NoahThe night before…Noah’s hands trembled as he stared at the photo strip, his eyes wide with disbelief. The images before him told a story he couldn’t remember living, and yet every fiber of his being recognized them as true. There he was, years younger, his arm draped casually around Hannah’s s
“No! No, I want Hannah! Get off of me!”Too many hands had held him down. Too many… “Scott, let me go! You’re my brother! How could you let this happen?!”“I’m sorry, Noah. But it’s for the best…”“Nooo!”“Shh…” Zoe had crouched, silver knife glinting in the light. She had cut the seashell necklace
HannahI sat on the hard, cold bench in my cell, my mind spinning like a whirlwind. Hours had passed since Noah’s revelation, and yet his words still echoed in my ears on repeat.Could it really be true? Had Zoe truly orchestrated such an elaborate deception?My fingers closed around the small objec
I paused for a moment, considering whether to respond. In the end, I decided he wasn’t worth my breath and continued walking.The sunlight was blinding as I stepped outside, and I had to shield my eyes. My heart was pounding with anticipation. Would Noah be waiting for me? Despite everything, I coul
NoahNoah stood still as a statue while Zoe straightened his bowtie, her fingers working with practiced efficiency. The silk of the tie felt cool against his neck, a stark contrast to the warmth of Zoe’s minty breath as she leaned in close.“There,” she finally said, stepping back to admire her hand
The star-crossed lovers were finally having their happy ending.So why did it feel so wrong?Noah arrived at the altar, his heart pounding in his chest. The chapel was beautifully decorated just as Zoe wanted, white flowers and gauzy fabrics adorning every surface. Guests filled the pews, their exci
HannahI hadn’t even bothered to change or make myself look presentable. The thin fabric of my robe still revealed my bare body, my hair was wild and unkempt, and I likely smelled like a vagrant after my stint in Darkmoon’s prison.But none of that mattered now. All that mattered was getting to Noah
“No.” I tried to shove her away. “Noah, don’t listen to her. Remember. Just remember.”Suddenly, hands were on me. Zoe’s face was twisted as she shoved me, and I fell to the marble floor, the tiles slamming into my back.“You fat, ugly cow,” she growled, stepping toward me as I moved backwards on th
“Almost done…” she murmured, leaning in with a touch of gloss for my lips. I couldn’t help but laugh at how serious she looked, as if I were some delicate art piece she was trying to perfect. Finally, she stepped back with a smile. “There. Now, the dress.” Amber was already at my side, helping m
Hannah The next morning, I woke with a flutter in my stomach that had nothing to do with morning sickness. Sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. I blinked up at the ceiling, letting that first realization sink in. It was the day of our wedding. In le
Hannah Mornings had gotten louder since Melody learned to walk. And she wasn’t just walking—she was trying to run, arms flapping and her chubby legs barely holding her up as she went. This morning, she seemed to be hell bent on dashing down the hallway as Noah tried to brush his teeth and I hunted
I laughed, hoping it sounded more natural than I felt. “Hey, I can spoil you once in a while if I want. Just because it’s a Thursday doesn’t mean I can’t surprise you.” We chatted about our day as we ate, filling each other in on all the usual things. But every so often, his eyes would flicker to
Hannah My hands shook a little as I straightened the delicate flower crown over Melody’s soft hair, adjusting it so the petals framed her tiny face just right. She blinked up at me with those wide, innocent eyes, slapping her hands contentedly on the top of her high chair. I smiled as I ran my f
Hannah By the time we stepped out of the ring, it felt as if my entire body was on fire. Every muscle seemed to be taut, every heartbeat one thump away from shifting. I couldn’t tell if I wanted to run circles around the building or maybe tear up the walls like a caged animal. What was wrong wit
Hannah For what felt like the hundredth time that morning, I sidestepped Drake’s punch with ease, narrowly dodging his hook. Training with him had become an obsession of mine lately. He’d pushed me in ways I hadn’t expected, helping me learn how to use my speed and endurance instead of relying on
Noah pushed himself harder, letting out a playful howl as he gained on her, the hunt pulsing through his veins like a drug. She glanced back, her ears twitching, and he saw her eyes flash with excitement before she put on an extra burst of speed. It became a game of cat and mouse, each of them pus
Noah For the millionth time that morning, Noah’s gaze drifted from the stack of papers on his desk to the stretch of forest that was visible through the office window. The afternoon light filtered through the trees, casting that familiar, deep green hue over the landscape. Just seeing the expans