24a)
SPENDING THE NIGHT with Satchel was a wonderful experience.
Although, I had to admit it was really awkward, and half the time I
didn't know what I was doing, but thanks to Satchel, he was more than
willing to take control and lead me,while we shared something so
intimate and private, he made my first time unforgettable.
Somehow, we'd made our way up to my bedroom, and in my bed. Though my
single bed lacked sleeping space for two, it was better than the
floor. And I couldn't help myself. I was smiling.
Not just for the experience but also because of the fact of waking up
next to someone like him was a comforting relief.
I sat up on my elbows, and watched Satchel through the dim lit
room,with nothing but the moonlight filtering through - casting
shadows on his face. His eyes half closed, almost slit making his long
eyelashes flirt with his cheekbones. His smile was evident, and he was
playing with my hair.
"I like this color in your hair…you look like the Willy I remember."
My smile grew wider.
"Your mom got it for me." The mention of his mother made his hand stop
stroking me, and he frowned. Lost in thought again and
I wanted to kick myself for raising such a touchy subject.
Losing a mother was devastating to deal with; I lived with that
realization everyday. However, losing Aretha was like losing a mother
all over again…I could only imagine what he was going through. He'd
known his mother all his life, I wasn't so privilegedto know mine, but
the loss was still there regardless.
"I'm sorry," I apologized. He shrugged indifferentlyand resumed
playing with my hair.
"You're beautiful, you know that?" He drawled, as he smoothed his
thumb across my bottom lip tracing the slow movements with his eyes.He
was avoiding the subject, I could tell. But I wasn't going to push
himso I let it go.
I noticed his hair was loose, tangled around mypillows and his bare
chest was exposed while my sheets were lazily strewn around our
intertwined bodies.
It was surprisingly comfortable just lying here, in his arms just
relaxing. Abruptly, I frowned at the claw marks running from his left
pecs to his right abs. Ihad the same marks, but his were deeper, and
larger. Where did he get that? I worried silently. I ran my fingers
over the ruddy surface of his wounds and he caught me by my wrist to
stop me.
"Don't," he brushed me off with a silent stare. It only piqued my
curiosity even more.
"How'd you get that?" He gently pushed my hand away, and distracted me
by taking my hand and planting a kiss on the inside of my wrists. He
shook his head.
"Don't worry about it." He murmured, pulling medown to him so that I
was nestled in the crook of his arms.
I was still frowning because the wounds were still fresh. He'd gotten
that recently I knew that much. He caught my worried expression.
"Hey, just forget about it okay? We're together…nothing else matters."
He kissed my forehead. The way he said it made it sound final, but my
instincts were telling me there was more to
it.
We lay there in each others arms, as silence flittered through the
air. I couldn't let it go.
"Satchel?" I whispered, turning so I could see him better. His jaw
muscles bulged as he frowned.
"Yeah" He wasn't annoyed, just sounded exhausted.
"What happened in the woods when I left you out there?" Silence. He
just lay there, breathing in and out steady breaths. He furrowed his
eyebrows with his eyes still closed and I had a feeling he was trying
to avoid looking at me.
"Satchel…?" I gave him a pointed look. He rubbed his hands up and down
his face, and said, "Just drop it, will you?" He sounded frustrated. I
sat up on my elbows, angry now.
"Why won't you tell me?"I snapped, pulling the sheet up higher to
cover my chest. I hated when he got like this, always shutting me out
as if I was too fragile to deal with a slight mishap.
He sighed, and then finally opened his eyes and not only did he sound
exhausted, he looked it too. His green eyes were aglow in the dim
lighting, and they looked more stunning than I've
ever seen them despite his mood. He bit his lips avoiding eye contact.
"It looks worst than whatit is." He said, eyeing his wounds.
"Right. Been there, done that." I rolled my eyes. Now I was starting
to get frustrated.
"I tried to take care of Trench once and for all," he continued, "but
he got away…I had him right under my nose, but he managed to get
away."
The shock on my face was evident, but I masked it away in order to
focus. "These are from Cairo," he growled angrily, running his fingers
over his wounds.
"And Grams, please say she's okay?" He squeezedhis eyes shut.
"She's okay." He reassured me. I exhaled abreath I didn't know I was
even holding. Hearing she hadn't died was a relief, even if she wasn't
the greatest grandmother of the year out, she still was my blood.
I could here the silent 'but' hanging on the tip of his tongue.
"But?" I prompted.
He chewed on his lips.
"Your Grams helped Trench get away. She's made allies with the pack,
and she wants my head on a stick. Preferably with barb attached to
it." He made a grimace, and I still had a hard time reeling the fact
that Trench was still alive…not to mention grams is obviously Team
Trench.
Great! Just what I needed.
"You're kidding me?! But why? What did you ever do to her?" He
shrugged, and yawned.
"I exist. It's enough." I pinched my nose in frustration.
"It's insane, and she's insane." He nodded in agreement.
"Now that, we can agree on. By the way, she saw you out there. She
knows." He gave me a look that said 'she knows' knows. I blinked, and
suddenly felt a migraine coming on.
I massaged my side temples and groaned. She saw me out there? Asa
wolf…but how? I made sure to be careful not to be seen. I guess I
should have seen this coming, because not only did I ditch her for a
boy…I'd become the one thing she was afraid of me becoming: Her enemy;
A werewolf.
