Novels by S.S.

5 years later… “Put the flowers right there.” Alessa directed her oldest, now four-year-old daughter, Melissa. “You put the flowers right next to hers.” She told her youngest son, Ross, almost three years old to do the same. Then she placed the flowers in her hand on the grave as well. “Thank you for looking over me, for looking over us,” she prayed. Urging her kids to do the same. They loosely repeated their mother. Tears were starting to well up in Alessa's eyes. “Sorry, it’s been so long since I’ve been here.” “Don’t cry. It’s okay. He is looking down and smiling at how far you’ve come.” Madison said putting her hands on Alessa’s shoulder. “He is thankful you came into my life,” Alessa said. “You're the reason I have all of this.” She pointed at her two kids. “Kyle had something to do with this.” Madison laughed. “What did I have something to do with it?” Kyle joined the cluster which included Madison, John, and their four kids. Aspen and James. Alessa and their two ki

Kyle took her hands as soon as Alessa got to him. “We are all gathered here today to join this okay-ish man and this wonderful lady.” James started. Kyle glared back at him. James cleared his throat. “Ok sorry.” He added. “The couples I hope have written their own vows because this is as far as I’ve got in my speech.” Kyle gave James a look of disbelief but he nodded and Alessa, who wasn’t told they were doing this, blankly stared back. Kyle took out a piece of paper out of his tux pocket and began reading, as Alessa began panicking. “Alessa, from the moment I met you, I knew you were my person.” “Took you long enough to admit it.” James quibbled. Alessa agreed with a small nod and this helped easy her nervousness. Kyle glared back once more at James. Then Kyle continued, “I know the journey here wasn’t a straight line. I am not sure it was ever a curved line. We’ve been to hell and back and somehow back again. It was more than most people see in a lifetime, but today, a

Alessa ran down to the fifth floor, where the elevator was stuck, and met with a cluster of firefighters. “Move. Move. Move.” They all shouted as someone fiddled with a box full of wires next to the elevator. “Kyle!” Alessa said. It looked like the elevator was a room that had fallen ¾ into the ground. You can see the top half of the elevator and Kyle, the second half was hidden underneath the floor. “Hey babe. This is my bride.” Kyle proudly told the firefighters. “Sorry for this mess Miss. We’ll get your groom out shortly.” One of the helmeted men said. Alessa kneeled down so she and Kyle were eye to eye. Kyle rested his chin on the ground and Alessa rested her forehead on his. “I thought something horrible happened!” Cried Alessa. “I am okay. Wish I could just jump out of here but I’ve been advised against it.” Kyle pecked Alessa’s lips. “I did learn a lesson in all of this.” “Yeah? What’s that?” Alessa asked, raising her eyebrows. “My wife is always right. Learned the

It was a week later. Alessa looked perfect as she examined herself in her bathroom full mirror. Her lace white dress hugged her in all the right places and fell in a circular pattern around her legs. Alessa walked out to meet the girls. As soon as she did, Madison handed her her white and pink bouquet. “Thank you!” Alessa smiled at her. The girls—Madison and Aspen—were in the penthouse, in Alessa’s room. The herd of people who usually fix Alessa's hair and makeup had already done their thing and she was now just waiting for Kyle. He of course decided to work today of all days despite Alessa warning against it, saying, “With everything going on, work did fall on the back burner. I’ll just run to work and be ready by the time we have to say our vows.” “I think you should put your hair up. The ceremony is outside, and it’s windy and cloudy today.” Madison warned back on the couch she had been sitting on as Matthew cooed in agreement in her lap. “It looks better curly and out like i

