XLV. Pangaea

Raine’s POV:

I spend most of my days inside the bedroom to heal my heart and bruises.

I cannot believe it’s okay that I haven’t attended school for a while.

The balls inside my eyes explore the bright screen.

Is it daytime?

Is it nighttime?

I don’t know.

The glass door to the balcony had been duct-taped and I covered its ugly appearance with the silky curtains.

I laughed when the warrior got his head cut off.

“You’re scary. You know that?” Wolfie said into the headset.

I laughed some more when more warriors got their heads chopped off.

Victory.

Oh, how I miss that feeling.

“Oh, Wolfie. It’s nice to work with you again.” His voice pitch.

“Of course, I’m here to fight alongside my partner.” His voice deepens.

“Don’t worry! Even with you here, I’ll kill everyone and not leave a single enemy for you to disembody.” His voice pitched again.

I grab a handful of chips. “Talking to yourself is a creepy trait.”

“Talking while your mouth is full is a disgusting trait.”

“You’re disgusting,” I said. “Your mouth is disgusting. Your room is disgusting. Your family is disgusting. Your whole pack is disgusting.”

Silence. “Is that supposed to be an insult?”

I tucked the blanket further into my body. “I don’t know. I’ve been indoors for so long, I forgot how to communicate with humans.”

“I’m a werewolf.”

“In what form are you in?”

Silence. “Human.”

I grin and nod to myself, “There you go.”

Silence again. “Can I ask you something?” Wolfie question.

“Sure.”

“Which pack is your mate in?”

There’s no point in hiding where my employer is located. It’s not like Wolfie can come here and beat up an Alpha. “Oh, he’s in-” a knock appears. “I got to call you back. Dinner time.” I took off the headset before he protested and rushed towards the door.

On my way towards the door, I turn off the tv. I wait until the shadow disappears from underneath the crack of the door. I press my ear against the door and listen to the sound of fading footsteps.

“What are you doing?” Leon’s voice appears. I heard him open the closet door earlier. I don’t even faze anymore when he enters the room without an announcement. I went into his bedroom a few times to grab snacks and drinks.

Initially, he was shocked.

Then, he got angry.

Next, upset.

But, eventually, he got over it.

I think I’m promoted from employee to roommate. Big step. I wonder if it comes with a raise. What’s after a black card? Gold card? Is it possible to use a card made from complete gold?

I clap once to turn on the light. “It’s dinner time,” I said. I swear when I get back to my world. I am going to work so hard to get automatic lights. I open the door and grab a tray then rush towards the messy bed. I’m not proud that I eat on the bed, but it doesn’t mean I’ll stop doing it.

Leon looks around the room. “I told you to stay inside.”

“I did.”

“But, I never told you to turn this place into-” he motions his hands around. “What is this? What is this mess? We cleaned up a few days ago.”

“I’m hurt.” I wipe the food off of my mouth. “Here.” I press a hand against my chest. “And I have bruises. Here.” I show him my perfectly fine wrists. “I can’t clean.”

He grabs a bag of chips beside the bed and the crumbs fall out. “Why?”

I smile, “Maybe you should order-”

“I’m not ordering more things to fit this unhealthy lifestyle of yours,” he snaps. “Clean up and pack up for the Pre-Alpha Meeting!” The closet door slam shut.

I blew off the strand of hair lingering on my face. “Where was that fire when we were fighting a few days ago?”

I finished dinner and fell asleep. I know I gained a few pounds, so I refuse to step on any scale. I’ll work it all off once my invisible wounds heal and I have to escape from Leon’s torturous hold.

I threw my bag over my shoulder and dragged my legs toward the door. It wasn’t a surprise to see Harvey in front of my door. “Are you okay?”

“What?”

“I heard what happened a few days ago between Leon and you.”

“Oh. That.” My eyes cast down and I swallow loudly. “It’s fine. Whatever. I don’t care.”

Harvey places a hand on my shoulder and I flinch aggressively. Immediately, he removes it. “I’m so sorry. Does it hurt? Do you want me to call for someone?”

Leon steps out of his bedroom with Miguel. Our eyes met. Instantly, I look away. “It’s fine. Let’s just go.” I threw on my hood and kept my head down low.

Harvey grabbed my bag. “I got this.”

