We're nearing the end of the story, and it's making me a bit emotional. But an ending also means the beginning of something new, so I'm excited about that too! Please don't ask me how many chapters are left because I honestly don't know. I've outlined all the chapters, but when I work on them, I sometimes need to split one into two or more. So, the exact number of chapters remaining is something which even I don't know.
SophiaLucas’s presence is a comfort I didn’t know I needed. Just having him here, seeing his face, hearing his voice—it feels like a lifeline. But there’s this small, nagging thought at the back of my mind, this awful what-if that I can’t completely shake. What if he gets stuck here with me? What if this place swallows him up the same way it’s been trying to swallow me?I push that doubt away. No, that’s not going to happen. It can’t. We’re both getting out of here. We have to. Too many people are counting on us, waiting for us. We can’t let them down.Mikhail’s face flashes in my mind, and this wave of longing hits me so hard it feels like I can’t breathe. My heart twists, like someone’s squeezing it too tight, and there’s this emptiness inside me, this awful void where the mate bond should be. It’s like a piece of me is just... missing, and no matter how much I try, I can’t fill it.I don’t even try to reach out to him. I can’t. If I do, he’ll feel everything I’m going through, and
SophiaShe’s here. I can feel her, even though she’s too much of a coward to show herself. She’s playing games, just like always.Every time I think I’ve got the upper hand, she pulls this disappearing act, hiding in the shadows and letting her presence crawl over my skin. It’s her way of saying she’s in control that I’m just a pawn on her board.Tapping into my wolf, I let her strength flow through me. It’s like a spark igniting in my veins, a rush that steadies my hands and sharpens my focus. I need her right now, and she knows it.She growls softly inside me, just enough to remind me she’s here, ready and waiting. The sound hums in the back of my mind, a quiet promise that we’re in this together.My mind starts spinning as random visions crash over me like waves, pulling me under. Some are memories, others are my worst fears. I know this is her doing, trying to mess with my head, but I fight to stay connected to myself instead of letting myself get lost in these visions. I won’t le
SophiaIt feels so strange to witness this moment because I don’t remember any of it.I remember being locked in that dark basement, the cold, damp air, and the pain that completely overtook my senses when I went through my first shift.But apart from that, my memory is all hazy, like it’s wrapped in fog. It’s like there’s a part of me that was lost back then, a piece that I still can’t quite reach.And there’s this feeling inside me, a deep, gnawing desperation to uncover what’s been locked away all these years. It’s like there’s a door inside my mind that I can’t open, and every time I try, it feels like I’m just brushing up against the edges of it but never quite getting through.I want to remember.I need to know what happened, what I’ve forgotten.It eats me from inside, that longing to understand, to reclaim the memories that are kept away from me.I watch my wolf pacing in the room, her restless energy practically vibrating off her. She moves in tight circles, like she’s itchin
SophiaMy knees hit the ground beside her, and my hands tremble as I reach out. She lies there unconscious, her chest rising and falling just enough to let me know she’s alive.Tears threaten to spill as I look at her, beaten and broken.The pain etched into her body feels like it’s carved into my soul, too.I know this isn’t real—just memories. But knowing that doesn’t make it hurt any less.It doesn’t erase the fact that once upon a time, this wasn’t a memory. It was my reality. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, my voice breaking. My apology falls flat in the empty space, swallowed by the stillness of the room.Closing my eyes as tears slip free, hot and heavy. “You deserved better,” I choke out. “I should’ve been stronger. For both of us.”Her body doesn’t move, doesn’t react. Of course, it doesn’t. She’s just a reflection of who I was back then.I close my eyes for a moment, letting the cold from the floor seep into my knees. This place... this moment... it’s like the walls themselves reme
SophiaRussells came down here a few more times.Every time, it’s the same: he beats my wolf without a care, like it’s a routine, like she’s nothing but a punching bag to him and then leaves.It's like he is letting out his anger on her for beating him.But then he always got weird pleasure in torturing me, so he might be just beating me for fun because his Alpha has given him a free hand to beat me.Then the door creaks open again, and I brace myself, expecting Russell’s heavy steps. But this time, it’s not him. My eyebrows raise when I see it's Cynthia.She steps into the room quietly, her movements cautious, her body tense like she’s ready to bolt at any moment.This is the first time I’m seeing her without that smug, arrogant look she always has. Gone is the usual disgust she wore like a second skin whenever she looked at me. Instead, there’s something else in her eyes—sympathy. Hurt.It throws me off, and I stare, trying to process what I’m seeing. Cynthia doesn’t say a word, but
SophiaOnce Selena finishes eating, she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand like she doesn’t care about the mess. There’s a twisted, sadistic smile on her face as she grins, looking more satisfied than anyone has a right to be. Her wounds are completely healed now, and there’s this weird glow to her skin, like she’s radiating strength.It makes my stomach churn. I can’t stand to look at her, but I can’t seem to look away either.I piece it together slowly, and the realization makes my blood boil. She’s feeding off the young blood, using it to power herself somehow. It’s disgusting, horrifying, and so wrong that it makes my chest ache with rage.The way she looks so pleased with herself, like she’s untouchable, makes me hate her even more.I don’t know how long I’ve been stuck in this memory, but it feels like forever.Selena stands there, basking in whatever power she’s stolen. Her grin is pure evil, and I can feel the hate building inside me like a fire. How could she do this?
