I can tell you the exact moment my life began to fall apart. The moment where everything came tumbling down and I no longer knew what my place was in the world. The familiar instantly became foreign and I was left with nowhere to go.
It all started when my boyfriend had found his mate.
Tyler and I had been dating since I was sixteen, almost a year of time was spent having him by my side. Tyler happened to be the Alpha's son, I had grown up with Tyler and spent my childhood training at his side.
When I turned sixteen the feelings of friendship quickly blossomed into romance. Tyler was seventeen, able to find his mate from he turned nineteen.
I was so gullible back then, hanging on his every word. I was so sure we would be mates, we were destined after all.
I had this same delirious mindset up until his nineteenth birthday party, the day where everything crashed and burned.
Tyler picked me up from my house around 8 p.m. He pulled up to my house in his shiny Mustang, I'd often joke that he loved his car more than me. There were a lot of things Tyler loved more than me.
My mom, dad and older brother weren't fond of me dating their soon-to-be Alpha. They knew the risks of getting involved with another wolf, but like a child, I had ignored them.
I hopped into Tyler's car, not thinking twice that he hadn't opened the door for me.
"I thought I told you to wear the blue dress." Tyler sighed, rolling his eyes. I frowned at him and looked down at the black dress I was wearing. I didn't see anything wrong with it.
"I told you I didn't like that one." I frowned, wondering what got him in such a bad mood.
"Whatever, you know I'm just looking out for you." Tyler shrugged, "You look like some goth girl when you wear black."
I rolled my eyes at his bad mood, knowing he would cheer up once he had a few drinks in him.
Tyler never liked when I wore black, he would always say I looked "goth". I didn't see a problem with looking "goth", some of the clothes they wore were really cute. I'm sure it didn't help that I had straight, raven colored hair.
Tyler had told me hundreds of times how much better I would look as a blonde, but I couldn't bring myself to dye my hair. I was the only one in the family who had gotten my grandma's raven hair.
I sat in silence as Tyler drove, listening to him openly complain about the neighboring packs. Tyler seemed to have a problem with just about everybody.
"The Alpha from the Dawn pack is asking for my help. He picked a fight with the Crescent pack and needs my help to get out of it." Tyler rolled his eyes, running his hand through his sandy blonde hair.
I felt my eyes widen, "The Crescent pack? Why the heck would he pick a fight with them?"
The Crescent pack were one of the baddest packs around. Legend says they started out as a pack of all rogues, and quickly expanded once Alpha Gabriel came into power. Now Alpha Gabriel's grandson had taken over, and it seemed the cruelty ran in the family.
"Please Lola," Tyler scoffed. "It's just a stupid pack, and their Alpha is just a man."
"A man with a lot of territory." I mumbled, knowing that the Crescent pack held the most territory in the world. They were the biggest pack our kind had ever seen.
"Not for long." Tyler smirked. I didn't like the feeling that bubbled in my stomach at his words.
"What do you-" I started, but was cut off.
"Enough of that. It's not important." Tyler dismissed me with a wave of his hand. We pulled into the parking lot of the nightclub and Tyler turned to face me.
"This is important." Tyler smirked, pulling me in and pressing his lips against my own.
I giggled like a stupid school-girl and leaned into the kiss, loving the butterflies that swarmed my stomach.
"Are you finally going to say yes tonight?" Tyler smirked, tugging on a piece of my long hair.
I found myself smiling back, ready to give him the news he had been waiting for.
It was only a matter of hours until Tyler was able to find his mate. He had been nagging me for months now to finally sleep with him, to let him take my virginity. Each time I had turned him down, waiting for this night. Once we officially became mates, I would give myself to him entirely.
"I'm ready." I bit my lip, looking up into his cerulean eyes.
His smirk deepened as he pulled me in for another kiss, "It's about damn time." I giggled as he grumbled.
We went inside the club and met up with our friends. I linked my arm through Chelsea's and talked to her over the pounding music.
Chelsea was one of those people who was easy to hate, and harder to like. I realized later on in my life, that I had been the same as her. Shallow, bitchy, mean even.
