*Zac* The sun dips low on the horizon, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky as laughter and music spill out of our backyard. I glance around, soaking in the vibrant scene before me. The air is thick with the mouthwatering scent of Cukier’s famous barbecue, and I can already hear the sizzle of meat on the grill. “Is everything ready, Cukier?” I call out, catching a glimpse of my brother-in-law, his brow furrowed in concentration as he flips burgers and hot dogs with the finesse of a master chef. “Absolutely! Just about to throw on the corn,” he replies, a hint of pride in his voice. There’s something about his determination that makes me smile. He seems to always be the responsible one, but tonight, he’s relaxed, enjoying the moment with all of us. I turn my attention to the rest of our guests. The yard is a tapestry of familiar faces: Cynamon’s family, the werewolves who’ve come to celebrate. Her Aunt Elowen is chatting animatedly with LZ, her laughter ringing like m
*Cynamon*I have just gotten into the car when I receive a text, so I pull out my phone and read it. ‘Are you on your way honey ... I am getting hungry’.‘Just got in my car ... but I need to drive slow not to ruin the cakes and also find my way to the middle of nowhere. So it will take a bit.. be patient’. I shake my head as I put my phone away ... men !Turning on the GPS and pushing in the address is the first thing I do, before turning on my car and starting my journey to deliver the cupcakes I have created. That is what I do, create specially ordered cupcakes ... and to toot my own horn a bit, I can make almost anything you can imagine.I was hired by my kin
*Zac*I realise that I kinda let out a small gasp as my lungs allow me to breathe again, this woman is something special … but.. who is she ? This vision standing beside Nick, her dark eyes watching me, the pinkish lips parting softly ... holy ... wow.. What the hell just happened here ?“Z this is my girlfriend Cynamon. Honey this is Zac ... he owns this place”. Nick says, his voice sounds kinda far away.My mind is kinda trying to piece it all together and make sense of what he said. “Girlfriend ... Cinnamon ? I like cinnamon”.“Earth to Zac”. Nick chuckles. “Cynamon ... remember I told you. We’ve been on a couple of dates. She is
*Zac*“Okay Z ... spill it”. LZ flops down beside me and JR stops in front of me, crossing his arms on his wide chest.I look from one to the other, shaking my head. “Uhm spill what ?”“Zac ... you have been looking all pained and melancolic for the last couple of hours”. JR says softly. “And now you are just sitting here on the steps ... looking miserable”.“You guys worry too much.. I am fine ... everything is fine”. I run a hand through my hair, sending them a smile.LZ leans a bit forward, looking past me at Cynamon and Nick who are playing around with a fris
*Zac*I quickly get to my feet. I owe Nick to be honest with him. “You and I need to talk ... inside”.His eyes run over me ... then Cynamon. “Okay, wait here honey, I’ll be right back”.“I’ll stay with her”. LZ says with a nervous smile.“Thanks”. Me and Nick say at the same time, making him glare at me.We walk inside and I ask a couple of people to leave us alone, closing the door behind them. When I turn Nick is watching me with his arms crossed on his chest. “Okay Z ... explain”.&
*Cynamon*I spend the rest of the day feeling like I am floating around on a pink cloud. .. Zac is the most amazing man, hell the most amazing human being I have ever met. We spend every minute together ... talking, holding hands, kissing ... and no one seems to wonder why I am with him ... even Nick acts like it is totally normal.Zyca is overjoyed. She has hoped for a mate for so long and she doesn’t care that Zac is human, to her he is perfect too.In a rare moment when Zac is out of sight I take Nick’s hand. “Thank you ... for being this understanding and for ... sending him after me”.“Zac is one of my best friends and he deserves to be happy”. H
*Cynamon*“You do know that I will have to go home tomorrow right ?” I look up at Zac. We are kinda snuggled up in a couch-like thing hanging from the three on the back lawn ... how we managed to both get into it is kinda of a mystery, but for now it’s rather cosy.“Why ?” He has this way of sounding like a sad puppy that goes right to my heart. “I don't want you to leave”.I giggle and slowly run my fingers along the neckline of his tank top. “I have no clothes Zac”.“Well clothes are ... totally optional around here you know ... I won’t judge you”. He chuckles and to me that
