Naya's POV Growling, I shoved Kieran's hnad off my back. This was his fault. If he hadn't come here again, none of this epuld have happened.“Don't! Don't you dare!" I snarled at him before returning my focus to my son. Aiden lay limp on the floor, his skin ashen, his chest rising and falling with shallow, uneven breaths. His hands trembled slightly, but remained still."Aiden! Aiden, wake up!" I cried, my voice cracking with fear. Tears blurred my vision as I reached for him.Kieran despite my rejection, still hovered nearby, his face a mask of concern, but his presence only amplified my fear. Beside him, the shaman, with his unsettlingly calm demeanor, offered no comfort. He merely stood there, an enigmatic observer in my personal nightmare.Kieran reached out, his hand hovering hesitantly over Aiden’s arm. I recoiled, pushing him away with a force born of desperation."Get away from him!" I shouted, my voice raw with emotion. "This is your fault!"I cradled Aiden’s head in my la
Tobias's POVNight had settled deep over the world, a velvet curtain studded with cold stars. The engine roared to life, shattering the fragile peace that had settled over the cottage. I glanced back at the darkened windows, a knot of guilt tightening in my stomach. Naya and Aiden were asleep, oblivious to the storm brewing within me, and the choices I was about to make. I gripped the steering wheel, forcing myself to focus on the road ahead, the empty field that awaited me, the long overdue reckoning.The night was a canvas of deep indigo, speckled with the cold, distant light of stars. The air was crisp and carried the scent of damp earth and pine, a familiar aroma that usually brought me a sense of peace. Tonight, it only amplified the fear within me. I drove fast, pushing the car to its limits, eager to reach my destination, to confront the ghosts of my past.The field was vast and desolate, a windswept expanse of tall grass and gnarled trees. As I pulled up, the headlights ill
Aiden's POVThe days after… well, after everything, felt like walking on eggshells. Mom was extra careful, always watching me with those worried eyes of hers. Papa was always around, too, his face all serious and his eyes darting everywhere. It was like we were all holding our breath, waiting for something to break.But amidst all the grown-up tension, Julian and I… we were becoming friends. Secretly, of course. We couldn't let anyone know we were buddy-buddies. It was like we were spies, working together on a super-important mission that no one else could know about.At school, it was all an act. Julian still treated me like a loser, shoving me in the hallways and calling me names like "Silent Freak" when other kids were around. And I had to play along, shuffling my feet and looking down, pretending to be all sad and pathetic and doing as he says.It was hard, especially when I wanted to shout back at him, to tell him to stop being such a mean person.But then, when we were alone
Aiden's pov We talked about everything and nothing, about school and games and the things we liked to eat. It was like a dam had burst inside me, and all the words I had been holding back for so long were finally flooding out.We made a deal that day, a super-secret, extra-special deal. We would learn more about each other, thoroughly. We would switch again, so Julian could experience being with Mom without having to hate her. So he could see her, truly."But… but I can't sign," Julian said, his face falling. "Naya would know.”"You can learn!" I said, my voice full of encouragement. "I can teach you! It's easy!"Julian hesitated. "But… but I'll have to be silent," he said. "And everyone will think I'm weird.""You're already weird, Julie," I teased, poking him in the arm. "But it's okay! I like you weird."Julian grinned. "Okay," he said. "Okay, I'll do it. But you have to teach me everything!"And so, our lessons began. I taught Julian how to sign, showing him the shapes and mo
Julian's POV I had seen Mom talking to the tall creepy man yesterday. I couldn't hear what they were saying but I could read the low tones of, reverent, “shaman Mhalak's" that fell from her lip.According to my studies, shamans were beings with a great attachment to the spiritual realm and were even said to liaise with the moon goddess!It was honestly cool but the man's aura rubbed the wrong way.The shaman scanned the room, his gaze lingering on me for a moment too long. "Isadora," he said, his voice smooth and oily. "I trust everything is prepared?"Isadora nodded, her face pale. "Yes, Shaman," she said with that reverential tone again. "Everything is ready."The shaman turned his attention back to me, a strange smile spreading across his face. "Julian," he said, "these are your teachers. They will guide you, teach you to be a proper heir."I stared at the two strangers, feeling a knot of fear tighten in my stomach. They looked so serious, so… intense.I gulped, looking back at t
