Bond

Atasha’s Point of View

I woke up early and started my day cleaning my house. I wasn’t sure if I really was able to get a good night's sleep after all that happened yesterday, not to add that my attention was completely drawn to the ball, which made me completely anxious about Clarence Norwood.

I began doubting her intentions . . . I knew I shouldn’t feel this towards her but I kept asking myself whether I did something wrong that agitated her or was it all just in my head? If she was mad at me, was it because I rejected her plea when she asked me to help her see Elijah? I didn’t know what to think anymore. The Moon Goddess knew that I hate it when I start doubting people without confirming the situation. In my heart, I knew that Clarence was trying her best to get along with me . . . or was I the only person who thought that way?

I wanted to know the truth, her real intention towards me, but I couldn’t deny that deep within my heart, I was totally afraid to find out that I was right . . .

I just hope that these were all just nothing but false thoughts whirling through my head. After all, I was just starting to blend in here . . .

After rearranging the old furniture I had in the house, sweeping the floor until it gleams, and adding some plants on the window and side table, my place became livelier compared to how it was before. I wiped my sweats that had formed on my forehead as I smiled.

I then prepare a simple breakfast and then a coffee. I was eating in the living room when someone knocked on the door.

“Atasha!” Leo called me from the outside.

When I opened the door for him, a basket of bread was the first thing I saw. Behind it was Leo’s smiling face.

“Good morning, Tash!” He greeted me and then entered my house.

His gaze wandered on the whole place, mouth half opened with awe. “This place becomes cozier and livelier now!”

“Yeah, I just felt like rearranging some stuff to brighten up the mood of this house.” I went back to the living room and sipped on my coffee.

“You did great, Tash,” he said, complimenting me. He held his nape and shyly looked at me. “You know what? Having someone to live within this house does make it feel more like home.”

I raised an eyebrow as I didn’t like his tone. Was he trying to suggest for him to live here with me?

“That’s why I want to find my twin sister. This house would be our home,” I replied and sipped on my coffee again.

He palmed his face and made a deep breath. “Please don’t get me wrong about what I just said. I wanted you to be reunited with your twin sister, that’s for sure. I assure you I’ll do my best to find her once we’re done with our plan. You will then be able to live with her here in our pack.”

A small smile curved in my lips. I must admit that most of the time I feel alone in this empty house. That's why even though I didn’t really like working in the coliseum, I still did. I had to distract and busy myself as it gave me a reason to push forward and not deal with this loneliness.

“So, what are you doing here?” I asked curiously.

“Oh! I am here to bring my peace offering,” he said and handed me the basket that was full of bread. “I am really sorry about what happened yesterday. I was just overwhelmed with all the tasks I had to finish and we still have to finalize the plan when Alpha Gregory arrives. I didn’t mean to take it all out on you. I hope you can forgive me, Tash.”

I accepted the basket and gave him a pat on his shoulder. “No worries, Leo. We’re cool. I already forgot what happened yesterday.”

His face lightened up more. “Really? I’m so happy to hear that. I thought you were mad at me.”

“No, mishaps like that happen sometimes . . .” I shrugged.

At the very least, Leo was kind enough to confront me immediately about how he felt. I preferred it more than being puzzled as to how someone feels about me. I glanced at the ball I put on the window. The initials written on it made me feel anxious.

“What happened to your window?” Leo concernedly asked and walked towards my very broken window. “Who did this?”

I lowered my head. I was contemplating whether to tell him what happened yesterday or just let it pass as I myself didn’t know if my hunch was correct when I heard him speaking again.

“Atasha, what the heck happened here? Who did it to your window?” he asked, this time his voice was demanding.

“Don’t mind it,” I answered blankly. “There were kids who played outside my house yesterday. One of them accidentally threw the ball to my window. Nothing serious, Leo.”

“Were you hurt then?”

I shook my head. “No, everything was fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“That’s a relief.” He glanced at the window again. “This can’t stay like this. Don’t worry, I’ll have someone fix it on the weekend.”

“Well then, thanks!” I smiled at him.

Leo joined me for breakfast, then he waited for me while I was preparing myself for work. We went to the Coliseum together. While we were walking toward the stage, Clarence appeared out of nowhere to greet us.

A spike of anxiety started to build up inside my chest. The Moon Goddess knew that I was struggling to control my emotions . . . that I should be less judgemental and doubtful. But I was having a hard time as I really wanted to know the truth.

The truth was the only thing that would stop me from overthinking . . . that was the only thing that would make me feel at ease. However, I didn’t know how to talk to Clarence about it. I was afraid that if I opened up, she would end up being angry at me.

Simply by thinking about it, my body seemed to start to become so uneasy.

“Hey, Atasha. Are you alright?” she asked with worry in her eyes.