Alessa and Kyle walked all around the venue to ended up by a hidden back door. Kyle led Alessa up a set of stairs until they ended up at a balcony. The same balcony they had their first kiss at. “No one else is allowed up here,” Kyle said as they walked over so they could be under the string lights. “But what about the party? Shouldn’t I mingle? Get introduced as your fiancée?” Alessa asked. “There is time for that. I just wanted us to spend some time together. I haven’t had the chance to see you alone since the night you told me we were having a baby.” Kyle sat Alessa down on one of the many scattered chairs. He took a seat right across from her, still holding onto both her hands and playing with her ring. “Won't hiding out on the roof of your party interfere with your message, what was it? Rebrand and reassure. Camelot, a family business again!” Alessa asked. “Eh, let it. One party isn’t going to change the damage Frank did to Camelot’s reputation.” Kyle shrugged and kissed Al

Madison was back. Alessa was really excited about that but there was just one problem, she and Aspen couldn’t get along. Kyle and John had decided with everything they have all been through the past few years, they wanted to have a party to celebrate, a masquerade ball to be specific. “It will be for my birthday this time. Lord knows we need a celebration.” Kyle had said. Now, Alessa was stuck dress shopping with a very pregnant Madison, who was hormonal, and Aspen who didn’t hold her tongue. Alessa twirled around in all different dresses in front of a large mirror while the girls commented behind her. “I like the white one better. You are going to be a bride eventually after all.” Aspen said as she sat next to Madison on a couch the fitting room held. “She can’t wear white for the ball, it isn't her wedding that day. It’s just a ball. Wear this blue dress. That’s the color you wore last time.” Madison said pointing at the dress Alessa was currently adorning. Alessa gave anothe

I slept horribly the first night. Nightmares of the moon turning so bright that all of Astoria disappeared, or of Kent turning then flying up to me and stuffing my mouth with chocolate cake. I woke up every hour, because of the howling I heard throughout the night. At our cottage, because we were so far removed from the village, and because my sisters never changed without the full moon, I barely heard howling. Now—that’s all I heard all night.When Madeline came to wake me up, I was already sitting tired-eyed in my bed—a little too soft for my taste.“Hello, my lady.” She said. “I have a bath ready for you.”“Ok.” I automatically said as I slid out of the bed. Madeline led me to a relatively empty room with a wooden curtain on the side and a steel bathtub, filled with water and flowers in the middle. It smelled divine in there. A mix of flowers, citrusy lemon, and a hint of sandalwood. Madeline turned around and indicated I removed my dress by mocking the removal of her own. I did

Kent’s POVThis was crazy. I had essentially kidnapped a woman–no, she was too immature to be called one. I had no idea what to do with her. So I snapped my fingers and called out, “Max!”Max’s paws pitter-pattered as he walked down the castle steps and met me at the side, right underneath the creature's tower where I was pacing.“Release,” I commanded. The wolf turned into a man. I handed him his clothes. “I did the wrong thing, didn't I?”“No, not at all, sire. It was a great idea to have a wolf rider in your castle!” Max sarcastically said.“She doesn't even know what she is!” I said. The guilt I had been feeling about this particular fact had resurfaced. To the creature, I had ripped her away from her home for no reason. Maybe she thinks it's because she is human—half-human—but that factor made this very complicated. Now she was under my protection. A human. Someone I didn't just vow not to hurt but protect. “That doesn't make her any less dangerous. Until we tame her. She is—a t

“Wow,” I said and it echoed back to me. I was in the foyer of the castle. It was a long hallway and alongside the walls, gold-framed paintings of old men hung lazily. Kent and Max were in front of me, leading the way. “Max, I am sure you are tired.” Kent snapped his fingers and a giggling young girl ran up to him.“Ser,” she bowed. “Clothes for Max.” He simply said. The girl disappeared and another appeared in her place with a set of clothes. “Turn the other way,” Kent said to me. I did as I was told. So did the other girl.“Max release,” Kent commanded, I slightly turned my head to see the dog, whose back I was riding a few moments ago, reassembled as a man. He was skinny, short, and looked tired. His eyes were dull, but kind. His hair was dirty red and shaggy but not in a purposeful way like Kent's. He looked quite messy. The rags Kent had ordered—loose brown pants and an even looser white blouse—didn’t help Max any. “Take her to her room. Lock her in there till we can figure som

