MikhailThe cool air dries our clothes as we walk back, the scent of damp fabric mixing with the crisp night breeze. Sophia insisted on washing them before she sees Rose. She said she doesn’t want to carry any negativity these clothes might have absorbed and risk letting it touch our daughter in any way.If it were up to me, I would have burned them the second we stepped out of that place. But Sophia shot that idea down fast. Apparently, walking home with nothing on wasn’t an option for her. I reminded her that we’re shifters; nudity isn’t exactly a big deal. She reminded me that we don’t have spare clothes stashed anywhere nearby and that she’s not about to greet our daughter in our birthday suits.Our fingers find each other without a second thought. Sophia’s hand slides into mine, warm and familiar, as it belongs there. I curl my fingers around hers, holding tight but not too tight, just enough to let her know I’m here. That I’m not letting go.We walk in sync, step by step, and the
MikhailSophia's grip on my hand tightens the closer we get to the house. Her steps pick up, her breathing shifts, and I can feel the energy rolling off her in waves. It’s a mix of excitement and something raw, something untamed. Her wolf is on edge, not out of fear but out of that deep, instinctual protectiveness only a mother has for her pup.I can almost hear her wolf pacing beneath the surface, waiting, ready. It’s not aggression, not really. It’s just that fierce need to see her pup, to hold her, to make sure she’s safe.I squeeze her hand comfortingly.She turns her head to me, and the second our eyes meet, a smile breaks across her face.It’s so bright, so full of joy that it knocks the air from my lungs.She doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t need to.I just squeeze her hand again, letting her know I feel it too.However, I can’t stop myself. The second that smile lights up her face, I lean in and press a kiss right to it.She lets out a small, surprised breath, but then her gri
MikhailI step forward, closing the distance between us, but before I can take another, a low growl rumbles from Sophia’s chest.It’s quiet, but it’s there. A warning.I stop in my tracks, lifting an eyebrow as I glance at her.Did she just growl at me?Sophia clenches her eyes shut for a second before shaking her head, a small laugh escaping her lips. She looks almost embarrassed, like she hadn’t meant for it to slip out. "Sorry," she mutters, letting out a breath. "My wolf is in overprotective mode. She’s being territorial over Rose."She doesn’t need to explain. I can see it in the way her arms tighten around Rose, the way she angles her body just slightly, like she’s shielding her. Even though I would never be a threat, her instincts don’t care. She’s protecting our daughter the only way she knows how.Rose, completely oblivious to her mother’s fierce protectiveness, giggles against Sophia’s chest. Her tiny hands grip at her mom’s shirt, her small fingers curling into the fabric a
SophiaI feel the warmth before I fully wake up. A soft, steady heat pressed against my back, strong arms wrapped around me, holding me close.Then, the faintest brush of lips against my shoulder.A soft smile tugs at my lips before I can stop it. The kisses are light, barely there, like Mikhail is savoring the feel of my skin under his lips. He moves slowly, trailing feather-light kisses along the curve of my shoulder, up my neck. Each one sends a small shiver down my spine.I shift, stretching my arms above my head, feeling the pull in my muscles as my body wakes up. But before I can finish the motion, a gasp slips from my lips.Mikhail’s mouth is on my mark.His lips press against it, warm and teasing, and then he nibbles—just enough for my breath to hitch.My whole body reacts instantly. A rush of heat floods through me, my skin tingling like a spark has just been lit. My fingers clutch at the sheets, my back arching slightly as something deep inside me stirs.Then, his canines gra
SophiaSitting in front of the vanity, I stare at my reflection in the large mirror. My fingers rest lightly on the edge of the table, but my focus is on the girl looking back at me.There was a time when I couldn't do this. When I first stepped into this pack, I used to cover the mirrors. I couldn't stand to see myself. Because watching my reflection used to overwhelm me.Looking felt like facing every scar, every wound, every shadow I carried staring back at me. It made me feel things that I was deprived of... because every story of pain used to be etched in the depths of my eyes.Looking at myself only reminded me of the girl who had no one, who felt like she didn’t belong anywhere... the girl who was unwanted.But it isn’t the same anymore. The girl in the mirror is nothing like the one from a few years ago. This girl is happy. She is loved. She is strong. She is wanted.A small smile tugs at my lips as I reach up and touch my face, as if I need to make sure it’s real. I don’t just