I looked at her eyes. I saw the glimpse of worry and fear through it which made me want to scold myself . . . I shouldn’t be feeling anxious towards her . . .

Her eyes won’t lie . . .

Though I wasn’t so sure whether she’s being sincere or not, I still managed to give her a nod.

“Yeah,” I replied in a soft tone of voice.

“I apologize for what happened last night. I had to meet up with my friend and she asked me to sleep in her house because her parents are out. I know we had a deal that I should pick you up at Central—”

“That’s fine, Clarence.” I smiled to assure her. “Someone helped me get home last night and I am not hurt or anything so we’re cool . . .”

“That’s a relief, Atasha. Thank you for understanding!” she said.

I opened my bag and took the clothes she lended me yesterday from it. I gave it to her with a small smile. “Thank you for helping me yesterday. I truly appreciate it, Clarence.”

She chuckled and accepted the clothes. “I-I am happy to help you anytime, Atasha.”

Her words gave me a small amount of comfort. I just hope that I was wrong to doubt her. I recalled the ball that was thrown to my window . . . My heart raced fast as I was going to ask her if she had an idea about it but Leo ordered us to proceed with our work.

Perhaps this wasn’t the right time yet to talk about my worries with her . . .

***

Leo gave me different tasks that day. I was assigned to make some invitations for the event and sort out some packages. This time, I made sure that my work was being done correctly as I didn’t want to cause any kind of trouble today. I could no longer afford to disappoint Leo at this point. I knew I treated him badly because he lied to me about my sister but at the end of the day, he was still kind enough to help me . . . to give me shelter and place in the pack.

I guess that was what pack mates were for . . .

My eyes darted on the group who were repainting the murals on the stage. They seemed pretty fast and skilled when it comes with art. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched them enjoying painting.

The thought of Clarence getting involved ruining the mural I painted yesterday bothered me so much. I felt so anxious whenever I thought about it . . . I hope I can clear things out with her so I can be free from this anxiety. At this point of my life, I realized that I didn’t need enemies as it would only make my life miserable and unhealthy. I didn’t want anyone from our pack to feel mad at me. The Moon Goddess knew that I wanted to be friends with them, to treat them as my family . . . including Clarence.

I sighed and continued working.

During lunchtime, I went ahead in the cafeteria and got my food. I sat next to Leo who was having lunch alone on the vacant table.

“I hope you don’t mind,” I said, referring to me joining him for lunch.

“Not at all, Tasha,” he reassured as he chewed his food and swallowed it. “So, how was your new job?”

“It was great. I was less worried because I didn’t have to paint!” I joked and we laughed. “But still, I made sure that all items were sorted out. I was also able to make a lot of invitations for the event.”

“That’s cool. You’re doing great, Tash.” He smiled at me. He seemed very happy and relieved based on the looks of his face.

“Yeah, thank you for not giving up on me,” I said and began eating my food.

I realized that I should trust Leo more than anyone here. After all, he cared a lot for me and knew when he said that he would find my twin sister, he wasn’t lying at all. I guess we just have to build mutual trust for each other. I started to become comfortable with him again, like how we were back then.

Yesterday was total chaos, I must say. So, I claimed that this day would turn out great for me. I really hope so . . .

My gazes wandered inside the cafeteria. Then I saw Clarence standing at the counter while holding her tray. Instantly, I felt so nervous and looked around her . . . I hope she won't bump into some werewolves again!

Minute passed and she joined me and Leo on our table. She then shared her apple to me.

“There you go. Please accept the apple as a sign of my apology for what happened last night. Once again, I’m truly sorry, Atasha,” she said sincerely and held my hand that was resting on the table.

Leo then chuckled. “Clarence, how about me? You made a lot of mess that caused me so much headaches for the past couple of days!”

Clarence rolled her eyes at him and pouted her lips. “Atasha is more worthy of my apple than you. So, quit it Leo, alright?”

Leo then started teasing her which made me chuckle as I watched the two of them arguing.

I thought that perhaps I needed to only adjust and get used to these people around me.

Looking back at my childhood memory, there was no doubt that I was able to live a normal life. It was only then when my father found out that I couldn’t shift and thought I was cursed that I was locked in the attic. Same thing happened in the Crimson Moon Pack’s realm. I became a slave and was trapped inside the mansion . . . Maybe those things had to happen for a reason.

Now that I was given a chance to reconnect with my pack, I didn’t wish to waste that chance any longer, after all those bad things that I had endured before.

In order to survive, I had to deal with day-to-day hardship and still be able to think positively afterward.

I stared at Clarence who was laughing with Leo.

I was wrong at doubting her. She was Elijah’s ex-lover after all and she had all the rights to be mad at me, if ever she did.

I was hoping that one day, I would learn a lot from her and perhaps, she could teach me something that I could use to have a better living . . . or how I could shift and find my mate so that I would no longer have to be alone anymore.