I go downstairs for a glass of water, the sound of my bare feet on the wooden steps echoing in the stillness of the house. The faint hum of the refrigerator greets me in the kitchen, along with the earthy smell of freshly brewed tea that someone must have made earlier.Tyson stands by the counter, a glass of cold water in his hand. He doesn’t notice me at first, and for a moment, I just watch him. His presence is grounding, though it does nothing to lighten the ache in my chest.“Hey,” I murmur softly, my voice barely audible.He glances up, offering a faint smile. The warmth in it should comfort me, but instead, it only deepens the emptiness I can’t seem to escape.The kitchen feels colder than it should, the faint hum of the refrigerator filling the silence as Tyson looks at me from beneath his dark lashes. His innocent smile, paired with the casual way he sips his water, does little to ease the storm inside me. I smirk, masking the ache in my chest. “Somebody’s been busy with ‘acti
Kassian’s POVLying on my bed, I stare at my phone, my hand braced under my head as my thumb swipes down to refresh the chat for the hundredth time. The screen remains stubbornly unchanged, her last read message glaring back at me like a taunt.It’s been two days since I sent it: “I miss you.” The moment I hit send, I realized what I was doing and tried to delete it, but Fenrir surged forward, wresting control of my body with a growl. ‘Let her see it,’ he had snapped, his voice brimming with frustration. A week without her had pushed him—and me—to the edge of sanity.If I’m honest, I didn’t want to stop him.It would be so easy to let her in. To tell her the truth and stop pretending to be someone I’m not. But I’ve seen what happens when you care too much, when you let someone get too close. They leave, or worse—they’re taken.Fenrir scoffs, his voice cold. ‘You’re scared.’‘I’m smart,’ I counter. Letting Lynette in would only give her the power to destroy me. And when—not if—she does
The café smells of freshly brewed espresso, warm pastries, the faint, earthy hint of wood, and the scent and emotions of the people in the café. The bell above the door jingles as I push it open, and a gust of cool air follows me in, ruffling the edges of my jacket. Wooden tables, their surfaces worn smooth by years of use, reflect the muted golden light of hanging lamps. Outside, the faint patter of rain against the windows adds a softness to the hum of conversations and the occasional clang of cups. But none of it registers fully because she’s here.I see her before she sees me. Lynette sits at a small table by the window, her ocean-green eyes catching the afternoon sunlight, making them shimmer like glass over shallow waves. Her frosty blonde hair cascades over her shoulders in effortless waves, the pale strands glowing like spun silk. She looks up as I enter, and her cherry blossom pink lips curve into a smile so radiant it pierces straight through my chest.She’s not wearing make
The moment Kassian steps out of his car, I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop from laughing. He stares at the amusement park with the kind of horrified disbelief I’ve only seen on people watching horror movies. His amethyst eyes narrow, his lips twist into a grim line, and his broad shoulders stiffen beneath his dark shirt. It’s like he’s bracing himself for an ambush.Victory hums in my chest, and I allow myself a quick, satisfied smile. But it’s more than that—it’s relief. I can’t believe I actually pulled this off. He came. He’s here. The man who usually keeps everyone at arm’s length—especially me—agreed to follow me of his own free will. Granted, it probably wasn’t without a great deal of internal grumbling, but still.I clasp my hands behind my back as I stroll up to him, forcing myself to stay composed. Inside, I’m a whirlwind. For days, I told myself I’d give him one last chance. If he didn’t show up at the café this morning, I’d let him go, admit defeat, and move on.
