Novel-novel oleh Ari Haruno

BONDS TRIUMPH ANY TRIAL The worst thing about starting a revolution is that you have to see it through. I'm starting not to like that idea. Mostly because I'm stuck inside alone- well not necessarily all by myself but those that support me, cannot attend to my needs. And by needs, you know what I mean. No, not sex. Get your head out of the gutters. I meant conversation, cuddles, and late-night plays. I was part of the front line too, but then I was physically and forcefully removed without choice or option; because we found out an important matter. Only I knew first this time but kept it hidden. For good reason. This eventuality. I sigh once more palming my stomach. Grayson has been gone for three weeks. He's taken my women, his men, frankly anything that would remind me of what's going on outside those gates. So many more humans have joined our cause to live freely and have freedom. And we have spread like a wildfire, expanding our borders in even spaces I didn't think possi

HE'S NOT THE ALPHA Darnick is compliant with his decision to return, which only leaves Rasmus and me as the only jittery pawns on his chess board. This uninformed selfish decision of my father will run everything we've worked for into the ground and when Leila gets wind of this, it will be nothing short of a fuse explosion. "When are we leaving?" "At a convenient time for all of us," Xavier answers as if we're talking about abandoning cattle. That these weren't people with lives. Lives that were depending on us to protect them. "When was this decision made? ""Does it matter when it was made? My decision is final.""We're leaving them to die. It's a suicide mission. " I clarify just in case he was too blind to the reality of the situation at hand. "Commander Lyra has the know-how to navigate even the toughest of circumstances. ""The capability but not the equipment she needs. She hasn't had that for a while now. Or was that the reason why you've decided to save half her battalion

IMPOSSIBLE CIRCUMSTANCESGRAYSON "You've made a grave mistake confronting him before everyone else, " I told my little mate when we had returned to her quarters."I know, I know, " Leila nods. "You allowed your emotions to get the best of you and now he's out for blood. ""I know. He'll want my head for this." She paces around her room rubbing her arms as if exposed to the cold. "I just, it felt too much. After I thought we lost them all. I mourned them, Grayson." Leila's dark eyes meet mine confusion swirling in the midst as she gazes up at me. "How are they still alive, it's not possible? Why wasn't everyone else saved? If he's so strong why isn't everyone still alive? Marie, Louis, and his family. "Leila's body trembles as she breaks into tears once more, her emotions overriding the restraint she had built up now bursting at the seams. "It doesn't matter. They're here and alive. ""Except it does. How can I tell the part of me that's been hollow for months now that it was all a

A PACK LOST A PACK GAINED I was on the outside surveying our space to plant more food and possibly rear a few animals. It's been a rough couple of months and my arm heals at snails pace. The wolves are still gathered around the periphery of the fortress, steadfast and unmoving since Grayson hasn't lifted his command. Hadn't we had them, perhaps Phineas' attempts to destroy us would have succeeded at his first crack.A hand reaches around, blocking my view and I attempt to back away, ducking beneath in the process, only to be enclosed in hard flesh and bones. "Morning," He growls at my ear ."It's afternoon," I correct."Still early," he rasps at my ear, back pedaling both of us in the process."Where are you taking me?" I question the oaf."You'll see soon enough.""I have work to do," I argue."You're always working," His reply comes, feet still walking blindly and his breath warm a constant against my cheek."Do you even know where you're going?" I enquire not liking the fact that

STRONGERDaina runs away while I sit in open contemplation. My chest and cheeks hurt like fudge sticks, my shoulders are sore, but my head felt as if I'd hit it against the column, knocking myself out for half my lifetime. My body was heavy as lead, even though I was only seated upright."I wouldn't advise moving as yet, Luna. You took quite a nasty beating and the medicine still needs time to circulate.""Impeccable timing," I told him, my voice croaking as that of a hoarse frog, my eyes quickly sweeping the room. It wasn't mine, but from the nonexistent accolades, I knew this was Grayson's plain room. I could almost chuckle thinking of how filled this room will easily become with Tyler's drawings over the years.That is if he intended on staying here. Fear seized my chest and I clutched at it, telling myself I'm only overreacting. Where else would he seek to go?"Where's Grayson?""The Alpha is currently being looked after." Gamma Kole answers.My brain dissects the funny way he dec