"Hey bitch." Chelsea smirked, flipping her honey colored hair behind her shoulder.
I smirked back at her, taking in the baby pink dress she was wearing. "Hey yourself."
I happily clung to Tyler's side while he talked to his closest friends Ethan and Isaac. Ethan was your typical asshole, always jumping around from girl to girl. He had even tried to get with me at one point.
Ethan had a problem with personal space, and would often try to push any kind of boundaries you set. Isaac was nineteen and had already found his mate, but he didn't seem too attached to her. He'd often go out with Ethan and Tyler, doing only Goddess knows what.
"You ready to find your mate?" Ethan teased, waggling his eyebrows at a group of human girls that passed by.
"Hopefully she's hot." Tyler smirked, giving my shoulder a small squeeze as he glanced down at me. I rolled my eyes at him and playfully smacked his shoulder. I eyed Tyler's drink enviously, he never liked when I drank alcohol. It didn't fit his picture perfect narrative. I turned towards Chelsea and struck up a conversation.
"If I happen to be Tyler's mate, hope you won't hold it against me." Chelsea winked, giving Tyler a sly glance.
I rolled my eyes at her, "Please, if anything your mate will be Ethan." I broke out into giggles at the disgusted look on her face.
"Not a chance. Been there, done that. Never again." Chelsea practically shrieked, fanning herself with her hand.
"Ew, you slept with him?" I fake gagged.
She rolled her eyes at me as if I were a petulant child, "Well duh. Who hasn't?" She scoffed.
"Um me. I haven't." I smirked at her.
"Well, that's because the purity princess is saving herself for her mate." Chelsea cooed dramatically, but I knew she was making fun.
"Jealousy doesn't suit you." I stuck my tongue out at her.
Just then, Tyler ripped himself from my side hard enough to make me stumble.
"What the hell, babe." I snapped, looking at him in surprise.
"Do you smell that?" I heard him murmur to himself.
I watched, open mouthed, as my entire world crumbled.
A tall, long-legged girl made her way out of the woman's bathroom and locked eyes with Tyler. Even with the thumping music sending vibrations scattering across my skin, you could hear a pin drop.
"Oh shoot." I could hear Ethan's amused voice, but it sounded like he was in a bubble.
Tyler and the mystery woman locked eyes, and ran into each other's arms. Like some kind of bad romance movie.
I couldn't hear anyone else now, couldn't focus on any ones face. I could've sworn I saw Ethan laughing and Chelsea with a sly smirk on her face. The only one who didn't seem amused was Isaac.
I could feel my entire body trembling as my brain fought to process what was happening.
Tyler had found his mate. My boyfriend had found his mate, and it wasn't me.
Then, like any completely rational teenage girl- I ran.
I didn't stop running until I was deep into the forest, my lungs burning from being deprived of oxygen.My wolf, Maya, was furious.
The drive back to my old pack was only five hours. While I remembered Tyler finding his mate like it was yesterday, the run to my grandma's house had been hazy."You ran five hours?" I asked Maya, somewhat shocked.
I woke to the sound of banging. Startled from my sleep, I jumped out of bed just in time for my bedroom door to open."sh*t Lola, what're you still doing here?" My Dad exclaimed, his eyes darting around at my restless appearance.
I stayed on the couch wallowing in my pain until the smell of dinner lifted my spirits. My grandma was cooking again and as much as my Dad protested I could tell he had missed her cooking.We sat around the table eating dinner and exchanging stories. Dad wanted to know all about what I had gotten into while I was gone.
I gulped the fresh air and let the breeze cool my heated skin."What the hell was that about?" Maya murmured, referring to my uncontrollable body parts.
I rolled over in bed with a sleepy moan. I was having the most wonderful dream that involved several under dressed men, one of which may or may not have resembled Alpha Asher. I didn't care about the details.My eyes fluttered open and a my sleepy yawn filled the air. That had been the best night of sleep I had in a long while.
I walked down the street, wondering if the smirk I had was permanently etched onto my face. At least Alpha Asher now knew that I acted this way all of the time.Even with a new Alpha in charge, things in this small town remained the same. Only a handful of people had actually changed. Unfortunately, none of the assholes had changed.