Aiden's POVLately, Julian hasn’t been the same. I noticed it first at school. He used to sit with me sometimes, even if he pretended not to care. But now, he looks down at the floor a lot, and when I try to talk to him, he just walks away. Not just at school, but even when I visit him with my astral projection. I float into his room, hoping to see that goofy grin or hear him laugh at my silly signs, but he looks through me like I’m not there. Sometimes he doesn’t even answer back.It made my chest hurt. I didn’t know why he was like this. I wanted to help, but Julian wouldn’t let me.One afternoon, I was floating around the house, drifting like a ghost, trying to find him. I peeked into the bathroom, and there he was, standing in front of the mirror—his shirt lifted just a little as he rubbed his arms.I saw it then. The scars. Long, jagged lines running down his arms, hidden beneath his sleeves. They looked red and angry, like wounds that never quite healed. My heart stopped for
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
Aiden's POVLately, Julian hasn’t been the same. I noticed it first at school. He used to sit with me sometimes, even if he pretended not to care. But now, he looks down at the floor a lot, and when I try to talk to him, he just walks away. Not just at school, but even when I visit him with my astral projection. I float into his room, hoping to see that goofy grin or hear him laugh at my silly signs, but he looks through me like I’m not there. Sometimes he doesn’t even answer back.It made my chest hurt. I didn’t know why he was like this. I wanted to help, but Julian wouldn’t let me.One afternoon, I was floating around the house, drifting like a ghost, trying to find him. I peeked into the bathroom, and there he was, standing in front of the mirror—his shirt lifted just a little as he rubbed his arms.I saw it then. The scars. Long, jagged lines running down his arms, hidden beneath his sleeves. They looked red and angry, like wounds that never quite healed. My heart stopped for
Julian's POV I had seen Mom talking to the tall creepy man yesterday. I couldn't hear what they were saying but I could read the low tones of, reverent, “shaman Mhalak's" that fell from her lip.According to my studies, shamans were beings with a great attachment to the spiritual realm and were even said to liaise with the moon goddess!It was honestly cool but the man's aura rubbed the wrong way.The shaman scanned the room, his gaze lingering on me for a moment too long. "Isadora," he said, his voice smooth and oily. "I trust everything is prepared?"Isadora nodded, her face pale. "Yes, Shaman," she said with that reverential tone again. "Everything is ready."The shaman turned his attention back to me, a strange smile spreading across his face. "Julian," he said, "these are your teachers. They will guide you, teach you to be a proper heir."I stared at the two strangers, feeling a knot of fear tighten in my stomach. They looked so serious, so… intense.I gulped, looking back at t
Aiden's pov We talked about everything and nothing, about school and games and the things we liked to eat. It was like a dam had burst inside me, and all the words I had been holding back for so long were finally flooding out.We made a deal that day, a super-secret, extra-special deal. We would learn more about each other, thoroughly. We would switch again, so Julian could experience being with Mom without having to hate her. So he could see her, truly."But… but I can't sign," Julian said, his face falling. "Naya would know.”"You can learn!" I said, my voice full of encouragement. "I can teach you! It's easy!"Julian hesitated. "But… but I'll have to be silent," he said. "And everyone will think I'm weird.""You're already weird, Julie," I teased, poking him in the arm. "But it's okay! I like you weird."Julian grinned. "Okay," he said. "Okay, I'll do it. But you have to teach me everything!"And so, our lessons began. I taught Julian how to sign, showing him the shapes and mo