DAINA ALL MEN MUST SERVE Inside was just boring and mourful. All everyone bickered about was the war and how things should have been different. They lamented about losing people and about not being prepared more. All it did was agitate me. It was the past, it was said and done and cannot be changed. I desperately wanted to scream at them to just shut up and move on with their lives. Focus on freaking surviving. What else could we do at this point?Glancing around the blackened room and finding the newly acquired Alphas only made my mouth more sour. Six people from two entire packs survived that freaking attack. What kind of monster army did Alpha Phineas have to have subdued them like that? His Luna had been such a simple girl when we met last. I supoose that's the reason behind her apparent simpleton behavior. Her Alpha was terrifying.I push to leave the suffocating atmosphere of the dead and dying, a human warrior shifting into my path and blocking my way."Sorry," He says voice

AIDENMy brother thankfully makes it in time before Yuuki manages to fly away, though if I’m being honest, I would have liked a few moments to compose myself before having to brief everyone about my findings. Water beneath the bridge I suppose. Aunt Aria and Luke take the seats across from my desk, while my brother stands to the side, yawning. May enters soon after, her expression bothered as she shrinks into her seat across from Yuuki. I sigh, not much I can do right now, I’ll have to leave my intrusive thoughts for later. “I figured out the code.” I announce, Luke's peaceful composure breaking into astonishment.“What?!” They ask in unison.“As I said.”“So what is it then?” Hayden enquiries lifting his eyes from examining his nails. A habit he tends to do a lot.“I’m not sure exactly. It wasn’t as clear cut as I expected it to be,” I confess.My brother’s expression morphed into annoyance and he yelled pointing his finger at me.“Then why the hell would you lead with that then, y

Hayden leaves me, going to stand against the floor to ceiling, his glass of blood to his lips as he gazes on the outside, his mind lost in the wind. Now that I’m in their niche or nest, I find a different side to them. Not necessarily May, for some reason she’s always so angry. I don’t get why she doesn’t just admit to Aiden her feelings and move on. As for Amy, it’s clear she has reached her limit with them. Everyone here has something important to them all of which, in one way or the other I find myself longing for. Ties, bonds, friendship and family. I wish I had all or even some of it. You might argue that I have Aiden- I don’t. I have a semblance of what would be a family. What they hope might be the future, but that might not be what I want. And my Grandfather- he’s just another puzzle piece that doesn’t make sense. Where was he when father locked me away or Micah for that matter. Could I even trust them?“It’s eerie that it seems nothing has changed all these centuries that w

When I awake the sky is inked in obsidian blue, only the twinkling of the stars, the only illumination of the night. The house is quiet, I would have liked to believe it would have been even a bit more lively to crypt of silence that has always accompanied our previous home. Aiden is still asleep, I realise sitting up, his eyebrows furrowed as if dreaming up a nightmare, I want to reach out and soothe him, but I fight against the better inclinations, and give into the excuse of food when my stomach rumbles horribly.Right, I haven’t had anything to eat since lunch this afternoon.I slip through the door, leaving it slightly ajar so as not to wake him before silently rushing down the winding corridor, hoping I at least won’t run into any enemies before finding the kitchen. I spy maids dusting and cleaning, carrying out their duties while I scurry around like a cockroach unwilling to be found. There’s a light on I find when I venture down the hall, the door slightly ajar. My hands ball

