Maya
My fingers are intertwined with Finn's larger, rougher ones as we head back to the city of fairies. He glances at me now and then with a sweet smile, and I'm miserable because I'm scared to be happy.
Finn's skin is electric, and his touch reaches into my heart, making it flip-flop like a pancake. And the minute he squeezes my hand, it's as if something unleashes within me. The explosions of emotions are unlike anything I've felt in my entire life.
Affection bounces around in my chest, and I take a deep breath as we entire the fairy city. The towering buildings are casting their shadows over us, and I have to force my steps. I don't want to find Blake and plan for the upcoming war—my heart yearns to spend every living, breathing minute with Finn, but duty calls.
"I guess this is it." I peer up at Finn, admiring his dimples forming on the left side of his face. "We should find Blake."
Finn nods but doesn't step out of my bubble. He bends f
MayaI fall like a comet and tumble down onto the wet grass. The impact with the ground sends sharp pain shooting through me, and I whimper as I roll around, unable to stop. My head is spinning, and I'm prompted to believe I broke a few ribs, judging from the burning sensation when I breathe.'MAYA!' Finn screams my name. 'Are you alright?!'Pain is ringing in my body, and before I get the chance to answer my lover, Arvin dashes up to me with the speed of lightning. With a laugh, he summons fire and creates a circle of burning flames around us. His eyes flash with glee."At last, you're here!" Arvin claps his hands as he approaches me with anything but friendly intentions. He plants his boot on my muzzle and presses down. "My fellow witches said you would be a challenge, that you stood in the way of my plans to take over the fairy realm, but here you are, fallen already."I growl but get silenced by a surge of lightning crashing from the sky. It hu
Maya I'm a wreck of emotions, driven by anger, when I take the shape of my midnight wolf and lounge for Arvin's throat. The man is laughing and easily evades my rage-motivated attempts to kill him. I land in the grass and growl at the man, who seems more than amused by my temper. "Oh, Maya, you have to think before jumping at your enemy. Your attacks are way too predictable. You're not thinking straight; perhaps you should lie down and take a break!" Arvin kicks me in the stomach and sends me flying. I cough up blood and lift my head, eyeing the hybrid while he burns Finn's unmoving body. He seems to be absorbing Finn's powers while the witches are chanting, including Alice. "Soon, I will be the most powerful werewolf that has ever lived, and once your lover's powers are mine, I will make both this world and earth entirely mine. My mother will be given your wolf spirit, and together we shall reign over every other living creature!" I s
Maya I run as fast as my paws can carry me, away from the burning field and into the forest. A storm is brewing, and the shadow creepers are not far behind. I can imagine their crazed eyes locked on my form. I'm their prey, the one they want dead, but I'm a wolf on a mission. My limbs feel like jelly, and my muscles ache from the effort of running over sticks and stones. I'm not sure if I can save anyone with my plan, but the reminder of how safe it was to rest my head in the crook of Finn's neck and breathe him in keeps me fighting. Alice and my sister are important to me too, but a spot in my heart is reserved for Finn. He came in like a hurricane and rocked my world—I fell in love, hard, without even noticing. The grief in my chest spreads and wraps around me, and I pant into the air, watching my breath evaporate as I stare at the tree of life before me. The branches still hold colorful leaves, but they are rapidly turning grey as if the tree of li
Finn When I watch the human girl, the first instinct to strike me is hunger and a watering mouth. I reach out my hand, ready for breakfast. Fairies eat her kind for dinner, but her teary eyes and joy-filled smile speak volumes, and although I have no clue who she is, my heart flutters. "What are you doing?" The girl asks innocently and tilts her head to let her white hair fall to one side. There is a hickey on her neck, and she flushes when she notices where my eyes have landed. "Uh? Hello, earth to Finn?" I take a deep breath, wincing at the sprites whispering around me. They seem invisible to the smiling girl, but a shock wave travels through me once one touches my shoulder, and then I'm a goner. Images of the girl standing before me flash inside my head. She is either smiling or calling my name in a grumpy tone, and then I hear my voice chuckling before saying, "little wolf." And then I hear the girl yell into my mind. "TEN YEARS?! THAT'S W
Maya My lips curl higher while Finn is searching my eyes. His large hands are keeping my arms locked above my head, and my chest rises and falls in line with his breathing. Sweet Jesus—he is hot when he is suspicious. I'm aroused by the situation and secretly hoping Finn will use those arms to take me by force. "Best friends, huh?" Finn questions. I laugh out loud, shocked by the crazy situation. Younger Finn is more assertive than his older version, which makes sense. The Finn standing before me isn't dealing with a heavy load of guilt, the main thing holding back the older one. Without guilt or concern about the age difference between us, Finn seems as sex-crazed as me, and without those boundaries—shit, I'm getting riled up already. "Uh…" I'm forced to bite my lower lip not to laugh again. I'm busted. "I guess we were more than friends..." He smiles, and his eyes touch each of my features as if he is seeing them for the first time.
