Aderyn PovThe shrill beep of my phone pierced the early morning silence, pulling me from the depths of sleep. Groggily, I fumbled for the device, squinting at the screen as yet another message from an unknown number lit up.“Next round will be held next month. Be there. It’s a really big one.”With a sigh, I deleted the message without a second thought. Leaning back against the headboard, I exhaled slowly. My life had become a series of cryptic messages like these, each one a thread in the tangled web that seemed to tighten around me with every passing day.For a brief moment, bitterness welled up, but I forced it back down. There was no point in dwelling on the unfairness of it all. Despite the chaos that had taken over my life, there were still things worth holding on to. My gaze drifted to the small, framed photo on my nightstand—my family. My mom, dad, and Nancy, all smiling back at me, frozen in time.“I miss you, Mom, Dad, and Nancy,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to the glass be
“What did you just say?” I demanded, my voice edged with disbelief as I stared at Dylan, who was leisurely enjoying his Chicken pasta. The nonchalance in his demeanor was infuriating.Dylan looked up, an exaggerated innocence in his eyes. “What did I say?” he asked, his tone casual as he twirled his fork through the pasta.I clenched my teeth, fighting to keep my composure. “I heard you clearly. You said, ‘She is a virgin, I can smell it.’ How in the world do you know that about me? And what do you mean by ‘I can smell it’?”His words had hit me like a jarring shockwave.How could he possibly know something so intimate?The implication of detecting it by scent was beyond me, and it unsettled me deeply.The thought of spending just three more weeks here before I could escape was both a relief and a torment. I longed for the freedom of my previous life—traveling, exploring, and living unencumbered.I would miss Bell, Blake, and Cole, who had become unexpectedly dear to me. But Dylan? I
Aderyn PovThe sun was setting, casting long shadows across the room as I stood by the window, letting the cool breeze wash over me. The air felt refreshing against the sheen of sweat on my forehead, a small comfort after the intense practice session I’d just completed.Panting lightly, I glanced down at the chaos I’d wrought—a sandbag, now reduced to a tattered mess, lay scattered on the floor. It wasn’t the first time I’d had to clean up after myself, but the sight never failed to remind me of why I needed a bigger space for my training.I slipped off my gloves and glanced around, mentally preparing myself for the tedious cleanup. I meticulously gathered the remnants of the sandbag, folding the battered fabric and stuffing it into a bag. The mess was a testament to the frustration I felt with my confined practice area. I was hungry and tired, and the thought of cleaning up the sand only added to my growing annoyance.After several minutes of scrubbing and tidying, the room looked pr
Aderyn Pov The cool morning air nipped at my skin as Bell and I walked toward the gym. Bell’s excitement was practically contagious, her steps light and quick as she bounced beside me, clad in a pink tank top and black slacks. She looked like she was ready to conquer the world—or at least the gym. I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm, even though my own feelings were a mix of confusion and apprehension.“Why are you dressed like that?” I asked, glancing down at her outfit. “I thought that the Alpha guy wanted only me to train.”Bell grinned and clapped her hands together. “I know, but I want to join in too! It’ll be fun, don’t you think?”Her excitement was almost childlike, and I chuckled despite myself. “Yeah, sure, why not?”As we approached the gym, the sounds from within grew louder—thuds of punches landing on heavy bags, the squeak of shoes against the floor, and shouts of exertion. My heartbeat quickened with a strange mix of anticipation and dread. When we finally push
I lean back in my chair, the weight of exhaustion pressing heavily on my eyelids. It’s been years since I’ve had a proper night’s rest. The responsibilities of being King aren’t something you can put on hold. The endless meetings, border disputes, and preparations for the Senior Wolves’ arrival have all taken their toll. My body screams for sleep, but my mind refuses to let go.Finally, I decide to give in. I’ll allow myself a few hours, just enough to keep going. As I lay down on the bed, the moment my head hits the pillow, a sharp knock interrupts the silence. I groan inwardly, rolling over to ignore it, but the knocking persists, growing louder and more insistent. When I opened the door, there stood Cole’s sister, a small, tentative smile on her face. She started talking, but I was too groggy to make sense of whatever she was saying. My mind was still tangled in sleep, struggling to process her words.Then, a voice, smooth and sexy, cut through the haze. It jolted me awake instan
Lying on my bed, I shiver as a cold wave ripples through me. The room is too cold, too empty, so I force myself up, stumbling across the floor to switch off the air conditioning. The click of the button is like a release, and I quickly crawl back under the covers, seeking warmth in the familiar softness of my bed. I flop onto the mattress, the springs creaking under my weight, a sound that seems to echo in the quiet room. I close my eyes, trying to find peace, but the darkness behind my eyelids is restless, swirling with thoughts I can’t quite grasp.How long I lie there, I don’t know. But eventually, sleep claims me, pulling me down into its depths.When I open my eyes, I’m no longer in my bed. I’m standing in a forest, surrounded by tall trees, their leaves whispering secrets I can’t understand. The air is thick with the scent of earth and damp wood, and I can feel the cool, rough texture of the ground beneath my bare feet.What am I doing here?Panic starts to rise in my chest as
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape as Dylan and I walked side by side through the quiet park. The air was crisp, the colors of the evening sky melting into deep purples and pinks. We had been walking for hours, our silence as comfortable as a soft blanket, the kind you don't need to speak to appreciate.Occasionally, our hands brushed against each other, sending a spark of warmth through me. I could feel the subtle connection in those fleeting touches, the kind that spoke of something unspoken, something deeper. Dylan’s presence was calming, and though words were unnecessary, the gentle brush of his fingers against mine was reassuring. As we strolled, I noticed how his steps fell in sync with mine, how our breaths seemed to align with the rhythm of the evening.We walked past a serene pond, the last rays of sunlight casting a golden glow over the water. Dylan stopped and looked out at the rippling surface, his profile illuminated by the fading
Aderyn "Let me go!" I screamed, thrashing wildly, my wrists burning from the tight restraints. My voice echoed in the dimly lit room, but there was no mercy in the eyes that watched me struggle.Dylan’s lips curled into a sinister grin as he stepped closer, the flickering light casting long shadows across his face. "And what will we eat if we let you go, huh?" His tone was mocking, cruel, filled with an unspoken hunger."We're really hungry, Adie," Bell chimed in, her voice carrying a false sweetness that sent a shiver down my spine. She held up a fork, twirling it between her fingers like a toy."Bell, I thought we were friends!" I cried, my voice cracking with desperation. My limbs ached as I fought against the bindings that held me to the cold, hard table."Humans can never be our friends, Adie. We can’t be friends with our food. What would we eat to survive then?" Bell’s eyes darkened, and she let out a cold, humorless laugh.She drew a knife from her belt, the blade glinting wi