Emma.The classes were grueling. Every hour seemed to stretch into eternity, each new move more complex than the last. My muscles ached, and sweat poured down my face. I could feel everyone's eyes on me, judging and laughing at my awkward attempts to wield a sword. I’d never been an athletic person. Gym classes in high school had been torture; anything remotely physical was a disaster waiting to happen. And self-defense? Not a chance. I’d never even tried, and now, here I was, being trained for what might be my last battle. It felt like the world was playing a cruel joke on me.Master Ugalo’s voice was rather loud as he spoke. “Remember, Emma,” he said, his tone stern, “fighting is a part of every human being. Whether it’s physical or emotional, we all fight in one way or another. It’s in our nature.”His words did little to comfort me. Maybe deep down, fighting was a part of human nature, but right now, all I felt was hopeless. The sword felt heavy in my hands, the steps too complic
Emma.“Alpha,” Gabriel’s voice shook as Kael stepped out of the shadows. He was like a storm ready to crash on a shore, and even from where I crouched, I could feel the intensity of his gaze. Kael’s eyes never left Gabriel. “How dare you?” His voice was dangerously calm, which somehow made it scarier. “Accosting a woman in the pack house?”Gabriel swallowed hard, lowering his hand. “I—I didn’t know—”“What didn’t you know, Gabriel?” Kael’s tone hardened. “That a woman shouldn’t be harassed? Or that Emma didn’t want you to touch her?”Gabriel’s eyes widened as if he couldn’t believe he was being questioned for my sake. “I—I didn’t know she was yours, Alpha,” he muttered, looking down.Kael’s jaw tightened. “It doesn’t matter if she’s my mate or not. You don’t put your hands on a female without her consent, ever.”“I’m unmated,” Gabriel pleaded, “and the full moon makes it worse for us—”“I don’t care about the moon,” Kael hissed, his voice filled with barely controlled anger. “You’re
Emma.The council room felt like it was closing in on me. I could barely breathe, my pulse hammering in my ears. Every elder’s eyes darted to the entrance where the strange gray-haired man had burst in. His eyes scanned the gathering with disgust. “Are you all mad fools?” he bellowed, slamming his staff into the floor with such force that I almost flinched. “Sitting here, watching two little girls fight to the death?!”One of the elders tried to explain, “My king, this is the Tis'Uma, it's the law—”“Silence!” he snapped, jabbing his staff in the elder’s direction. “The Tis’Uma was for warriors, not women!” His eyes swept over the room, landing on me, narrowing with each word. I felt like he was peeling back every layer of confidence I tried to cling to. “All of you, get out. Now!”I glanced nervously at the council members, who were exchanging uneasy glances before looking at Kael. When he gave them a small nod, they began to rise, some muttering apologies. The man’s voice rang out
Emma.I stood under the shower, warm water cascading down my naked body. I felt at peace, even for a few minutes. I felt relieved, like the weight of the pack wasn't resting on my shoulders. I still had a few bruises from the fight with Selena but it wasn't anything the right shade of concealer couldn't cover up. “Miss Emma,” Sir Williams’s voice broke the silence of the room. I froze, gripping the towel and wrapping it tightly against my chest. I glanced over my shoulder at the figure standing in the doorway. “Sir Williams?” I gasped, my heart hammering.He immediately turned his back, bowing low. “Apologies, my Luna! I did not realize… I—”“It’s… it’s okay.” I called, fumbling to grab my bathrobe off the hook and wrapping it around myself. I cleared my throat, trying to steady my voice. “You can look now.”Sir Williams hesitated before turning around, his eyes respectfully downcast. “Forgive me, my Luna. I had knocked for a while, and when you didn’t answer, I thought—”“I'm not
Emma.Alec's grip tightened around my arm, the cold blade pressing against my throat. “Stay back!” he shouted, his voice a strange mix of anger, regret, and madness. “No one moves, or I swear—”Kael raised his hands, his voice low and steady despite the fear in his eyes. “Alec, listen to me. You don’t have to do this. Let her go, and we can talk—”“There’s nothing left to talk about,” Alec hissed, his fingers trembling around the hilt. “She belongs with her family, not in this pack of beasts!”“Beasts?” King Drag scoffed, stepping forward, his voice dripping with disdain. “I’ll show you beasts, boy. You think you can walk into my hall, threaten my wolves, and leave alive? Never.”“Father, please,” Kael cut in sharply. “If you provoke him, he’ll hurt her. Just let me handle this.”Drag’s eyes narrowed, his tone turning icy. “Hurt her? She’s not of our blood. You think I’ll let some leech like him wag his tongue and walk out of my pack?” His gaze shifted to Alec, his lips curling into a
Emma.The room was cold as the morning light streamed through the windows and the silence wrapped around me like a heavy shroud. I was curled up on the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to fight off the overwhelming wave of guilt and confusion. Alec’s thoughts were fresh in my mind, and no matter how I turned it around, I couldn’t figure out what I could have done differently. What haunted me most was that he looked at me like I had been the one to betray him. Like all of this had been my fault. I couldn’t breathe. The walls felt like they were closing in on me, suffocating me with the weight of everything that had happened. I needed air. I needed to see Kael.I pushed myself off the bed, my legs shaky beneath me as I made my way out of the room. I didn’t know exactly where I was going, but my feet seemed to carry me toward the royal hall where Kael often met with his father.As I approached, muffled voices drifted through the heavy doors. I paused, my hand halfway to the door han
