tilted in an arrogant way as she looked down at June.

"You're doing it wrong," she said with a huff.

"I don't need your help," June snapped, turning her head to focus on her magic.

Paige's heels clicked on the patio floor as she sat down on a chair. She rolled her eyes at June's stubbornness and sighed heavily. 'This brat won't even take my advice.'

"Keep doing what you're doing and you're going to have another magic fluctuation."

"Shut up and let me focus, and maybe I won't," she countered.

'The last person who ever talked to me like this disappeared without a trace.' Her eyes narrowed at June's head, glowering at her snarky comebacks and disrespect.

Paige wanted to show June that she wasn't a person someone could easily mess with. Her family may have maintained a good reputation, but the things they've done behind closed doors wasn't exactly praiseworthy. Their enemies trembled at the mere name of the Hibiscus Coven all because of the future heir.

Yet, June didn't care about any of that. Maybe that was just her personality, and Paige hated her for that.

'You're able to say what you want so easily without the consequences,' she seethes in her chair. 'Just wait until you step out into the real world. You'll have to kiss up to the superior ones just to survive. With an attitude like that, you'll get yourself killed.'

She wanted to scream that out to her, but she must keep her calm and composed attitude. She was the heir to one of the greatest covens in the world, but she's being easily pissed off by a girl much weaker than her.

'How pitiful of me.'

June started to cough uncontrollably, blood projecting out of her mouth. Her breath became wheezy as she rubbed her aching chest.

A satisfied smirk replaces Paige's previous frown. 'I told you. Now you have to listen to me.'

But June didn't turn around to acknowledge her. And that made her angry.

June went back into position and closed her eyes, totally ignoring the fuming girl.

"That's the thing about you," she scoffed. "You won't even listen to good advice because you want to do your own thing."

"Then let me do my own thing."

"I've tried helping you but everything I say goes in one ear and comes out the other," Paige growls.

"Calm your tits. The world doesn't belong to you."

"You can't say anything because you haven't lived like I have."

"And I'm glad for that," she snapped back at her. "I don't have to fake everything about myself to please other people. I thought I wasn't free but I can see now that I'm more free than you."

That did it for Paige. She held onto the table so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

"What do you know?" Paige shouts while standing up in her seat, the chair squeaking as it is pushed back. "You don't have a whole coven to lead!"

"And that's an excuse for acting the way you act?" June argues back, standing up to meet her eye-to-eye.

"If I slip up, my coven will fall from the status they've sweated blood for!"

"You're not even a person!" June yells. "You're only a puppet for your coven! You can't even express the way you feel because of them! You care more about their status than you do about yourself!"

"It's not my fault that I was born into this family! It's my responsibility!"

"And who made those responsibilities for you? Your coven, your father, or yourself?"

Paige bit her bottom lip, most likely drawing blood. She wanted to release the rage bubbling up inside her. She wanted to let go of all those bottled up emotions that overflowed.

In that moment, she let it all go.

"If you were born into a prestigious family, wouldn't you give up all your freedom for them? I did! I studied, trained, and almost lost my life because I wanted to raise them up to become the greatest coven! In this world, no one is free. Especially if you're stuck in between a power struggle to become the best!"

"You're making excuses because that's what you've been taught from childhood!" June let go of all the anger built up inside her and screamed out to her heart's content. "Why do you think your mind is wired to build up your family's power and status? It's because you've been told that that was more important! And you believed that that was more important than you!"

"Try living my life and you'll see that your life doesn't belong to you!"

"Try living my life and you'll see what you have to do to make your life yours!"

"As if anything you went through is as difficult as being born into my family!"

"You think I lived a smooth life?" The girl scoffs. "I would be honored to be born into a family where I don't have to worry about difficulties! I would love to be spoiled to High Heaven! But I wasn't! I bit my tongue and pushed through trying to survive! I walked as a trail of bodies followed my every step!"

"And so did I! And that was because of my coven! I did and will do everything for them!"

"What about yourself? You'll give up everything for them?"

"I was only a child when I realized that I wasn't born to live for my own desires! I'll give up my freedom if it means that it'll help the people who depend on me!"

"How do you really feel? I know that I won't give up my freedom for a coven that will forget about me after my purpose is done!"

Paige's breath hitched at that, but she only glared at her. Rage burned in her eyes, hotter than any fire she's ever conjured. It spoke all the emotions she hid, but her mouth spoke all the words she's been told since she was a baby.

