Cherry It was the day before the Moon Ceremony, and I felt sick to my core. Apprehension was wreaking havoc on my body. Inwardly, I chided myself. Why had I left it until the last minute to leave? But the logical reasons for doing so came to my rescue. These reasons had become something of a mantra for me over the last few days. As I packed the last of my stuff into the small carry-on suitcase, I reminded myself of them. Today’s flight from Seattle had been the cheapest I could find by far. On top of that, the scholarship I’d been lucky enough to be awarded for my tuition abroad would only start in the fall. Until then, I’d have to find a job for my living expenses. I had a small amount of savings that would give me a few weeks in a cheap backpacker’s hostel in Berlin until I secured a job, but it was hardly much. So, it had been safer to wait until the last minute. The worst-case scenario was that I had to live in a hostel for the summer months and work at whatever job I found befor
Dylan Rich said, “You don’t look well, Cherry. Maybe I should call Dylan.” “No,” I exclaimed, hearing the note of panic ringing in my tone. “No, I’m fine,” I tried more calmly, but I noticed Rich’s expression grow serious, and his eyes widened as he looked behind me. He’d caught sight of the suitcase on the back seat. Now both Rich and Sam were looking at me strangely. Worriedly, I realized. I steeled myself, and even though I knew they wouldn’t believe me, I said, “I’m fine. I’ll see you later.” I knew the guards wouldn’t dare stop me. As their future Luna, they respected me too much, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t inform Dylan. Quickly, I climbed back into the car, started the engine and drove out of Lord Hills. Panic quickened my heart, and sweat dampened my forehead. I felt it slipping down my back beneath my thin T-shirt, as I cursed the narrow lanes that didn’t allow for much speed. As I trundled along, it felt like no time at all before a shape appeared in my rear vi
Dylan I clenched my fists together as I watched Cherry’s red car disappear around the bend. I cracked my jaw as I grasped that she’d really gone. I felt something rupture inside of me, and my wolf rose within me, howling in desolation. I felt the beast itching beneath my skin as if nipping and scratching to get out. Yet, I knew if I let my primal instinct take over, the beast would bolt after Cherry again. The urge warred within me, and it took all my strength to wrestle the lupine shadow into submission. I wouldn’t let it surface and chase after her. Not after she’d rejected me so resolutely. Instead, I returned at an ambling human pace, climbing over a gate into a field belonging to Starsmoon. But the vast and far-reaching fields I ordinarily found so full of space and freedom felt empty today. They no longer had Cherry in them. She was gone. The knowledge beat through me again like a quake through the earth. As I walked, the memory of her silver eyes, steely with resolve, made me
Dylan “Oh, Dylan, love, I’m so sorry,” My mom wrapped her arms around me, but I didn’t squeeze her back, worried that if I did, I’d shatter completely. I didn’t have the luxury of showing my hurt. I was the Alpha-in-training. I wouldn’t show weakness, not even to my parents. My dad was the first to mention practicalities. “We’ll take care of canceling the caterers, but I think it’ll be best if you talk to the pack later.” Hardening my stare, I said, “Thanks. And yes, I’ll tell them later.” My jaw clenched, and I added, “But it’s not over. We can talk more about all of this later.” I didn’t miss the worried look my parents exchanged, which said that there was nothing to talk about. Nothing could be done, not if Cherry had rejected the mating bond between us. But needing space, I left them, stalking down the path to my own house. I realized that it was only now, with my heart feeling like shrapnel in my chest, that I knew what it wanted. It wanted its mate. I wanted Cherry. I’d fal
Cherry Seven Years Later Afternoon light flooded my art studio as I traipsed up the stairs into the airy space. Maisy, my assistant designer, trailed behind me, slower as she gingerly ascended with a gown draped across her arms as though it were made of glass. “Put it on the mannequin, and you can get on with the alterations this afternoon,” I said. “Sure thing,” Maisy chirped. My heels clicked over the hardwood floors, and I folded myself gratefully into my desk chair. I didn’t think I’d sat down all day. My gaze tracked to the dress Maisy was draping over the mannequin. The striking burgundy gown was a bespoke number made for the actress AJ West. She’d requested me to make something for the BAFTA award ceremony she was attending as a nominee. It wasn’t for another month, and I was pleased with the fitting we’d just had with AJ and that the final alterations had been agreed on. I slipped one foot out of my heels, massaging its arch with my other foot. The downside to designing