Emma.I didn't know if Alec was alive or dead. Selene's words haunted me as I laid in my room, tossing and turning and not finding sleep. It was getting dark and I hadn't eaten anything. I didn't want to face Selene at the dining table. “Lady Emma," a voice came from outside the door and I sighed, going to answer it. “The alpha has invited you to dinner again." The maid said. It was the same girl from earlier. The titles still made me very uncomfortable and most times I wondered if there would come a day I'd ever fully accept it. "Please tell him that I respectfully decline. I am not so hungry and if I am, I will eat from my room.” I replied with a bow. The girl looked like she wanted to argue but I gave her a stern face, “Please," she sighed, clearly swallowing her words, then she nodded with a sigh and went off. I wasn't looking forward to dinner. I wasn't looking forward to anything. Simple. Selene was the bane of my existence and each day spent in her presence reminded me b
Emma.It felt like waking from a perfect dream. Kael’s arm lay heavy around me, his warmth surrounding me like a shield against the outside world. For a moment, I was suspended in that blissful haze where nothing else existed—just him and me. His steady breathing brushed against my cheek, a gentle reminder of the night we'd shared. I closed my eyes, memorizing the way his fingers curled around my waist, the solid feel of his chest beneath my hand, the feel of his shaft deep inside me. For once, I felt truly complete, as though I belonged exactly where I was.A few minutes passed before I felt him stir, his length pressing against my butt. Kael shifted slightly, his arm pulling me closer for a fleeting second before his eyes opened, blinking against the soft morning light. He looked at me, a faint smile touching his lips as he noticed I was already awake.“You’re worrying, aren’t you?” he murmured, his voice low and soft.I smiled, shaking my head. “No. For once, I’m not.”He chuckled
Derek.Madrid’s voice was like background noise as I sat in my study just across the throne room. We had to restrategize for the attack against Jonathan's pack. It was getting out of hand and I was losing patience. But still, something else played out in my mind. A memory I didn't want to relive and yet it was stuck in my head. I had my hands splayed out in front of me, but my mind wasn’t there. It hadn’t been for a while now. Madrid night as well have been speaking with himself. “Alpha?” I heard him still, he sounded like a fly disturbing my thoughts. “Alpha Derek?” Madrid repeated, his voice sharper this time. I blinked and turned to him, nodding absently. “Did you hear anything I just said, Alpha?” He sounded bothered at my being distracted. I gave another small nod, though the truth was, I’d caught only fragments of his plan. Something about baiting the enemy and making them attack first. “You said we should bait them in,” I replied, hoping it was close enough. Madr
Emma.I froze. The massive wolf stood before me, its green eyes glowing wildly. My breath hitched, and I instinctively removed my hands from my breast and crossed my arms over my chest, shielding myself as best I could. But the wolf suddenly snarled and stepped closer intimidatingly. I was lost. I was trapped. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. I tried to turn away but at this time, the wolf growled and moved towards me, each step made me back away until I was now completely immersed in her shrub. “I'm sorry," I mumbled helplessly. I didn't know what I was apologizing for. Seeing him naked? Or being so moved by it that I couldn't help myself? The wolf didn't stop, it moved even closer and its eyes remained firmly on my breast, staring intensely. “Please,” I whispered, my voice trembling. The wolf moved even closer until the space between us was a few inches. I stumbled back, my foot catching on the uneven ground. It followed. My back hit the rough bark of a
Emma.I hadn't slept well. No, I was plagued with visions of Cathy trying to hunt me down and finish me off. The thought of the poison still lingered in my mind and I couldn't help but wonder how much the hybrid from her past had hurt her. I was a hybrid. But I'd never transformed. I didn't want to see the monster I'll be. Or were the doctors even right? Could I ever transform? My head was filled with these questions as I swung my heavy legs off the bed and padded to the door. I was a little hungry and Derek had warned me against starving. The knock at my door startled me as I reached for the handle. Pausing, I moved away a little. “Come in,” I called softly. The door creaked open, and Daniella stepped in, balancing a tray with a cup of latte and a plate of pancakes. Her face lit up with a shy smile at the sight of me. “Good morning, Miss Emma, you look beautiful as always.” My cheeks flushed. I felt heavy, like a bear or something. But I guess the pregnancy glow was still a
