(Aiden's POV)Julian saved me! He actually saved me from his mean friends! My heart did a happy dance.When he told me I could hang out with them, I almost burst with joy. This was it! This was my chance to finally be close to Julian.And when he said I had to do everything he said… well, that was okay too. I would do anything for Julian.When he told me to get him a snack, I ran as fast as I could to the cafeteria. I grabbed a juice box and a bag of cookies, just like I had offered him before.I ran back to the bench, my heart pounding with excitement. I handed him the snacks, beaming.He took them without a word, but I didn't care. He was letting me be his underling! That was the coolest thing ever!I followed him and his friends everywhere, watching their every move, trying to learn how to be cool like them. They were playing tag, so I played tag. They were telling jokes, so I tried to tell jokes (even though I couldn't talk, I could still make funny faces). They were being mean
Naya's Point of ViewThe clock’s slow ticking was pure torture for me, each minute stretching like eternity. I sat on my chair, my grip tightening on the desk. Sweat trickled down my forehead, my fingers trembling as I fought hard to retain my composure. I could hear my wolf cry out in my brain… Let me out!This shouldn't be happening. The lecture hall was filled with the hum of the air conditioner, which did little to reduce the heat my body was currently generating. My wolf wasn't ready to back down. She wanted to take over and run wild, but it's forbidden. I couldn't focus. My mind was stuck within this inner battle, and I hated it. My depressant shot wasn't due for another week, but my body didn't care about the schedule. Neither did my wolf... The strong scent of my pheromones wafted through the air, mingling with the sweat that trickled down every student close to me. It might be not so noticeable to human students but when it came to werewolves like me, that was another
Sweat trickled down my temples as I slammed the locker shut. I felt like I was going to pass out in a matter of seconds. “Who would take it?” I whispered, my voice trembling. “There isn’t anyone else who I know has my locker combination but me and Clara, which is my birthday.”Her wolf scolded her in her mind: Wrong choice, girl. It would be easy to open your locker if they knew you well enough… Shut up, Xienna, you’re not helping! I irritably snapped back.I turned to my friend in slight panic, “Clara, can you do me a favor?”Her reply was immediate, “Anything for you, bestie.”“Can you get any kind of pain medicine from the school clinic?” I requested in an agitated tone as I took out my mobile from my dress’ deep pocket. “Anything strong will do. Just tell them that I’m in too much pain to get to the clinic myself.”“But those meds are for humans. Will those work for you?”“Not sure but they will have to do for now.”“Okay, Naya. Just text me where you’ll be when I get those pa
The ride home was suffocating. Each second I spent in there felt like an eternity, with Sabrina bugging me with her lectures. But it wasn’t just Sabrina’s lectures about how careless I was that bothered me… it was the way her mate, Seth, stared at me from the driver’s seat. I could see his green eyes flicker with lust. What the hell?I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, my arms wrapped around myself as if I could shield myself from his gaze. I tried to focus on the words escaping from Sabrina’s lips, but they only made me feel worse.“You have to be more careful, Naya. Leaving your suppressants in your locker like that? What were you thinking?”I could sense frustration in her voice. Which I tried to ignore as usual.“My locker was locked. Besides, I didn’t think anyone would take them,” I murmured weakly from the back seat.“That’s the problem… You didn’t think! Do you have any idea what could’ve happened if you’d fully transformed, near humans at that? The entire pack would’ve been a
The sharp hum of voices filled the air as I stood near the window, gazing out at the soft flakes of snow which fell on the streets.My parents’ words from this morning still echoed in my head. A family meeting was called and I was the topic. Sabrina expressed her disgust and my parents stared at me. Seth on the other hand, had a smug up his lips, unfazed by his actions.“This is your last chance, Naya. The bonding ceremony will set everything right,” my mother had grimly state, her voice a mix of desperation and anger. My father simply nodded in agreement. It was clear that he was disappointed in me. Well, everyone was…I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to stand in a room full of strangers who would sniff at me like I was some prized prey. But did I have a choice? My parents were livid over the incident with Sabrina and Seth, and now they were determined to fix me… Or as they told me, repeatedly fix my life.It wasn’t my fault, I wanted to scream at them. But who would believe me?