I sighed, slamming my head back down on the pillow focusing my
attention on the ceiling. Just my luck. I supposed she wanted my head
on astick too…like she done with her ex husband.
God! How is it, that in lessthan two months in Colorado, I suddenly
don't know a thing aboutmy Grams, as opposed to the Grams I knew back
in New York?
I shook my thoughts away and frowned at thesound of the knock coming
from downstairs. Satchel was up and out of bed in a flash, flipping
open the drapes to checkwho it was.
Right then, I had a 'holy naked!' moment. I mean, I've seen him naked
oncebefore and that was by accident…but seeing him now in a new light?
Figuritively speaking since it was hardly light out, and it was
impossible to see. He looked beautiful. A 'holy-damned-he's-naked'
kindof beautiful. Satchel all inhis six foot glory and he was all
mine. I liked the sound of that.
I watched him, while the glow of the moon hit the contours of his body.
"I think it's just the postma-" He was saying as he turned and frowned
at me. "What?" He asked with eyebrows raised. I shook my head,
fighting off a smile.
"Nothing…just you look really different now." I said with a teasing
smirk.He cocked an eyebrow.
"Oh yeah? That's a good thing, right?" I rolled my eyes.
"Of course, and before you get all riled up…I am so not feeding that
ego of yours. Your heads big enough." He chuckled, throwing on a pair
of black slacks that were strewn across the window sill. He owned a
lot of them, and it was impossible to know how they'd ended up there
in the first place.
"Besides," I said, trying not to get too distracted, though lord have
mercy if it takes him a year to find the rest of his clothes before he
covered up that body. I was sure to jump him before I could have any
sense to screw my head back on and think like a lady. -I just wanted
you to know that I really like where we are right now, and I just…" I
stopped, biting my lips as he took up the seat at the edge ofthe bed,
making me dip lower into the mattress.
He took my hand, and raised his eyebrows in earnest.
"Just what?" He said in his husky voice of murmurs. 'I love you' is
what I was trying to say, but my throat constricted. What if he didn't
feel the same way?What if I was moving us too fast, and he wanted to
slow it down or something. Or maybe I was being pathetic and that he
didn't see me as his girlfriend since I hadn't quite gotten any
confirmation about the subject of us being official.
God! Why won't my mouth move and say something?! The knock atthe door
coming from down stairs was persistent and stole my attention. I
sighed and shook my head instead.
"Nothing. I better get that." I said motioning toward the stairs to
answer the door.
He nodded and got up too.
"Yeah, I better go home and clean up the mess. Is it okay if Derryn
stayed here for a bit?"
"Yeah, it's fine." I waved it off like it was no big deal. He threw me
a loosetanktop that was spewing out of my drawers. It was an old musty
smelling thing, butI slipped it over my head anyway.
He bit his lips, as if he were about to say something while I got up
searching for something decent to put on, taking the wrapareound sheet
with me.
I could feel his eyes on me, and something abouthaving his full
attention made my heart flutter.
God! I never got tired of how he made me feel. Like I was worth
looking at. He quickly threw on his boots, and stood up. He managed to
find a pair of suspenders, and clipped them on to his pants.
"So, I'll see you…later?" He said, giving me a chaste kiss on my lips,
and I was instantly disappointed at the brief contact. It didn't last
longenough, so I pulled him closer by the front of his suspenders when
he tried to get away.
"Come on, is that all you've got?" I teased suggestively. He chuckled,
and his eyes gazed back down at my lips wrapping his arms around me
like a blanket.
Slowly, he leant down just near my lips without touching them so that
wewere inches apart.
I was near panting, anticipating his kisses, but his self control was
better than mine becauseI tried to reach him with my lips, he stopped
me with an index finger.
"Just for now…you'll havemore later." He murmured in a seductive tone,
making his intoxicating breath skim my nose. He pulled back, beaming a
smile.
And the loss of contact was enough to fill me with dread and
disappointment. Such a tease! And he knew it. He winked and opened the
latch to the window.
"Hold out!" I spit with a pout. He scoffed.
"You know you like it." He said with his back turned. I couldn't help
mysmile. You have no idea. I added silently. I rolled myeyes.
"You know, there's this thing they call a 'door', I think they
generally use it for walking in and out of." I countered, folding my
arms as I watched him struggle with the oldlatch on my window. I
wasn't quite forgiving with his depriving me of his lips. He shrugged.
"The window's more convenient." He gave me a backward glance.
"-Besides, what fun would that be when you can take advantage of a
free fall without...falling to your death?" He had a point. I cocked
an eyebrow as he chuckled and leapt out of the window. And just like
that, he was gone.
I raced toward the window, hoping I'd catchhim before the pine
treesswallowed him whole, and as soon as I stole a glance out the
window – I just caught the tip of hisblack tail swishing through the
pines.
I wanted to follow him, but stopped myself. I wasn't sure it was a
goodidea. He'd informed me that changing into wolf help take his mind
of human matters like losing someone you wereclose to. He'd told me
that's how he dealt with my leaving him. But while the reality of
losinga mom had sunk in, I don't think even that would help him
grieve.
I knew he needed to do this alone and it took all my will power to
push myself away from the window and not go rushing in behind him. My
smiled faded, as I stared at the empty window.
"I love you." I whispered to the air he'd left behind.
I noticed the person at the door had stopped knocking, so I threw on
astray oversized tee shirt that was on the floor, and made my way down
the winding stairs to investigate.