Everyone is still shocked over the idea of all the vampires ever leaving. Apparently, their plan was only to be here for a while and not exactly settle. But wherever they were, their subjects would most likely follow. I stand on the threshold of the door looking out, most of the humans gathered in the yard. Harry’s funeral will be held later today, the thought is rather ominous hanging over the house. That was the last memory they would ever have of Aiden. Maria is distraught over the fact over me leaving with them, I haven’t the heart to tell them it was for the best or the fact that I was one of them now- or will be soon. At this point, I think it was best to rid them of some of the guilt that would hang on their shoulders. They were already aware Aiden wouldn’t have left me behind so easily.The train ride to the house is long and dreary. There’s fog everywhere, completely obscuring our vision and I grow impatient and nauseous the more we move. Hayden is fast asleep beside me in

Why would I ever think that Belle would ever do that? Belle had everything she needed, even if life’s circumstances might have shifted a little. Aiden seemed to have leaned into every whim that she had tossed his way, notwithstanding Hayden’s grave distaste for her presence but why? I couldn’t think of anything that could lead her down that road.“The dagger that I gave to you, was hers. It's an artifact. A tool made to take a vampire's life indefinitely given that we are immortal creatures.”“She wanted to kill you, why would Belle?”“Not Belle. Your father. Belle took her life to save mine.”“But you could have saved her.”“She was already gone when I got here.” He turns his back to me. “If Belle had confided in me about what her parents required of her, I could have saved her.”“But you made all the humans think you killed her, Aiden why?”“Because it was easier for them to see me as a monster. Who would believe Belle would take her life instead of mine?” He takes my hand in his on

I can’t.I can’t hurt him. The blade of the dagger sits against his chest but I can’t find the strength to embed it into his chest. I want to and God knows I’m trying but I just can’t. My hands won’t move further. I toss it away, screaming as I curl in on to myself questioning my sanity. Screaming for the life of me because I didn’t know what was real anymore. Aiden comes over to hold me and I let him, because what was the sense of fighting anymore? I can’t kill him and yet my heart feels as if it won’t ever heal. “What am I truly? Tell me.”“You’re one of us. Always have been.” He answers.Aiden picks me up effortlessly, placing me against the bed and I stare out into the abyss more or less still rooted into reality. It’s cold outside, the crispy wind billowing into the curtains that flap about endlessly without an anchor. My tears still fall, pouring like untamed waters that knew no ending and I shiver at the thought of never having a sane thought ever again.“Yuuki-”Aiden gra

RIDER I hurried home, running through the living area and headed for my room grabbing my travel bag. I hadn't seen Halie since she left, haven't heard from her, wouldn't even know who to ask. But I had promised that we'd only be apart temporarily and I meant it. 'You're leaving!!' Quinn's voice screams in my head. 'When were you planning on telling me this?' 'Hopefully before you had the chance of screaming my ear off' I responded in the link. 'I give up my position too' Oliver says joining the conversation. I pause, grabbing a shirt and then two more. I wasn't sure how long I'd get to stay with her- not that I was hurrying, but I couldn't put off going to find Jax either. The asshole hadn't left a clue about his whereabouts and I pray to Selene that he hasn't gone Berserker either, but I'm almost sure he might have said something to Moi about where he might be. And that's what I'm counting on. 'No you can't' I reply to Oliver. 'What? You just walked away from yours'. 'I'm thi

RIDER I watched as Halie left, feeling the longing in her heart to stay. I wanted her to stay but she couldn't. With Jax gone, my father and the new Alpha would try to keep both her and Moi in holding. It had to be something special why an Alpha of all ranks chose a human for a mate. I haven't even divulged that she was my mate. But I wasn't gonna wait around for either secs to accept it. I only stayed to ensure there was no abuse of the Red Devil pack members. I was standing behind Halie's oath to give them safe passage. Which is what the argument between us is. "We rebuilt most of the destroyed buildings, men are working on the fences to get them up again. " Oliver explains. He is just as exhausted as I am at our Alpha's stubbornness. He might have been his father-in-law, but I swear Oliver rolls his eyes and mutters beneath his breath 'If it wasn't for Allison and the pup'. No one wants to deal with either of them. Neither my father or the current Alpha and the fact that I was