Maya My chest is constricting as I watch Finn take in Beatrice and forget about the girl he kissed only moments ago—me, the girl lusting for a man who the moon goddess has chosen for someone else. Ugh, why did I think I could change things? Beatrice steps forward. "I'm Beatrice..." I knew it! Finn is stepping closer to Beatrice, and I shut my eyes, remembering how his lips felt against mine. It was all too good to be true, and nothing good lasts. Our time is running out. I can anticipate it in my bones. Finn talks with his lips curving into a smirk. "Beatrice, huh?" She is batting her eyelashes up at him. "Yes?" "Sorry, but I, uh, Finn, reject you as my mate." I almost choke. "WHAT?!" Beatrice turns to ice, and Finn steps away from her with a smile aimed at me. He grabs my hand, and then he pulls me along. "We probably should get the hell away from here." I'm too shocked to breathe, but even I ca
Maya My mother doesn't even look up to greet me when I sit at our kitchen table. Lily is in the living room, laughing while two guys from our school try to flirt with her. I'm trying to prepare my breakfast in peace, but it's hard to ignore them when they are so loud. My sister is so annoying to listen to, especially when she puts on that baby voice. "Oh, Jayden, you're so funny! Perhaps you should be my new beta? I mean, you're pretty useful in battle. You're hot too." Out of the corner of my eye, I see my twin sister flip her dark hair over her shoulder. We might be twins, but she sure got the better genes—curves everywhere and big breasts. Of course, Lily isn't shy about showcasing her body. She is now wearing a v-line top to show her tanned skin and the gemstone necklace, trying to make love to her breast. No matter how hard I try to sunbathe, I can't seem to get brown—I swear I'm cursed. I have the complexion of a ghost, while my
Maya Fifteen Years Later "Happy birthday!" Bianca is holding up her glass. "The big thirty-three—only seven years until forty and your mid-life crisis!" "Not so loud!" I grit my teeth, hissing at my friend. There is lemon juice stuck on my teeth; I can taste it. "Every single soul inside this restaurant doesn't have to know my age!" Jenna and Felicia lift their cocktail glasses, smiling at me with warmth and love radiant on their faces. "You still have a young soul," Jenna consoles me. "And you're the youngest successful attorney that I know. Hurrah for your success in the business!" All my lovely friends clink their glasses, and with a bubble of joy lifting from my chest, I lift mine as well, glad everyone who matters in life is free this weekend. My birthdays aren't an occasion safe to celebrate alone, as I go hard on the bottle. Aging reminds me of a traitor who never appeared after ten years. I bet the fucker is younger tha
Maya Epilogue A few years later. "What is it?" I tilt my head and smile down at my daughter. It's Christmas, and Finn is busy cooking our grand feast with Kyra and my mother. Elijah is drinking wine with Alice and my father. The pack is happy, and while I'm not friends with Bianca anymore, it finally feels as if I'm home. Everything is as it should be. "You need to open it." I stand up from the couch and sit down on the floor next to Elvira. "Here, let me help you!" Elvira beams and laughs as I help her open the enormous package. She has Finn's pointed ears, but she can already shape-shift into a wolf—one with gorgeous wings. It seems she has inherited a lot from us both. "A unicorn!" Her eyes are radiating joy. "I got my own unicorn!" I laugh. "Yes, you do!" "I'm so amazed!" I sit back and smile at Elvira, who is on top of the world and holding up her XXL stuffed toy for the world to see
Maya I throw myself at Lily, snapping and biting while the people looking at our duel are shouting and whistling. Kyra is rooting for me, but I can't face my friends—I'm too invested in the fight. Finn must be worried, but seeing his expression might throw me off my game, so I continue my battle without distractions. I can't lose. Lily fights with anger, and darkness follows her with every attempted bite at my neck. Her shadow is growing, and half the sky turns black. Our fight suddenly turns into a battle of day and night. Darkness threatens to conquer the sky, but I force out light since I have to win. My blood is boiling and my frustration from all the years Lily spent harassing me offers me motivation. I bite at her shoulder, headbutt her stomach, and slash her face. Lily whimpers and falls to the ground, where I bend down to maul her. Blood splashes everywhere, and I know I've officially won the battle. Lily is still breat
Maya Lily is already waiting for us when we step out of the car. The entire block is emptied of ordinary people, and the skies above us are dark and eerie as if set for a battle. Werewolves from the Winterbite pack surround us; countless of them bare their teeth and growl viciously. They all seem ready to slaughter us if their alpha, Lily, decides to snap her fingers. Elijah glances around, baring his teeth to hiss at the wolves. Veins appear on his face, and Kyra widens her eyes at the sight of her vampire mate. I'm guessing she has never seen Elijah's true colors; regardless, newfound respect shines in her eyes. It seems even she understands that the vampire isn't to be underestimated. "I don't like this," Finn says as he takes in our surroundings. His wings spread out from his back, although the only reason for him to fight is if I lose against Lily. "Me neither," Kyra agrees. "Why are they all staring at us?" Lily chuckles.
