Katana My heart pounded with terror as a river of tears cascaded down my cheeks. I was in trouble and had no means of escape. Two lunatics bound and gagged me in their living room. That ghost was Aiden, Damien's best friend. The moment I showed up at his mother's door, they held me hostage. To be here against my will was like a nasty dream. I couldn't believe it. My hands and feet felt sore from walking for two days. My mum and Damien must be worried sick by now. Hunger pangs gnawed at the pit of my stomach. Even though I crave food, I could never eat in this strange house. I'd rather die. The ghost was back, haunting the room. I bristled with unease and disgust. Sometimes, the dead longed to communicate with the living and show them that they loved and missed them but I didn't wish to be involved in this because I didn't even know the ghost while he was alive. "Let me warn you, you wicked ghost. You're dead and nothing can be done to bring you back to life. Your mum is gett
Katana My eyelids slowly blinked open, and I was instantly attacked by the harsh, piercing flash of an overhead fluorescent bulb. The blinding light burned into my retinas, painting everything in a yellow tint. I trembled and pinched my eyes shut, trying to guard myself from the brightness, but it only worsened the throbbing ache in my head pounding with every beat as if a tiny construction crew was hammering away inside my skull. My senses gradually regained consciousness, and I realized I wasn't alone. The shadows of two figures lurking in the corner urged me to open my eyes. I slowly peeled open my eyelids. They weren't looking in my direction. My mouth felt so dry as if the Sahara Desert had taken refuge within it. Also, tiny prickles danced along the nape of my neck, causing a slight shiver to ripple down my backbone. It was then that I noticed the thin, translucent tube connecting me to an intravenous drip. Confused, I scanned my surroundings, desperately trying to det
Being cooped up indoors for so long was driving me mad. I've been itching to break free and do something new, but my mom was a wall of protectiveness, shielding me from the outside world. I sat restlessly on the couch in the living room, flipping through channels on the TV. I was bored and tired of doing the same things day after day. Kenneth was preparing his daughter, Angie, for school while my mom was cooking in the kitchen. I headed to the kitchen and began pacing around, tapping my fingers on the countertop and gazing outside the window. "Honey, is everything OK? You seem restless." "I'm fine," I groaned, "just tired of staying home all the time. I need something different." She gave me a knowing look and opened the fridge to get a bottle of the drink, but I didn't want the drink; I wanted to mingle with people. "Mom, can you permit me to work in the coffee shop nearby, please?" Her smile dissolved, and three visible lines appeared on her forehead. "Honey, I'm worried about
Damien The weight of sadness and depression in my heart was enough to drag me down to the lowest I'd ever been. It crushed me like a giant fist, and my world turned upside down. My heart was heavy with the absence of my love. Every day, I wake up hoping for a miracle, but as time goes by, that flicker of hope dims. I've searched high and low, leaving no stone unturned, combing through those forests, sleeping at the police stations and border… I tried everything. The loneliness was drowning me in a sea of emptiness and suffocated me with guilt and regret. How could I have let her slip away? Work becomes my solace. It's the one thing that kept my mind occupied, preventing me from drowning in my thoughts. "Good morning, sir," my staff members chorused respectfully, and I ignored them, heading to the private elevator that took me up to the highest floor of my office building. Alone, I wallowed in self-pity without worrying about prying eyes. The mirror showed my reflection; messy ha
Katana I woke up with a bloated stomach and rolled on the bed, expelling a grunt. Since the amusement park visit two days ago with Ken and Angie, I haven't left my room. I thought I could sleep it off, but it wasn't working. My mum gave me several drugs and painkillers and assured me that I will feel fine. My breath shuddered in pain as I struggled to use the bathroom. There was something wrong with me that I couldn't figure out. It took a lot of strength for me to make it to the bathroom, and my stomach twisted in pain, making me yelp. I placed my head on the toilet bowl and began throwing up. When I finished, I noticed my reflection in the mirror. There were black bags under my eyes and my face was swollen. I felt dizzy and nauseous, and my vision went black for a few seconds. "Oh god," I moaned, leaning against the sink. After a couple of minutes, I managed to make it back to bed. I crawled under the heavy covers but still felt uncomfortable. I made my way back to the bathroom
Damien Extremely cranky, I focused on settling a dispute in the crowded pack hall. "Alpha Damien," Toby, a delta wolf, said. "The other packs have been leveraging our wealth and kindness since time immemorial. Whenever we need their help, they back off. I suggest we stop rendering help to them." I sighed, running a hand over my face, signaling another male to speak. "Also, the Howl Destroyer pack is encroaching on our hunting ground. They're subtly trying to take over the place. I suggest we build a high fortress to block them out." "Alpha, we don't need them; rather, they need us. We have virtually everything they want. We can't keep playing dumb and letting these people treat us like fools," the third male said. "Alpha Damien," Tammy, a female elder, got on her feet. "My granddaughter, Lucia, got pregnant by a rogue who seduced her, and now, he doesn't want to take responsibility for the pregnancy. This is getting rampant, and we need you to put your foot down." I cleared my t
