I
Chapter 1 GOT THE DRINKS!!!” Tonight at the club, I heard Iris scream loudly as she tried to drown out the deafening noise of the music that was determined to burst my eardrum. I took one of the red plastic cups from her hands and tried my best to yell out at her, “About time! Why did you take so long!” The blended cocktails in the cups were ones I would rather not know the components of. This was my first night at Tropical Thunder, Bournville’s largest and busiest nightclub. Basically, everyone from our college attended, even a group of adolescent hormone-happy high school students who brought phony identification to show their peers how horrible they really were. What utter fools they were, squandering their time attempting to validate their value to others who didn’t give a damn. I thought it was silly to try to live up to other people’s expectations; why not just be yourself? But anyhow, enough of my viewpoint, Iris started. Iris laughed and bobbed her head back and forth, following the beat of the music playing. “I met a guy,” she exclaimed. A man, she mentioned? This was just how Iris was. She changed males like clockwork every single week, but there was nothing I could do about it. She was the only friend I had and the finest one I had. Do not misunderstand me. I’m not one of those pitiful, bashful females who can never seem to find friends or know how to have fun. This was not the case, though. I believe that I’m a very enjoyable person to hang out with, and I’m sure that anyone would want to be friends with me. However, the real reason I didn’t have any friends was that nobody, save Iris, could truly stay around to comprehend my already dysfunctional existence. She remained consistent no matter what. To me, she was more than just a friend; we shared an unbreakable sisterly tie. She was my only remaining family member and very dear to me. It was there that Iris and I nearly grew up together—that is, until Iris was adopted by a wealthy and loving human family and I was adopted by a repulsive abuser and drunkard. Well, that’s just my usual luck, though. It was awful, extremely awful if I may say so. Similar to the kind of bad luck where lightning strikes the same spot twice. We both began to dance to the music playing in the background, and I inquired, “Who is the new guy that got you smiling like this?” Pizzaboys was it; their music was the greatest. She turned around and asked, “Remember Landon Brettman? From literature class?” as we rocked our bodies together and I ran my hands over her body. However, isn’t she supposed to be fucking kidding me? Do I still recall Landon Brettman? It is impossible to forget someone as obnoxious and terrible as Landon Brettman, or as I generally refer to him, as Landon jerk man. Of course, I remember Landon Brettman. In addition to being a showoff, brat, proud, irritating, awful, overconfident, and a host of other adjectives that could be used to describe him indefinitely, Landon was also a big man whore and spoilt. And regrettably, I was unfortunate enough to be paired with a high-literature course out of all the several that I had applied for. If I’m being very honest, Landon looked more like one of those clichéd jocks from the 1990s. A guy like Landon was, to put it plainly, a complete waste to humanity. Data! I laughed and expressed my disdain at the idea of her and Landon dating. “Ew. I bet he wouldn’t even last a day with you. It’s either you dump his sorry ass or he cheats again.” I sincerely hoped that this wouldn’t last forever. “Maybe? Honestly, I think so too, but I’m going to be the one dumping him first.” We both giggled “But you know that they all just serve as a fun distraction for me until I find my one true mate,” Iris remarked with a smile. The idea of meeting her partner, who the Moon goddess had predestined for her, thrilled her much. Yes, your guess was correct! I’m a witch, and Iris is a werewolf. And sure, it’s true that all those things older kids told you around ridiculous campfires or in the dark to scare the living daylights out of you are true. There is magic. It was also very much true that there were monsters, creatures, and things you would never think were possible; in fact, they all wanted me dead. I’m not sure what sin I must have done in a previous life, but everyone and everything on this already dysfunctional world wanted me dead.Chapter 2Speaking of creatures who wish me dead, I have noticed the woman seated by the bar counter gazing at us several times. Was she one of them, too? Was she a member of the Circle of Red? No way could the red circle have followed me all the way to Bournville. I had ensured that those witches could never happen again, and I’m not kidding—whoever did earned a medal or something. However, something about this weird woman gave me the creeps. Although I couldn’t identify her, I knew she desired me as well. “Iris” I turned her around as we danced by sliding my hands up to her waist. Not wanting to attract the notice of our observer, I muttered softly into her ears, “Don’t freak out or anything but- I think the woman by the bar is spying on us.” I immediately regretted that I had even brought up the woman I had described to Iris, who yelled out, “WHERE?!?” and frantically shook her head in search of the person I had mentioned. Oh goddess,
