MILES POVWeekend rolled quickly, soon, it was time to take Sekani back to Rhea. I didn't want to part with him. The weekend I spent with h was one of the best weekends of my life.Although I hated to be apart from Sekani...and his mother, I was happy that at least I had bonded with my son. I also got a invitation for dinner from Rhea. She had called me late afternoon after I had that lunch taken to her. She had been very grateful and for the first time since we met again we had a lengthy conversation over the phone.My leg had healed over the weekend, and I didn't need a crutch again. Who wouldn't heal after almost getting everything you wanted? We drove back to Rhea's residence after lunch. When we arrived, Rhea was waiting for us on a porch. She was a casual gown that stopped just above her knees and her now blonde hair flew in the air. Sekani barely waited for the car engine to die before he jumped down, running towards Rhea. I smiled, wore my shades and reached behind to get th
Drawing Boundaries, Breaking Hearts RHEA'S POV I was still dumbfounded by Miles' words that day. And it had been a long time since anyone left me that speechless. I can’t even explain why my brain stalled. Maybe it was how sudden it all came crashing down on me. Maybe it was the leftover emotions stirred up by his kind gestures: the lunch delivery, the videos of Sekani smiling, the quiet way he was trying to make up for lost time. It was nothing. And I was determined to draw the lines again. We had agreed to co-parent, not drift back into whatever dangerous territory that used to be between us. And we hadn't spoken in days. I only let him pick and drop Sekani off to school, and I made sure I wasn't the one handing Sekani over to him. I have no feelings for him anymore. For crying out loud, I moved on already. And I hoped, for his sake, that he would stop chasing after feelings that would only end up hurting him. Sekani was the only bond left between us. And it needed to stay that
A Song for the Broken RHEA'S POV I walked back into my bedroom and climbed into bed, refusing to let my thoughts drift anywhere dangerous. I lay there, my hands folded across my chest, my eyes fixed on the blank ceiling. In my head, I started running through the list of my patients at the hospital, thinking about their recovery processes, anything to keep my mind from wandering to Miles and his presence here. I had been off work for three days now, and tomorrow, I would finally return to face a new head doctor. I was oddly looking forward to meeting Dr. Mario. With my contract at Crimson General ending in six months, I needed to win him over. I needed the recommendation of a sitting head doctor from my previous establishment to be eligible for a license to run an independent clinic of my own. Somewhere between worrying about licenses and picturing what Dr. Mario’s face would look like, I must have drifted off. Because the next thing I heard was Sekani’s small voice, tugging me bac
RHEA'S POV My name is Rhea, I am Fourteen years old. I have never felt my mother’s love for a single day, and that hollow feeling has only grown sharper since my father passed away. My mother seems to hunt for the smallest reasons to tear me down, while she showers my twin younger sister, Roxy, with so much love. When I was younger, I chalked it up to Roxy needing more attention because she was younger. Innocent me thought maybe that explained why I got the cold shoulder. But as I grew up, it became glaringly obvious that wasn’t the reason. It wasn’t about age or who needed what. It was about Roxy. She was the family’s golden child, the classic beauty with a crown of charisma and academic prowess to match. Meanwhile, I studied till my eyes went numb, but somehow, Roxy still managed to shine just a bit brighter, she was the beloved daughter, the girl everyone wanted to be friends with. Tonight, my mother and I had an ugly fight—again, over Roxy, as always. But this time, she struck
Four years later... RHEA'S POV The final bell rang, and as the teacher exited the class, I practically bolted out of my seat, stuffing my books into my backpack like I was running from a crime scene. My aim was to evade Yuri, the alpha’s son on loan from another pack for training. No matter how stealthy I tried to be, Yuri had a knack for finding me. When everyone else in school acted like I was invisible, Yuri had this strange habit of seeking me out when he was still here in our school. He claimed he was "intrigued" by me, but honestly, I could do without the intrigue. His attention only put a neon sign over my head that screamed “Bully Target Here.” Most of the girls in school had quickly turned mean the moment Yuri started hanging around me. Even my sister, Roxy, wasn’t thrilled; she was used to soaking up all the attention like a sponge. Suddenly, her spotlight had competition, and the only thing more terrifying than Yuri's persistence was Roxy’s irritation. Today, though, I
MILES' POV “One! Two! Ready! Go!” Rico bellowed over the thumping bass that filled the room, his voice competing with the music as he raised his shot glass. Evans and I downed our drinks, slamming the empty glasses on the table. I let out a sigh, glancing around at my friends who were practically buzzing with energy. Evans clapped me on the shoulder, grinning wide. “It’s good to have you back, man! Snowfall just isn’t the same without you.” “It’s good to see you two again,” I replied, matching his grin. Coming back home felt surreal after four years away. I had missed these guys. Rico leaned in; eyebrow raised with a mischievous glint. “So, tell us, Miles—found your mate yet? Bet there were some beautiful girls in the Riverwood pack.” I shook my head, feeling a bit sheepish. I knew what I was about to say would sound like a joke to them, but I didn’t care. “Actually… there is someone. Someone I met before I left.” Their eyes went wide as dinner plates. “Wait, who is this g