Katana Bella and I rode in her beat-up navy blue Toyota Camry to her house. As ugly as her car was, she referred to it as her baby and loved driving it. "We gotta get your car fixed," I often joked with a grin as we pulled out of the gates. "You're just jealous," she smirked and played some pop music, which I guess was trending because I'd heard it on TV the previous day and liked it, so we sang together. Unfortunately, our voice combination was so horrible that we began laughing. "Imagine us going for America's Got Talent. Simon Cowell would press the buzzer before we even begin to sing!" She howled with laughter, and I joined her, hoping she wouldn't ask me questions because I didn't even know who or what she was talking about, but I assumed it was a singing group and made a mental note to check it out. "Why don't we get some snacks? My younger sisters are gonna have my head on a platter, and they've been texting me to get them some donuts," Bella sighed. "Sure, let's stop at
KATANA My alarm went off and I got on my feet. It was time for me to do the unthinkable. Despite my mum forcing me not to hang out with Bella anymore I still hung out with her at work and we planned on attending a frat party tonight. I couldn't even remember if I had ever attended a party in my life and it was too exciting for me to say no but at first I was skeptical about it. "What if we get caught? I asked her, my heart thumping with fear. "My mum is very strict and she will not take it lightly with me if she finds out that I snuck out of the house." "Come on, Honey, you're almost nineteen and a fucking adult. Your mum has to let you live. At our age, my mum already had me and was married." "Fine, I'll find a way to sneak out. She keeps a spare key in the kitchen. I'll find it and wait until she falls asleep before sneaking out." "Now that's the spirit," she cheered, giving me a high five. "I promise you that you won't regret it." That evening, immediately after dinner, I exc
Alexis "Shit. That was close. He rasped out, his eyes glowing like a wildcat's and bulging with fear. "These bastards are mean and are out for us." "What are we going to do?" I said to Craig with my voice trembling. Craig grimaced, glancing outside the window, and swallowed hard, trying desperately to form coherent words. "I have no idea. But we have to stay here for now and run for our lives when this blows over. It's only a matter of time before they find us." "Fuck," Zarek winced while I paced frantically. Zarek broke the silence. "Are these buildings connected? They could destroy innocent lives while searching for us." "We need help," I said with every fiber in my body trembling nonstop. "We cannot do this on our own. They have outnumbered us." Craig turned to face me, his face congested with fear "Alexis, you have to stay here for now. I don't want you to get hurt." "Stay here?" I gasped, my eyes doubling in size. "Are you kidding me? I can't and I won't leave your si
Alexis My heart was racing so fast. I heard Craig and Zarek coming up, and I composed myself, watching them enter the room, laughing. Craig came to my side and knelt in front of me, kissing my stomach, and Zarek looked away. "How do you feel now? Better?" Craig said, concerned. I shook my head in a no, and Craig frowned. "Do you want me to get you something?" I got on my feet. "Craig, I called my dad," I blurted. "He thinks we are not safe, and is on his way to get me." Craig cursed under his breath. "We need to leave," he said firmly. "I don't trust your dad." "Come on, Craig. My dad may be an enemy to you, but he's my father. He's going to help us." Just as I made that statement, we heard a commotion downstairs, as if a riot was taking place. My heart skipped so fast. "Did you hear that?" I whispered to Craig. My breathing became raspy, and my lips trembled with fear. "I think they are here," Craig trembled and grabbed the bag where the staff was. Zarek rushed to the windo
Alexis Dora had warned us to be very careful and lay low because Dimitri had informants everywhere. It was even dangerous for us to call her, as Dimitri could trace the call and hurt her. Craig couldn't sleep and kept thinking the worst. Zarek joined us the next day and my thoughts were filled with self-loathing and the nagging urge to ask for my dad's help tugged in my heartstrings. But it was very unlikely that my dad, a werewolf, would help Craig and the vampire king. The possibility was almost impossible. He was never going to hand that staff to me. I could sense the frustration in Craig's eyes. He was like a locked-up bull, searching for a means of escape. He had stopped smiling, answering questions with minimal responses, and kept sighing constantly. He seemed to prefer talking to Zarek more than me, and that infuriated me because he made me feel like I had betrayed him in some way. And he poured out his frustration when I asked Dora how Oliver was doing. "I've warned
Alexis Craig's lips kissed my throat up before capturing my lips, and our breaths fused into our mouths. I was in divine ecstasy, and my wolf almost threatened to come out of my body. Our kiss was raw, rough, sloppy, and filled with weeks of longing and a mountain of passion. He went hard, soft, then hard again, and I had no desire to back out. Burying my hands into his thick hair, I let him scoop me up, nibbling his lips. Our kisses were messy because of my tears and the world disappeared around me. I pulled away, staring into his eyes with so much love. "I can't believe I'm seeing you. I hope someone doesn't wake me up if this is a dream." "It's me," he said. His voice thickened with emotion. "I'm here in flesh and blood." A comfortable silence settled between us and we exchanged glances, smiling. His gaze was mad with lust and molten desire, and a raging beast of need was in his eyes. "I dreamt of this day for weeks,"he whispered, kissing my neck and making my knees loosen.