*Cynamon*I slowly feel reality pull at me ... but I am not fully awake yet. Damn what was I dreaming ? I can’t really remember, but it was about Zac and it was pretty heated, I can still feel the warm humming in my body.To be honest I am not sure it is possible to be more comfortable than I am right now. I am warm, the bed is perfectly soft and I have Zac’s strong body pressed against me, one arm resting under my pillow, the other wrapped around my waist.‘It feels good right ?’ Zyka asks, with a lazy voice, telling me she has been sleeping too.‘It does, yes’. I admit, but then the fear and the doubts come creeping up on me. ‘We can’t d
*Zac* The sun dips low on the horizon, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky as laughter and music spill out of our backyard. I glance around, soaking in the vibrant scene before me. The air is thick with the mouthwatering scent of Cukier’s famous barbecue, and I can already hear the sizzle of meat on the grill. “Is everything ready, Cukier?” I call out, catching a glimpse of my brother-in-law, his brow furrowed in concentration as he flips burgers and hot dogs with the finesse of a master chef. “Absolutely! Just about to throw on the corn,” he replies, a hint of pride in his voice. There’s something about his determination that makes me smile. He seems to always be the responsible one, but tonight, he’s relaxed, enjoying the moment with all of us. I turn my attention to the rest of our guests. The yard is a tapestry of familiar faces: Cynamon’s family, the werewolves who’ve come to celebrate. Her Aunt Elowen is chatting animatedly with LZ, her laughter ringing like m
*Cynamon* It feels so good to be home. I am standing on the back porch with Zac, hearing Cukier and Nick bickering like an old married couple inside in the kitchen, as they are cooking dinner. But one thing is missing, my baby. Then it is like the air shimmers and a small tickling reaches my ears and there is LZ and Evangeline. A bundle nestled in LZ's arms. I pull away from Zac, a warm glow blooming in my chest. The world around us is shifting… freedom for my kind is within our grasp, and yet, right now my heart races only for our little girl. “Clementine,” I murmur, my eyes darting to the grass where I see LZ cradling her with such tenderness. I can’t help but smile at the sight. ‘She’s safe, Cynamon. Breathe,’ Zyka whispers softly, her voice like a gentle breeze brushing through my mind. I nod, feeling the reassurance wash over me. Zac squeezes my hand, grounding me. “Let’s go see her,” he says, and I can hear the eagerness in his voice. We make our way over to LZ, who is
*LZ* I sit on the soft mossy floor of the sanctuary, Clementine nestled against me, her tiny body rising and falling rhythmically with each breath. The gentle glow of the flowers around us flickers softly, like tiny stars caught in a moment of stillness. I don’t know how long we’ve been here in this place that feels like a dream, but there’s a strange comfort in the uncertainty. Each day is a blend of wonder and worry, punctuated by the need to keep Clementine safe. As I absently stroke her hair, my eyes wander to the enchanted window. Outside, the world bursts with life. Creatures of all shapes and sizes dart through the twilight, their calls ringing like chimes in the wind. A small, furry creature with bright blue fur and large, curious eyes hops by, stopping to peer at us as if assessing whether we’re friend or foe. I chuckle softly at its antics, and it seems to sense my amusement, giving a playful leap before scampering off into the underbrush, leaving behind a trail of sparkli
*Zac* I can hardly believe my eyes as a helicopter's blades slice through the air, kicking up a storm of dust and debris. My body tenses, not sure if this is good or bad. The moment I see the figure stepping out, my heart skips a beat. It’s President Karina Horton, flanked by Nick and Cukier. They managed, they got to the actual president. The small group stride forward with an air of authority that demands immediate attention. "Let him go!" Karina's voice booms, cutting through the chaos like a knife. The guard holding me tightens his grip, but there's a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. The President’s presence is magnetic, and even the bravest of men can feel their resolve wavering in the face of such power. "You are not in charge here… I take my orders from Braxton Hayes or Syler Smith only," the guard barks back, but I can see the sweat beading on his forehead, his confidence faltering with each passing second. “I am your President, and my orders outrank any other,” Karin