The game begins, and I’m in my element, zipping around the rink, slamming into other cars with gleeful abandon. Kassian looks downright uncomfortable in the tiny car, his knees practically brushing the dashboard. He doesn’t complain, but the way he adjusts his grip on the wheel, his movements precise and measured, makes it clear he’s just tolerating this for my sake.I take full advantage, ramming into him at every opportunity. “Are you even trying?” I call out, laughing as his car jerks sideways.“This is ridiculous,” he mutters, though I swear I see the corner of his mouth twitch.After a few rounds of wrecking havoc, I finally call it quits, my sides aching from laughing so hard. Kassian climbs out of his car with his usual composure, but there’s something lighter about the way he moves now—like maybe, just maybe, he’s starting to relax.I catch his eye and grin. “You’re terrible at this, by the way.”“I think I did fine,” he replies, but there’s no edge in his voice.“Sure, let’s
By the time we reach the Ferris wheel, the sun is dipping low, casting the park in a golden glow. I grab Kassian’s hand without thinking and pull him toward the line.“Last ride,” I promise, glancing up at him.He gives me a long look, his eyes softening slightly. “Fine.”The Ferris wheel creaks as it starts its slow ascent, rocking gently as we leave the noise of the park behind. The air grows cooler the higher we climb, carrying the faint scents of popcorn, cotton candy, and the metallic tang of machinery. I sit back in the cramped little cart, sneaking a glance at Kassian.He’s silent, his sharp profile etched against the fiery hues of the setting sun. His amethyst eyes are locked on the horizon, but his shoulders have relaxed just a fraction, the usual tension in his jaw almost imperceptibly gone. It’s subtle, but it’s enough to make me wonder if he’s finally letting himself feel the moment. Though I can tell he’s still trying to figure out why he agreed to this ride—or maybe why
Oliver’s POVThe western forest is alive with the faint rustle of leaves, the sharp tang of pine filling the air as I inhale deeply. It’s quiet now, save for the occasional hoot of an owl somewhere in the darkness. The moon hangs low, casting silver light over the perimeter, which only hours ago had been breached.I tighten my grip on the hilt of my blade, my other hand resting on my hip as I face the leader of the first guard quad. His name is Cade, a burly, dark-haired wolf with sharp blue eyes that never seem to miss a thing. He stands rigid, his posture a picture of discipline, though his scent carries a faint trace of unease.“Have you checked the southern perimeter?” I ask, my voice steady but sharp enough to cut through the crisp night air.“Yes, it’s secured,” Cade replies, his deep voice calm but certain. “There was no interference from that angle. The rogue only got in through the east.”“And you’re sure no one from the pack saw anything?” My gaze locks onto his, searching f
Oliver’s POVRavenna leans back in her chair, her dark hair falling in loose waves over her shoulders as her green eyes glint with mischief. “You really married up, Dad,” she says sarcastically, a sly grin spreading across her face.I chuckle, plopping down on the nearest couch. “How did you meet Mom again? She doesn’t seem like your… brand,” she adds, her voice dripping with playful disdain.I raise my head and glare at her in mock offense. “Hey, I heard that!” Dorothy’s voice rings out from the kitchen, the faint clatter of pots punctuating her indignation.“Wasn’t saying it for you not to hear, Mom,” Ravenna sing-songs, her grin widening. She turns back to me, undeterred. “Seriously, Dad, what did you see in that woman? The only thing she knows how to do is burn down our kitchen.”The air fills with the faint scent of charred something—bread, maybe? Whatever it is, she’s not wrong.I grin, leaning forward. “Unfortunately, I can’t ask the Moon Goddess for a refund. I’m stuck with he
The message stares back at me, the image burning into my eyes—a picture of myself, almost completely naked, clad in nothing but my panties. Below it, the words: We should meet up again, sugar baby.My hands tremble as I clutch the phone, and a cold sweat breaks across my skin. That pet name—sugar baby—slams into me like a freight train. My stomach twists violently. I know who sent this. One of them is back. One of the older men I swore I’d left behind, forgotten, erased. It isn’t just a message; it’s a threat.The air feels suffocating, thick and heavy. My mind churns with fragmented memories of my past—the choices I made, the things I did, the way I used to laugh about it all, brushing it off as fun, as easy money. The faces of men, much older than me, flash in my mind—predatory smiles, the way their hands lingered too long. I always thought it didn’t matter, that it wouldn’t follow me. But now, it’s back. And it’s here to destroy me.My legs feel weak as I stumble to the bed, collap
I sway my hips in time with the soft rhythm of my humming as I sort through the pile of clothes scattered across my bed. My fingers skim over fabrics, from silks to cottons, as I try to pick the perfect outfit for tonight. A grin tugs at my lips as I imagine Kassian’s face when he sees me. This is our first official date as a couple, and the butterflies in my stomach haven’t stopped fluttering all day.The past few days have been nothing short of bliss. I never realized how wonderful it could feel to be with someone you genuinely care about—someone who reciprocates those feelings in their own unique way. Kassian’s not the kind of man who showers me with flowery compliments or over-the-top romantic or flirty gestures, but there’s something so steady, so real, about the way he cares. He checks in on me constantly, making sure I’ve eaten or that I’m safe, even if it’s just a quick text.He’s awkward sometimes—cold, even—but that bluntness is something I’ve grown to love. It’s honest. Gen
The wind whispers through the forest, weaving through the towering trees like an ancient song. It carries with it the cool scent of earth, damp wood, and faintly sweet blooms from unseen wildflowers. Above, the sky is a vast, endless canvas of deep indigo, littered with stars that twinkle like scattered diamonds. The moon, full and radiant, bathes the forest in a luminous silver glow, its light shimmering on the canopy of leaves and illuminating the houses nestled within the great, thick trunks of the trees.Each house glows faintly where the moonlight touches the magic stones embedded in their doors, casting soft hues of blue, purple, and green into the night. The stones pulse gently, like steady heartbeats, their magic mingling with the serenity of the night.At the heart of the forest, the moon shines brightest upon the grandest of structures—a castle, carved into the largest tree of them all. The natural architecture is breathtaking, its design seamless and organic, as though the