Maya The sky is cloudy, and rain is patting against the window as my new pack members, and I drive through a sleepy village. I'm tired of the view, and my head won't stop spinning and thinking about the upcoming fight taking place tomorrow. I'm about to challenge my sister, Lily. I shudder at the thought, knowing it won't be easy to win against her since she isn't a weakling. My sister controls the darkness while the light listens to my command—we are opposites of each other, yet I intend to win. Or more like I have to win. Lily is keeping everyone a prisoner. She has turned the Winterbite pack into something not to be proud of—the female alpha doesn't allow anyone to have a different opinion, and if you stand up against her, she will throw you to the sharks. She isn't a good alpha. 'You will be a better one,' Lumi says in a calm tone. 'Hard times breed strong women, and you've gone through hell and survived—the storm h
Maya I splash cold water up at my face, meeting my angry, determined eyes in the mirror. It's soon time to face my fate. Lily has plagued me with her nasty words from the first day in high school. She looked down upon me and laughed at me for not having an inner wolf. Even though we are sisters, she spat in my face and bullied me until I saw no other option than escape from my hometown. I left my old town behind. I abandoned my pack. I cut off the ties I had with my family, and now, I'm taking it all back. I'm angry, pissed off because Lily thinks she can do whatever the fuck she wants without consequences. But she is wrong. She killed Elijah's mate. She hurt our father, kidnapped Bianca, and I will make her pay. 'We will make her pay,' Lumi corrects me. 'Remember that I want in on this too. We will take our rightful place as the alpha of the Winterbite clan, and then NO ONE will laugh at us again.' 'I will become the a
Kyra I wake up to Elijah pulling the curtain to the side. The sunlight streams inside of the room like an unwelcome guest, and the vampire laughs when I hiss. I drag the bedsheet over my head, and the vampire sits down at the edge of the bed. "Please pull back the curtain..." I beg. Elijah chuckles in amusement. "If I didn't know better, I would say you're acting more than a vampire than I do." I speak from under the bedsheet. "Don't your kind like the sun?" "Usually not," he exhales, seeming to drag his hands over his thighs."I love the sun, but the light burns my skin unless I wear a daylight ring. I'm an original vampire, one of the first. I won't die, but the sun still hurts." Slowly, I uncover my face, meeting his red eyes. My mate smiles at me, and it hits me that Elijah must be bored. He watched me sleep for the entire duration of the night and probably can't wait to leave the bed behind. Embarrassingly enough, I vaguely
Maya I'm stirring my milkshake while walking in the park together with Finn after sunset. The future concerns me, and I sigh. "No offense, but how am I supposed to beat Lily? Last time I checked, I don't possess any offensive abilities." Finn glances down at me, smiling. "Because only the light can defeat the darkness. It doesn't matter what you throw at the shadow creepers—sticks and stones, fire, water, earth, or even lightning can't beat them." 'Finn is right,' Lumi says. 'You're the only person who can put an end to your sister's dictatorship. She wasn't made for the role of alpha. No matter what, we have to defeat her.' I grimace. "I don't even remember how to shape-shift." Finn laughs, tapping my shoulder. "That's why we are here in the park at night. You can transform here, and..." he shrugs. "Pretend to be my oversized dog if someone sees you." My lips twitch. "You haven't seen my wolf's form when you're a human—are you
Kyra Elijah is bouncing me up and down on his cock. It's fantastic, his cock is so thick, but his piercing gaze is hard to swallow. I've been avoiding his eyes for the entire duration, embarrassed by the sounds leaving my lips. What if he is embarrassed by me? "Kyra...?" I suppress the urge to moan when he lifts his ass from the ground, thrusting deeply into me. Oh-my-fucking-god. Elijah is a beast. I see stars and grow weak in my limbs. "Kyra, look at me." I don't listen. "Kyra..." Elijah slows his speed, and the building pleasure stops growing, forcing me to bounce faster. But Elijah stills my legs, holding me in place as he speaks. "If you want my cock, then you need to look at me." The authoritative tone in his voice got me peering down at him. Elijah smiles in satisfaction. He looks downright delicious, with his captivating abs and mischievous eyes. I squeeze my legs, knowing I'm about a hundred times wetter. How t
Kyra I might die from a heart attack any second now. I'm standing in the shower booth and finding it harder to stand straight as Elijah enters through the door. When my mate offered to get me cleaned up and took me to a human hotel, I didn't expect him to have hidden motives—I was wrong. As warm water pours over my head, I stand there, jaw slacking to the floor as I take in the adonis closing the door behind him. Elijah looks like he just stepped out of every woman's wet dream. He is entirely naked, making it impossible not to drool over his bulging biceps, muscular chest, and flat, washboard abs. I count the ridges and lose all breath of air. Perhaps I am more into men than I initially thought? Piercing red eyes that are even more intense now that we are both naked meet mine. Elijah smiles at me, a crooked half-smile that makes my heart seize in my chest and my belly tighten in suspense. He looks keen to eat me alive, and I'm horrifie