I opened the door to finda whole lot of my suitcases piled on the
doorstep. Almost everything I owned in New York was sitting on my
doorstep. I noticed a small envelope ruffling on the door. It had my
name. I frowned, ripping it off and surveyed my Louis Vuitton bags out
there.
"Whose stuff is all that?" Iwheeled around to hear Derryn. She was
pointing at the luggage.
"Oh..it's mine." I said, after a moments pause. Derryn raised her
eyebrows, looking over the estate property, then back to me.
"And the people just left it there…? What if it had rained, or worst
got stolen?" Never mind the fact that we were the only ones on this
state for another few miles, and that my luggage had been kept fairly
safe under the trellis, I still grunted in agreement.
"Who sent them?" She asked finally. I shrugged.
"Not too sure yet." Although I had one person in mind. It had to be my
Grams. I asked Derynn to help me with the bags, while I ripped the
envelope I'd been holding in my hand, fishing out the folding letter.
In a neat cursive handwriting it read:
You are dead to me.
Grams...
I blinked a couple of times, and read it repeatedly. All my credit
cards stuffed in the envelope too, with all of my belongings I'd ever
owned in New York.
"Willy, why are you crying?" I heard Derynn's voice a few minutes
later.I must have been standing in the same spotfor a good fifteen
minutes. I shook my head, angrily wiping at my eyes. I smiled down
atDerryn.
"It's nothing…hey why don't you come help me with my bags. I'm sure I
have a lot of clothes in there for you to play with." This lit her
face up,and she ran to the smallest bag.
Rolling it in, and dumping it by the couch. I went to get the others,
still hurt from the words I'd read from my grams letter.
You are dead to me...
I couldn't seem to take my mind of them. I could feel an aching hole
in my chest every time the words came crashing back. She really hated
me, didn't she? I gulped down my grief, and decided to hold my head up
high. I couldn't break down in front of Derynn. Not now, not ever.
I frowned when a couple of black and blue uniformed guys came
sauntering up to the porch. One bald, the other really lanky and
tallwith a full lot of hair.
"Good morning, miss. I'm officer Lincoln and this is my partner
Gerald." The Baldman introduced him and his partner with a nod of his
head. "May I have a word with the owner of this house?" The both of
them pulled out some form of I.D to confirm their status, and Ijust
rather stood there in complete confusion, wondering what the hell a
pair of officers would be doing lurking around my neighborhood.
Officer Lincoln was a baldman that looked like he spent his spare time
in a donut store, while the other lanky dude Gerald looked like he
could pass as a professional basket ball player in another life. He
was almost seven foot.
"Sure. You're speaking with her." I managed a small smile, but it was
forced. Surprise registered on both their faces, and Bald Head's eyes
wandered over the property.
"You own…all of this?" Heasked. His silver eyebrows rose in shock. I nodded.
"I do," I said confidently. It was still a shock to me of course, but
I was getting used to living here.
"Well, I'll be damned." He breathed, twitching his mouth into a smile.
Lankydecided to case the front yard with his eyes too, and I started
to get suspicious. I narrowed my eyes.
"Is there something I can do for you, officers?" They both snapped
their attention back to me. Baldhead nodded, pulling out a photo from
his back pocket.
"Dear God I hope so," He said in that Southie accent I was starting to
get used to hearing lately.
He flipped the photo so that it was in my front view.
"I've received a few reports about suspicious activity in the area,
regarding the disappearance of a Peter Maverick…you seen or heard
anything?" He handed me the photo of Peter with his blonde hair
spiked, and his blue eyes staring into the camera. He looked older in
the picture, than he did in real life but the cockiness. I bit my lip.
"No sir." I lied, shaking my head. I couldn't exactly say I'd seen him
in the forest in wolf form,and told him that he'd wanted to make a
coat out of me. He cleared his throat.
"I have evidence that youhave an old acquaintancewith the missing
persons.Is that correct?" I reluctantly nodded. I wasstarting to feel
uncomfortable having to deal with the whole thirddegree on my
doorstep. I was glad Satchel wasn't here to witness. I shuffled from
one foot tothe other, fidgeting with my hands.
"I used to date him, yes. But I haven't seen him since I left New
York." Liar. I silently scolded, butI squashed it down a hole. I
passed the photo back, and Baldy tucked it safely back into his back
pocket.
"Could we take a look around the property?" This alarmed me, and I was
sure a sweat gland peaked at the tip of my forehead. What if they
found something that I didn't know was there? I shook my head. No, I'd
seen enough movies to know that they had no right to go snooping if
they didn't have a warrant.
"Now I don't want to seem rude, Officer Lincoln...but I sure hope you
have a warrant for that." I kept my voice calm, and light. In fact, in
other circumstances I would have given myself a high five for being
calm.
He finally shook his head with a smile.
"Smart girl," commendedwith a nod "-but no, we don't have a warrant,
butwe could always get one." He was baiting me. I shrugged, not going
to succumb to his bullying.
"Well, then I suggest you come back another day with one. Is there
anything else I could helpyou with?" Double high five! Maybe my Grams
taught me a little thing or two. The both of them stared me down, but
I wasn't going to squirm under their authority. I'd had enough of that
putting up with my Grams.
"No, that's fine. You have a good day, Miss." The both of them
retreated from the porch, and I didn't move from my spotuntil I saw
the last of the dust cloud form behind the old cart as it disappeared
down the dirt road.