Emma.Cathy sprang to her feet, looking at me guiltily. I started, transfixed. Cathy. Cathy poisoned me. “You," I caught myself saying before I could stop myself. “What? Emma, how could you say something like that?" Her face went pale, her hands trembling slightly as she held them up in surrender. “Why would you?” I started, but my voice broke. Cathy had been my only friend in the whole pack. She was my stronghold. Why would she poison me? Why would she want me dead? Was she trying to save her pack from me? Did she think I was a spy? Words failed me. I looked at Cathy and tears poured down my face freely. “Wait,” Derek stepped between us. His voice was calm. “Cathy, did you give her the tea?” “Yes, but—” Cathy stammered, shaking her head. “I didn’t know! I swear, I didn’t know anything was wrong with it. I just made it the way I always do!” “Nightshade doesn’t accidentally end up in a cup of latte,” Derek said, his tone hardening.“I didn’t do anything!” Cathy cried out
Emma. When I woke up, I could hear the soft beeping beside me and I knew I was at the clinic again. The smell of antiseptic hit me and for a second, I heaved dryly. I had an aching temple and I wanted nothing more than to just sleep. “Hey, are you okay?" I heard a voice say softly and touch my face as I blinked my eyes open. The doctor’s face was scrunched into a slight frown as he scanned the clipboard in his hands. When he finally looked up at me, he sighed. “I’ve made a rather shocking discovery,” he said, his voice low, as if trying to soften the blow. Cathy shifted beside me, and for the first time, I saw Derek was standing in the clinic too and he crossed his arms but didn’t say a word. “What is it?” I asked, my voice shaky. The doctor glanced at Cathy briefly before looking up at me. “Emma, your body is being weakened by the hybrid nature of your child. It’s wearing your system out and your body just isn’t strong enough to sustain the pregnancy in its curr
Emma.I stayed behind the pillar, barely breathing as Tristan and Regina exchanged pleasantries with Derek. My eyes wasn't playing tricks on me. Tristan was really there and Regina was right beside him. Regina. What did she want with Tristan? Did they know each other? Did she have something to do with Roger's death? Most likely. Tristan’s presence alone was enough to unsettle me, but Regina's fake smile made it even worse. I shifted slightly to get a better view, my fingers gripping the cool stone of the pillar for support.For a second, his eyes darted in my direction and it narrowed. Had he seen me? My heart thundered as I quickly stepped back behind the house and fled the lakeside, hurrying into my room. The rest of the day became a game of avoidance. Every creak of a door, every approaching footstep sent waves of anxiety through me. I practically stayed in my room, avoiding any room I thought Tristan or Regina might enter. I was still in my room, a little too absorbed
Emma.The morning light trickled through the curtains, warming my face and waking me before I was even ready to wake. My body ached, not from physical exertion but from the discomfort of being in a place that wasn’t home. I stretched, shaking off the fog of sleep, and swung my legs over the side of the bed. I had to take a warm bath and perhaps a little stroll to ease the tension I felt within. A soft knock startled me and Cathy walked in. She was already dressed in her usual tight leather with her hair pulled pack into a neat bun. "Morning," she said, her lips stretching into an easy smile. “How are you feeling today?” I hesitated. Was there a correct answer to that? “Fine, I guess.” I lied fluidly. I was anything but fine. I wanted to be somewhere else. I wanted to be with Roger. I wanted to be home. She frowned slightly. “If you need anything, nything at all, just let me know, okay?” “Thanks,” I murmured, sincerely appreciating her concern. But now I was wary of peo
Derek.The sight of Emma standing there, naked and startled, with water dripping down her shoulders, was enough to root me in place. The basin was too small for her frame. I could see every inch of her no matter how much she tried to fold into herself. She crossed an arm over her chest, cheeks flushing a deep crimson as she tried to shield herself. Alpha," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "What... what are you doing here?" I snapped out of my stupor and cleared my throat as I bent down to retrieve the dagger. "I knocked. Twice. You didn’t answer." My voice came out more hoarse han I intended, but I couldn’t help it. Was I pissed off at her or was my husky voice a sign of something else entirely? I couldn't dwell on that. She averted her eyes, reaching for a towel on the stool beside her. "I didn’t hear you," She trailed off, pulling the towel around herself hastily. "Why are you bathing in here?" I asked, gesturing to the cramped basin. The question sounded s
Derek.The moment the doctor uttered the word hybrid, my stomach twisted. It wasn’t just shock, it was dread. I, Derek Moon, was not afraid of anything. I had lived life so fiercely that even fear cowered at my entrance. But a hybrid?Hybrids were more than rare. They were a calamity waiting to happen. And now, one was in my pack, Emma. Was she going to give birth to a hybrid baby too? Yes and that would make two hybrids. The child would be a pure blood by birth, immune to both vampire and werewolf threats. But Emma was more endangered. I didn't know what to say. I couldn't send her away. As soon as Emma was led back to the guest room, I waved the doctor off and headed for the quiet corner of the clinic where Cathy was waiting. She raised an eyebrow when she saw my face. “What’s with the grim look, alpha?” she asked, folding her arms. “Tell me everything,” I said sharply. “About the accident. From the start.” She looked taken back. “Do you still think she's a threat li