Sarah's povIf love came with a refund policy, I would be the first to cash in. No, scratch that—I would kick down the door and demand every penny back, no questions asked. Here I was, sitting in the darkest corner of the club, tucked away from the sweaty mess of bodies moving to the beat like it was their last night on earth.But I wasn’t here to dance. I sat with my third bottle of… honestly, I didn’t even know what it was. The label didn’t matter. The burn in my throat was nothing compared to the wildfire in my chest.My mind kept dragging me back to that moment—Joshua, my fiancé, the man I swore my world revolved around, sleeping with another woman in the very bed that was supposed to be ours very soon.Their moans still echoed in my head like a broken record I could not turn off.They say, "Everything happens for a reason." Whoever came up with that lie deserves to have this bottle hurled straight at their head. If that saying is true, then I must be the exception. No way am I g
Sarah's POVI could not believe my ears as my mind transformed into a storm of conflicting thoughts. I had long given up on the idea of meeting my mate, even though it was believed that it was inevitable—that one way or another, fated mates would cross paths. I was told that my mate would be the key to curing the chronic illness I had been living with since I was eighteen, according to a healer. However, the news came with a devastating prophecy: I would die within seven years if my mate didn’t mark me. Now, I had only two years left. Two short years before the countdown to my death would hit zero—a fate I had already accepted. Until tonight.Joshua didn’t know any of this. This made me wonder sometimes if that made me selfish, knowing I would have left him a widower in the end. But I guess life spared him from that mess. I should have been thrilled, since meeting my mate would change everything, right? But instead, all I felt was the sting of disappointment because the person who w
Anderson's POVFor the first time in six years, I actually slept peacefully. Usually, every full moon brought back the same horrific nightmare—reliving my first shift when I lost control and slaughtered everyone at the orphanage except Lucas. He nearly died by my hands too, but somehow survived, which was how I turned him into a lycan and became my closest friend.Unlike any other lycan in history, who lived their normal lives on every full moon, I had to fight these memories every full moon. They would leave me drenched in sweat, sometimes waking up screaming. But last night was different, and I could not help wondering if it had something to do with meeting my mate at the club as I woke up. I had kept this struggle hidden from everyone, even my adoptive family in the Shadowpine pack in another city. Whenever my screams woke them up, I would brush it off as nothing. Even Lucas didn't know about it. After realising these nightmares followed a pattern—happened every full moon—I tri
Sarah's POVI thought letting go of Joshua would be easy—like walking away from the club and everything that happened there would somehow burn away the love I had for him. But I was wrong. Every time I replayed the image of him with that woman, tangled in sheets like I didn’t exist, the pain came back sharper than before.Sleep barely came. My thoughts dragged me around all night until I had no choice but to take a sedative. I needed at least a few hours of rest, not just for my sanity but for work. Mondays were always hectic, and I could not afford to show up drained and unfocused.The loud buzz of my phone snapped me awake the next morning. I didn’t need to check the screen to know it was him—Joshua. He had made a habit of calling me every morning like clockwork, asking pointless questions like, "How was your night? "What’s on your agenda today?"—the same boring routine we used to do like we were something special. "Asshole,” I muttered, turning the phone face down, my lips curlin
Anderson's POV"I'm sure that's why the principal asked her to follow him to his office," a girl said loudly as soon as my mate stepped out with the principal. "Yeah, you are probably right. He must have heard the news," another girl sitting next to her replied, nodding in agreement. The classroom buzzed to life as the noise grew louder, like a storm brewing as students gathered into clusters."I knew it! She hasn’t changed. She's still the same murderer she's always been," a girl near the window sneered. "Who does she think she has been fooling putting up that innocent act?" Another chimed in, her voice dripping with disdain. "I don't even know why you all are surprised. Once a killer, always a killer," a boy behind me added, loud enough for the entire room to hear."Did you see the video?" a male student sitting in front of me said when Liam, the class president, asked him what was going on, clearly confused.Afterwards, the boy showed Liam a video on his phone.My brows furrowe
Sarah's POVThe universe must have been having a good laugh at my expense, finally settling the score for my sin that turned me into a pariah in this city. In less than 24 hours, I had gone from catching Joshua in bed with someone else to being escorted out of school by the police like some common criminal.Humiliation burnt through me as I walked down the school halls. Teachers and students stared, their smug, satisfied looks practically screaming how much they were enjoying this live drama. My fists clenched, but I kept my head high—I was not about to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break. During the drive to the station, I kept demanding to know why I was being hauled in, but the officers wouldn’t speak. Their only response was the same: “You’ll find out at the station," every time.I eventually gave up asking, realising I was not going to get a single hint out of them. Now, here I was, stuck in an interrogation room, alone. “Can someone please tell me what the hell is g