Naya’s POVI woke up to the scent of cedarwood and something faintly sweet, like fresh vanilla. My body ached in places I didn’t even realize could hurt, and as I tried to rise from the antique four-poster bed where I was slumbering, my throbbing head painfully punished me for my sudden movements. I recall passing out while struggling with Kieran. Something was off since this wasn't the room we walked into last night. I peeked out of the window and realized that this place was nowhere near the bond ceremony venue. Worse, it was already daytime. Judging by the direction of the sunlight and how bright it was, it was already noon. Finally managing to sit upright, one edge of a thick woolen blanket falling off my shoulders, I allowed the memories of last night to invade my thoughts, And although every bit of it was foggy, like a dream that I try so hard to recall, I couldn’t quite bring it all together. But one thing was clear… I wasn’t supposed to be here! Wherever here was, that is
Naya's POVThe door creaked open, and Sabrina walked in, her steps hesitant yet deliberate. She wore a weird look, a flicker of remorse running across her face Or perhaps it was just another act. I couldn’t tell anymore. Nor did I bother to care…“Naya,” she began, her voice trembling slightly, “I didn’t mean for things to go this far. I was angry, and…” Her eyes darted to Kieran, who stood beside me, arms crossed. He kept a straight face, clearly not buying her act. “It was an accident.”An accident? That single word grated against me like nails on a chalkboard. My body still ached from her strong shove, and the memory of the fall replayed vividly in my mind. An accident? What a laugh!Before I could respond, Kieran stepped forward, his sharp voice cutting through the air like a sharpened blade. “Save your sob story for those who’ll buy it, Sabrina, because we definitely won’t!”My sister visibly flinched, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I just wanted to make things right.”“Right?
Kieran's POVI watched her beg, miserable tears rolling down her cheeks as she tightly clutched the hem of her garments. Her curvy lips were trembling as she pleaded pitifully, begged continually to be given an acceptable option.“Please, just don’t reject me, Richard. I…I have nowhere else to go.”Her raspy voice cracked under the weight of her desperation, her frail sobs tearing through the sickening silence of the room. She looked so small, so defeated, kneeling at the feet of a man who towered above her like a god, his face devoid of any expression.Tears welled up in my eyes as I crouched in the shadows of the staircase, my small fingers folding into a fist. I wanted to rush to her, to shield her from the venomous words that would surely follow, but I was powerless. Just a twelve-year-old boy, watching his mother break down, piece by piece. “You’re embarrassing yourself, Lila,” my father spat, his tone dripping with disgust. He didn’t even glance at her. His eyes remained on the
(Aiden's POV)Julian saved me! He actually saved me from his mean friends! My heart did a happy dance.When he told me I could hang out with them, I almost burst with joy. This was it! This was my chance to finally be close to Julian.And when he said I had to do everything he said… well, that was okay too. I would do anything for Julian.When he told me to get him a snack, I ran as fast as I could to the cafeteria. I grabbed a juice box and a bag of cookies, just like I had offered him before.I ran back to the bench, my heart pounding with excitement. I handed him the snacks, beaming.He took them without a word, but I didn't care. He was letting me be his underling! That was the coolest thing ever!I followed him and his friends everywhere, watching their every move, trying to learn how to be cool like them. They were playing tag, so I played tag. They were telling jokes, so I tried to tell jokes (even though I couldn't talk, I could still make funny faces). They were being mean
Aiden's POVThe next day at school felt like walking on eggshells.Mom and Dad were still giving me looks at breakfast, their silence thick enough to spread on toast. I knew they were worried about my quietness but I just wanted to see Julian, to try and make things right after… after whatever that was last night. The astral projection thing. The knife. His mom, Isadora…. Hurting him.It was all a jumbled mess in my head.They dropped me off at school, Mom pressing a kiss to my hair. And Dad rubbing my back gently.They were great but I still needed to get closer to Aiden.As soon as the school bell rang and Mom and Dad were out of sight, I grabbed the straps of my backpack and ran into the academy. I had a plan. A peace offering. I'd packed all my favourite things: Mr Snuggles, my superhero figurines, my best crayons, and even the half-eaten bag of gummy bears. It was everything a five-year-old could need to make a friend.I spotted Julian near the entrance, talking to some othe
AIDEN'S POVI froze, my heart slamming against my ribs like a wild drum.Julian stood there, his shadow spilling out behind him, and in his hand gleamed a small, wicked knife. He waved it at me like I was some enemy, some intruder he didn’t want near."Aiden?" he breathed, his voice a harsh whisper.My jaw dropped. He could see me? Isadora couldn't but Julian saw me. A thrill shot through me, so intense it almost knocked me out of my astral form. This was… amazing.He could see me!Suddenly, the knife didn't matter. The anger in his eyes faded into the background. All that mattered was that my brother, my twin, could see the real me. It meant we were connected.The words bubbled up inside me, a torrent of excitement that needed to be expressed. My hands flew into action, fingers wiggling and twisting, forming the rapid, intricate shapes of sign language. I bounced on the balls of my feet, unable to contain my joy.‘Julian! You're so cool! Best brother ever! Awesome! You can see me! Y