After what felt like hours of silent shock, I threw my clothes on and trudged home. I still couldn't form coherent words about what had just happened, or my bodies reaction to it.While my blood boiled at how bold Alpha Asher acted, the sensitive spot in between my legs throbbed. I was torn between hating it and loving it. Maya was silent for once, leaving me to my internal struggl
Reunion Lola’s P.O.V. 10 Years Later… “Ramona, so help me! If you don’t stop stealing your cousin’s toys I’m going to sick Aunty Ember on you, and you know she won’t hold back.” I shouted from the kitchen, craning my head to look over my shoulder where I locked eyes with my dashing mate. Asher was leaned against the wall, his arms downright bite-able in the fitted t-shirt he wore. He brought the beer in his hand to his mouth, lips twisted in a knowing smirk that had me contemplating a fourth child. If this man doesn’t calm down, we’re going to have to hire a second nanny. He returned his attention to Zeke and Brandon as though our little heated exchange hadn’t occurred. On cue, Ramona let out a shrill scream that quickly morphed into pulses of erratic laughter. A familiar pang of longing hit my chest as it did every time I heard my daughter’s laugh. She sounds just like Mom. Ember’s monstrous roar emerged from the living room, followed by a cacophony of giggles from the other c
Ember and BrandonSeven Years Later – Ember’s P.O.V.“Darcy Mathews, if I see so much as a single snowflake in the bathroom’s you’ll find yourself in detention for a week.”This was the fourth time this month that the pipes had nearly burst from being frozen solid. Damn water elementals.The squirrely brunette with her spattering of cinnamon freckles jumped a foot off the ground at the sound of my voice, unwittingly letting out a pulse of elemental magic that spiraled down the corridor in a gust of chilly wind. It slammed several lockers shut, startling a handful of students.“Sorry Headmistress.” She hung her head sheepishly.There was once a time where Tessa and I couldn’t control our magic. It was easier for my twin. No one looked twice when you sprouted flowers in your wake or animated the topiary bushes trimmed into animals. Starting fires, however, that drew attention.“It’s alright…” I sighed, taking it easy just this once. I already had a reputation of being a hard ass, but on
Tessa and ZekeSix Years Later – Tessa’s P.O.V.“What do you say we wrap up early and head out to the cabin—just the two of us?”A voice I spent the last six years memorizing called out from across the room. I lifted my head from the mountain of paperwork I was sorting through, a smile already tugging at my lips as I spotted the playful light shimmering in Zeke’s eyes.My mate and fiancé—a term I couldn’t seem to stop using—was peering at me from across our shared office, a shameless grin tugging at his velvet soft lips. I drummed my fingers across the top of the desk, tapping out a pattern that filled the silence between us.A jolt of electricity crackled along my skin, delving past my flesh to settle in my stomach. Once upon a time, I couldn’t bare more than a few seconds staring into those eyes of his. Now I couldn’t seem to get enough.We’d come so far from where we’d once been. Not as far as Ember and Brandon, who had a sea of troubles even six years later, but those two were ano
Breyona & GiovanniFive Years Later – Breyona’s P.O.V.I appeared in a plume of inky shadow, emerging from the darkness like I’d been there all along. If there were any humans nearby—which my hearing told me there wasn’t—they’d see nothing more than a lingering shadow dancing along the brick walls of the abandoned store front I lurked outside of.This wasn’t my ideal hangout spot, but for whatever reason, this was where Freya had chosen to hide a bunch of magical texts and artifacts. I absolutely adored my job of traveling the country via shadows, collecting information that was thought to be lost among the witches.It was similar to what my parents had done, a realization that never failed to bring tears to my eyes.Even after all these years, I missed them so much.I slinked along the back wall, past the rusted dumpsters that hadn’t been used in Goddess knows how long, to the backdoor Ember’s source promised would be unlocked. Sure enough, when I tugged the handle, it swung open wit