Alexis One week later My heart pounded like a frightened bird, racing to escape, as I ran through the night. The darkness was consuming, making the hairs on my nape raise with raw fear, but I moved swiftly along, ignoring my rising panic. Oliver confessed to Dora and agreed to help us. I was heading to a vampire coven, so I couldn't shift into my wolf. Several nasty thoughts kept flying in, causing me to get frightened beyond measure, but I put a fire under my feet, attempting to lighten my mood with the hope of seeing Craig tonight. "I'll see Craig tonight," I chanted like a mantra. I hastened because it was almost midnight. The hotel Oliver recommended didn't seem to be popular. I stopped to take a breath when I began seeing spots in my vision and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to regain control. A stray cat darted behind me, sending chills down my spine. I sighed in relief when I burst out onto a surprisingly busy street with half-naked girls and men who couldn't walk
Alexis I edged closer to Dora until our eyes met. Dora held her head high and a broad smile graced her lips.My curiosity heightened, wondering what she wanted from me, considering that we had only met once. There was only one way to find out, but something in me suspected Craig sent her, but why would he when we’d gotten back together? "Hi," I formed a cheeky smile, hugging her. "What a surprise to see you here." "Hello, Alexis, right? I can never forget your name, considering how my boy never stops gushing about you," she said and hugged me back. When she pulled away, she stared at me with kind, observant eyes. The clouds darkened and it began to drizzle."You might want to come into the hall," I said to her. We found a secluded corner in the empty hall and sat opposite each other. Silence settled on us like mist, filling the air. I waited for her to speak but she didn't, making me uncomfortable. "Does Craig know you are here?" I managed to say. She let out a soft chuckle
Alexis Confusion was an understatement for how I felt right now. My spirit was in chaos. I couldn't believe that Craig had asked me for my forgiveness and wanted me back, even though I ended up whacking his face, which I had the right to, after all, he'd put me through. Something was off, no doubt. Yet, I couldn't deny that I still loved him. Our brief relationship brought me back to life in ways I'd never imagined. I lay on Tara's bunk, staring off into mid-distance at the star design on her ceiling, lost in thought. I didn't want to be involved in a game of back and forth where I would be easily swayed by Craig's seduction. I wasn't that stupid. Tara didn't see a big deal in Craig wanting to come back to me. "It was bound to happen," she chuckled, scooping the last of her vanilla ice cream."I know you don't see it that way, but I knew his relationship with Beverly was not going to last." "I'm not buying that bullshit," I sighed. "I know something triggered him to ask for my f
Craig Days and nights passed, and I was still trapped in Bloodline Manor like a helpless butterfly, but I had completely healed and grown stronger. My desperation grew by the second. I wondered what was going on in the outside world. Dimitri hadn't come to threaten me in days. For sure, he was surely up to something sinister. My only companion was a damn diary where I scribbled all my plans to escape, waiting for the perfect time to hatch my plan. I was staring at a cow giving birth. The mother lay exhausted on the ground after pushing her calves far enough out. She was too weak to stand and the smell of its dung and blood was strong enough to kill, but the cows were the only distractions I had because I was so close to going insane. I loved video games and being with my phone. Not having that luxury was killing me. My ears perched when someone knocked on my door. "It's open," I said flatly. Anna, who was the only innocent person in this manor because she had no idea I was s
Oliver I winced, rubbing my stinging cheek. The force of Alexis's slap remained. I deserved it for being so stupid to think she'd jump on me like a lovestruck puppy after I asked for her forgiveness or be easily manipulated without questioning me. Rooted on the spot, I watched her walk away, cursing under my breath. The girl was petite but bold and hostile. Thanks to that bastard, Dimitri, I'd received an unwarranted slap. My shoulders sagged like a deflated balloon. Dimitri forced me to gather information from Craig's friends, including his girlfriend, about the staff of authority. I had two days to come up with something, and the consequences of not getting sufficient information would be brutal. But how could I ask them a string of questions without them becoming suspicious? Craig's friends, especially Zarek, were discerning and were beginning to sniff my fakery. It was a miracle that I hadn't gotten caught at this point. "Oliver, you're a man. I didn't raise you a coward!"