*Cynamon* I am sure this is where my life ends but suddenly, a piercing alarm shatters the tense silence of the room. The doctor's head snaps towards the sound, a mix of irritation and urgency crossing his features. He rushes to the intercom, pressing the button and speaking into it, but the blaring alarm drowns out his words. I strain to catch any hint of what's happening, but it's useless.He returns to me, a cruel smirk twisting his lips. "It seems your human mate has made an appearance," he says, the syringe still in his hand. Then he mutters, mostly to himself. “What an idiot.” I trash against the restraint, “Zac is here, at the compound?” "If that’s his name, yes and you should be happy. You'll see him again soon, in the afterworld… or wherever freaks like you go,” he says. Panic surges through me, a tidal wave of fear and desperation. They can't hurt Zac. Not him. Not my mate. Clementine will need her father. Inside me, Zyka stirs, her presence growing stronger, fueled by
*Evangeline* The pain in my wing is sharp, a constant reminder of the bullet that tore through it. I grit my teeth, focusing on the road ahead while my magic works to heal the wound. It's more severe than I let on, but I can't show weakness now, Zac needs me to be strong. I know the magic will mend it in time, but for now, every movement sends a jolt of pain through me. Zac's voice breaks through my thoughts, a mix of concern and urgency. "You don't have to come with me, Evangeline. I know it's dangerous, but I... I can't wait any longer. But if you stay behind, I'll understand." I glance at him, seeing the fear and determination in his eyes. He's worried about dragging me further into this mess, but he doesn't realize that I'm already in too deep. "I'm coming with you, Zac. We're in this together," I say firmly, gripping the steering wheel tighter. The thought of what might happen at the compound sends a shiver down my spine, but the risk is worth it if it means saving Cynamon
*Zac* The air crackles with the sound of gunfire. I see Evangeline's face, I am not sure I have ever seen anyone look that furious, but her eyes are full of determination, as she throws that paperweight. Then, it feels like the world is a blur. One second, I'm staring down the barrels of several very scary-looking guns; the next, I'm falling. Falling really fast to a certain dead. The wind screams past my ears, a deafening roar that drowns out the shouts and the still-echoing gunfire. As the ground rushes up to meet me, I close my eyes, hoping for a miracle. Suddenly it is like time slows, or actually I slow. My eyes springs open and Evangeline is there, holding me, her face pale, but her eyes blazing with relief. Those goddamn fairy wings are unfurled, shimmering like iridescent stained glass in the twilight. She looks strained, almost burdened by something heavy. Me. Her breathing is slightly laboured. She lets out a groan, and I feel like apologising for my size,
*Evangeline* The polished floor gleams under the harsh fluorescent lights of the corridor. My hand, still clasped tightly in Zac's, feels clammy. Each step echoes, amplifying the tension that coils in my gut. This place… it reeks of sterile efficiency, a thin veneer masking something far more sinister. Zac’s words about horrors still hang in the air, a chilling echo in the silent, imposing hallway. We're led into a vast, minimalist office. Braxton Hayes, the CEO, sits behind a massive desk, his face a mask of controlled composure. He looks like a hawk, sharp and predatory, his eyes scrutinizing us. “State your business,” his voice is smooth, devoid of any warmth. It's the voice of a man accustomed to power, accustomed to getting what he wants. Zac steps forward, his jaw tight. “We know about the werewolves.” The CEO raises an eyebrow, a barely perceptible movement. “I assure you, you have the wrong end of the stick.” His voice is laced with a disarming calm, a deliberate
*Nick* A week. A week of dead ends, each one a fresh stab of despair. Then, a crumpled napkin, discarded near an overflowing ashtray in a dimly lit bar… a name scribbled on the back: Miles Kendrick. Low-level security, gambling debts visible in the tremor of his hand, and a weakness for expensive bourbon. Cukier’s eyes, usually hidden behind a screen of nervous energy, gleam with predatory amusement. “Our key,” he murmurs, the words a low purr. “A little… persuasion, and Kendrick will be more than happy to unlock the President’s private suite. For a price, of course.” The Grand Hyatt looms, a steel and glass monolith against the bruised twilight sky. Inside, the air hangs thick with the scent of polished marble and expensive perfume, a stark contrast to the stale beer smell clinging to Kendrick. Cukier, a chameleon in a perfectly tailored suit, moves with a practiced grace that borders on supernatural. He isn’t just walking; he is gliding, his presence subtly erasing itself from t