I turned to Derryn, shutting the door and twisting the lock. I took
afew seconds to urge my rapid heartbeat to slow it's roll. I'd never
been so nervous in my life.
"Found anything you likein there?" I asked, settling myself down on
the three-seated couch. The brown faded color made me think of wanting
to buy another set, or possibly covering it with a sheet.
In fact, looking around the dingy room made mewant to renovate it and
try to get rid of that musty smell. Maybe adding an
entertainmentsystem with a T.V that actually worked, and maybe just
modernizing it without completely changing the essence of it.
"I like these." I turned to see Derryn holding up a pair of my old
apple bottom jeans. I'd grown out of them a week after buying them.
Stupid growth spurt I had in middle school. I was 5'6 by the time I
hit high school. I eyed the black jeans up and down wistfully. Those
used to be my favorite jeans; it's why I refused to give them up. Even
red and gold stitching of the labelwas still intact.
"They're yours, then." I finally said to her. She squealed, and threw
her hands around me in a bear hug and she caught me off guard from her
amount of enthusiasm.
"IloveyouIloveyou," she rambled. I laughed, and kissed her on the side
of her head. I was glad she was safe, and to see her smiling.
"What are sisters for, right?" I said, and she just beamed a smile.
"Right," she agreed.
"And I have just the thingto wear it with. My fur coat." I held up a
white faux fur coat and I noticed the horror on herface at the mention
of 'fur'. I chuckled and shook my head.
"Don't worry, it's not real fur. No animal died in themaking of this
coat." She sighed in relief, and managed a appreciative smile.
"Thanks. I'm going to change into them." She said finally, tugging on
the clothes, and racing up the stairs toward the bathroom.
I rummaged through the bags, and took out my long checkered blazer
jacket, a pair of leggings that I would wear under my jeans, and a
couple ofmy beanies made from Gucci. In fact, my whole wardrobe was
Designer, and I couldn't help but wonder if maybe I'd been too much of
a superficial cow to not know what my Grams was up to all along.
I mean, back in New YorkI hardly paid anyone any attention let alone
realize my Grams business trips weren't in fact business My bags of
shoes filled with high heels with different colors, but I had a few
pairs of ugg boots, and sandals.
When Derryn came downafter changing, I tossed her a pair of white ugg
boots and socks, and I wore the tan brown ones.
"So, is Satchel your boyfriend now?"
I smiled despite myself. The hopefulness in her eyes was comforting to
say the least. Satchel as my boyfriend? I liked the sound of that. I
bit my lips.
"Yeah, I guess he is."
"Daddy was right. I told you so." Her tone was indignant, as if it
were her idea that Satchel and I would end up together. Probably was
all along.
"Now, let's get to work."
I took Derryn by the handand led her to the back of the yard. Winter
had finally marked it's territory as the icy cold hit the tip of my
nose. I nestled into my scarf, while I pulled the furry hood over
Derryn's' head.
It must have snowed last night, because a thin white blanket covered
the blades of grass. We trudged through it, making our way through the
estate heading toward the logwood house.
Satchel ha d gone back toclean up, and I thought he might need the
help, in fact, it looked like the entire estate property needed a
little tender loving care right about now.
Living out in the country meant taking care of crops, fixing fences,
salvaging for food (although a small town twenty miles from here
housed a supermarket), the people of Denvers Drove chose to live off
the land. I remembered when we'd gone huntingwith Satchel's dad, and
he'd caught a wild boar with his bare hands.
They were fast little buggers, and I marveled at the way Mr. Heins
handled his prey: with precision, and focus. Those traits I always
seenin Satchel that made me like him that much more.
Thanks to Satchel's dad, he'd always carried it on his back while we
helpedcarry the hunting gear. Satchel always had to carry the shotguns
(unloaded of course) while I had been stuck with water duty.
I snapped out of my thoughts when I felt the nape of my neck prick
with nerves. It was a side effect I'd gotten when I changed into this
beast I am today. It was a feelingI got that someone was watching me.
My body turned rigid all over, because I knew that feeling all too
well. Trench was near. I couldn't see him, but somehow I just knew.
I noticed Derryn humming beside me, oblivious to my fears but my
expression must have given me away.
"You okay?" She asked in concern. I squeezed her hand, and halted to a stop.
"Of course." I tried for nonchalance but failed miserable. She gave me
apointed look.
"Doesn't look like you're okay," she said bluntly. A retort hanging
off my tongue, I stopped myself when a figure stepped out from the
brush.
I squeezed Derryn's hand tighter, pulling her closerto me when I saw
the gun metal gray eyes. It was Trench, in his humanform no less? His
hair wasloose around his shoulders, and his bare chest exposed with a
pairof black slacks that looked strangely familiar.Were those
Satchel's?
I made it apparent to staya good distance away from him by slowly
stepping back. Careful not to make any sudden movements. You never
know what was hiding inthose pines.
Derryn spared me a fearful glance, and I bent down to her ear still
keeping an eye on Trench.
"Listen, I want you to go home and lock all the doors. D'you hear me?"
She nodded.
"What about you?" I smoothed out her red curls, and shook my head.
"Just stay inside, and staythere." I warned, and shereluctantly
nodded. I had to encourage her with a gentle push to get her moving.
She gave me onelast glance and raced toward The Logwood House. I was
thankful Trench let her go. I glared at him.
"What do you want?" I growled. He just shrugged.