“We are walking there?” I wined. “I travel transformed usually.”“Oh I have an idea, why don’t you transform and run back to your castle, and I just stay here? Win-win.” I sarcastically said. He glared back at me. “How long is the walk?” “Two hours if we cut through the forest.” “I am not allowed in the forest,” I said.“I am allowing it. My permission is the only one you need now.” He barked. “My permission is the only one you need now.” I mocked. “Start moving!” I barked back.He started walking without arguing back. So fast I could barely keep up. “Wait! Wait up.” I yelled. “Wait for me!” He slowed down, giving me a chance to catch up to him. He was right at the entrance of the forest which wasn’t far from our cottage. “Don’t ever, ever, command me like that again.” He said. His black-red eyes are more red than black now. “I wasn’t commanding,” I said, taken aback. “I was just joking.”“I want you to quietly follow behind me. Not another word till we get to the castle.”

“This isn’t fair. You can’t do this.” I cried. My face was buried into my purple bed covers that were getting stained with tears. While Marianna, who’s lap my head was resting on, stroked my hair. The revelation from earlier was still fogging up my brain but the news that came after was worse. After the beaded bracelet on my arms turned green, I rushed home, expecting my mother to explain things further. I was a mess. Confused. Lost about who I was. In disbelief. Mother did no such thing. As soon as I walked in, I was told I had two hours to pack and be ready to leave. Kent was waiting for me in the living room. “You hate me so much that you want to kick me out?” I tried using guilt to get her to stop. “Mother, does she have to go? I know you said she was to go to the castle to learn the ins and outs for me so I am ready to be his mate, but can’t I just go do that?”“It’s improper. Full moon for a wolf is no laughing matter. Especially a male wolf. Kent doesn’t want to lose control

Kent’s POV I was honestly expecting a fierce, charming, mysterious woman, and all I saw was a scared—albeit somewhat bratty—girl. No doubt, it was because she had no idea who she was. All the mother’s doing. Though if I spawned one of those things, I’d keep it a secret too. I may not even let it live. Once the noise of the two dimwitted girls left, I snapped at Max, so he could leave too. He followed my instructions as he always did, and once it was just Madam Amelia and I, I let me guard down. “On top of everything, she is half human? You know her kind are not allowed in Astoria.” I informed her. Perhaps she was under the impression that Astoria, which my great-grandfather founded, allowed humans just because we took a vow not to hurt them. Well some of us took that vow. Others, like my dear brother, didn’t care. “She is the safest here.” Madam Amelia shot back. For a werewolf in her old age, she was quite a thing to witness. She had kindness in her eye, but her actions an

Stephan stopped at a home, dirty green in color and dilapidated in condition. The lawn was overgrown, the windows boarded up, and the roof chinked in places. “What is this?” I asked, getting out of the car.“Clown Face’s house.” He said, coming up next to me. I turned around to get back into the car. He laughed heavily and said, “I am kidding. It maybe the house that my dad lived in. Whitney was one of the reasons I am here, but this is another.”“Maybe?” I asked curious. “I was pretty much raised by my mother and stepdad. My mother only ever told me my father’s real name. I knew nothing else. Until I started doing some research. I found out this is where he grew up. Not sure where he is now. He may not be alive.”“This honestly explains so much about you. I get why you are so nice now. Boys raised by women tend to be kinder—according to the data.” “You think I am nice?” We both looked at each other. Stephan gave me his innocent boyish smile and my heart did somersaults. “I was

