Bella:The thirty-first flew by in the blink of an eye with only a few hours left until new year. Despite the lingering sadness from my broken family, Finn had been my rock, helping me find strength. Being with him brought a sense of relaxation I hadn’t felt in a long time. I had never enjoyed planning a party, but today, because of him, I did.“The party is about to start, and people are already on their way.” Finn’s words jolted me from my thoughts as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close until my back was against his chest.“I will always be with you, and I want you to remember that. I hope this party will take away your worries,” he whispered, pressing his lips to my cheek.I forced a smile, trying to believe his words.Finn and I had showered together, and I dressed in a mini jean skirt, a crop top, and sneakers. Finn wore a baseball tee, baggy cargo pants, and sneakers.“You look great,” I said as I applied my lipstick in
Bella:Last night had been the longest I had stayed up, and I hated myself more for what I had done. I looked around for Finn, but he wasn’t nearby; I couldn’t pick up his scent, so I had to force myself to sleep.Maybe I overreacted, but how could I have known? She was all over him, and he took her to the room.No, you are wrong; I told myself as I curled up in bed, my heart feeling like it would pop out of my chest.Suddenly, his scent swirled around me, causing me to jump out of bed. I grabbed the door, opening it to find the hallway bare, which made my heart sink, but I didn’t stop. With weak legs, I made my way downstairs until I reached the bottom, where I saw him sitting on the couch with his head thrown back. Did he really have to sleep out the whole night?He opened his eyes at once and got to his feet. I expected him to be cold, but then he rushed up to me, pulling me into a hug.“I’m sorry about last night,” I said, wrapping my arms around him with tears in my eyes.“No, I
Bella:Knowing that Ryder wasn’t coming to get me made me feel a pang of anger that I tried not to let get to me. He was far away on an island in Frost Pack, but I felt he could have spared the day just to be with me. Finn could have easily allowed me to take a bus or sent his father’s men, but he drove to and fro to get me. Ryder couldn’t even do that.I’m just overreacting, I told myself as I made my way out of the house, with Finn following behind.“Are you sure you’ll be okay alone on the trip?” Finn asked, causing me to pause in my tracks. I couldn’t tell yet, and I was about to find out. “I could come with you if you wanted,” Finn said as we continued towards the car with the men suited up carrying my luggage.I let out a sigh of distress. “I’ll be fine, I guess,” I said, tucking my hands in the pocket of my jeans. “See you in a week,” I added, and he sighed, kissing me briefly before pulling away.He let go of me, and I made my way towards the car, only to be pulled back to him
Bella:Ryder’s nerve was brain-racking. He came back in the middle of the night, spooning me as if he hadn’t done anything wrong, while a used condom lay underneath his bed. The sight made me uneasy, sending sharp, jabbing sensations to my chest that became unbearable with each passing minute. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I slipped his hands away from my body and pushed my feet off the bed.“It’s too early to get up, come back to bed,” he murmured lazily, which only heightened the anger surging through every muscle in my body.I gritted my teeth, taking steady breaths while my hands gripped the sheets tightly. Then I stood up and walked towards the curtain. With a firm grip, I pulled it open, allowing the early morning sunlight to flood the room and disrupt Ryder’s sleep.“Hey, what gives?” he questioned, throwing a pillow over his head. “I’m trying to get some sleep.” His words made my eyebrows shoot up as I marched towards his bed, grabbing the pillow, and flinging it away.He r
Bella:“Keep your eyes on the mirror.”Those words sent shudders down my body as Ryder grabbed my waist, tilting me to face the mirror. He ran his hands up my thighs, letting them rest on the nightwear beneath my robe. Then his hands moved to the belt, undoing it while he planted kisses on my shoulder, dragging off the robe.I gasped, heat rising in my body as his kisses trailed down my back. I stood briefly, allowing him to remove the robe completely, leaving me in my see-through nightdress, my hardened nipples pressing against the fabric.“Do you see how beautiful you are?” he asked, pulling me back onto his lap. “Or do you want me to show you more?” he whispered in my ear, peering at me through the mirror, intertwining our hands.I swallowed hard, pressing my legs together, barely able to contain the heat within. He ran his hands on my thighs, patting my lap gently, gaining entrance.As his hands rested on my core, he whispered, “Tell me.” He ran his index and middle finger over th
Bella:“It’s crazy how the days are flying by,” Ryder said, breaking the spell of the book I was engrossed in. I closed it and looked at him as he sat close, lifting my legs onto his lap. His warmth seeped into my skin.“I’ve kept you cooped up here for days, just eating and lounging around. I must be boring you to death,” he said, his voice tinged with concern. His lips puckered in a mock pout, making me smile. I took his hand, sitting up to reassure him.“I love being with you, Ryder. We don’t need anything spectacular. How about a walk?” I suggested, hoping to ease his mind. He sprang to his feet immediately, his sudden energy almost startling me. He began pacing around the room, one hand covering his mouth, the other resting on his waist.It was a familiar sight—Ryder overthinking things again.He suddenly clapped his hands, eyes lighting up with an idea. “I’ve got it!” He rushed over, grabbing my thighs and shaking me gently. “A party! But not just any party, I—”“Let it go,” I i
