He let out a weary sigh, his head dropping forward for a moment before he reached up to cradle one of my hands against his chest, right over his pounding heart.“It’s just that… I just got you after all this time, Ava,” he said softly. “I don’t want to lose you now. Or ever.”His words made my arms
AvaThe morning sun streamed through the windows of Moonrise manor as Chris and I prepared to depart. Our bags were packed and loaded into the car, and I yearned to get home, but a bittersweet atmosphere couldn’t help but hang in the air as we said our goodbyes.“You’re sure you both have everything
AvaThe silence that followed Chris’s announcement was deafening. I could practically hear the gears turning in each of the Elders’ heads as they processed his words. Bradley characteristically mussed up his red hair, Fatima and Claire exchanged wary glances, and Elise ground her jaw repeatedly.Fin
I saw a flicker of interest cross Fatima’s face at that.Chris seized the moment. “I urge you all to keep an open mind. Ophelia will be attending Paul’s welcoming ceremony tonight. I encourage you to speak with her, get to know her. Perhaps you’ll enjoy her company as much as we do.”Bradley nodded
AvaI dabbed the powder puff in one last spot above my nose and patted it in before snapping the little makeup compact shut. In the dim light surrounding my vanity mirror, my emerald green skirt and top combination caught the light in a way that made the silky fabric seem to ripple like water.“You
“So, Ophelia,” Fatima said, sipping her wine, “what exactly do you do in the human world?”Ophelia blushed slightly, glancing at me. I shot her an encouraging nod, urging her to just be honest.“Well,” she finally said, wringing her hands uncharacteristically, “I’m a model. Or rather, I was a model.
AvaI let Chris lead me back to the party, the sounds of laughter and music growing louder as we approached. The town square had become even more raucous since I had slipped away to follow Elise, a throng of people dancing to the music and the bar crowded with attendees.Chris pulled me close as we
ChrisI stepped into my office, the sounds of the party becoming muffled behind the closed door. I was met with the sight of one of the lead scouts who had been tasked with finding Olivia—a face that I wasn’t expecting to see tonight, and it sobered me immediately.“Alpha Chris,” the scout said, bow