Cherry “Crisis averted,” I said to Maisy, who was eyeing me with a knowing smile as I got off the phone. “Carl’s getting her.” “Ooo, another dinner date with Carl,” my assistant said suggestively as she got to work on the dress. I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the smile from spreading across my face again. As I prepped the necessary books for the interns, got out samples of material, and set my designs on the long white table we’d be working at, I felt my excitement growing about Carl and the future that was developing. It was seven o’clock by the time I let myself into my apartment. The students had kept me until five, and then I’d had to check over the takings for my store below before closing up for the evening. As I slipped off my heels in the hall, I felt a sigh of contentment as I stole barefoot down the hall and into the kitchen. Two almost full dinner plates rested on the kitchen table, and I frowned. “Carl?” Just then, Carl darted into the kitchen, wide-eyed, and hi
Cherry I hurried off to the cash register to serve the next customer. It was Saturday, so I was doing overtime in my store. It had taken me the last year to find and train Nina and Kendra, my two sales assistants, to my satisfaction. But Kendra was expecting her first baby now and had asked for the weekends off. I was in the process of interviewing for a new sales assistant for the weekends and to cover Kendra’s maternity leave, but until I found someone suitable, I had to cover it. By five o’clock, I’d left Nina to lock up and returned home. With fantasies of stripping out of the tight black dress and heels I wore, ideas about dinner zipped through me. Deciding I was too tired to cook, I pictured the excitement on Fern’s face when I told her we’d order in. As I traipsed up the stairs to my second-floor apartment, a grassy, woody scent filled my nostrils. The aroma tugged at something deep inside me, conjuring up long- buried memories: lush farmlands with hedgerows. I stopped dead on
Cherry Still dazed but obviously feeling flustered about zoning out, my nanny readily agreed. But Fern stomped her feet, point blank, refusing to go to her room. It was only when I suggested they make some chocolate milk and have a tea party with her teddies that she submitted. I also had to agree to her demand that once Bert and I had talked business, I’d let her say goodbye to him. Once again, I scowled at Bert, annoyed that he’d somehow managed to get Fern to like him in one brief meeting. Thoughts about how impossible it had been to get my daughter to warm to any of my past suitors made me even more angry with him. Finally, safely coaxed into her room by Lara, and with the door shut, I was left to confront Bert. Shrugging off my jacket and slipping out of my heels, I padded into the living room. My hands settled on my hips. “You know, it’s rude to barge into someone’s house uninvited.” He shrugged. “Kinda gave up on ever getting invited after the first five years.” My face b
Daniel's PerspectiveThe wind howled in my ears, and my heart nearly leapt into my throat. In that moment, the world seemed to freeze. There was only the sound of the wind and the frantic thumping of my heart. I looked down, closer and closer to the lake, knowing that this was the moment when I would reach my limit.But then, at the exact moment I braced myself, I turned my head to look at Giovanni. He, too, had leapt off the cliff and was plummeting downward. I had expected him to squeeze his eyes shut, flailing his arms and legs like I was, bracing for the inevitable plunge into the water. But what happened next was beyond anything I could have predicted.As we neared the surface of the lake at nearly the same time, I witnessed an incredible transformation: Giovanni shifted mid-air. In an instant, his body morphed into the form of a majestic werewolf—his muscular frame expanding with raw power, his entire being exuding the energy of a st
Daniel's PerspectiveI thought nothing special would happen today – or at least, that's what I originally believed. But as it turned out, I misjudged how the day would unfold. And that's how life often works—always teaching you an unexpected lesson when you least expect it.In the plaza of the amusement park, sunlight filtered through the swaying trees, filling the air with laughter and the tempting smells of food. People were buying cotton candy from the booths, jumping on trampolines, and shouting with excitement as they zipped by on roller coasters. I moved along with the crowd, step by step, almost as if I were trying to leave the mundane behind—without even realizing it.Giovanni, Finn, and I stood at the entrance to the park, and despite knowing I didn't really belong here—not with the joy that seemed to surround me—I couldn't help but look around. My gaze drifted from one attraction to the next, my insides fl