Bella:The walk back to the house was far from peaceful. My mind was a whirlpool of thoughts, each more distressing than the last. Sebastine in Frost Pack? It had to be a joke.Someone from my past playing a cruel prank. But who? Father wouldn’t do this, or could it be Fae? That thought sent a shiver down my spine, worse than the idea of Sebastine being here. My anxiety tightened like a vise around my chest.“Did I do something wrong?” Ryder’s voice cut through my internal chaos. He sounded worried, his brow furrowing as he glanced at me. “You’ve been so quiet since we started walking back. Did I…?”“No, Ryder,” I interrupted, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. “I’m just a bit hungry. I’ll be fine once we get home,” I lied, hoping to ease his concern.I tried to return to my nerve-racking internal debate, but his worried eyes haunted me all the way home.As we stepped into the house, I unwound the muffler from around my neck, hanging it on the coat rack. The rich aroma of
Bella:Despite my vacation nearing its end and the unsettling possibility of Sebastine stalking me from the shadows, I woke up with a wide smile. For now, I felt on top of the world. The triplets had gone off in their various ways to prove their worthiness, sometimes making me feel undeserving. Yet, this was all part of the Moon goddess’s design, and she knew best.I opened my eyes slowly, careful not to disturb Ryder’s firm hold on me. His steady breath against my neck was a comforting rhythm, but I needed a moment to myself. I wriggled out of his arms, slipping quietly out of bed, and made my way to the balcony. The chilly morning air greeted me, biting at my skin, but the view was worth it.The snow-covered beach stretched out before me, meeting the icy waters of the ocean. Birds chirped in the trees nearby, their melodies echoing in the calm air. I gripped the railings, feeling the support of the balustrades beneath my fingers, and let the serene scene wash over me.Suddenly, Ryde
THIRD PERSON POV:Bella stood over Enzo’s battered form, her chest heavy from the stresss. Blood dripped from the cuts on her face and arms, but victory was near, so she held herself steady.“Bella! Catch!” Kai yelled, tossing her the stake.“No, you do not have to do this. We are partners,” Enzo said to her, and Bella scoffed. She hated the fact he thought his ‘sweet’ words would change her heart after she saw him take everyone she cared about.Bella reached up, her fingers closing around the black shaft, then she glared at Enzo, who was struggling under her grip. His once-dominating presence was reduced to desperation.“You deserve nothing but death,” Bella said to him, and he chuckled.“I will always find a way to ret—” Before he could finish, she drove the stake into his heart, and he gave a deafening scream that reverberated through the ground.Dark energy swirled around him as his body was being torn apart. Bella wasted no time pulling the stake free and driving it into his head
THIRD PERSON POV:As Bella’s body rose, her hand stretched out, pointing towards Enzo. Then the glow in her eyes dissipated as her eyes opened.“You want me, Enzo? Then come and get me!” she yelled at once. Enzo’s lips curled into a wicked grin, bloodlust evident in his eyes. He released Herald’s broken body, letting it fall to the ground.“Finally, you’re done hiding behind your pathetic friends. I’ll enjoy ripping you apart.” He licked his lips.In a blur, Enzo charged at Bella with blinding speed. Bella stood her ground as he closed the distance between them. She moved calmly, causing him to fall to the ground. Hazel undid the shield protecting them, and they tried to step in, but Bella turned to them.“This is my fight, and if you want to be helpful, then look around. Our troops are dying, and my father.” She locked off her emotions to prevent her mind from getting clouded by the thoughts of her father, who seemed to be dying.Then she turned to Enzo, who got to his feet with a sh
THIRD PERSON POV:Enzo’s eyes narrowed as he saw Sue collapse, clutching her chest where Fred had slashed her. She watched as the venom of his bite spread faster into her bloodstream. It was worse than being bitten by a living wolf, as it was consuming her twice. Rage bubbled inside Enzo as he watched her. She was useless to him, and he felt the need to get rid of her, as she had only foiled all his plans.“You!” He growled under his breath, leaving Halle and rushing toward Sue. As she saw her uncle from the fading light that drew her closer to death, her eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope.“You… you came to help me,” she whispered weakly, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. “I… knew you… cared…”Enzo stared at her in disgust as she said this, and for a moment, it seemed like the battlefield held its breath for this moment where Enzo was about to show kindness.With one pull, Enzo had Sue on her feet, then he stared into her eyes. “Of course, I came for you, Sue. You’ve been
THIRD PERSON POV:Enzo was still outraged about his failed immortality experiment. He was tired of running in circles with Bella and the entire werewolf community. He had sworn it would end that night, but now that it had failed, he imagined finding four hundred werewolves all over. That was close to impossible, and it was eating him deeply.“I asked you for one job, and you couldn’t get it right, yet you want me to acknowledge you!” Enzo barked at Sue, who was still in shock over what had happened.“I swear I didn’t do anything, Enzo. I would never do anything to jeopardize your plan. I will worship you forever, and—”“Silence!” he roared. “You are even more pathetic than my brother!” He gritted his teeth, and Sue felt as though multiple daggers were being thrown into her chest.He had to mention her father. It was said her father died fighting him, but Enzo had taken a liking to her, so he kept her as his daughter. He was nicer to her as a kid, but he abhorred her now, and it hurt.
