Chapter 156
Barton and Talia stood by side, watching the scenery of John running up to Jephthah who was flat down on the ground, hand and legs sprawled like he was offering himself to the sky.
After what seemed like minutes, John helped him up, and the twins walked past them with Jephthah using his brother’s shoulder as support.
Talia felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach seeing the state Jephthah was In, and she felt even worse when they walked past them like they were strangers.
“I know this is the wrong time to say this,” Barton began and she turned to him. but, we have to catch something between uh… a squirrel and a porcupine? Yeah… don’t looked so shocked, it’s for Hakura. She’s got the upper hand because she can teleport back to the pack and get us some food and clothes and probably some soap… we all need to get cleaned in the lake from all the blood and sweat… so we have to get her what she calls ’energy restoration meal p>
She wiped her cheek, pursing her lips thoughtfully before she asked,
“Okay… where are we going to find a porcupine or whatever you call it p>
“We’re in a Forest.” He snorted his reply. “And since John’s not available, I was wondering if you could help p>
“Sure.” She managed to say, wiping her cheek again and walking ahead of him, biting down on her lower lip hard, and hugging herself, eyes twitching with so much emotions welling up in them.
Barton looked like he wanted to say something, but he held back and just quietly followed from behind.
The atmosphere seemed serene for a couple of minutes before her tears started streaming down her face again.
Nancy glanced up from where she was calmly snapping twigs, seated on a dead stump.
“You know he’s just scared, right? Aside that, I know Raiden loves you p>
“He said it to my face Nancy. He said he never did. Everything’s just been about lust. He never did love me,” She wailed louder, and Nancy got up to enclose her in an embrace. “I don’t know if I should have kicked him In the balls or if I should have cried Infront of him. But I did something alright. I just left with my heart drop-pit in my stomach.” She paused, relishing in the genuine love and warmth of her Luna before whispering In a shaky voice.
“I’m so stupid. I’m so worthless. And the only thing I’m good for is loving someone who doesn’t even give a sh*t about me p>
Nancy pulled back to glare at her.
“Liliana, you’re not worthless. You’re brave to begin with. Believe me, not many females could do what you actually did. You’re beautiful… f**k, you’re so gorgeous… you’re kind, you’re sweet, and feisty when the situation demands you too be, and you’re not scared of anyone. You’re not scared of putting yourself out there for the ones you love p>
She welled up, basking in the sincerity of her words, knowing she wasn’t trying to flatter her, yet p>
“That’s it?” Liliana stepped back, shrugging while folding her lips In, holding back another muffled cry before saying, “You’re saying I’m perfect. I don’t have any flaw p>
“Well, we haven’t known each other for that long,” Nancy chuckled as she folded her arms, giving Liliana a pointed look. “But I’m guessing you’re kind of too attached p>
“What do you mean p>
“What I mean is, you’re obsessed with Raiden. You love him, but with how you act clingy around him all the time, he might not get the message that you do love him. He might think you’re just obsessed with him and not really serious about anything besides that p>
Liliana furiously wiped the tears which has slided off the edge of her eyesーblushing furiouslyー as she denied.
“I’m not obsessed with Raiden p>
Nancy narrowed her eyes, a brow raised.
“You have a box full of BDSM kits for your future honeymoon.” She starts counting off the list of crazy things on her fingers.
“That doesn’t mean… “
“You already have a name for all your future kids. You said you two were going to have seven kids. You made me memorize their names, and have them written in your journal p>
“I seriously don’t… “
“You named your journal- RaiLa p>
“But.. “
“All those nights we slept together… you don’t go a night without calling him out while you sleep. You have wet dreams about him almost every time p>
“It’s just… “
Nancy turned serious.
“It’s. Nothing. Liliana. This has to stop. You want Raiden to love you just as you do, don’t you p>
“More than anything in the world.” She hurriedly replied with a yearning glint in her eyes. She yearned for him. For his love, his trust, his care and affection. For them to be fated mates. She yearned for him to mark her and claim her as his. She yearned for a future with him, with their children, a family.
“Then you have to stop clinging around him all day. Have some pride and raise your head high. He’ll realize you’ve been serious all along, and then he’ll be serious. All these obsession stuff just has it looking like you’re playing around with him p>
She nodded, pursing her lips with a sign of firm resolve glinting in her eyes.