Fern's PerspectiveI almost held my breath. I knew that the temptation embedded in that statement wasn't just a comment about Daniel.My fingers brushed the edge of the tablecloth without thought, the cool fabric pulling me back from my musings. My gaze quietly settled on Daniel and Giovanni, their interaction like a subtle tug-of-war—effortless and fluid, but sending ripples through my mind.Giovanni's gaze was intense and focused. The familiar scrutiny that sometimes swept over Daniel made a cold sweat break out across my back. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that everything was under control—at least for now.To keep Giovanni from discovering Daniel's true identity, I'd turned to Peter the Wizard, the eccentric and mysterious old man. He'd given me a potion that supposedly shielded Daniel from the fluctuations of werewolf power, making him appear like any other ordinary child. However, the potion's effects were limit
Fern's Perspective"Mom, I'd like another roast." Daniel's voice rang out sharply, pulling me back to the present. His little hands shot up in the air, and his eyes sparkled as he eagerly watched the waiter bringing the dish. His movements were effortless, as though he had nothing to hide, no secrets to keep.I took a deep breath, and the corner of my mouth lifted into a faint smile. "Eat slowly, don't choke." My words were light, but underneath the table, my hands clenched into fists, a thin sheen of sweat breaking out on my palms.Giovanni's gaze felt like a searchlight, locking onto me with unsettling intensity.I kept my composure, the smile on my face unwavering. "As you can see, Mr. Giovanni, this is my son, Daniel.""A human son?" Giovanni asked bluntly, his tone smooth yet heavy, the kind of gentleness that carried a weight you couldn't ignore. He picked up his dinner knife and sliced into his steak with deliberate slowness
Giovanni's PerspectiveThe air in the room seemed to freeze, my eyes locked on Diana, like black holes intent on piercing through every secret she tried to hide. She stood on the other side of the desk, her fingers gripping the strap of her handbag so tightly that her knuckles turned white. I didn't respond immediately to her words, just stared at her in silence. But inside, my emotions churned like a storm, threatening to suffocate me."He's human," Diana repeated, her tone firm but betraying a subtle tremor. "Daniel is my child with a normal human. He has nothing to do with the werewolf world."I rose to my full height, my towering frame casting a shadow over Diana's petite one. Slowly, I rounded the desk, each step deliberate. The air grew heavier, charged with the intimidating presence only an Alpha could command. Her small frame trembled slightly under the weight of my unspoken challenge."Diana," I said, my voice low and even, thoug
Fern's PerspectiveEarly in the morning, with the fresh scent of damp earth in the air, I sat at my desk, my fingers resting on the keyboard, my gaze drifting aimlessly. Today's work felt unusually uninteresting, and my mind had already wandered far away. For some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that something unusual was about to happen.I couldn't focus at all; my heart beat erratically, as though something was urging me to face it. I glanced at the clock on the wall, and just as I was about to dial my assistant, I heard a sudden voice.
Fern's PerspectiveMy heart skipped a beat, and my vision blurred. A thousand thoughts rushed through my mind, but none of them stuck. First, I was shocked. Then, fear gripped me. And finally—anger.It was almost surreal that my past, especially with Giovanni, was being casually dragged into the open today. The anonymity I'd worked so hard to maintain had been shattered by an uninvited guest."How did you... know?" I finally asked, panic evident in my voice. My heart pounded, as though a vice had tightened around my chest, making it
Fern's PerspectiveMoonlight streamed into the room through the blinds as I sat by the window, my hands clutching my cell phone. The unexpected message on the screen made my heart skip a beat. For days after the party had ended, I'd been anxious that Giovanni might discover something about Daniel, but to my surprise, Giovanni hadn't shown up at the office. All my suspicions and insecurities gradually settled, and I convinced myself I could go on with my life as it was—until this moment."I know your secret. If you don't want it exposed, meet me tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Eclipse Café."
Fern's PerspectiveI never imagined I'd be standing in front of Giovanni at a moment like this. Six years had passed—six years enough for me to almost forget that painful memory, those deep and tangled emotions. But today, fate had brought me face-to-face with those eyes, eyes that once pierced so deeply into my heart.My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might jump out of my chest. Instinctively, I hid Daniel behind me, doing my best to block Giovanni's view. Even though I knew Giovanni's gaze was far sharper than I'd ever anticipated. My body tensed, frozen, barely able to move, and the clash of reason and in