Aiden's POVThe days after… well, after everything, felt like walking on eggshells. Mom was extra careful, always watching me with those worried eyes of hers. Papa was always around, too, his face all serious and his eyes darting everywhere. It was like we were all holding our breath, waiting for something to break.But amidst all the grown-up tension, Julian and I… we were becoming friends. Secretly, of course. We couldn't let anyone know we were buddy-buddies. It was like we were spies, working together on a super-important mission that no one else could know about.At school, it was all an act. Julian still treated me like a loser, shoving me in the hallways and calling me names like "Silent Freak" when other kids were around. And I had to play along, shuffling my feet and looking down, pretending to be all sad and pathetic and doing as he says.It was hard, especially when I wanted to shout back at him, to tell him to stop being such a mean person.But then, when we were alone
Tobias's POVNight had settled deep over the world, a velvet curtain studded with cold stars. The engine roared to life, shattering the fragile peace that had settled over the cottage. I glanced back at the darkened windows, a knot of guilt tightening in my stomach. Naya and Aiden were asleep, oblivious to the storm brewing within me, and the choices I was about to make. I gripped the steering wheel, forcing myself to focus on the road ahead, the empty field that awaited me, the long overdue reckoning.The night was a canvas of deep indigo, speckled with the cold, distant light of stars. The air was crisp and carried the scent of damp earth and pine, a familiar aroma that usually brought me a sense of peace. Tonight, it only amplified the fear within me. I drove fast, pushing the car to its limits, eager to reach my destination, to confront the ghosts of my past.The field was vast and desolate, a windswept expanse of tall grass and gnarled trees. As I pulled up, the headlights ill
Naya's POV Growling, I shoved Kieran's hnad off my back. This was his fault. If he hadn't come here again, none of this epuld have happened.“Don't! Don't you dare!" I snarled at him before returning my focus to my son. Aiden lay limp on the floor, his skin ashen, his chest rising and falling with shallow, uneven breaths. His hands trembled slightly, but remained still."Aiden! Aiden, wake up!" I cried, my voice cracking with fear. Tears blurred my vision as I reached for him.Kieran despite my rejection, still hovered nearby, his face a mask of concern, but his presence only amplified my fear. Beside him, the shaman, with his unsettlingly calm demeanor, offered no comfort. He merely stood there, an enigmatic observer in my personal nightmare.Kieran reached out, his hand hovering hesitantly over Aiden’s arm. I recoiled, pushing him away with a force born of desperation."Get away from him!" I shouted, my voice raw with emotion. "This is your fault!"I cradled Aiden’s head in my la
Aiden's POV I felt myself unconsciously shrink back even if I knew she couldn't see me.She was dressed in a expensive, flowing gown, the color of faded lavender, and her long, dark hair was pulled back in a tight braid. Her gaze swept over the room, lingering for a moment on Julian, before darting nervously towards the hallway. But she sensed something. A presence. A faint, almost imperceptible shift in the atmosphere.Her brow furrowed. "Julian?" she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Who are you talking to?""No one," Julian stammered, his face paling. "I was just… reading aloud."Isadora didn't look convinced. She took a tentative step into the room, her eyes scanning the shadows. "I thought I heard… laughter.""You must be seeing things mom," Julian said, his voice trembling slightly.Suddenly, a commotion erupted from downstairs. Loud voices, angry shouts, and the unmistakable sound of something heavy being dropped.Isadora's eyes widened in alarm. "He's here," she whispered.
Aiden's POVThe world swam back into focus, not with the gentle tide of waking, but with the jarring crash of a rogue wave. One moment, I was trying to escape that creepy guy's arms, and the next, I was… here. But where was here?The air hung thick and stale, carrying the scent of old paper and something else, something vaguely medicinal. My head throbbed a dull, persistent ache that resonated with a deeper unease. I blinked, trying to clear the fog from my mind, and slowly, the room resolved itself around me.It wasn't a room I recognized, not exactly. It was… opulent, in a suffocating kind of way. Dark wood panelling lined the walls, reaching up to a high, ornate ceiling. Heavy velvet curtains, the colour of dried blood, were drawn tight across the windows, blocking out any hint of daylight. A massive, mahogany desk dominated one corner, piled high with books and scrolls. And in the centre of it all, hunched over a particularly formidable-looking tome, sat Julian.Ah. I was soul-wa
(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