Clara & MasonFour Years Later – Clara’s P.O.V.“Don’t you dare, little witch.” Mason warned in a low voice.A shiver worked it’s way down my spine when he placed his hand against my back. Even through the thin fabric of the dress I wore, I could feel the heat he exuded. One of the first things I’d learned about Werewolves was that they ran hot. Despite how hard I tried, a smile worked it’s way onto my face. My chest quite literally ached with the urge to cackle, but I couldn’t help it. It’s not my fault Tristan’s expression was absolutely to die for. Even Lola was having a hard time containing herself, snickering behind her hand as she watched the scene unfold.Tristan had been locked in place for the last minute in a half, staring at Holly like she had grown three extra heads. No one could blame the poor guy considering he was the only one who didn’t know his mate was pregnant.“You’re pregnant.” He repeated for the thirteenth time.A laugh exploded from my mouth seconds before Ma
Holly and TristanThree Years Later – Holly’s P.O.V.The breeze was blissfully cold against my skin, the sunlight a slight tingle that rippled over my exposed arms and shoulders.Winter was approaching, tainting the air with its crisp scent. No matter how much I ventured outdoors and basked in the sunlight, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get enough. Even though I burned easily—thank you, Vampire genetics—it was a wonderful taste of freedom that I’d never take for granted.The shrill screams of children playing pierced my ears. I didn’t find it irksome the way some of the parents here did. Despite how loud they were, their wails were full of joy and innocence that could never be replicated or replaced.I looked up from the stack of papers in my hands, focusing on the children racing across the mulch just ten feet away. The tiny font had been giving me a headache for the past two hours now.“Honey, you need to stop and tie your shoe! You’re going to trip and fall.” The woman on the bench beside
One Year LaterIt was hard to believe how much time had passed, even as I stood at my own wedding reception, surrounded by the people I loved most in this world.So much had changed in three hundred and sixty five days, and it wasn’t just my marital status. There had been some uprising within the other packs in the country, but with Zeke as an ally and assuming leadership over Bran’s pack, they were easy to defend ourselves against.The packs that wanted nothing to do with this new world closed themselves off, shutting their gates and increasing their security even though we had no intention on retaliating. It would take time before those packs changed their ways of thinking, and despite what they believed, violence was not the answer.Rather than wage war, we focused on our own lands and doing all that we could to welcome any Vampire or Witch that needed a place to call home. Towns similar to the Vampire’s safe haven were currently being built on neutral territory.Never in a million
Six Months Later“Does this ever get easier?” I groaned, swiping a hand over my forehead. A thin sheen of sweat clung to my skin, running from temple to temple.There wasn’t one specific person I spoke to, rather the entirety of my friends and family that had gathered for this historical event. Naturally, my eyes strayed to my mate, the beacon that never once failed to lead me through the dark.His lips quirked up at the side, eyes sparkling with significantly less shadows than before. He was slowly learning to forgive himself for the death’s of our pack members. “I wish I could say it does, but I’d be lying.”Zeke let out a cheeky snort. “Way to make her feel confident. You’ve got this, Lola. You’re a natural.”Breyona peeked her head from around Giovanni’s massive shoulder. “Besides, if you choke you can always work a little magic and make everyone forget about it.”“Hah! With my luck I’ll get a little too magic happy and make the whole pack forget about me.” A genuine chuckle slid
Half an hour later, I stumbled away from Tristan’s body and into Asher’s warm embrace.My legs had been reduced to jelly, and my magical reserves drained so low they might never recover. I could only imagine how much blood and rest it would take before they were back to normal again.Asher’s voice washed over my shoulders, his breath fluttering against my cheek, but the blood roaring in my ears kept me from hearing.I’d poured everything into Tristan—everything.Holly and Giovanni remained rooted in place, searching for any sign of life whether it be a heartbeat or an influx of breath. The inky strands of my half-sister’s hair cascaded down Tristan’s shoulder, hanging off the side of the table he’d been placed onto.With her ear placed against his chest, she waited and waited.I understood her worry. Really, I did. Her mother had to sacrifice ten witches just to lock my father’s soul into my body. While I didn’t have ten innocent people to slaughter, I did have something else on my si