“I guess that’s easy.” She mumbled, uncertain.
“Good. Now let’s go back to the fireplace.” Nancy calmly grabbed her arm and led her to the fireplace where everyone was already gathered.
Soon, Barton and Talia joined them, followed by Raiden who sat next to Koan, wanting to be filled up on detailed updates on Nancy’s fresh, visible mate mark. The pair had caught two squirrels, and they had all watched in horror as Hakura ripped out their internal organs, propped a stick through it, and after a few crafty minutes, she was able to hang the organs over the fire to slowly cook.
Daniel, John, Royce, Brittany and Nancy tried to liven up the moment, but the rest were either too emotional, depressed, angry or just disinterested.
“Let’s play truth or dare.” Nancy suddenly spoke up, almost jumping up and down where she sat.
“What are we? 3?” Cardin snorted.
“Who said only kids could play it?” John suddenly chipped In, a smirk on his lips.
“Yeah,” Nancy didn’t have a clue of what was going on in John’s head. “There’s nothing wrong if we play it. Besides, we don’t feel sleepy yet, and it’s a long night before tomorrow p>
Brittany glanced around the circle, taking note of the gloomy faces, and bored expressions.
“No one looks excited about it. We might as well just… “
“No,” Nancy snapped. “We’re going to play.” She whined, looking like she wanted to cry.
Cardin rolled his eyes.
“Sure. We are. And everyone’s playing.” He rubbed his hands together. “Are we ready p>
“We need a bottle… just like they do it In the movies.” Nancy said. It looked like she and John were the only ones excited to play while the others just stared on p>
“We can just ask in order. John will start, and when he’s done, his ’victim’ will continue from there.” Daniel finally said.
“Okay… So Daniel, let’s do this. Truth or Dare?” John announced.
Hakura silently ate the last morsel of food, licking her fingers to the disgust of some, before turning her full attention to the game, not wanting to miss it.
“Dare.” There was a taunting glint In his eyes.
“I dare you to…,” he turned to the witch who was still licking something off her fingers. “Kiss Hakura.” He sneeringly said, and Hakura glared at the two of them, especially when Daniel turned to her.
“Grow up John.” Cardin murmured.
“Yeah… I’m not going to do that you perverted piece of… “
“Whatever.” Hakura just murmured to herself, wiping her mouth.
“Okay then, but whoever turns down a dare has to eat the leftovers from Hakura’s meal p>
Daniel made a face like the others.
“You can’t be serious p>
“What’s wrong with what I eat?” Hakura suddenly announced, and a good number of them cleared their throats before looking away. She narrowed her eyes and cursed silently.
“Are you eating it? Or are you doing the dare p>
“I have a mate.” Daniel tried a pathetic excuse. Talia, Brittany, Barton and Koan managed a sneering smile.
“Who you clearly haven’t marked.” John shoved a stick down the piece of leftover by the fire and held it up to Daniel. “So what’s it gonna be p>
He stared quietly at the disgusting thing which had dried blood on it before turning to Hakura who had an amused look on her face.
Sighing, he got up, walked over to where she sat, and Infront of everyone, quickly pecked her lips before moving away, glaring hard at John who had a smothering smirk on his face.
Hakura rolled her eyes, before brushing a stray strand of her hair from the bun- back.
“My turn.” He snatched the stick from John’s hands before his eyes scanned the circle. He met with Koan’s eyes, and a slow predatory smile was already forming on his lips on what to say, but the words ’Try me’, accompanied by a cold glare, sent his eyes moving to the left.
“Talia, truth or dare p>
She turned to him, feeling everyone’s eyes on her. Her eyes were half-closed, bored.
“Dare p>
“I dare you to make out with any guy in this circle for thirty seconds, hands will be involved.” He added, waving the stick Infront of her just incase she was ready to change her mind.
As everyone ranted amongst themselves on how they were going to countdown, she caught Jephthah’s eyes, but he glanced to the right before turning away.
She followed his previous line of sight to see Cardin, and another pang of pain struck her heart, followed by a dry throat, as she forced her tears back in.
Suddenly, her hurt was replaced by a surge of anger and her pupils dilated.
Almost Everyone knew Talia would pick Jephthah. They were expecting the name without any hesitation, but her next words caught them all by surprise.
“Cardin, are you doing the dare with me or not p>