Anderson's POVWas this what it felt like to be powerless? All through the morning, before the break, I could not shake off the anger gnawing at me. I was furious that I had to hold back from teaching that bully and his lackeys a lesson. My entire life, I had made sure that anyone who crossed me regretted it. But here I was, restrained by my father's warning.Lila and Tasha told me that they were not the kind of people to mess with, including some others in other classes. "It's complicated," Tasha replied when I pressed them for more information, and she added that a senior named Cara would explain it to me better. That was when I realised that she's the one the principal talked about earlier.Some of my classmates’ pitying glances only made my anger worse. I hated being seen as someone who needed sympathy. The more it made me think about the bullies, the more determined I became to teach them a lesson without exposing my identity.Lucas and I grabbed lunch together during the break
Anderson's POVAt the end of the school day, I offered Tasha and Lila a ride home, and they happily accepted. "So, what do you two think about a little weekend adventure?" I asked, breaking the silence as we made our way to the parking lot, walking side by side. "Weekend adventure?" Lila repeated, looking confused. "Yeah," I said with a grin."Help me figure out what’s fun around here. You know... show me the ropes," I explained. She raised a brow. "How about you spend the weekend catching up on everything you’ve missed before you joined us?" I rolled my eyes, smirking as I glanced at her. "Seriously? I’ve only been in this city for a few days. I need to get my bearings somehow, not bury myself in books.""Besides,” I added with a playful scoff, “you don’t exactly strike me as the super-serious type.”If she’s a bookworm, we probably aren’t going to vibe much.Tasha laughed. “Don’t mind her. She can be a little extra sometimes. But as for your offer, we are totally in!”She was e
Anderson's POV I stood outside Sarah’s apartment complex, gripping the two bags of groceries in one hand. Most of the items inside matched what she had dropped last night when that panther shifter attacked her—different brands, of course. I did not want her to get suspicious.If you’re wondering, yes—I was the lycan who saved her last night and killed the panther shifter before he could finish what he started. If I had let him live, he would have returned to finish what he started once he had healed because I sense the bloodlust in him, driven by a personal vendetta that coursed through his veins to avenge his useless son's death. That was why I had to step out of the shadows last night.I had been following her ever since she left her ex-fiancé’s house that night. I was actually surprised when she revealed to the panther shifter that she knew he had been secretly following her. Only if she knew it was me. Well, she wouldn't, because I had make sure to be extra careful henceforth.
SARAH'S POVCall me heartless, but I didn’t care—I was relieved to hear the panther shifter’s body had been found far from my street the next morning. I had gone for a walk early that day to confirm if the lycan had killed him and if it did, if the body would turn up closer to my apartment. While wandering the streets, I overheard two people murmuring about a dead body discovered nearby. When I finally reached the scene, the panther shifter’s body was sprawled on the asphalt in a corner. Deep claw marks ripped through his chest as if a feral beast ravaged him. Well, lycans were feral beasts. Clearly, those who believed lycans had gone extinct were wrong since the poor old man—the panther shifter—recognised it.I was convinced a person like him who I expected to have more knowledge on the supernatural world and existences would not be mistaken.Even though I felt a flicker of pity for him, relief outweighed it. At least I was not going to be dragged into something I had nothing t
SARAH'S POVMy heart hammered wildly, and I froze in place, unable to tear my eyes away from Anderson’s piercing gaze. His smirk deepened, a predator’s grin that sent shivers crawling up my spine.“Why is your heart beating so fast, Sarah?” he drawled."I can hear it... loud and clear.”He snapped his fingers rhythmically, matching his words. "Thump, thump, thump.""It's almost like you've been running from a predator." He added with a sly grin.My shoulders sank, confirming my worst fear.Panic surged through me, tightening its grip as I fought to steady my breathing. From what I knew about Lycans, they could not just hear your heartbeat; they could feel it! That thought alone made it even harder to calm down.“Why?” The word came out in a shaky whisper, barely audible over the pounding of my heart.I hated how powerless I felt, but there was nothing I could do about it."Why are you always after me? What did I ever do to you?" I asked, my voice trembling despite my best effort to so