"I've come for what is mine." He said as if it were obvious. I frowned.
"And exactly what…is yours?" He managed a small smile, and rested his
gunmetal gray eyes on me.
"You are." I shivered.
"I'm not yours, and I never will be." He stepped closer, and I
mirrored his moves stepping farther away. He shrugged.
"Can't deny the facts Snow White, I own you just as much as you do me.
We're mated, and there's nothing you can do about it, but let nature
take its course."
"You're forcing me into something I don't want to do, that's not
nature, it's you." He chuckled.
"I bet you've been dreaming of me."
My fear confirmed his statement, and his smirk spread into a
full-blown smile. I admit, he looked rather handsome when he smiled.
And he was right. I had been dreaming of him. Not that I could help
it.
"I've dreamed of you too," he continued. "-everyday since I marked
you, I see you in my visions and I know you have too." He came closer,
and just when I tried to step back the fence digging into my back
stopped me. I grimaced.
"You're full of yourself if you think I'd waste my thoughts on you." I
said in disgust. He just laughed. He was reminding me of Cairo right
now.
"And you're denying the truth." He accused. I rolled my eyes.
"You're speaking in tongues." I retorted, flicking my head in the
opposite direction. I needed an escape route right now!
"What?"
"In other words, you're full of shit." Somehow he ended up closer,
almost invading my space bubble.
"And you're denying the truth." He repeated.
"If you come any closer, I will-" In a blink of a moment, he captured
his lips with mine before I had any sense to react. I went for the
'biting lip' tactic; but it only made him grunt in a guttural manner
and he pulled mecloser.
His lips still molded with mine, and his hands wrapped around my
waist. I tried to push away, but he only forced his lips closer.
And then something strange happened, a scent of wood and maplecoming
through his mouth. I could not only smell it, but taste it. It was the
same scent I smelled when he marked me. Right then,
my mouth suddenly moved in sync, as I kissedhim back. Surprisingly
hewas a good kisser.
Actually, a great kisser…not Satchel worthy, but still really good.
His lips were smooth to the touch, and I had to suppress a moan as his
slick tongue swiped my lower lip, asking for an invitation. I allowed
him for some reason, since my head wasn't screwed on right now, and I
got caught up in the momentI pulled him closer.
Running my hands through his silky hair. Damn! What nice hair!
Visions of Trench flitteredthrough my mind like snapshots. Me running
as a white wolf, but instead of a Black Wolf running beside me, I saw
a Gray Wolf with those signature gunmetal
gray eyes. I abruptly pulled back, pushing his weight from me to ward
him off. He was doing this, I could tell he was making me feel this
way.
I wiped my mouth feigning disgust.
"That was…" I groped for the right word, and I really wanted to wipe
that cocky smirk off his face.
"Sexy?" He countered. I grimaced.
"More like disgusting." He chuckled, as if I amused him for some reason.
"Really? You look like youwere enjoying yourself..." I wrinkled my nose.
"You wish." He shook his head.
"No, I know." His hand crept down my cheekbones, in a gentle motion. I
shoved his hand away but he only replaced them with a firmer grip.
"I'm not Nia." I blurted, trying to distract him. His hand froze at
the base of my neck, and his expression changed to one of anger.
"Of course you're not-" I shoved his hand away from my face.
"I know you loved Nia, but you can't replace her with me. I'm in love
with Satchel, and no bonding scent or ritual will change that." I was
mad now. Why didn't he get itthrough his thick
head. It's not like he feelssomething for me. I don'tknow why he
wouldn't just let me go.
"We'll see about that." Hesnatched my wrist up justinches from his
cheeks when I made a move to slap his face. His grip wasrelentless.
"Let go of me." I grounded out of my teeth. His hands tightened more.
"You heard her, let her go." We both whipped our heads around to see
Satchel. He was in a fighters stance, fist clenched to the sides. A
furious expression taped on his face.
"Black Wolf." Trench hissed in annoyance.
"Let. Her. Go." Satchel barked out in anger. Trench just crooked a
smile, and touched his lips instinctively and a spot of candy red
liquid was smudged on his index finger. I'd made his
lips bleed.
"Huh, you made my lips bleed," He said, frowningat the red mark on his
finger and then back at me.
"Good." I bit out in, and made a move toward Satchel. Trench matched
my stare as he laced his tongue over his finger to lick it off.
"I guess I'll forgive you since you kissed it better just a moment
before." He sucked it for good measure and flicked his eyes back to
Satchel. His smirk growing wider.
"She's a good kisser, don't you agree?" He wasbaiting him, I could
tell…and he was looking to get a rise out of Satchel. It worked.
Satchel was tense and it was obvious he wanted to
break something right now. Preferable Trench's neck. I made for a run,
but my arm was snatchedup by Trench's large hand.
"Not so fast." He growled,tugging me toward him so that my back hit
hard against his chest. His hand squeezed tighter making me wince in
protest.
"Don't make any bright moves, Snow White…you might not be alive to
regret the outcome." He whispered, as his warm breath skimmed down my
neck. I shivered, sending a fearful glance toward Satchel.
I noticed Satchel's fist were closed tight, so thatthe whites were
showing, and his eyes were glowing white and green. His body was
glistening with sweat, and he was shaking with fury. It was enough to
frighten me to death.
