AgnesI sat at my desk a few days later, the late afternoon sun streaming through the office window, casting golden patches across the fabric swatches scattered in front of me. My fingers brushed over the silk I’d finally chosen for the gown—rather than black, I’d settled on a deep emerald green tha
Still, I knew it was only right to give Thea a say in the matter. Olivia wanted to walk with her in the fashion show, and I wasn’t going to make that decision for Thea. Elijah was on board as well, wanting to give her as much liberty as possible.One night, Elijah and I called Thea downstairs, and s
AgnesThe morning sun streamed through the tall windows, casting golden light across the polished marble floors of the fashion show venue. Lunas from various packs filled the space, each accompanied by a little girl—daughters, nieces, or younger sisters, all preparing for the mother-daughter showcas
Needing a moment to myself, I slipped away, navigating through the crowded backstage area until I found a quiet corridor leading to the restrooms. Once inside, I braced my hands against the cool marble countertop, staring at my reflection in the mirror.My skin looked pale despite the blush on my ch
AgnesI burst onto the runway, my chest heaving as I screamed her name.“Thea!!”The music cut off abruptly, leaving a hollow silence that swallowed the venue. The crowd stared at first, but then their murmurs began to ripple through the air, glancing at each other in confusion. The models up ahead
“Take that back,” I snarled.She lifted her chin. “Why should I? It’s the truth, you know. You lost your mind seven years ago because you can’t cope with the fact that—”I lost control before she could finish. Like lightning, my hands shot out, shoving Olivia hard in the chest. She stumbled back, he
AgnesI sat slumped against the alley wall, rain soaking through what was left of my gown. My chest ached from sobbing, my bare feet numb against the wet pavement. The emerald fabric hung in tatters around me, the vines I’d stitched so carefully now shredded beyond recognition.But most of all, beyo
My stomach dropped once more. I supposed he’d gone home anyway. Did he know Mason had picked me up, or had he simply been so hurt and angry that he didn’t care where I went? I doubted it was the latter, but either way, I wasn’t ready to face him—not like this, soaked and broken.“Thanks,” I mumbled,
“Do you still intend to try and break your mate bond with Olivia?” I blurted out, then immediately regretted my bluntness.Elijah’s brow furrowed, but he didn’t pull away. “Of course I do. Why would you think otherwise?”I glanced down, unable to meet his gaze. “No reason. I was just wondering if… a
AgnesElijah’s grip on my wrist was firm as he pulled me out of the design department. My heart hammered against my ribs, not knowing what to expect. Was he angry? Had he seen the article? Had Olivia done something else?The blood from my pricked finger trailed down my palm, warm and sticky. Without
“In one explosive moment, Luna Agnes managed to convey what her entire fashion line attempts to say: that family transcends biology, that love requires sacrifice, and that sometimes we must destroy beautiful things to protect what truly matters.”I set the tablet down, my hands trembling. She though
AgnesI sat at one of the communal workstations in the design department, my fingers mechanically working the fabric as I remade the dress. The old one had been torn beyond repair, Olivia’s claws having shredded both the material and my pride in one fell swoop.But maybe I could at least try to rebu
“You’ve only ever seen Thea as a means to an end,” I finally finished. “A way to get what you want.”Olivia blinked at me. A darker thought, one that had lurked in the recesses of my mind for years, surfaced suddenly. “Hell, Olivia,” I continued, my gaze sweeping over her, “sometimes I wonder if The
ElijahI couldn’t sleep that night. Not after what happened in the nail salon—not when Olivia’s face kept swimming in my mind, turning my exhaustion into fresh anger over and over again. I kept thinking back to the moments in that place, to the horror of finding out that Olivia had taken Thea, to th
My stomach dropped once more. I supposed he’d gone home anyway. Did he know Mason had picked me up, or had he simply been so hurt and angry that he didn’t care where I went? I doubted it was the latter, but either way, I wasn’t ready to face him—not like this, soaked and broken.“Thanks,” I mumbled,
AgnesI sat slumped against the alley wall, rain soaking through what was left of my gown. My chest ached from sobbing, my bare feet numb against the wet pavement. The emerald fabric hung in tatters around me, the vines I’d stitched so carefully now shredded beyond recognition.But most of all, beyo
“Take that back,” I snarled.She lifted her chin. “Why should I? It’s the truth, you know. You lost your mind seven years ago because you can’t cope with the fact that—”I lost control before she could finish. Like lightning, my hands shot out, shoving Olivia hard in the chest. She stumbled back, he