RHEA'S POV A sharp, searing pain jolted me awake, cutting through my sleep like a hot knife. My whole body was on fire, each limb screaming in agony as my bones twisted and cracked. I lay on the cold kitchen floor, groaning, as realization dawned: it was happening. I was shifting. It was midnight—the time when werewolves my age would meet their wolves for the first time, under the watchful eye of the full moon. I managed to crawl to the kitchen door, clutching the frame for support as my body contorted painfully. I stumbled out into the backyard, gasping for breath. The moon hung high and brilliant, casting an eerie glow over the yard. Somewhere in the distance, I heard the howls of others who were also shifting. The sound should have been comforting, but right now, every nerve in my body was too overwhelmed to feel anything other than pain. My fingers lengthened into claws, my face stretched painfully into a muzzle, and my body grew, tearing through my dress as if it were nothi
MILES' POV "You did what?" my father roared, his face clouded with disbelief and fury. "Rejected your mate? That’s unheard of. No one in our lineage has ever rejected their mate, and it’s not going to start with you." I held my ground, feeling that familiar, crushing weight he always managed to pile onto my shoulders. He had always wanted to dictate everything happening in my life. I had spent years away trying to prove that I could stand on my own, that I could make my own choices—but here he was, still pulling the strings. "It’s my choice, Dad," I said, keeping my voice steady. "It shouldn’t be!" he snapped. My mother placed a hand on his arm, and I watched as the anger drained from his face, his shoulders relaxing. It was an effect only a mate could have—their scent, their touch, instantly calming. I had felt a touch of that bond last night, even though I had fought it, I couldn’t deny what I felt from the bond. "Honey, calm down," my mother said gently. "We don’t need y
A Song for the Broken RHEA'S POV I walked back into my bedroom and climbed into bed, refusing to let my thoughts drift anywhere dangerous. I lay there, my hands folded across my chest, my eyes fixed on the blank ceiling. In my head, I started running through the list of my patients at the hospital, thinking about their recovery processes, anything to keep my mind from wandering to Miles and his presence here. I had been off work for three days now, and tomorrow, I would finally return to face a new head doctor. I was oddly looking forward to meeting Dr. Mario. With my contract at Crimson General ending in six months, I needed to win him over. I needed the recommendation of a sitting head doctor from my previous establishment to be eligible for a license to run an independent clinic of my own. Somewhere between worrying about licenses and picturing what Dr. Mario’s face would look like, I must have drifted off. Because the next thing I heard was Sekani’s small voice, tugging me bac
Drawing Boundaries, Breaking Hearts RHEA'S POV I was still dumbfounded by Miles' words that day. And it had been a long time since anyone left me that speechless. I can’t even explain why my brain stalled. Maybe it was how sudden it all came crashing down on me. Maybe it was the leftover emotions stirred up by his kind gestures: the lunch delivery, the videos of Sekani smiling, the quiet way he was trying to make up for lost time. It was nothing. And I was determined to draw the lines again. We had agreed to co-parent, not drift back into whatever dangerous territory that used to be between us. And we hadn't spoken in days. I only let him pick and drop Sekani off to school, and I made sure I wasn't the one handing Sekani over to him. I have no feelings for him anymore. For crying out loud, I moved on already. And I hoped, for his sake, that he would stop chasing after feelings that would only end up hurting him. Sekani was the only bond left between us. And it needed to stay that
MILES POVWeekend rolled quickly, soon, it was time to take Sekani back to Rhea. I didn't want to part with him. The weekend I spent with h was one of the best weekends of my life.Although I hated to be apart from Sekani...and his mother, I was happy that at least I had bonded with my son. I also got a invitation for dinner from Rhea. She had called me late afternoon after I had that lunch taken to her. She had been very grateful and for the first time since we met again we had a lengthy conversation over the phone.My leg had healed over the weekend, and I didn't need a crutch again. Who wouldn't heal after almost getting everything you wanted? We drove back to Rhea's residence after lunch. When we arrived, Rhea was waiting for us on a porch. She was a casual gown that stopped just above her knees and her now blonde hair flew in the air. Sekani barely waited for the car engine to die before he jumped down, running towards Rhea. I smiled, wore my shades and reached behind to get th