I nod but didn’t respond. If I talk now, I may laugh. My body shakes and the tears drip down. It’s so difficult to hold in laughter. My desire to spread my happiness was at an all-time high.

When we left the Pack House, Preston along with Leon’s mom was there. I still don’t know her name and I have a feeling she won’t tell me anytime soon. I avoid eye contact. Eye contact means acknowledgment. Acknowledgment means I have to converse with them. Conversing will lead to an argument that will result in his teeth ripping my head from my body.

I stood behind Leon with my head down low. From an outsider perspective, it would look like all my hopes and dreams of ever escaping is lost. A cloud cast over my body, and rain on my spirits.

Preston pat Leon’s shoulders. “I heard what happened and I’m proud of you.”

Yes, because your son abusing his mate is something to be proud of.

“It’s difficult now, but it will be better in the future.”

You mean, Leon won’t feel bad if he ever hits me harder in the future? I mean, he doesn’t hit me now, but it was a sarcastic statement.

“Go and show those other Alphas what Crescent Moon is made of.”

Leon nodded, “Okay.”

Preston headed towards me. Shit. He places a finger underneath my chin and lifts my head up. I want to shit my pants. He didn’t say anything and release me.

Leon and I got inside the car. Surprisingly, he sat in the back with me. Before the car starts, a black mirror divides the front and back.

“Are you okay?” Leon asks.

“Your dad scares me. I don’t like him.”

Leon shrugs, “He has that type of effect on others.”

I pull the seat belt over my body and click it. “I have a hard time believing you’re his son.”

He clicks his belt. “Others say I have a tendency to take after my mom.”

I can see that. “Hey, what’s your mom’s name?”

“What?”

“Your mom. She has a name right?”

“Lila.”

“That’s a cute name.”

“Do you think all names are cute?” he asks.

I nod, “Yeah. I do.”

“What about me?”

“Huh?”

He looks away, “Nothing.”

I didn’t make any further comments and pulled out my phone. It’s time to ignore everything around me and immerse myself in my own world. I’m playing Tetris on my phone.

A light caught my eyes and I looked up from the small screen. Leon fell asleep. I’m not surprised. His bag has bags. I turned towards the window, and the abandoned building came into view.

I haven’t forgotten about it.

Pangaea Institute.

Before Pangaea Institute closure, it was an experimental building. During a time of war, Acqua Rossa Spessa, all species were forced to push forward and evolve. Particularly those who cannot rely on magic. Of course, brute strength helps but werewolves understand that they cannot simply rely on it.

Crescent Moon managed to rise in power during a time of war, through the production of drugs. They would develop a lot of drugs but their main one was LykosKratos8 or better known as LK8. LK8 is a compound that enhances the werewolves’ physique.

It was going well.

Until it backfires.

Werewolves started to lose control of their shifts. They behave more like wild wolves than men. Infertile. Memory loss. Thirst for other werewolves’ flesh. Thousands of werewolves were beheaded.

Least to say, LK8 was taken off the line.

Then, they developed ErosAnthro10, a newer and better drug.

EA10 became an addict in the world of werewolves.

Particularly towards lycanthropes.

It’s still being used, but it isn’t made in Crescent Moon. The production line is somewhere else. The founder of the drugs feared that werewolves would rely on the drug or grew an addiction to it so they packaged and sold it outside of Crescent Moon territory. Werewolves don’t crave it as badly as lycanthropes, but it’s still as bad.

They said it’s because of lycanthropes’ royal bloodlines.

Something about the EA10 triggers their bloodstream and makes them lose touch with the world.

They say the amount of pleasure can kill them.

Which makes me wonder why EA10 is still being produced.

Why make something that can potentially kill you?

Then again, in my world, humans take drugs that can kill you. They know it. They know the side effects but they still take it.

I exhale steadily as the building disappears between the mountains.

I know the history behind the building, but nothing helped. Nothing was answered. I don’t know how I heard that girl’s voice. I don’t know how I traveled into my world. I don’t know how I traveled back in time to my world. I don’t know anything.

“The negativity around you is ruining my nap.”

I look to my left. Leon was leaning against the window. “Sorry for being miserable.”

“Save that misery for later.”

“Thank you for the comfort.”

He exhales and opens his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

I looked away and folded my arms. “I’m not in the mood to talk about it.” My body slouches down.

“Don’t do this.”

“Do what?”

“This-” he waves a hand around my face, “This girl pouting thing.”