THIRD PERSON POV:The air reeked of blood and smoke, thick with the cries of war. The Dusk Pack's territory, once a sprawling, serene land, had become a battlefield drowned in chaos. The moon hung low, partially obscured by clouds, casting pale light on the destruction below. Growls and screams filled the night as werewolves clashed with vampires in a brutal fight.Ryder stood at the heart of the storm, his wolf eyes glowing a fierce gold as he ripped through the enemy ranks with unrelenting force. His clothes were torn and soaked in blood. He wondered how his father was doing and if he thought of him often. Then there was Bella, whom he hadn’t heard from in a while. As he fought, he was determined to win because there were a lot of people he needed to reconnect with.They had been torn apart after the vampires struck their den, forcing them to flee back to the Dusk Pack with Riley. He had been scared of his father’s wrath, but now he wished he had listened.“Behind you!” Ryder roared
THIRD PERSON POV:Bella’s spirit wandered aimlessly, her bare feet touching nothing but mist and shadow. The world around her was colorless—a sea of gray stretching infinitely in all directions. There was no up, no down, just an endless void that pulsed with her heartbeat, faint and unsteady.“Where am I?” she whispered as a chill ran up her spine.It was cold here. She looked down at herself, seeing her missing arm somehow restored. She touched it in confusion.“What the hell? What is going on?” she asked aloud, but there was no one to answer her questions.Then she noticed it. A faint, flickering golden glow ahead. It pulsed like a beacon in the dark, and though her instincts screamed for her to run, but she couldn’t stop herself from moving toward it. She was curious to find out what was going on, and she wondered if this was what it felt like to be dead.As she got closer, the glow grew brighter, and soon the mist thinned to reveal something that made her blood run cold. It was hi
THIRD PERSON POV:“Bella!” Hazel’s voice cracked as she rushed toward her, the globe clutched tightly against her chest.“No, stay back!” Halle’s voice cut through the chaos.Bella staggered to her feet, clutching her side where Sue had struck her.“But she’s dying!” Hazel’s voice was shrill, filled with panic and anger.Bella barely registered their words. The sound of her own heartbeat pounded in her ears, growing fainter with each passing moment. Her head drooped, and she let out a weak, shuddering breath. Darkness started to creep into her vision, the edges of her consciousness slipping away. She could heal, but not regenerate an arm, and she was in fear cause her to bleed too much, making it difficult to focus on healing. Evelyn rushed to her, holding her and trying to apply pressure to the bleeding arm. She was scared her daughter would die.Then the ground trembled beneath them.At first, it was a faint vibration rippling through the earth. But within moments, it grew into a vi
THIRD PERSON POV:As the chant of the witches echoed in the air, Hazel and Bella stood close to the rock. Halle stood nearby with her hands raised as she reinforced the protective barrier.“Are you both ready?” Halle asked the two, and they glanced at each other, nodding. They each bit their palms, letting blood drip onto the surface of the rock. The ground trembled as the stone absorbed their blood. A surge of energy rippled outward, and for a moment, it seemed like they had succeeded. But then a chilling laugh echoed through the air, freezing them in place.Sue emerged from the darkness, but neither Bella nor Hazel was moved. The witches kept chanting their spell, and Halle, who had created a powerful barrier, turned to Sue.“Well, isn’t this touching? The living and the dead all merged together. What a joyous reunion,” she said in a mocking tone.Sebastian moved first, stepping between Sue and the girls.“Stay back!” he growled, raising his hands defensively, and Sue chuckled light
THIRD PERSON POV:Fae turned sharply to Sebastian, her eyes blazing with fury.“What the fuck did you just do?” she hissed, her voice sharp enough to cut glass. Sebastian remained still. He didn’t answer, and his gaze fixed on the stone as his blood trickled down its surface.“Sebastian!” Fae snarled, stepping closer as she burned with rage. “You just ruined—”A slow creak interrupted her. It came from deep within the ground beneath the stone, a sound like an ancient door being forced open. Fae froze, her anger replaced by confusion.“What’s that?” she whispered as fear crossed her heart.The vampires surrounding them snapped to attention, their heads turning toward the noise. Before anyone could react, the vampires behind Bella and Hazel snapped their necks, allowing them to fall into darkness.**Bella’s eyes fluttered open. Her head throbbed, and her vision was hazy. She sat up slowly in a sluggish motion. It was still nighttime, and she was trying to remember what had happened.“W