"Satchel…?" He jolted in his skin at the mention ofhis name, and
blinked a couple of times. His eyes were back to normal, butyou
couldn't mistake the venom in them. Bloodlustreeking from
him.
"Alright, let's settle this. A fight to death, winner gets all."
Satchel finally hissed. Trench only tightened his hold around my
waist, almost to the point to where I couldn't breathe. He lowered his
nose to my neck and sniffed, only to exhale in a hum. I shivered
again.
"Tempting," he crooned. "-except I have what I came for, what could
youpossibly give me that I haven't already got?" We were backing up
toward the pine trees, and my pleading was silent. I couldn't go with
him again. I couldn't go through that again…ever.I panicked when the
pineneedles were visible on the ground.
We were near the outskirts of the forest and a hit of de ja vu came
flittering back to me. The thought of beingdragged out of here and
back in that forest with them made my throat constrict and my fear
prick my nerves. As soon as those pine trees obscure me, it'll be too
late.
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Islam is a religion of Mercy, Peace and Blessing. Its teachings emphasize kind hear tedness, help, sympathy, forgiveness, sacrifice, love and care.Qur’an, the Shari’ah and the life of our beloved Prophet (SAW) mirrors this attribute, and it should be reflected in the conduct of a Momin.Islam appreciates those who are kind to their fellow being,and dislikes them who are hard hearted, curt, and hypocrite.Recall that historical moment, when Prophet (SAW) entered Makkah as a conqueror. There was before him a multitude of surrendered enemies, former oppressors and persecutors, who had evicted the Muslims from their homes, deprived them of their belongings, humiliated and intimidated Prophet (SAW) hatched schemes for his murder and tortured and killed his companions. But Prophet (SAW) displayed his usual magnanimity, generosity, and kind heartedness by forgiving all of them and declaring general amnesty...Subhanallah. May Allah help us tailor our life according to the teachings of Islam. (Aameen)./-
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Monday, December 31, 2012
24a) - Story - , Moons Peak [FINISHED]- Deal Breaker (chapter24)
Justice under all circumstances
J ustice means being fair and impartial when offering solutions to
problems between people.
Those who do not live bythe moral values of the Qur'an, however,
generally do not conductthemselves with a sense of justice. Many
external factors may have positive or negative impact on their
decisions.
A person may give preference to the party he feels closer to
himself,or his own interests may influence the verdict; he may veer
from justice forthe sake of personal inclinations.
Deviation from strict justice is often greatest towards those whom one
dislikes most. Grudges and resentmentcloud the mind and make it hard
to take a decision in favor of the despised party.
Rage harbored in the heart may hinder a person from even acknowledging
the other party's rights of.
For this reason Allah draws special attention to this pitfall and
warns believers against it:
You who believe! Show integrity for the sake of Allah, bearing witness
with justice. Do not let hatred for a people incite you into not
beingjust. Be just. That is closer to heedfulness. Have fear of Allah.
Allah is aware of what you do.(Surat al- Ma'ida; 8)
In compliance with the verse, Muslims never commit injustice to any
individual or society because of kinship, resentment or personal
interests.
No matter what someone's belief, ideology or philosophy may be, or how
hostile his attitude to Muslims, atrue believer always treats him with
justice.
He is not moved by emotion toward unfair decisions, and even when
contrary to his own interests, he does not conceal or distort the
truth.
problems between people.
Those who do not live bythe moral values of the Qur'an, however,
generally do not conductthemselves with a sense of justice. Many
external factors may have positive or negative impact on their
decisions.
A person may give preference to the party he feels closer to
himself,or his own interests may influence the verdict; he may veer
from justice forthe sake of personal inclinations.
Deviation from strict justice is often greatest towards those whom one
dislikes most. Grudges and resentmentcloud the mind and make it hard
to take a decision in favor of the despised party.
Rage harbored in the heart may hinder a person from even acknowledging
the other party's rights of.
For this reason Allah draws special attention to this pitfall and
warns believers against it:
You who believe! Show integrity for the sake of Allah, bearing witness
with justice. Do not let hatred for a people incite you into not
beingjust. Be just. That is closer to heedfulness. Have fear of Allah.
Allah is aware of what you do.(Surat al- Ma'ida; 8)
In compliance with the verse, Muslims never commit injustice to any
individual or society because of kinship, resentment or personal
interests.
No matter what someone's belief, ideology or philosophy may be, or how
hostile his attitude to Muslims, atrue believer always treats him with
justice.
He is not moved by emotion toward unfair decisions, and even when
contrary to his own interests, he does not conceal or distort the
truth.
The result of unawareness
Despite all of Allah's warnings, unawareness quickly draws those
whopersist in it toward a horrible, indescribable, and eternal
punishment.Allah created this world as a place of testing, andthose
who leave it without becoming aware will continue their lives
eternally among the people of Hell.
As revealed in the Qur'an, their eyes and ears have been sealed and
their understandingremoved. Their understanding and awareness are like
thoseof animals. And, because they are so by choice, they are even
lower than animals:
We created many of the jinn and humanity for Hell. They have hearts
with which they do not understand, eyes with which they do not see,
and ears with which they do not hear. Such people are like cattle. No,
they are even further astray! They are the unaware. (Surat al-A'raf:
179)
Do you suppose that most of them hear or understand? They are just
like cattle. Indeed, they are even further astray! (Surat al-Furqan:
44 )
Animals have no awareness. Allah compares unaware people to them,
because their animal-like unawareness has causedtheir hearts to
harden. Whatever they see and hear, and all of the admonitions and
advice they receive, do not lift them out of that state. Asa result,
they do not learn anything from what happens to them.