My mom also mentioned that he could be able to help me with my destiny,even though I never really understood why they were all after me. All I knew was that I needed to survive and keep running for as long as I had to. However, this wasn’t like the fairy tales where the charming prince magically appears to save the unfortunate damsel and they ride into the sunset on a rainbow unicorn; in fact, I find those stories to be quite absurd. I was neither a damsel in distress, nor did I enjoy the comforts of a charming prince. I’ve been taking excellent care of myself for the past fifteen years, and I’ll keep doing so—not that I needed one anyhow. “Pay attention, Isabella!”I made a mental push. I must not let these recollections get the better of me. I sized up my opponent and inquired, “Why?” She was obviously very well-fit because she was much larger than me—well, every monster I had ever encountered was larger than me. Since I was smaller than them, I always h
All the books and lore I read, though they varied in one way or another, agreed that wendigos were once humans with an enormous carnivorous appetite for human flesh; the folklore also mentioned in its contexts that the only thing that could kill a wendigo is a silver blade to the heart, so it seems that the legend was true after all. Well, actually, monsters weren’t born; they were created. Long story short, they messed up with a very powerful witch, so the witch cursed them to be monsters with an insatiable thirst for human flesh. “Is it dead? Looking at the ground where its body was laid?”I wonder where she obtained her large brown coat from, Iris asked me. “Yes,” I answered, shoving a handful of my blond hair out of my face and attempting to catch my breath. “How are you doing? She gave you a pretty good shove.” I put my hand on her shoulder and gave her a thorough examination. “Nope, I’m fine. I would have reprimanded her, but I knew Iris too well
The smell just got stronger and stronger, oh dear goddess, she must be quite close. For heaven’s sake, why was fate playing this cruel game with me? Luca was chanting “Mate! Mate! Mate!” like a holy mantra, and I could feel his excitement just by smelling her. For the first time, I really wished he would just shut up. We agreed on almost everything, except that I didn’t want her. “Beta!” We all took our seats as the waiter took our orders. Lance, my beta, stood up and bowed politely, followed by Gabe, my delta, who did the same but had a corny, broad smile on his face. I nodded in acknowledgment. Since the blood moon was due to rise in ninety-three days, and I was running out of time, Lance presented me with some paperwork and contracts that were in dire need of my signature. I had been spending a lot of time these past few days trying to find a way out of the curse placed upon our pack, but I kept coming up empty-handed. Then, the door
Isabelle’s POV I really did it this time, oh my god. I just had to get a cup of coffee from the only café in Bourneville that served a decent cup of coffee and then off to the university, my own personal torture room. It did serve as a good cover from people that were after me, no one expected me to be studying at a college. I overslept and was already late for my classes. Iris was probably waiting impatiently for me with an angry scowl or she got carried away with boys as usual. When I first entered the cafe, I had this electric tingle that I can’t quite put my finger on. It seemed like I was struck by electricity, but not in a bad way because it didn’t hurt. If there was ever a good kind of electricity, that is. I basically ran on caffeine, so only the goddess knows how much I needed my cup of coffee today. What the hell am I even saying? There were three very attractive guys sitting at the table in front of me; they had the perfect male model physique
Iris was practically glued to Landon as I strolled over to them after class. “Hi Belle! Iris let out a scream and threw me a strong hug. In return, I turned to face Landon, who was simply staring at us all foolishly. Finally, with his awful little piece of shit, he said, “Hey Belle, you were late today, as always.” with his nasty little smirk as. though I didn’t know that I was late. I said, attempting to be kind and choosing the higher path, “Hey Landon.” He said, as if he cared, “Whoa, you look really tired, you should go get some rest.” But could he just shut up and go get a life? I ignored him while I told Iris about the strange guy I ran into today, and all she really cared about was whether or not he was hot, and if so, that was a long answer—hell yeah—because of course they were all scorching hot. A blond guy smiled sweetly as he walked toward us.“Hi, Isaac!”I think they were in the same fraternity,” Landon remarked as they gave each other a strange hug and handshake. “Did he
However, if you gaze into his eyes Are you considering mine? And when you observe that grin Do you think about me? I am aware of what’s going through your mind. Instead, you see me.Because of how much he resembles me from that time. Don’t lie, baby. “He’s just a lookalike,” said Conan Gray. RIGHT NOW IT WAS JUST ELEVEN PM. Iris was picked up by that man whore Landon for the party I blew off so I could study, and it has been precisely three hours since then. Lord knows I was exhausted, but for some reason, I kept my nose deep in my English essay assignment, which was due tomorrow, wondering how the party went. The phone next to me started buzzing. Iris’s cell phone made the call. I grabbed it with great speed. I asked her, “Hey, what’s up Iris?” appreciating the small break from studying she was providing. “Hey Belle!” she muttered, sounding more disoriented and strange than normal, but otherwise sounding like your normal hyper-Iris. She chuckled and said, “I kind of need your help.”