SophiaHappiness feels strange sometimes.For so long, I thought it wasn’t meant for me. That no matter how much I reached for it, it would always slip through my fingers, teasing me with something I could never hold on to.But now, standing here, wrapped in the warmth of love, I feel it. I own it. And for once, I don’t have to be afraid that it will disappear.I step out of the room, my heart still light from the moments I just shared with Mom. The soft rustle of my dress follows me as I move into the hallway. Before I can take another step, strong arms wrap around me."Happy birthday, Fifi." Lucas picks me up from the floor and twirls me once before setting me down.I let out a soft laugh, hugging him back just as tightly. "Thanks, Lucas."When he pulls away, he looks me over and lets out a low whistle. "Damn. Where is my sister? And who is this girl."I roll my eyes, but a grin tugs at my lips. "Shut up."Lucas chuckles, but something in his eyes is off. It’s subtle, the way his smi
SophiaLucas suddenly stiffens, eyes glazing over for a second. Then, without a word, he takes off like someone just lit a fire under him.I blink, watching him sprint down the hall. "What the—"Before I can finish, he skids to a stop and turns around, pointing a finger at me. "Stay here. Come down in five minutes."I raise an eyebrow. "And why is that?"He shakes his head, already backing away. "Just do it, Fifi. Five minutes!" Then he’s gone.I laugh to myself, shaking my head. They are trying so hard to be all secretive, but they suck at it. I already know what’s coming, but honestly, that makes it even better. Watching them scramble, whisper, and fail miserably at hiding things just makes everything more special.I haven’t seen or heard from Mikhail since this morning, and that is weird. He is always checking up on me, finding excuses to touch me, kiss me, or at the very least, mindlink me just to say something stupid like, Are you thinking about me? or I am feeling deprived of you
SophiaClutching the roses tighter to my chest, I start walking towards the clearing.There is a lightness in my steps as I make my way to the clearing.Every memory tied to this place plays in my mind like a movie, scene after scene flickering across my heart. The first time I stepped into this pack, lost and uncertain. The first time I met Mikhail, the way his presence felt like a storm I wasn’t ready for. The first time he touched me, and my entire world tilted on its axis. The first time I felt betrayed, when I thought there was no hope for me, when I was sure I would always be a burden, always be unwanted.But then, the first time I felt loved. Truly, deeply loved. The first time I realized I had someone who would take care of me, who would hold me when I was breaking, who would see every shattered piece of me and decide to put me back together anyway. The first time I knew, without a doubt, that I was wanted.With each step, every moment I have shared with Mikhail rushes through
JakeI watch her leave, and something inside me twists. Regret, maybe. Guilt. I know I hurt her. She won’t admit it, won’t let it show, but I saw the shift in her eyes, the way she went still for just a second before locking it all away.My wolf growls, restless, demanding that I go after her. He doesn’t care about the past, doesn’t care about logic. He just knows I caused her pain, and he wants to make it right. Wants to hold her, reassure her, prove to her that I didn’t mean it like that. That she matters.But it’s pointless.She won’t listen. Not now. Not when my words made it clear that I don’t fully trust her.And maybe that’s the real problem.Because I do trust her, but that doesn’t mean I trust the other hunters. I never will.She is a hunter, but she is the exception. But I still need to be vigilant when it comes to other hunters.My family has suffered at their hands. Their cruelty isn’t something I can forget. It’s not some old nightmare that fades when morning comes.It’s
AnastasiaI frown slightly, confused by Jake’s reaction. He still looks like he’s trying to solve some complicated puzzle in his head, his brows drawn together as if what I just said doesn’t make any sense to him.“Okay… what’s wrong?” I ask, tilting my head.Jake shakes his head slowly, his gaze still locked on me like he’s studying something he can’t quite figure out. “Nothing. Just… what you said surprised me.”I cross my arms. “Why?”He hesitates for a second, then exhales. “Because humans don’t usually have such strong senses.”I study him, trying to read what he isn’t saying. He looks almost… baffled, like I just told him I could hear colors or something. It feels like there’s more to this reaction than he’s letting on, but maybe I’m just overthinking it.I shrug, pushing the weird tension aside. “Well, I’ve always had sharper senses than most people. Ever since I was a baby, actually.” I glance at him. “Especially my nose. I pick up scents super easily. It’s kind of annoying so
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.