All people without exception are responsible for understanding and
living according to the truth. But if they persist in their
unawareness, they become less intelligent than other living species
and lose those qualities that make them human. The sense, perception,
and understanding that Allahgives to everyone so thatthey can know of
His existence and serve Him are closed to these people who are
determined to persist in unawareness:
Those are the people whose hearts, hearing, and sight have been sealed
up by Allah. They are the unaware. (Surat an-Nahl: 108)
Such individuals can no longer save themselves from living among the
people of Hell unless they turn towards Him. Their lack of awareness
and confusion will be even greater in Hell:
Those who are blind in this world will be blind in the Hereafter and
even further off the Path. (Surat al-Isra': 72)
The harshness of the punishment and its terror are described in verses
as follows:
… the kindled Fire of Allah reaching right into the heart. It is
sealed in above them in towering columns. (Surat al-Humaza: 6-9)
People who live in a state of unawareness, who make no effort to
escape from this state, and who die without being aware of the Qur'an
and His pleasure will be dragged down toHell.
--
- - - - -
And Allah Knows the Best!
- - - - -
Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA
¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤
whopersist in it toward a horrible, indescribable, and eternal
punishment.Allah created this world as a place of testing, andthose
who leave it without becoming aware will continue their lives
eternally among the people of Hell.
As revealed in the Qur'an, their eyes and ears have been sealed and
their understandingremoved. Their understanding and awareness are like
thoseof animals. And, because they are so by choice, they are even
lower than animals:
We created many of the jinn and humanity for Hell. They have hearts
with which they do not understand, eyes with which they do not see,
and ears with which they do not hear. Such people are like cattle. No,
they are even further astray! They are the unaware. (Surat al-A'raf:
179)
Do you suppose that most of them hear or understand? They are just
like cattle. Indeed, they are even further astray! (Surat al-Furqan:
44 )
Animals have no awareness. Allah compares unaware people to them,
because their animal-like unawareness has causedtheir hearts to
harden. Whatever they see and hear, and all of the admonitions and
advice they receive, do not lift them out of that state. Asa result,
they do not learn anything from what happens to them.
All people without exception are responsible for understanding and
living according to the truth. But if they persist in their
unawareness, they become less intelligent than other living species
and lose those qualities that make them human. The sense, perception,
and understanding that Allahgives to everyone so thatthey can know of
His existence and serve Him are closed to these people who are
determined to persist in unawareness:
Those are the people whose hearts, hearing, and sight have been sealed
up by Allah. They are the unaware. (Surat an-Nahl: 108)
Such individuals can no longer save themselves from living among the
people of Hell unless they turn towards Him. Their lack of awareness
and confusion will be even greater in Hell:
Those who are blind in this world will be blind in the Hereafter and
even further off the Path. (Surat al-Isra': 72)
The harshness of the punishment and its terror are described in verses
as follows:
… the kindled Fire of Allah reaching right into the heart. It is
sealed in above them in towering columns. (Surat al-Humaza: 6-9)
People who live in a state of unawareness, who make no effort to
escape from this state, and who die without being aware of the Qur'an
and His pleasure will be dragged down toHell.
--
- - - - -
And Allah Knows the Best!
- - - - -
Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA
¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤
Names and Attributes of Allaah- , Are al-Sitteer and al-Sattaar names of Allaah?.
What is the difference between al-Sitteer and al-Sattaar? Which of
them is one of the names of Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The names of Allaah are a tawqeefi matter [i.e., they can only be
known through divine Revelation and sound texts of hadeeth, with no
room for ijtihad], as is the view of Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah, so
He is not to be called by anything except that by which he called
Himself or that His Messenger (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon
him) called Him.
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
The names of Allaah are tawqeefi and reason plays no role in
knowingthem. Based on that, we should limit our sources concerning
them to what is narrated in the Qur'aan and Sunnah, and not add or
subtract anything from that, because human reason cannot work out the
names that He deserves. So we must limit ourselves to the divine texts
and sound hadeethwith regard to that, because Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And follow not (O man, i.e., say not, or do not, orwitness not) that
of which you have no knowledge. Verily, the hearing, and the sight,
and the heart of each of those ones will be questioned (by Allaah)"
[al-Isra' 17:35]
"Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): '(But) the things that my Lord
has indeed forbidden are Al-Fawaahish (great evil sins and every kind
of unlawful sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly,
sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in
worship) with Allaah for which He has given no authority, and saying
things about Allaah of which you haveno knowledge'"
[al-A'raaf 7:33]
Because calling Him by a name which He has not called Himself by, or
denying a name that He has called Himself by, is atransgression
against Hisrights. It is essential to observe proper etiquette with
regard to that and limit it to what is mentioned in the text. End
quote.
Majmoo' Fataawa Ibn 'Uthaymeen, 3/275
Secondly:
The name al-Sattaar is not proven -- as far as we know -- in the texts
of the Qur'aan and Sunnah as one of the names of Allaah, may He be
exalted. Shaykh 'Abd al-'Azeez al-Raajihi (may Allaah preserve him)
wasasked: Is al-Sattaar one of the beautiful names of Allaah?