I had left lunch angry and upset. Instead of driving home with Stephan, I had asked my mother to take me home. Although she was confused I had made up an excuse about how Stephan had to go pick up his stuff from the hotel to bring. "Why can't you go to the hotel with him and come to the house together?" She had questioned. "Yeah, I can drop you off!" Stephan had offered. "Mom, I am uncomfortable in this dress, and I don't want to make him drive back and forth." " I am going to stay back late and help aunt Karen clean up. Ask Dad to take you back." She had suggested, thankfully not questioning me more. After dropping me off, my Father had gone back to the hall to help my mother. So I decided to relax in my room upstairs, on my bed, out of my uncomfortable dress, but not quite ready to put another pair of clothes on. Therefore, I was just in my bra and underwear, on my phone, listening to music and replying to more emails in between skipping songs I was not enjoying. Through

Several pockets of crowds were starting to break up as people began to find their seats. Stephan and I did the same thing. Aaron also joined us a few minutes later with his date who was wearing a similar dress to my earlier knee-length option."This is–what’s your name again?” Aaron asked the tall, skinny, model like Burnett next to him. “Did he hire a prostitute for this event?” Stephen whispered into my ears. “Shh!”“Marley.” She meekly said. “Sorry, yes! Marley. She is my new assistant. Just started. Join me at the wedding as we are deploying a new project and may need her assistance.” We all exchanged hellos and conversed in between the awkward silences that usually occur when strangers are forced to hang out. Stephan took one of those opportunities to quietly comment, "Too late, it looks like he likes brunettes."I twirl my curly, blond hair in between my fingers.”I can always dye it!” I couldn't help but give a slight giggle at this comment and Stephan's investment in my l

The drive to the hall was five-minute and most of the wedding party was either in front of us or behind us.The hall itself was a pretty building made of glass, almost like a greenhouse, and you could see twinkling lights raining down even though it was noon and we were a few feet away. From what my mom was saying, they had rented another building for their wedding. If this was where the rehearsal was, I couldn't even imagine how beautiful the wedding reception location was going to look. My heart began pounding and my stomach churned.She was getting married in this beautiful place, while I was pathetically pretending to have a boyfriend."Maybe this...this...is...isn't a good idea," I said through what felt like a panic attack."You okay?" He asked.I took a few deep breaths, not fully able to complete any of them. "Let's not do this! You just walk in and tell her the truth!" I suggested.But when I looked over to the hall, I saw that Whitney was out there welcoming all the guests w

The rehearsal felt like torture because Whitney used it as a way to besmirch everything I did. From the way I walked, to how I was slouching when I was standing, or that I was not smiling enough.Robbie was no help. While Whitney was focusing on how I was doing things, I noticed that Robbie was doing the same to Whitney, like a controlling stage mom. All in all, my boy Robbie needed to chill. Not that she didn't deserve it. I suppose I was just a bit more sensitive to how he was acting because if Whitney had done what I had asked, I would be in her shoes right now.Relax, it was just a high school crush I thought to myself. Though he was the last boy I truly liked, maybe because I was naive then. Now I have data to help me make choices, and none of them lead to a boyfriend. Just then my phone pinged inside my hand. It's crazy, I know, but bear with me, what if the serial killer of Clown Face is still alive and kicking or killing and the guy they have in prison is innocent? Stephen te

"WHAT?" I yelled, rather loudly, causing several babies in the plane to cry in unison. I was my own worst enemy, as well as everyone else’s on the plane right now. "Shhh..." Stephan said, placing a finger on his parted lips. "It might make my life easier, plus, imagine your cousin's face when she sees that you are at her wedding with someone she used to be with."This proposition felt so tempting that I almost accepted it on the spot. Seeing Whitney's beautiful face crumble as she came to terms with the fact that her ugly cousin was now dating her ex. The one who was madly in love with her, was now in love with me (even if it was just a lie). However, I knew this would not be a good idea in the long run. If discovered, I would have to admit to Whitney that her presence, her mean comments, and her successful personal life did have an effect on me, so much so that I was currently contemplating having her ex-boyfriend be my fake date to her wedding, and this was too embarrassing to even