"And that doesn't matter to me! Whether they forget about me, it doesn't matter! I know my purpose and I'll fulfill it! Even if I have to lose my life for them, I'll do it in a heartbeat! I'm the future leader of the Hibiscus Coven and I'll lead them to be the greatest coven the world has ever known!"

"Well, fuck the world and fuck you!" June shouts, her voice hoarse because of all the yelling she did. "I'll destroy the world if it means that I keep my freedom! I'll never let anyone or anything stop me from my goals and keep me locked up like an animal!"

"Save me the damn speech about your freedom! There is none! That's what I've grown up to be; an animal chained to these damn responsibilities! I wish I was like you sometimes! I wish I could have said and did anything I want without the consequences! I wish I could put a middle finger up to the world and do my own thing! I wish I wasn't born into a family where pressure was put on me to be the best! But I'm here now and I'll continue life doing what I've always done! If I have to be a puppet, then so be it. If they forget me, then let them! That's how it's been my whole life! I'll be the puppet named Paige and I'll be forgotten, but I'll do what I can during the rest of my life for them!"

The two girls were out of breath, huffing and wheezing as they could no longer scream. Sweat dripped down their faces and their hearts pumped with adrenaline.

Then, they both turned around, giving their backs to the other.

"Keep denying your feelings and they'll eventually consume you."

Paige rolls her eyes, scoffing. "What are you, a philosopher?"

Then, the girl's gaze went to her feet. She was always told to keep her head up high, but right now, she couldn't.

'Yeah... I'll do everything for them. Even if they forget me.'

On a balcony on the second floor, the Alpha held a cup of tea she was previously sipping on. She placed it down on the railing as her eyebrows furrowed.

She heard everything.

Meanwhile,

Christine watches with amazement as Kieryn draws another portrait. It was almost unreal; the way his pencil stroked the paper with focus, the way he smudged the pencil with his finger to give the portrait more detail.

Everything was utterly and completely bewildering and Christine's eyes didn't move away for a second.

Kieryn felt nervous at the attention he was getting, as he was used to drawing in private. But, since Christine was leaving soon, he felt the need to entertain her.

Once the portrait was finished, Christine clapped her hands. Kieryn felt a blush crawl up his neck and he rubbed his nape, looking at the ground. Christine laughs at his reaction to the praise and pushes his shoulder.

"Your art is perfect. You shouldn't be embarrassed about it."

Kieryn's face was flushed at that. Christine smiles before lifting off the bed.

"Are you good at chess?"

With furrowed eyebrows, the man looks up at her with confusion. Then, he shook his head, causing a grin to stretch onto her face.

"Then let me teach you," she says. "I'll have you know that I was a chess champion back in my days."

She walks over to the large bookshelf by the desk, looking around for the chess set. It was on a shelf that was too high for her to reach. Kieryn snickered under his breath as she tried to jump up and get it.

Seeing enough of her struggle, he walks up behind her and reaches for the chess set. His fingers only grazed the set, making him frown. Christine snickered back at him as revenge for laughing at her.

He rolls his eyes before lifting the back of his foot off the ground, slowly bringing the chess set closer to the edge.

As he almost got it, it slipped and went flying down towards him. Christine gasped at the noise of the set falling on the ground with a loud crash.

"Well, at least we got it-" She stops, her eyes widening in shock when she saw Kieryn's hand.

A large cut caused from the sharp end of the set trailed from his wrist to the side of his lower arm. Christine covered her mouth as she saw blood dripping from the opening onto the floor.

"O-oh my God," she said with a shaky voice as Kieryn frowned at the cut. "I'm going to go get some bandages and alcohol. Don't touch it, okay?"

She didn't give Kieryn anytime to nod before rushing to the bathroom. She felt bile bubbling in her throat at the sight of the blood. It reminded her of locked up memories she wished she had forgotten.

She had to stop herself from throwing up into the sink. 'My friend is injured. I can't be scared because of some blood.'

Opening the cabinet, she takes out the first-Aid kit and scrambles back to the bedroom.

When her eyes laid on Kieryn's hand, she expected blood to be oozing out. Instead of a cut, it was replaced by pale skin.

She blinked, slowly walking over to him and taking his hand. She examined it many times, feeling around the skin where the cut was.