I was still pissed that Rider took his ex along but I knew he didn't do it on purpose. It's not like he could send her back. Besides the whole fact that I can't even think straight, Moi is dead and in the heat of things, Rider decides to admit that he loves me. Now, his pregnant ex tags along. I've been avoiding him for days now ever since we started the journey back to his pack. It's not that I dont love him, I do, but I'm confused as to where we go from here. If Gale hadn't rotted me out, I had agreed to leave Rider be. The guilt still gnaws at me, especially after what we shared last night and some part of me thinks it would be the right thing to do. Especially with a baby on the way. Sam would only continue to be petty and would likely require Rider for everything, even lifting a cup of water. I walk around checking on the pack members, smiling at the little kids. They were all so terrified. I had eavesdropped on some of their conversation a little earlier, hearing someone ment

RIDER I can't move. I think I might have broken every bone in my body, plus the additional ones that were broken prior to embarking on this adventure. Now that I had the time, I felt every radiation of f**king pain soaring through my body. "Hey, " Halie whispers, her face contorted in concern as he held onto me. "You're going to be okay. There's so much blood" She chuckles nervously. "So much blood but you're going to be okay, I promise. " 'Okay' I told her, even if she couldn't hear me. But I trusted her. I can hear Veron, thank goddess he was still breathing, Quinn still in enough shape to make jokes. I can almost smile at the thought. I can't believe we actually won a f**king war, killed Ragna. I killed a Red Devil. Yeah I was never going to live this one down. Something cold slips into my veins, my eyes opening momentarily finding Halie still beside me. She glances up with a smile, her eyes moving back to whatever she was doing. Her small hands skim my fur, chest relaxing as sh

RIDER It's a small jerk, then another and then the sound of sputtering that pulls me from my reverie and to her side. I lift my mate, helping her to sit forward as she coughs up water swallowed from having gone under. Halie immediately wraps her arms around my neck, shivering, pressing her mouth to mine and I return her kiss in fervor. Maybe she didn't think I'd make it while I was losing hope that she'll remain alive. Halie pulled back, staring into my face for a while, tears streamed down her cheeks, lips trembling and I pulled her closer, squeezing her against my chest. She didn't need to say anything. I already knew and understood. "You actually came," she whispers. "For me. " "I promised I'll always find you, didn't I?" "That's so corny. " Halie chuckles against me and I soak everything up, determined not to let these memories slip. I decided here and then that I was going to do better, be better for her. Believe in her. "Erhem, " Someone coughs from behind me, and Halie pe

RIDER Ragna was dead. I wanted him dead and unidentifiable beneath me. Halie was mine and now she was his. He stole her from me, ripped her from my arms and now from my soul. Apart of me doesn't feel any different, I don't feel as if the bond I have with Halie has broken, but I'm so apprehensive at the thought that it makes me giddy and irrational. Ragna roars with anguish as he rips me from his hand that I had latched unto, taking a chunk of flesh with me as I roll, before hurrying back to my four paws. That molten feeling spreads through me once more, shoulders tense and pain radiates through every limb. Soon I wouldn't be able to control my actions anymore, but I don't want to. Not with this bastard. He walks around me going in circles and I watch him, my tail wagging excitedly. I've never felt this excited over a prey, not since the last time I had training with my father. The alarm that registered in his eyes when I tackled him to the ground, when I had only missed his main v

I just committed a jailbreakA freaking jailbreak.I was also dead.Very, very dead.My hands trembled against my weakened thighs as I dug my eyes into the ground. If anyone found out my betrayal, my uncle, Enzo, no doubt he would disown me or even kill me with his own hands. I shiver at the thought of my twin taking my own life. It's such a terrifying thought. I could hear the blood pounding in my ears even as I attempted to get my breathing under control and the exhilarating thrill that flowed through me like molten lava. This was probably how Halie felt to be so reckless.I've become a Halie!And as if on cue, Oliver rather oblivious to my meltdown doesn't waste any time in attacking now that he has me all to himself without fear of repercussions from his kidnappers."What do you think you're doing?" Oliver barks at me and I remind myself that I couldn't fold at his authority, doing my best to keep my back straight. "Do you know what you've done?" "Yes. I freed you from that bloody