Rhea's POV "Well done, everyone." "Well done, Nurse Marston," some "Well done, Dr. Patel."We greeter each other after the surgery. I stepped out of the surgery room and headed to the dressing room, where I pulled off my scrubs, gloves and cap.My entire body felt like I had been jammed by two trucks. I had not rested since Friday. Well, that was the result of assisting in two major brain-cracking surgery, one of them was a stand in. Thank goodness it was all over. I heaved a breath of relief and washed my face with the water running from the tap. Now, all I needed was to eat, get a massage if possible and take a long required nap.I haven't spoken to Sekani or Miles since yesterday. I wipes my face and hands and started to leave the bathroom. Although I trust Sekani with Miles, I felt bad that I had not spoken to him since yesterday. That's not like me. "Sekani. Oh, my boy. I hope he is getting along with his father already," I muttered. As I walked down
Wild Dreams and Small Victories MILES’ POV The next morning, we strolled into the arcade just after a heavy breakfast that Sekani nearly inhaled. Sekani was hyper and excited. The boy was all wired up and jittery with excitement. He had begged we hit the arcade before heading back to the hotel room. Something told me it was the late-night ice cream from last night still working its sugary magic. Rhea had warned me, ‘no too much sugar,’ but we had silently agreed it would be our little secret. I shrugged as we approached the glass doors. “Well, you should enjoy your weekend,” I said, pulling the door open and letting him race ahead. The lights nearly blinded me as I walked inside with Holmes trailing behind. Machines blinked and beeped. Kids shrieked with joy or rage, depending on whether they won or lost. It was sensory overload. Sekani’s eyes went wide like he had walked into Disneyland. “Whoa!” he gasped. Then, grabbing my hand, he tugged like a determined puppy. “Come on! Lo
Team Sekani MILES’ POV Taking Sekani to his game was the highlight of my day. We weren’t exactly on the same page yet, but I could tell, he was glad I came. He didn’t say it outright, but it was in his eyes, in the way he kept glancing over from the field like he wanted to be sure I was still there. The sun bathed the school field in warm, golden light, casting long shadows over the grass. Kids ran in every direction, their colorful jerseys flashing with movement. Sekani didn’t know it, but under my tracksuit, I was wearing something special. The moment the game kicked off, I unzipped my jacket, revealing the custom jersey underneath; black and white, with “SEKANI 10” bold across my back. I was here for him. Win or lose. “Let’s go, Sekani! That’s my boy!” I yelled, cupping my hands around my mouth. He looked over mid-run, his curls bouncing as he smiled, just for a split second. It was enough. My heart did a full backflip. I had never done this before—being a dad. I wa
Bruises Beneath the SkinMILES’ POV Holmes eased the car to a stop in front of Rhea’s house. The sun was just beginning to peek through the early morning clouds, casting long shadows across the driveway. Rhea was standing on the porch with Sekani at her side. His suitcase was already packed and resting at his feet. Rhea had dressed him warmly for the day, zipped him into a soft navy hoodie. Her hair was tied back in that same no-nonsense bun she wore on work days. She was already in her scrubs, her arms folded across her chest. They both looked like a portrait I could never quite touch. Like something behind a glass frame, beautiful and distant. I pushed the door open, gripping the crutch in my left arm, and stepped out with effort. My leg still ached with every step, but I was getting better. I limped up the short path to the porch. Sekani didn’t smile nor rush toward me, he just stared down at his sneakers. We've not had any time alone since my parents left. He wasn’t avoiding m
Where We StandRHEA'S POVFive days later. “Mummy! Grandma took me to an ice cream shop!” Sekani announced the moment I stepped into the hospital room.The sound of his excited voice was the first thing that hit me, followed by the cool scent of antiseptics and the soft hum of machines. I smiled gently as I closed the door behind me. “Oh, did she?” I asked, walking toward Pa Dennis' bed. Sekani was perched on Ma Lisa’s lap, his legs dangling off the edge as he scooped ice cream from a bright blue bowl. He grinned at me, his lips already smeared with vanilla. “Yeah! And she let me get two scoops!”I let out a soft chuckle. “Two scoops? That’s a lot of sugar, champ.”Ma Lisa winked at me over his head. “It’s only once in a while.”Miles was seated in the chair beside the window, his head still wrapped in bandages. A single crutch leaned against the wall beside him. His right arm was in a cast, but he looked better and stronger. I was relieved when the doctor said his gen
A Soft Place to FallRHEA’S POVI stood by the doorway of Pa Dennis ward, my heart pounding with uncertainty. I wasn’t sure what kind of reception awaited me. Would Ma Lisa lash out again? Would she say more things that would leave me shattered?I sucked in a deep breath. Ma Lisa turned at the sound, and her eyes landing on me. I braced myself for another storm. But what happened next caught me completely off guard.Her face crumpled. “Rhea,” she whispered, voice trembling, “my dear… how could I be so hard on you?”She stood shakily, clutching the edge of the hospital bed for support. “How did I say all those awful things to you… when you’ve suffered more than any of us?”I stared at her in bewilderment. She came over and hugged me tightly. My chest heaved. "Oh, my dear, you don't deserve all of that," she wept. "Please, forgive me. Forgive me." Her body shook with tears.Tears welled up in my eyes and without a second thought, I wrapped my arms around her and burst into tears. Her s