“It’s a full moon.” I looked up, but he was still strumming his guitar. Taide’s hand on my hair instantly stopped moving. “And what about it?” he asked slowly. Something in his tone told me it would be better if Reigh didn’t carry on with this topic of conversation. But he did. Reigh looked off
I watched with fascination as their wolves circled and rubbed against each other, like some animal form of greeting before taking off into the woods.I watched them run until I couldn’t see them anymore. And even then, the cool breeze didn’t tamper down the heat that rose in my chest.I was aware o
His hand drifted low, and then he spoke out words with a raw, buttery drawl, his voice so deep it sent a tremor down my spine, “Or is it my brother?”He plunged two fingers into me as soon as the words hung in the air, and I rose up on my tiptoes, a low gasp falling from my mouth as he curled them i
CHARLOTTE I rolled over to my left side and attempted to rub the sleep out of my eyes. My brain was foggy and my thoughts were clouded by sleep, but even in that state I quickly sensed someone leaning over me. My eyes opened, then widened in question when I saw Madeline sitting at the edge of th
CHARLOTTE The commotion got louder. I followed them out with wide eyes darting from one brother to the next. They pounded into each other with murderous intent. Taide’s head was forced back suddenly, as Caeson landed a swift blow to his face. Blood spilled from his mouth, and I clasped my hands
Taide let go of my hair and returned his attention to everything in front of him. He shook his head and muttered with a slight bite to his tone, “You call that keeping it light?” I slapped my hands down my thighs and let out a breath of frustration. “You just don’t want to play.” Taide shot me a s
CHARLOTTE To stay true to my promise to visit Da’ana more frequently, I was back at her care home a week later. Only… I had a plus one this time I strolled about the hospital hallways with Taide at my side. He’d decided to tag along when I told him where I was going, something about ‘meeting t
Taide let out a sound of protest, but I didn’t look at him. “I told you about him already, remember,” she signed, looking between Taide and me as if she could sense the turmoil between us. “He’s the nice guy who buys me toys and stuff.” I looked away from her, my jaw clenched in anger. When my eye
CHARLOTTEI had no intention of sharing visiting hours with the boys.There was no reason to put myself through that kind of torment.The moment I found out Madeline was awake, I demanded that Caeson drop me off at the care home where I had left Da’ana. I wasn’t ready to deal with my father’s case,
TAIDEThe steady beeping of Madeline’s heart monitor was the only sound in the hospital room.The rhythmic pulse filled the silence, a reminder that she was still here, still breathing, still alive.But it didn’t feel like enough. Not when she lay there motionless, her skin pale against the crisp wh
The foundation still looked solid though.I stepped onto the creaky porch, staring at the front door.This was where Charlotte grew up.I felt something tighten in my throat. She probably had good memories here, but I knew the ones she remembered most were the bad ones.I couldn’t imagine what it wa
CAESONI killed the engine of the car and leaned back in my seat, exhaling slowly.It didn’t do anything to relieve the pressure in my chest. The air in the car was thick with silence, the kind that had weight, like it could smother you if you let it.Charlotte hadn’t moved yet. She sat in the back
Like we didn’t matter.My nails dug into my palms as memories slammed into me. I could still see it—the nights he reeked of alcohol, his head lolling to the side, completely oblivious to the fact that he had two daughters who needed him to pick himself up and be… more than the person he was choosing
CHARLOTTEThe car ride was too quiet.Too damn suffocating.The weight of everything that had happened in the span of a few hours pressed down on me—Madeline, the triplets, my father. My hands trembled against my lap, and I clenched them into fists for the umpteenth time, trying to force myself to f
It was only after the shock of silence that followed that I realized I’d spoken those words out loud. Dot gasped, reaching for me instantly, pulling me into an embrace. I didn’t expect it to be as comforting as it was. And so I didn’t fight her. She guided me to the steps outside the hospital, sitt
CHARLOTTE It felt like a slap to the face. The doctor’s words hit me so hard that I lost my footing. My knees wobbled, and before I could steady myself, the plastic cup in my hand slipped through my fingers and crashed onto the tiled floor. Water splashed across my shoes, soaking into the hem of m
CHARLOTTE The reality of the situation hit me with frightening clarity. Madeline was dying. I moved before I could think, panic exploding through my chest as I ran forward and fell to my knees beside her. My hands hovered uselessly, trembling as I tried to find something, anything, to hold o