'Did I go crazy? I know I got enough sleep. I know what I saw.'

She looked at the floor and her eyes widened when she saw the blood still staining the wood. Then she looked back up at Kieryn, who didn't have an expression of shock on his face at all. As if he knew about this.

"K-Kieryn, what happened?"

Kieryn blinked before looking at his cut. He only shrugged leisurely, like it didn't bother him.

But Christine was freaking out in her brain, looking at the disappeared cut and back to the floor where the blood was.

'He can heal himself? How did he do it so quickly?'

Christine only shut her mouth, not wanting to bombard the man with questions. She decided she'll ask later, but for now, she had to get rid of the blood.

Later,

Christine went back to the first floor, saying that she was going to ask when dinner was ready. Kieryn knew that she was probably still shocked about the whole disappearing cut thing.

But before he could tell her anything, she left.

'Hopefully she isn't scared of me,' he thought with a frown, laying atop the bed.

He's had the ability to self-regenerate for his whole life, so he didn't really know how to explain it. He only knows that all his wounds, no matter how big, heal faster than a Shifter normally could be able to.

He hasn't tried cutting off any limbs to see if they regrow, so he doesn't know the limit of his ability.

He was taken out of his thoughts when his phone dings. Kieryn immediately sat up, grabbing his phone and looking at the message.

Adella: I've been wondering.

The man gulped, waiting for Adella to continue typing. He hasn't spoken to her in a while, so he felt a little disheartened. But now, his heart skipped as he stared at the phone with anticipation.

Adella: Are you interested in coming with me to dinner sometime?

'Dinner,' the man thought as his face burned. Rushing to type, he wasn't sure if he made some mistakes in his spelling.

Kieryn: Yes, I don't mind.

Her reply was fast, as if she knew he was going to say yes anyway.

Adella: It's a date then. I'll book a table and tell you when we go.

A boyish smile stretched onto Kieryn's face as he leaned back on the bed. His chest swelled with happiness that he'll go on a date with Adella.

He turned around on his side as he typed a response.

Kieryn: Okay 😊

Adella: Also, are you doing anything?

Kieryn bit his bottom lip, wondering what she wanted to say.

Kieryn: No.

He swings his foot as he waits for her response.

Adella: Come to my room.

It wasn't a question, and it left no room for protest. Well, it's not like Kieryn would refuse.

The man jumps up out of his seat and puts on his slippers, speeding to the door. He found himself brimming with anticipation, excited to see her again. The smile on his face showed that as he typed.

Kieryn: I'm coming.

He practically ran across the hallway to get to her room. Once he was in front of the door, he raised a hand to knock. The door swung open before his fist could make contact, as if Adella already knew he was there.

Kieryn's breath hitched as he scanned her from head to toe. She casually leaned against the door, but her attire wasn't casual at all. She wore a white maxi chiffon dress that reached her ankles. There was a long slit that showed off her right leg and some of her thigh, white slippers on her white colored toes.

His eyes trailed to the cleavage that peeked from her v-neck. Not wanting to be rude, he looked back up into her foxy eyes.

"I probably should have changed into something more casual, but I dress to impress no matter the occasion," she says with a light tone. "Come inside."

As she stepped to the side, her eyes were trained on the man as he walked inside. She closes the door behind her and leads the fidgeting Kieryn to the couch. She sits down and looks up at the man, who was shifting from one foot to the other. She pats the seat next to her and he hesitantly plops down beside her.

"Do I make you uncomfortable, Kieryn?"

He was shocked at the question, immediately shaking his head. Adella raises an eyebrow as she lifts a hand to touch his shoulder. He stiffened upon contact, which made her frown.

"You're tense," she says. "If there is something that doesn't make you comfortable, tell me."

He shakes his head again, not knowing how to express what was causing his stiffness.

"Then why are you so stiff when I touch you?"

Adella would never force Kieryn into something he didn't like. Consent and communication was important, especially for this shy man who didn't know what he wanted.

The man bites his lip before looking down at his lap. Adella follows his eyes to see the tent that was nearly about to burst through his pants. Her pupils expanded, almost darkening her desire-filled green eyes. She peered back up at Kieryn, who dropped his head to avoid her piercing eyes.

"So that's why," she breathes.

Then, she leaned closer until her hot breath was against his red ear. A smirk threatens to break out onto her lips and her hand twitches with the desire to relieve him of his tight pants. 'But not yet.'