SophiaSelena keeps stroking my hair, her fingers moving slow, almost tender, like she’s comforting me. But her eyes give her away. There’s no kindness there, only malice. It’s sharp and cold, the kind of look that causes a shiver to run down my spine.With her other hand, she dips her fingers into the blood pooling around me—my blood—and starts drawing on the floor. At first, I think it’s random, just messy streaks, but the longer I watch, the clearer it becomes that it’s anything but random. The lines twist and curve, forming jagged, alien symbols that I don’t recognize.She’s so precise, like every mark has some deep, dark purpose. Circles overlap in ways that feel too perfect or too intentional. Inside them, symbols appear that almost look like letters, but they’re from no language I’ve ever seen. The air around her gets heavier and darker with each stroke. It feels wrong and unnatural, like the symbols are alive, feeding off something they shouldn’t be.A strange, low sound comes
SophiaStaring at myself on the floor, broken and helpless. The sight of me like that twists something deep inside, but then I feel it—something behind me. A presence that sends a chill down my spine, raising goosebumps on my arms.“You’re smarter than I thought,” a familiar voice purrs right in my ear.Selena.Turning my head, I look at her. She smirks, her eyes gleaming with that same malice I’ve come to know too well. “Finally figured out my little secret, huh? Took you long enough.”Ignoring her, I shift my gaze back to myself.Every other emotion drains out of me, leaving just fury in its place. It rises like fire, burning hotter with every word she says.She laughs, the sound sharp and mocking, and then she steps closer, her hand reaching out. She runs her fingers through my hair, just like she did when I was lying there, vulnerable, beaten, barely conscious.I don’t flinch, don’t move. My eyes stay locked on the version of me on the ground, beaten and defeated. The anger inside
AnastasiaThe second Jake’s lips touch mine, something shifts inside me. It is not just a kiss—it is a pull, a force wrapping around my heart and tugging me toward him like I have no choice but to give in. It is overwhelming, like gravity itself has changed, and he is the center of it. The longer he kisses me, the stronger it gets, until I don’t know if I should fight it or let it take me wherever it wants.I have heard and read about kisses before. How they can be full of passion, need, grief, hunger, love. How they can demand or offer, hurt or heal. But nothing could have prepared me for this. This feeling has no name. It is raw, deep, and consuming, wrapping around me like fire and drowning me all at once.I don’t know what to do with it.His lips move against mine, and every part of me feels awake, alive in a way I have never known. It is too much and not enough at the same time. My fingers curl into his shirt, holding onto him without thinking, like I am afraid letting go will br
AnastasiaSophia has let me borrow some of her clothes since we wear the same size. I’m relieved when I go through them and realize her style is pretty close to mine. She picks comfort over everything else, just like I do. No flashy stuff, no weirdly tight outfits that make it hard to breathe... just simple, easy clothes that feel like me.Hurriedly, I tug on the jeans and my hands move fast, my pulse a little too quick, but I ignore it. This isn’t a big deal. I’m just... curious. That’s all.Jake shifting into his wolf shouldn’t be interesting. I’ve seen it before. Plenty of times. And every single time, it meant a fight, blood, and making sure I walked away instead of them. But now? The thought of seeing him shift makes something stir inside me.I tell myself it’s just because I want to see if he’s different. That’s it. Nothing else.Taking a steady breath, I pull open the door and step out, only to freeze when I find him already there, leaning against the opposite wall like he’s be
AnastasiaSteam curls around me, thick and hazy, clinging to my skin like a second layer. The water rushes over my shoulders, hot enough to sting, but I barely notice. My mind is somewhere else.I drag my fingers over my ribs, tracing the faint lines where deep wounds should be. Almost like a day before, they were raw, torn open, pulsing with pain. Now? Nothing but thin, almost invisible marks. If I hadn’t seen the blood, felt the sharp bite of the injury, I’d think I imagined the whole thing.This isn’t normal. No one heals this fast.I press my palm flat against my side, half-expecting some kind of pain to remind me it’s real, that I didn’t just dream it. But there’s nothing. Just smooth skin and a lingering unease curling in my stomach.It is not just physical healing... something inside me also feels different. There’s a strange lightness inside me, like some invisible weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It’s not something I can explain, just this… feeling. Like I had been ca