Iris said, “You worry too much Belle. Landon is a big boy andcan take care of himself,” with the same sly laugh that was beginning to really get under my skin. I kept questioning her, “Where is Landon’s car?” I couldn’t quite put my finger on it; something didn’t feel quite right. She said, laughing as if she were under the influence of a demon, “It’s parked up ahead.” I reasoned that perhaps she was just acting erratic because she was intoxicated. This is getting really scary, let’s just get the heck out of here and maybe then she’ll act like herself. I responded, “Sure. Let’s just get out of here… Quick.” as Iwalked slowly in Iris’s wake toward the car. This was obviously not right. My phone buzzed in my hand, but I was too wrapped up in my own thoughts to notice it. Even though I usually don’t answer calls from strangers, I decided to answer this particular one even though it was from an unknown number. “Hello!” nobody answered. The cheerful sound of music emanating from the other
Iris said, “You worry too much Belle. Landon is a big boy andcan take care of himself,” with the same sly laugh that was beginning to really get under my skin. I kept questioning her, “Where is Landon’s car?” I couldn’t quite put my finger on it; something didn’t feel quite right. She said, laughing as if she were under the influence of a demon, “It’s parked up ahead.” I reasoned that perhaps she was just acting erratic because she was intoxicated. This is getting really scary, let’s just get the heck out of here and maybe then she’ll act like herself. I responded, “Sure. Let’s just get out of here… Quick.” as Iwalked slowly in Iris’s wake toward the car. This was obviously not right. My phone buzzed in my hand, but I was too wrapped up in my own thoughts to notice it. Even though I usually don’t answer calls from strangers, I decided to answer this particular one even though it was from an unknown number. “Hello!” nobody answered. The cheerful sound of music emanating from the other
However, if you gaze into his eyes Are you considering mine? And when you observe that grin Do you think about me? I am aware of what’s going through your mind. Instead, you see me.Because of how much he resembles me from that time. Don’t lie, baby. “He’s just a lookalike,” said Conan Gray. RIGHT NOW IT WAS JUST ELEVEN PM. Iris was picked up by that man whore Landon for the party I blew off so I could study, and it has been precisely three hours since then. Lord knows I was exhausted, but for some reason, I kept my nose deep in my English essay assignment, which was due tomorrow, wondering how the party went. The phone next to me started buzzing. Iris’s cell phone made the call. I grabbed it with great speed. I asked her, “Hey, what’s up Iris?” appreciating the small break from studying she was providing. “Hey Belle!” she muttered, sounding more disoriented and strange than normal, but otherwise sounding like your normal hyper-Iris. She chuckled and said, “I kind of need your help.”