"Soon, Kieryn." Her whispers make him shiver and subconsciously close his eyes. "Right now, I must make sure you are one-hundred percent comfortable with me."

'Soon?' He wondered what she meant, understanding that it was a promise.

Nevertheless, he nodded. The woman sits back in her seat, crossing her legs with a small smile.

"Now tell me, darling. How has your day been so far?"

The twinkle that lit up in his eyes at the nickname didn't go unnoticed by Adella. Her smile widens. 'So he likes pet names. How adorable...'

Kieryn pulls out his phone and speedily types. He turns it to her, allowing her to read what was on it.

"I'm glad you've been doing well," she says, her smile turning genuine. "I've been caught up with some Pack matters, but I finally convinced my Beta to let me take a break. I wish to share that with you."

A tint of red colored his cheeks as he looked down, rubbing the back of his neck. A small smile adorned his lips, making Adella raise one of her waxed eyebrows.

"What are you thinking about, Kieryn?"

The question was unnecessary, because she knew exactly what he was thinking.

Kieryn shifts around a bit before glancing up at her, his blush revealed what he didn't say. He shook his head, looking back down at his lap. Adella smirks, scooting closer to him.

"Are you sure?" She asked, her breath tickling his cheek.

He gulped in response, eyes darting everywhere across the room, as if looking for an escape. Adella chuckles before grasping his chin between her thumb and index finger. Turning his head so he was forced to look at her, a lustful smirk stretches onto her nude lips, promising impure things without words needed.

His tongue darts out to wet his lips, her eyes focusing on the movement. She looks back up into his darkening brown eyes as he opens his mouth.

'You,' he mouthed.

Her eyes were hooded as she ran her thumb over his bottom lip. His breath came out in heavy, short bursts, his face so close to Adella's that he could feel her breath on his lips.

"Me what?"

'I,' he started, but his breath hitched as Adella inched closer. 'I thought about you t-touching me.'

"Touching you where, Kieryn?"

'Everywhere.' And that did it for Adella.

She grips his chin and brings him down to her lips, connecting hers with his. Kieryn sighed into her mouth, instinctively opening his mouth to allow her to slip her tongue in. Adella growls from deep in the back of her throat, running her hand through his white locks and tugging on it.

In that moment, Adella was lost in the moment of ecstasy, forgetting about what she brought him here for. She only relished in the way Kieryn's hands touch her hips, running up her dress and close to her breasts.

Kieryn tilts his head to receive more of her kiss, more of her slippery tongue. He pulls her closer, wanting to feel more of her body against his.

'God he's so addicting.' But in her moment of heat, she pulls away, leaving Kieryn panting and flushed.

"Not so fast, darling," she whispers. "You will only get what I give you."

Kieryn bites down on his bottom lip, staring at Adella's as he nods. Adella smiles at his submission, his hands twitching to touch more of her. She only brings his hands down to his side and stands up with the grace of a ballerina.

She moved to the other couch, taking something that was behind it. She reveals 2 brown shopping bags, walking over to the excited man. He loved gifts, especially if it was from her.

"I got you something," she said, beckoning Kieryn closer with a hand as she sat on the couch.

He tried to peek into the bag, but was stopped by her. She dumps the items onto the bed, making Kieryn's eyes light up as a smile makes its way onto his face. A 500 page sketchbook, expensive art kits with a variety of regular and wax crayons, colored pencils, paint brushes, and oil paint laid on the bed.

"I heard from Christine that you liked art, so I got some supplies for you. If you don't like them, I'll go get another brand--"

Adella cuts herself off when Kieryn's arms wrapped around her. Her eyes widened, but she later melted into the hug. Her favorite scent of honey and lemon wafted up to her nostrils and she savored the moment until Kieryn pulled away.

She didn't expect the grin that stretched onto his face. His happiness rubbed off on her, and she soon smiled with them.

"You're welcome, darling." Watching as Kieryn ran his hand over the material of the sketchbook. "It's getting late. Go to bed."

Without an objection, the man places the objects back into the paper bags and stands up. He immediately nods and is about to leave, but Adella grasps his hand.

"Dream of me," she said with a smirk.

Another blush bursts onto Kieryn's face as he nods, and then slips out of the room.

Adella leans back onto the bed, rubbing her face.

'If this keeps up, I might not be able to hold back anymore.'