Sarah's POVTurning the knob, I swung the door open, but to my shock, no one was there.My heart raced, panic hitting me hard for a split second, until I caught a shadow from the corner of my eye.My heart nearly jumped out of my chest as I let out a startled scream. "Oh God!"But just as quickly as the fear set in, it fizzled out, replaced by irritation when I realised who it was. Anderson! He was leaning against the wall like he owned the place, hands stuffed in his pockets, that stupid smirk plastered across his face."Anderson?" I whispered in disbelief, my eyes widened."Hi, Miss Cole," he smirked."Were you the one who have been knocking?" I demanded, my voice sharp and accusatory.He smirked like he knew secrets about me. "Yeah. Took you long enough."Relief flooded through me instantly, concluding that I was not the lycan’s target like I had been dreading."Were you hoping I’d get tired and leave?” He added."Did cat get your tongue before now that didn't make you reply when I
SARAH'S POVMy hands were shaking as I fumbled with the lock, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. I did not even know if I was breathing right. Once I slammed the door shut behind me, I bolted it fast, as if that would keep whatever nightmare I had just escaped from. My breath was ragged, almost choking me as I stumbled toward the small window, throwing it closed and tugging the curtains shut. I gasped for air as I collapsed onto my bed, burying my face in the sheets."What the hell just happened?" I muttered. I sat up, my hands running through my tangled hair, trying to get a grip. My mind was a mess. The thought of being connected to another murder—hell, if they thought I was involved again—made me sick.However, I could not quite figure out if I was just a witness to the murder or if I was the actual target. The way the lycan locked eyes with me before attacking the panther shifter had me second-guessing everything. My body tensed as I recalled that instant. "Was it really a
SARAH'S POVThe faint sound of footsteps trailed behind me, just out of sync with my own, tapping against the pavement as I walked home with grocery bags in my hands. My skin prickled as though invisible eyes were burrowing into my back, watching and following me again.It started days ago, right after I left Joshua’s house for the last time. I had told myself it was just paranoia, but tonight was different.“Who the hell is this creep?” I muttered, my voice barely louder than the rustle of the wind.Then, I stopped abruptly and glanced over my shoulder.Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a flicker of movement under the streetlamp before it retreated into the darkness. That and the footsteps were enough to erode my doubt.I smirked, tilting my head. Whoever it was, I will find out tonight."Alright, let’s see who you are,” I muttered under my breath. I resumed walking with feigned nonchalance.Every few steps, I threw a glance over my shoulder, trying to catch the figure slipping
Anderson's POVTheir presence demanded attention, especially Axel's, whose broad shoulders cut through the space like a knife. He locked eyes with Lucas, his expression a perfect blend of arrogance and malice. Lucas, unbothered, leaned back in his chair, his smirk sharp enough to cut glass. “I don’t know what you mean, boy. Maybe you’ve got the wrong guy.” Axel’s eyes flared with shock and anger in an instant. I could not believe it either, especially after Lucas’ warning earlier. “Who the hell is this guy?!” Axel’s guy barked, stepping forward like he was ready to swing."Back off," Axel ordered.His sharp glare locked onto Lucas. "I’ll deal with this myself."“Don’t play dumb with me. You know exactly what I mean.” Axel let out a frustrated scoff, running a hand through his hair, clearly irritated by Lucas’ silence. "Who the fuck does this dude think he is?"Lucas shrugged. "Let's say the guy who doesn’t flinch when wannabes try to act tough. Does that answer your question?”A
Anderson's POV"I'm not sure the principal is my dad's friend." I said as Lucas and I walked out of Principal Gaines' office.Principal Gaines had called us and Derek with his lackeys to his office before first period. He had apparently heard about the incident yesterday and gave us all a warning, especially Lucas and me.After Derek and his lackeys left, Principal Gaines made it clear that he would suspend Lucas and me if something like that happened again. He even threatened to inform my dad if it did, despite my effort to explain that we were not at fault.Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you think he is?""Because he’s supposed to stay neutral and even side with us!” I snapped. "We explained it wasn’t our fault, but it’s like he had already decided we were guilty.” Frustration edged into my voice.Lucas let out a scoff. “Why should he believe us when I was the one who threw the first punch?"“Is that why you were so quick to apologise and make that ridiculous promise not to ca
Sarah's POVI fought to keep my face neutral, refusing to let the panic show.Before I could respond, he leaned closer, his breath brushing my face as his voice dropped to a menacing whisper. “So tell me, Sarah... did you go back to the alley after pretending to leave? Because I was told their bodies were found there.” His accusation hit me like a punch to the gut, but I could not let him see how shaken I was. Not now. Not with everything I had riding on this conversation. “How dare you accuse me of that?!” I shot back, slamming my hands on the desk so hard the sound echoed in the room. He did not even flinch; his expression stayed maddeningly calm, his smirk still firmly in place. “Come on, Sarah,” he said, chuckling darkly. "I’m not the only one who thinks so. The whole school, and from what I heard, the entire city, believes it. So don’t act so shocked that I’m calling you out on it.” I glared at him, my mind racing for a way to regain control of the situation. His arrogance