Iris was practically glued to Landon as I strolled over to them after class. “Hi Belle! Iris let out a scream and threw me a strong hug. In return, I turned to face Landon, who was simply staring at us all foolishly. Finally, with his awful little piece of shit, he said, “Hey Belle, you were late today, as always.” with his nasty little smirk as. though I didn’t know that I was late. I said, attempting to be kind and choosing the higher path, “Hey Landon.” He said, as if he cared, “Whoa, you look really tired, you should go get some rest.” But could he just shut up and go get a life? I ignored him while I told Iris about the strange guy I ran into today, and all she really cared about was whether or not he was hot, and if so, that was a long answer—hell yeah—because of course they were all scorching hot. A blond guy smiled sweetly as he walked toward us.“Hi, Isaac!”I think they were in the same fraternity,” Landon remarked as they gave each other a strange hug and handshake. “Did he
Isabelle’s POV I really did it this time, oh my god. I just had to get a cup of coffee from the only café in Bourneville that served a decent cup of coffee and then off to the university, my own personal torture room. It did serve as a good cover from people that were after me, no one expected me to be studying at a college. I overslept and was already late for my classes. Iris was probably waiting impatiently for me with an angry scowl or she got carried away with boys as usual. When I first entered the cafe, I had this electric tingle that I can’t quite put my finger on. It seemed like I was struck by electricity, but not in a bad way because it didn’t hurt. If there was ever a good kind of electricity, that is. I basically ran on caffeine, so only the goddess knows how much I needed my cup of coffee today. What the hell am I even saying? There were three very attractive guys sitting at the table in front of me; they had the perfect male model physique
The smell just got stronger and stronger, oh dear goddess, she must be quite close. For heaven’s sake, why was fate playing this cruel game with me? Luca was chanting “Mate! Mate! Mate!” like a holy mantra, and I could feel his excitement just by smelling her. For the first time, I really wished he would just shut up. We agreed on almost everything, except that I didn’t want her. “Beta!” We all took our seats as the waiter took our orders. Lance, my beta, stood up and bowed politely, followed by Gabe, my delta, who did the same but had a corny, broad smile on his face. I nodded in acknowledgment. Since the blood moon was due to rise in ninety-three days, and I was running out of time, Lance presented me with some paperwork and contracts that were in dire need of my signature. I had been spending a lot of time these past few days trying to find a way out of the curse placed upon our pack, but I kept coming up empty-handed. Then, the door
All the books and lore I read, though they varied in one way or another, agreed that wendigos were once humans with an enormous carnivorous appetite for human flesh; the folklore also mentioned in its contexts that the only thing that could kill a wendigo is a silver blade to the heart, so it seems that the legend was true after all. Well, actually, monsters weren’t born; they were created. Long story short, they messed up with a very powerful witch, so the witch cursed them to be monsters with an insatiable thirst for human flesh. “Is it dead? Looking at the ground where its body was laid?”I wonder where she obtained her large brown coat from, Iris asked me. “Yes,” I answered, shoving a handful of my blond hair out of my face and attempting to catch my breath. “How are you doing? She gave you a pretty good shove.” I put my hand on her shoulder and gave her a thorough examination. “Nope, I’m fine. I would have reprimanded her, but I knew Iris too well
My mom also mentioned that he could be able to help me with my destiny,even though I never really understood why they were all after me. All I knew was that I needed to survive and keep running for as long as I had to. However, this wasn’t like the fairy tales where the charming prince magically appears to save the unfortunate damsel and they ride into the sunset on a rainbow unicorn; in fact, I find those stories to be quite absurd. I was neither a damsel in distress, nor did I enjoy the comforts of a charming prince. I’ve been taking excellent care of myself for the past fifteen years, and I’ll keep doing so—not that I needed one anyhow. “Pay attention, Isabella!”I made a mental push. I must not let these recollections get the better of me. I sized up my opponent and inquired, “Why?” She was obviously very well-fit because she was much larger than me—well, every monster I had ever encountered was larger than me. Since I was smaller than them, I always h
Chapter 2Speaking of creatures who wish me dead, I have noticed the woman seated by the bar counter gazing at us several times. Was she one of them, too? Was she a member of the Circle of Red? No way could the red circle have followed me all the way to Bournville. I had ensured that those witches could never happen again, and I’m not kidding—whoever did earned a medal or something. However, something about this weird woman gave me the creeps. Although I couldn’t identify her, I knew she desired me as well. “Iris” I turned her around as we danced by sliding my hands up to her waist. Not wanting to attract the notice of our observer, I muttered softly into her ears, “Don’t freak out or anything but- I think the woman by the bar is spying on us.” I immediately regretted that I had even brought up the woman I had described to Iris, who yelled out, “WHERE?!?” and frantically shook her head in search of the person I had mentioned. Oh goddess,
I Chapter 1 GOT THE DRINKS!!!” Tonight at the club, I heard Iris scream loudly as she tried to drown out the deafening noise of the music that was determined to burst my eardrum. I took one of the red plastic cups from her hands and tried my best to yell out at her, “About time! Why did you take so long!” The blended cocktails in the cups were ones I would rather not know the components of. This was my first night at Tropical Thunder, Bournville’s largest and busiest nightclub. Basically, everyone from our college attended, even a group of adolescent hormone-happy high school students who brought phony identification to show their peers how horrible they really were. What utter fools they were, squandering their time attempting to validate their value to others who didn’t give a damn. I thought it was silly to try to live up to other people’s expectations; why not just be yourself? But anyhow, enough of my viewpoint, Iris started. Iris laughed and