He replied: I do not know of al-Sattaar beingone of the names of
Allaah, but one of the names of Allaah is al-Sitteer, as it says in
the hadeeth: "Allaah is Hayiy (so Kind that He does not ignore the
pleaof the one who asks of Him), Sitteer (the One Who conceals
(people's faults and mistakes))." But as for the name al-Sattaar, I do
not knowthat it is one of the names of Allaah; rather itcomes under
the heading of description: it may be said of Allaah that He is
sattaar, and description is broader than the names. End quote.
Quoting from the tape Sharh al-Ibaanah al-Sughra li Ibn Battah.
With regard to the nameal-Sitteer, it was narrated by Abu Dawood(4012)
that the Messenger of Allaah (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon
him) said: "Allaah is characterized by modesty and concealment, and He
loves modesty and concealment. When one of you washes himself, let him
conceal himself." It was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh
al-Jaami'.
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked in
Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh:Are al-Muhyiy and al-Sitteer regarded as
names of Allaah?
He replied: al-Muhyi is not one of the names of Allaah; rather it
refers to one of the actions of Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"It is He Who gives life and causes death. And when He decides upon a
thing He says to it only: 'Be!' ___ and it is"
[Ghaafir 40:68]
So muhyiy is the participle from the verb ahya (to give life), and it
is one of His actions, not one of His names.
With regard to the nameal-Sitteer, it is mentioned in a hadeeth,but
its authenticity needs to be examined. Ifit is saheeh, then it is one
of the names of Allaah, because the view of Ahl al-Sunnah
wa'l-Jamaa'ah is that every name of Allaah that is proven to be saheeh
from the Messenger of Allaah is proven, i.e., it is proven to be one
of His names. End quote.
As for the difference between al-Sitteer and al-Sattaar, both of them
are indicative of extreme concealment, and Allaah covers a greatdeal
for His slaves.
And Allaah knows best.
them is one of the names of Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The names of Allaah are a tawqeefi matter [i.e., they can only be
known through divine Revelation and sound texts of hadeeth, with no
room for ijtihad], as is the view of Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah, so
He is not to be called by anything except that by which he called
Himself or that His Messenger (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon
him) called Him.
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
The names of Allaah are tawqeefi and reason plays no role in
knowingthem. Based on that, we should limit our sources concerning
them to what is narrated in the Qur'aan and Sunnah, and not add or
subtract anything from that, because human reason cannot work out the
names that He deserves. So we must limit ourselves to the divine texts
and sound hadeethwith regard to that, because Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And follow not (O man, i.e., say not, or do not, orwitness not) that
of which you have no knowledge. Verily, the hearing, and the sight,
and the heart of each of those ones will be questioned (by Allaah)"
[al-Isra' 17:35]
"Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): '(But) the things that my Lord
has indeed forbidden are Al-Fawaahish (great evil sins and every kind
of unlawful sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly,
sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in
worship) with Allaah for which He has given no authority, and saying
things about Allaah of which you haveno knowledge'"
[al-A'raaf 7:33]
Because calling Him by a name which He has not called Himself by, or
denying a name that He has called Himself by, is atransgression
against Hisrights. It is essential to observe proper etiquette with
regard to that and limit it to what is mentioned in the text. End
quote.
Majmoo' Fataawa Ibn 'Uthaymeen, 3/275
Secondly:
The name al-Sattaar is not proven -- as far as we know -- in the texts
of the Qur'aan and Sunnah as one of the names of Allaah, may He be
exalted. Shaykh 'Abd al-'Azeez al-Raajihi (may Allaah preserve him)
wasasked: Is al-Sattaar one of the beautiful names of Allaah?
He replied: I do not know of al-Sattaar beingone of the names of
Allaah, but one of the names of Allaah is al-Sitteer, as it says in
the hadeeth: "Allaah is Hayiy (so Kind that He does not ignore the
pleaof the one who asks of Him), Sitteer (the One Who conceals
(people's faults and mistakes))." But as for the name al-Sattaar, I do
not knowthat it is one of the names of Allaah; rather itcomes under
the heading of description: it may be said of Allaah that He is
sattaar, and description is broader than the names. End quote.
Quoting from the tape Sharh al-Ibaanah al-Sughra li Ibn Battah.
With regard to the nameal-Sitteer, it was narrated by Abu Dawood(4012)
that the Messenger of Allaah (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon
him) said: "Allaah is characterized by modesty and concealment, and He
loves modesty and concealment. When one of you washes himself, let him
conceal himself." It was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh
al-Jaami'.
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked in
Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh:Are al-Muhyiy and al-Sitteer regarded as
names of Allaah?
He replied: al-Muhyi is not one of the names of Allaah; rather it
refers to one of the actions of Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"It is He Who gives life and causes death. And when He decides upon a
thing He says to it only: 'Be!' ___ and it is"
[Ghaafir 40:68]
So muhyiy is the participle from the verb ahya (to give life), and it
is one of His actions, not one of His names.
With regard to the nameal-Sitteer, it is mentioned in a hadeeth,but
its authenticity needs to be examined. Ifit is saheeh, then it is one
of the names of Allaah, because the view of Ahl al-Sunnah
wa'l-Jamaa'ah is that every name of Allaah that is proven to be saheeh
from the Messenger of Allaah is proven, i.e., it is proven to be one
of His names. End quote.
As for the difference between al-Sitteer and al-Sattaar, both of them
are indicative of extreme concealment, and Allaah covers a greatdeal
for His slaves.
And Allaah knows best.
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