June 30th
Cato’s point of view
At midnight, I gazed over the lake. The air was mild, but a soft breeze blew through my fur as I awaited Jess.
Her fur soon brushed against mine. She stood close, following my gaze out to the lake.
Do your parents know you’re out? She asked.
No. Do yours?
Do you think I’d be alive if they did?
We ran for miles through the forest until we reached a trickling stream. I stopped for a drink as Jess lay on a rock, basking in the moonlight. She rested her head between her paws and stared at the running water, letting out a deep sigh.
What’s up?
I’m having such a good time with you.
So why are you gloomy?
Because of my Dad. I could always be this happy if it weren’t for him. You snuck out too, but even if your parents hate you for it, you have nine siblings to keep
June 30thLili’s point of viewIt was nearly 3 am, and I stood on the street a few yards from my friend’s house. Cato wasn’t here to pick me up yet, but I couldn’t take one more question from my friends crushing on Cato, Mathias and Silas, so I left. I wrapped my dressing gown tight around me and folded my arms, staring down the road, waiting for his car to appear.But of course, he was late.My friend lived on the edge of Manson town. Opposite her house was the edge of the forest, where the trees stood tall and gloomy, a dense layer of shrubbery below them.I tapped my foot impatiently. It was 3:07 am and Cato still wasn’t here. It was only four miles from Manson to home. I could run it easily.I glanced into the shadowy forest once more. It’s amazing the difference night can make. It was simply the absence of light, yet I shivered and recoiled away as I stared into the darkness. I couldn&rsquo
July 1st Ella’s point of viewThat Sunday afternoon, Abi rung me. We were still best friends, and she only lived across the lake with Blair and their three kids, all of whom were angels compared to my hoard of hooligans. Although her relationship with Blair had been solid since day one, adjusting to life in the pack hadn’t been easy for her. This wasn’t how she’d imagined her life to be, and she’d had to make a lot of sacrifices along the way. After an accidental pregnancy in high school, she had to abandon hopes of college and move in with Blair years earlier than planned. With Blair busy working for Leo, she had to devote herself to raising her children, and even that brought challenges sometimes...“Leonardo,” I said, marching into my mate’s office, “I just got off the phone with Abi.”He looked up and leant back in his chair with a heavy sigh.&nbs
July 1st Ella’s point of viewAs I lay in the bath, the golden light of sunset streaked across the sky. The bathroom was the only place I had to myself in this house, so when I had a moment, I savoured it. Cato had offered to cook dinner with Madeleine, Ana was down for a nap and the rest were playing or being anti-social teenagers in their rooms. It was bliss.As the water wrinkled my fingers, the bedroom door opened. I grimaced. I hadn’t seen Leo since he’d been a dick earlier. Peace over.But as I climbed out of the bath and caught my naked reflection in the mirror, a smile tugged my lips.An arrangement could be reached to suit both Abi and Leo. Only issue: Leo was stubborn and unwilling to compromise. But he could be persuaded, and I knew how.“What are you reading?” I asked as I stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in our smallest towel.He was sit
July 5thElla’s point of viewOn Wednesday morning, Cato came downstairs with a bounce in his step.“You’re in a good mood,” I said as he ate his toast.“I am?” he asked.“I haven’t seen you this happy before school since you were little. What’s going on? Should I be worried?”He just smiled and walked to the sink with his plate, a bounce in his step.I narrowed my eyes, “Straight home, remember?”“Of course, Mother.”I watched him head down the drive a few minutes later, practically skipping. Mathias was heading out after him, but I put my hand in front of him.“What’s up with Cato? And why aren’t you walking together?”“I don’t want to third wheel him and Jess,” Mathias said, “He walks her to school every day.”“Jess, as in Jessica Michaels?&rdqu
July 5thElla’s point of viewMy Mom wasn’t at her home in the woods, so I headed straight for my Dad’s place at the base.As mates, it may seem odd they don’t live together. But my Mom couldn’t stand the cramped, stuffy apartment and constant surveillance Dad was sentenced to. So she utilised her freedom to come and go as she pleased, and whenever the two-hob oven, musty air and lack of natural light got too much, she retreated to her other home in the woods.I knocked on the door of my Dad’s apartment, and a few seconds later, he answered with a beaming smile on his face.“Hey, Dad. It’s lovely to see you, but no offense, I need to talk to Mom.”“None taken,” he said, stepping aside.“Mom, hi,” I said, sitting next to her on the sofa, “I need to talk to you about Max.”“Maximus Megestanis...” Dad grumbled, “N
July 5thSkye’s point of view“… And they all lived happily ever after.”Pippa’s eyes had shut and her breath fell softly. She didn’t stir as I set the fairy tale book on the dresser and tucked her underneath the blankets. I swept the wisps of brunette locks off her forehead with the tip of my finger and placed a gentle kiss on her delicate skin.“Sweet dreams, my love,” I whispered before turning to the lamp by her bed.As I placed my hand on the switch, the photo frame on her nightstand caught my eye. It held a picture from a visit to the zoo years ago. Pippa was wedged between Max and me, our faces pushed together as we smiled widely into the camera. I lifted the frame and ran my fingers over the happy family smiling back at me.The little girl was my daughter, but the happy couple holding her were unrecognisable. They didn’t look like they spent the day hating each other.
July 6thMax’s point of viewI rubbed my eyes and yawned. It was a quarter past midnight already, and I’d finished the Megestanis paperwork for the week. After switching off my computer and the lights downstairs, I headed to bed.After I creaked open my bedroom door, I found a figure already in my bed. Sleeping soundly in the soft blue hue of the moon was Skye. She hadn’t stepped inside this room for two weeks. Not since she moved her things into the spare room and refused to even share a bathroom with me. But there she was, asleep in my bed.She hadn’t stirred with my entrance. I could stand and admire her. She’d never know.In her white nightdress, she was an angel. With cherry lips and blushed cheeks, radiant skin and golden flowing locks. Everything was so perfect. I could find no faults in her.When I came out of the bathroom, she still lay there peacefully. So I slipped into the bed beside her a
July 6th Max’s point of view I rubbed my eyes and yawned. It was a quarter past midnight already, and I’d finished the Megestanis paperwork for the week. After switching off my computer and the lights downstairs, I headed to bed. After I creaked open my bedroom door, I found a figure already in my bed. Sleeping soundly in the soft blue hue of the moon was Skye. She hadn’t stepped inside this room for two weeks. Not since she moved her things into the spare room and refused to even share a bathroom with me. But there she was, asleep in my bed. She hadn’t stirred with my entrance. I could stand and admire her. She’d never know. In her white nightdress, she was an angel. With cherry lips and blushed cheeks, radiant skin and golden flowing locks. Everything was so perfect. I could find no faults in her. When I came out of the bathroom, she still lay there peacefully. So I slipped into the bed beside her and kissed her forehead.