Enzo"Running away already? Even more proof that you don’t belong here." He continues.I grit my teeth, seething to myself at my brother's lack of faith. Even if that invitation was for him, the fact that I found this place or could even break the code should be enough to have me here. But no. I'm not good enough. Well, he would just have to suck it up, I was going NOWHERE. Bet he wouldn't be like this if it was Halie. He would be leering after her. Ick. Oh for the day when he finds out Rider isn't just her boyfriend. Note to self, I have to tell Halie that I get to break the news to him. That look of horror will be worth all my future pain here."Will you give it a rest?" I chastised him beneath my breath, so just we were privy to our conversation. "What does it matter? You flinched. Practically ran away so you've already lost your place." I wish I didn't hear the desperation in his voice to get rid of me this urgently. It hurts."I wasn't running away." I defended. "I was only pr

I make it home and what do I find? Everything as it always has been. My parents were both in the sitting room chattingly happily as if I didn't hear a whole group of people say and oath that will scar the world we know it to be. I make a mental note to talk to them and Halie while I pack my bags, surely she should be back in Cascades by now and definely I will have to talk to her about hanging up her phone on me. As I glance around my room it finally dawns on me that I was maybe way too much over my head. I was a budding psychologist, I analyse people for a living and help them with their problems, now my life is taking a different twist. Actually, that's being modest, my life is completly upside down. I can't kill people. I especially can't kill children and these people-Hunters have no regard for life in any shape or form. They had killed a child before my face. They stuck his head on a pike, there were bodies every where when everything was done. I covered my face and rolled into a

Ammoy did the worst f**king thing to me. She ripped out my heart and stepped on it, splattering it out against the muddy ground with her feet. I know she is petrified, I know leaving me, running away from me had not been an easy decision. She had made up her mind that she had to go, that this was the only way to save me. Or us by extension.This little human that had stolen the most precious and guarded thing to me, left me reeling and feeling more abandoned than anything else. It did not matter that I had lost my pack months ago, nor even that my best friend would have my head the moment he caught up to me. Moi was everything I needed to keep me from drowing in this darkness. She was the one thing that held me together, now she was gone. But against all that I might have thought or wanted, I had to let her go. I couldn't keep her here and I have nothing to offer her. I've lost my pack, my mind, and total control of every damn thing around me. The last thing I should do is demand that

I can still hear the clammoring of people cheering, only it feels like their all at a distance away and im falling , falling hard and deep into oblivion. The Hunter's Association? The Archane?was thus a dream, was I still dreaming?I reach around pinching my hand painfully. No, it was reality, a freaking God damn nightmare. Had I have asthma the shock from it all would lead me straight to my grave and my brother.My God what blasphemy had Lorenzo dragged himself into and my Uncle that's grinning away in pious righteousness. It's sickening. So sickening to see these people, so many people,humans at that revel in spilling blood. A chill crawled over me thinking of everyone. Of Halie, Rider- Jax's nephew who was yet to see the world.These people didn't think that they had families, that wolves had bonds. It will be a massacre and I saw it all just watching the revelry and intoxication of indignation swirl around these people. Everyone is depersed around me, interacting and making know

Enzo was nowhere to be seen when I descended the staircase, after taking my beloved nap. I will admit, not within his hearing- because he'll just tease me about it, but I did miss Halie and the house felt lonely without her. Last summer was the first and only time Halie had visited my home physically. We had spent so many other summers elsewhere and together like a detachable trio. Halie had always been like a sister I never had, bossing me around and standing up to Enzo for me whenever he became agitating. I'm sure it's the same for Enzo. Halie is the wild one, always racing everywhere, procrastinating then cramming for exams, and hopelessly stubborn. She made me feel a little more confident, always reminding me that my flaws were my unique points. It was that wild side that led us behind my house in the wee hours of the morning. I would not have ventured out any other way. It was the most terrifying thing I've ever done, recalling the night Alpha Ragna had found us, it also turned