AIDEN'S POVI was standing in different room, the air thick with the smell of old books and dust. Light filtered through heavy curtains, casting the room in a dim, amber glow. I looked down at my hands, but they weren’t really there—just a faint outline, like smoke in sunlight.I tried to touch the desk, but my fingers slipped through it, leaving no mark."Hmm…" I tried to make a sound , but no noise came out. My voice was gone.I looked around once more, eyes widening as i tied to catalogue more details.It was a big room, filled with books and strange objects. There were shelves that reached all the way to the ceiling, packed with leather-bound volumes. There were globes and telescopes and strange, glass jars filled with… stuff.It looked like… the someone's study. But how did I get here?I looked around desperately, trying to make sense of it all, my heart thumping in my chest.Panic bubbled up inside me. “What’s happening?” I thought to myself.Just a moment ago, I had been in
NAYA'S POVThe soft glow of the light flickered against the walls of the cottage, casting long, wavering shadows that danced like restless spirits. Tobias and I sat close on the worn, threadbare couch, the fabric rough beneath my fingertips but comforting all the same. His arm was draped around my shoulders, pulling me in just enough to feel the steady warmth of his body against mine. Outside, the night was silent except for the occasional whisper of wind through the pines. Tobias had calmed me down earlier with all his assurances and I felt more settled in my skin. More secure.It was a lovely feeling after this afternoon of turmoil.But I couldn't stop thinking about it.I sighef before resting my head on Tobias’s chest, listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat, a rhythm that somehow anchored me in the swirling storm of my thoughts. The events of the day played over and over in my mind—the principal’s office, the harsh words from the other twin, the cruel laughter that see
TOBIAS'S POV The drive back is quiet. A good quiet.Not like how it was when we left that godforsaken school.Aiden’s asleep in the backseat, his head tipped to the side and his little plush shark tucked under his arm like it’s made of gold. Naya’s beside me, her legs drawn up onto the seat, arms loosely wrapped around them. Her face is calm, and soft in the passing shadows of streetlights. She’s not smiling, exactly, but her face isn't in that strained blankness either.And I’ll take that. Hell, I’ll take it and wrap it in a bow.By the time we get home, Aiden’s blinking awake but too drowsy to fight when Naya lifts him into her arms.“Come on bug." She murmurs sweetly as she tucks the little boy into her side.He buries his face into her shoulder immediately, and she strokes his back, whispering something low in his ear I don’t catch.We walked into the house together, me switching on the lights and flooding the living space with a warm glow.Aiden scrunched his face at that but
TOBIAS'S POVI stepped toward her, the weight of Aiden pressed close to my chest, and reached out my hand.“Naya,” I said quietly, but she heard it. Her head jerked in my direction. Her eyes were glossy. Her breathing erratic.I didn’t give her a speech. I didn’t ask. I just slid my fingers into hers and pulled her hand into mine.It fit, soft and shaking but familiar. She didn’t fight it. Her eyes darted to mine, searching, asking—but I just squeezed her hand tighter and nodded once.“Let’s go,” I said gently.And we did.Without a word to the others, I pushed past them. Aiden’s head tucked against my shoulder, and Naya walked beside me, her chin high and eyes fixed ahead, even though I could feel the tremble in her limbs.The crowd parted for us like a wave. Maybe it was the look on my face. Maybe it was the sheer weight of everything that had happened, or maybe it was because they wanted nothing to do with us. I couldn't spare a thought for it, so we just walked past them.Naya
TOBIAS’S POVAnd the room was thick with it. The tension clung to the air, pressing down on everyone like humidity before the rain fell."What the hell is going on here?" I demanded.Isadora didn’t even blink. She scoffed, flicking a glance at me over her shoulder. "Well, well," she said with a cruel smirk. "Your boy toy has finally arrived."Naya’s eyes darted to me and narrowed immediately. "Don’t you dare talk about him like that," she snapped, her voice tight. "Just shut up, Isadora."The teacher standing by the desk looked like she wanted to sink into the floor.The principal, an older man with a belly barely contained by his vest, gave me a look of exhausted relief.I walked forward, ignoring the brewing fight between the two women, and glanced past Naya's shoulder.Aiden.My gut twisted.He was sitting by the principal's desk, his tiny frame hunched, his hands knotted in his lap. His eyes—those wide, knowing eyes—looked up at me, and there was fear in them. Not for himself. For
NAYA'S POVAt my retort, she stopped talking, her eyes revealing her confusion.Her head jerked around, her eyes finding Aiden, who had quietly drawn in the corner.She blinked, and for half a second, her mask cracked.Surprise. Embarrassment. She hadn’t even noticed him.But just as fast, it vanished under a sneer."How low could you sink, Naya? Lurking in the principal’s office like some…" She waved a hand vaguely, eyes glittering, "Shadow. Or were you trying to steal another child from a real mother?"I didn’t flinch. I’d had worse thrown at me, sharper claws, bloodier fights."You’re calling me out on morals? That’s rich, coming from the woman who waltzed into someone else’s home and snatched a kid like he was luggage," I said coldly.The principal cleared his throat, but no one was listening.The air had gone electric.Isadora scoffed, the sound derisive and mean. "You had zero respect for ranking. You should have known your place—an omega trying to speak in a world meant for bet