“Girly pouting thing?”

“Yeah, you know. This...thing where I’m supposed to know what you’re thinking and say whatever it is that you want to hear. In reality, I don’t understand shit and then you pout even harder. Don’t do it. You’re not my girlfriend.”

I pout even harder. “Well, good. I’m glad I’m not your girlfriend. You make a crappy boyfriend anyways.” I scoff, “Can’t even tie a belt right.”

“Pardon?”

“You’re pardoned!”

“You-”

“You-” I said mockingly.

“You-”

I tilt my head, “You-”

“Sto-”

“Stop!” I cut him off.

“I am not afraid to throw you out of this car.”

I sat upward, “Go ahead.” I challenged him. “I would like to see the guy who can’t even tie a belt throw me out of the car.”

Leon expelled a sharp breath. The window that separated us rolled down. “Did you call Alpha Leonardo?”

“Stop the car,” he commands.

The driver pulls the car over.

I look over, “What are you doing?”

“Get out.”

“What?”

He un-clicks his seatbelt and drifts towards me. I lean back and close my eyes. My car door pops open. “Out.”

My mouth gap opens. So, he wants to play this game. “Fine. I wanted to leave anyway!” I grabbed my bag and left the car.

“You-”

I slammed the door on his face.

There are rows of cars that stop behind us. Utter confusion. One of the car doors opens, “What are you doing?” Miguel screams, chasing after me.

“Leaving! I hate him! I hate him so much!” I cannot believe I am pulling out my inner child.

Miguel exhaled, “What did he do now?”

I turn around, “He-” I point a finger towards Leon’s direction. “He-” I inhale a sharp breath.

Why did I get mad at Leon?

What am I angry about?

What he said is the truth.

I’m not his girlfriend.

And I probably bruised his Alpha’s ego when I openly mocked him in the car. I should be grateful he didn’t open the door while the car was moving.

“What did he do?” Miguel asks again.

“Nothing!” I scream. “He did nothing!”

I marched back towards the car. I didn’t acknowledge Leon when I passed him. Instead, I grabbed the car handle that was locked. “Open the door!” The door clicks open and I jump inside. I stare to my right, only to hear a door slam to my left.

The separator resume.

“Don’t dare me to do something. I would do it,” Leon said.

I ignored him.

“Are you purposely ignoring me?”

I turn my head further so I can’t even see his body.

Leon scoffs, “Women.”

We reach the airport, in complete silence. I know he didn’t say anything wrong, but he still kicked me out of the car and I’m upset about that. Well, five minutes into the car ride, my emotions disperse. Then, the realization of my foolish behavior emerges.

Whatever.

This can be good.

We’re supposed to bicker often to show everyone I’m miserable anyways.

I squatted down on the first-class chair and fought the urge to smile. I’m supposed to be upset. To show my clear unhappiness, I dig myself into the cloud chair and cover my face with the hood.

During my rest, I could feel something soft above me. My lids crack open to see Leon. Silently, he went back to his seat. I look down to see a blanket above me. Ah, damn.

I threw the blanket down and got up from my chair. Everywhere was dark. I grab Leon’s hand and pull him into the bathroom. Inside the cramped stall, I punched his arm.

“What?” he whispers.

“What do you mean what?”

He shrugs his shoulders, indicating his confusion.

“Don’t do these things.”

“Do what?”

“Put a blanket on top of me and all that shit. You’re supposed to make my life miserable. Not warm up my oven.”

“What?”

“Nevermind. Just be mean.” I slapped his arm one more time before I left the room.

I slid the curtains to the side and saw Harvey. Miguel sent him to ensure that Leon and I made it all the way to Black Forest. He grins and nods relentlessly. When Leon left the room, Harvey gave him a thumb up.

I scoffed and went back to my seat.

“Luna Raine,” Harvey said. I turn around. “You got a little saliva on your mouth.”

My brows crunch and I wipe my mouth. I must have spit when I scorn Leon earlier. Oh, great. Now, he got the wrong idea.

Leon walked behind me. I sat down and settled the blanket on top of me. Leon grabs the blanket and pulls it off my lap then sits down. I lean towards him and mouthed: “What the fu-”

He looks at me as if he did something wrong.

He did.

I wave him off and curl myself back into a ball.

I can’t believe him.

He can’t even be mean right.