I look at him, wide-eyed, but his eyes are still closed. “You shouldn’t feel up a man if you’re not ready for the consequences,” he teases, his voice a little rougher than usual.Mortified but not about to let him have the upper hand, I retort, lifting my chin and trying to sound confident despite the heat rushing to my face. “A man can’t lay so vulnerably next to a beast and not expect to get pounced on.”His eyes flutter open then, and my breath catches. The sunlight pouring through the window catches in his amethyst eyes, making them shimmer and swirl like living gems. They’re brighter than I’ve ever seen them, almost glowing, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.He smiles, a lazy, playful grin that makes my heart skip a beat. “So, you think you’re a beast, huh?”Without missing a beat, I smirk back, wiping at my mouth in an exaggerated gesture. “A starving beast,” I say, letting my voice drop dramatically as I eye him like prey. “And you look way too delicious not to take a
I lie there stiffly, my body frozen, my mind racing as I try to make sense of the situation. My breathing is shallow, each exhale barely audible over the pounding of my heart, which feels like it’s trying to escape my chest. My senses are on overdrive—every nerve on edge, every sound amplified, every breath between us like a weight pressing down on me. I’m hyperaware of him beside me, his warmth radiating through the thin layer of space that separates us, his scent filling the air.I tell myself to calm down, to slow my racing thoughts and stop my panicked heart from thundering in my ears. Slowly, I breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth, each breath slightly more controlled than the last. It helps, just a little.When my head feels a little clearer, I force myself to focus. My gaze drifts down, taking stock of myself. My cheeks flush with embarrassment as I realize I’m in nothing but my underwear. I’m not completely naked—thank God—but that doesn’t make me feel much bett
The meadow stretches endlessly before me, a vast sea of wildflowers swaying with the gentle rhythm of the wind. I’m sitting on a small rise, my knees pulled tightly to my chest, arms wrapped around them, as if anchoring myself to the serenity of this place. The sun bathes my skin in warmth, its golden light soft and soothing, while the breeze whispers through the air, rustling the flowers in waves that look like an endless, rippling ocean of color.I close my eyes and inhale deeply, letting the scents wash over me—a blend of sweetness, earthiness, and something distinctly alive. It’s intoxicating, grounding me in a way that feels like this meadow was made just for me. The soft fabric of my cream-colored dress brushes against my legs as I lower them, the georgette featherlight and almost teasing against my skin. I lean back, pressing my hands into the soft earth for support, and tilt my face to the sun. The warmth sinks deeper into me, and I let the soft hum of the breeze fill my ears,
My throat tightens painfully, guilt crashing over me like a wave. I want to say more, to fix the crack in her voice, but the words stick, heavy and immovable. I glance at her hands again, noticing how her fingers clutch the wheel just a little too tightly, her knuckles pale against the black leather.“Lynette,” I say softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “Park the car first.”She doesn’t argue, doesn’t say a word. The car glides into a space near the house, the engine quieting to a low rumble before she switches it off. For a moment, neither of us moves. The air feels thick, heavy with unsaid words and emotions.Her hands fall from the wheel to her lap, and she turns her head slightly—not toward me, but toward the window. Her body is tense, her posture rigid, and the scent of her sadness—of her fear—grows stronger, filling the small space between us.My chest aches as I watch her, the sunlight catching the faint sheen of unshed tears in her ocean-green eyes. She doesn’t look at me,
I can still feel the hollow ache from that day, the way her absence echoed in my chest. She ran so far, even relocating to another country. She got a restraining order, made it clear that I was nothing but a nightmare she wanted to forget.The only mercy she gave me was her silence. She never told anyone what I was. She took my secret to her grave.But her death still haunts me.I look down, my gaze falling to my hands, trembling slightly as the weight of the past constricts in my chest. I see her face in my mind, smiling one moment, then disappearing in the flames that took her life. Fenrir’s voice breaks through the haze. “You didn’t cause that, Kassian.”“She wouldn’t have been in that country if it weren’t for me,” The thought claws its way through my mind, as the hum of the engine fills the silence. The warmth in the car feels stifling, pressing against my chest like a hand wrapped around my lungs. “If I hadn’t told her, she wouldn’t have run. She wouldn’t have been in that fire.
Her question punches through the warm stillness of the car, and I freeze, my body stiffening as the air grows unbearably heavy. My thoughts scatter, frantic and uncontrolled, as her words echo in my mind: Who’s responsible for Rowan’s death?The question is a blade, sharp and merciless, cutting through the fragile balance I’ve been clinging to since this all started. My fingers twitch, gripping my knees as if anchoring myself to the seat will somehow stop the panic clawing its way up my chest. For a moment, I can’t breathe, my lungs refusing to cooperate, and the soft hum of the engine feels deafening.I glance at her, but her eyes are fixed on the road ahead, her knuckles white against the steering wheel. The sunlight streams through the windshield, lighting up her features—the sharp line of her jaw, the way her frosty blonde hair shimmers like spun gold. Even now, with tension pulling her shoulders tight, her beauty is disarming, otherworldly. But her ocean-green eyes, anxious and g