AnastasiaJake rests his head against mine, his breath warm and steady. For a moment, neither of us move. I tell myself I should push him away, that I should put space between us, but my body betrays me. Instead, I find myself leaning into him, just slightly, just enough to feel the weight of him against me.I don’t know what’s happening, but something about the way he exhales, like he’s carrying something too heavy, tugs at something deep inside me. The distress in him does something to me, something I don’t want to name.Yeah, real good, Anastasia. A few minutes ago, I was ready to kill him, and now I want to comfort him? What the hell is wrong with me?Damn him for making me this confused, emotional mess. I don’t even know if confused-emotioned-person is a real word, but it sure as hell describes exactly what I feel right now.Is he sniffing me?I freeze, my whole body going still as I feel his breath near my neck. My heart stumbles in my chest, unsure whether to speed up or stop co
AnastasiaThe silence stretches, thick and heavy. I stand perfectly still, barely breathing, listening. The feeling of being watched presses against my skin, raising every hair on my arms. My pulse thuds in my ears, but I don’t let it distract me.Whoever... or whatever is out there, they’re good. No obvious movement, no careless sounds. But I know better than to trust the quiet.I let my body relax just enough to lull them into thinking I don’t sense them. My hand stays loose around the knife in my pocket, my feet shifting slightly like I might just turn around and head back inside.A trick. A test.And then—there.A flicker of something just beyond the trees, barely more than a shadow against the darker night. My eyes snap to it, and my instincts scream.I don’t hesitate.I move fast, charging toward the presence with steady, even steps. The crunch of leaves under my feet is the only sound as I close the distance, heart pounding, mind sharp.The air changes. A shift, like the forest
AnastasiaEver since I woke up here, one thought won’t leave me alone.Why hasn’t anyone come looking for me?Thankfully, I lied to Mom and Dad before I left. Told them I was heading to a music festival in the next town and wouldn’t be home for a week or so. They won’t be looking for me. Won’t be worried. Because I couldn’t tell them the truth.I couldn’t tell them I was going on a mission with the other hunters.If I had, Dad might have actually forgiven me for once, but Mom? She would have put two bullets in me before I even got out the door.Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating. But still. Mom would have almost killed me.I know if they knew, they would have found me by now. Hell, they wouldn’t have even let me go missing in the first place.But they don’t know.The people who do know, the ones who should have been looking, the ones who swore to have my back... where the hell are they?This place is the closest set of houses near the woods where we were. If my team realized I was missing,
JakeThe steady rhythm of the axe hitting the log fills the shed, the sound sharp and familiar. I lift the axe again, bringing it down with force, splitting the wood clean in half. The motion is automatic, something I have done a thousand times before, but my mind is nowhere near the task at hand.It is on her.Anastasia.I don’t know when it started, this thing where she takes up space in my head even when I am not trying to think about her. It is frustrating. Distracting. But no matter how many times I tell myself to stop, she is still there. In every damn thought.And my wolf constant nagging to go 'mate' isn't helping me either.I grab another log and place it on the block. My grip tightens around the axe, and I swing again, letting out a slow breath as the wood splits apart. It should be enough to clear my mind, but it isn't.My head is a mess.So many questions, so many pieces that don’t fit. I go over everything again and again, trying to make sense of it, but nothing adds up.
AnastasiaSurreal. That’s the only word that comes close to describing how I feel right now.Maria holds her newborn daughter, her eyes still teary but shining with something soft and overwhelming. Her fingers brush gently over the baby’s tiny cheek, and she looks up at me with so much gratitude that it steals my breath for a second."Thank you," she whispers. "I don’t know what I would’ve done without you."I blink, caught off guard. People around us nod in agreement, offering smiles and murmurs of appreciation. Someone claps me on the shoulder, another woman touches my arm, her grip warm and full of thanks.It’s strange. Not bad—just different.Back home, I’m not unappreciated, not exactly. But when I step up to help, it’s because I’m expected to. There’s no moment like this, no heartfelt thanks, because it’s just what I’m supposed to do. My responsibility. Nothing special. Nothing to be grateful for.But here? Here, they look at me like I did something that matters. Like I made a di
AnastasiaAfter finishing lunch, I decide to step outside the room. Sitting around isn’t going to give me answers. If I’m going to be stuck here, I need to know more about these people.Sophia mentioned the kitchen earlier, saying I could grab something if I needed it. That seems like a good place to start. As I make my way there, I stop in my tracks, my instincts flaring up.A huge man is sneaking up behind Sophia.She doesn’t notice him at all, completely oblivious to the fact that someone is moving toward her with silent, measured steps.Oh, hell no. Not on my watch.Before I even think about it, my body moves. I grab a knife from the sink, keeping my steps light as I approach. But before I can get close enough, he suddenly turns around. His reflexes are fast, but not fast enough to stop me.I drive my foot into his gut, making him stumble back. The moment his balance shifts, I push forward, forcing him to his knees and pressing the knife against his throat."Who are you?" My voice