That was the last we spoke on the subject. After Hakeem had carried up the last few boxes and Jada rearranged the sectional half a dozen times, we spent the rest of the afternoon before my GED classes trying to teach me how to drive. As it turns out, I actually enjoyed driving. Pulling into the st
“Clueless? I have a 4.0 GPA. Believe me, savage. No one’s interested in replacing you.” She laughed, her ponytail swishing behind her head. There were a handful of people standing behind her who I assumed were her friends. The males had on letterman jackets, while the she-wolves wore identical chee
My first day of classes came and went without any more altercations. The first thing I did when I got back to my apartment was rummage through the trash for every empty can I could find. I strung each one together and hung the shitty garland across my front door in a pattern that would create the mo
As Tuesday rolled around, I was more determined than ever to cement my presence in this pack. After class, Jada and Hakeem accompanied me to the DMV to officially get my learners permit, and to pick up my first cellphone in four years. I had a feeling they tagged along only to keep me from driving
Daisy flinched and despite the voice in my head telling me to walk the fuck out and not get involved, my attention was snared. I swiveled my head away from Daisy’s shell-shocked expression and to the man who reminded me of a wet rat. “I believe this is a conversation between Daisy and I.” I said in
It was by pure coincidence that I stumbled past the open doorway of a Molecular Biology class and overheard the professor’s riveting lecture. “…it is a powerful paralytic, able to subdue even the strongest of our kind. When injected into the bloodstream, they bind to neuromuscular binding sites and
Nox’s P.O.V. Crouched on the flat rooftop of a small hardware store, I watched Lilac as she walked down the street with the same interest as a predator stalking its prey. It just so happened that I wasn’t the only one hunting her tonight. Did she know she was being followed? I wasn’t referring t
Even that annoying smile of hers remained in place. “You call that a punch?” There was something slightly unhinged about her laugh that had me creeping closer. She kicked man-bun in the gut hard enough to send him keeling over, then placed a second kick to nose. Even from the rooftop, I could hear
Kalix froze. In fact, I was pretty sure we all froze. “My wife is pregnant?” “Yes.” Natasha nodded. “With my baby?” “No, the mailman’s.” She snorted, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Who else would it be?” “I’m going to be a father?” A giggle bubbled past her lips. “That’s typically what happe
I recognized the look on Kalix’s face whenever his sister and Shayla were in the same room. The mixture of awe, terror, and bliss was unlike anything I’d ever felt before. We had everything we could’ve ever wanted and would do anything to keep it that away. “Where’s Natasha and Hakeem?” Shayla aske
Nox’s P.O.V. Six Years Later “You no good cheater!” I heard my mate belt from across the backyard. Her father’s boisterous laugh followed, drawing my eyes. The two of them stood in the stand pit off to the side of the pool and were currently hitting a volleyball back and forth. Jada and Brinley w
I threaded my arm through his and patted his hand. “Well, now you can focus on other things.” A gleam of nervousness filled his eyes. “So, is everything ready for tonight?” Shayla often mentioned how flustered she’d get by Kalix’s smooth charm, but she was the only one who failed to see how nervou
Mom beamed, tears blossoming in her eyes as she threw her arms around our shoulders. We clung to her side chuckling when Jada raced forward to blot her make-up with a microfiber cloth. “I’m sorry, I’m just so happy. I never thought I’d get to see this moment. Goddess, I’m so grateful. I’ve got both
Lilac’s P.O.V. Three Years Later “This itches.” I grunted, picking at the lace clinging to my rear. “Mark my words, I’m going to have a rash on my ass by the end of the night.” “No scratching!” Shayla smacked my hand away, a playful grin curling at her lips. Since disappearing on a little trip w
“Your aura has never been brighter.” She murmured quietly in my ear, a bright smile warming her face. A few minutes later, Diego called our names and invited us onto the stage. I laced my arm through Nox’s and followed his lead. No less than six cameras were stationed on us, each one set at a diff
The tension faded from her shoulders as she nodded. “Thank you for being there for me. I never meant to put you in a spot. Anyway, you came here for a reason, right? Don’t let my tears chase you off.” “You sure?” I paused, “It’s not exactly a light topic.” “None of our conversations this past wee
Lilac’s P.O.V. One Week Later “How have you been?” Natasha turned from where she sat on the balcony and smiled softly. Pain lingered behind the action. I should know considering I’d made that same expression a time or two. She motioned me forward, gesturing to the chair beside her. I sat down fo