Emma.I would rather be anywhere than here. Yet, I found myself walking closer to him. Seeking his touch, his warmth, his eyes. . My fingers trembled as I toyed with the fabric of my dress, my gaze fixed on the ground. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him. Derek was there, just a few feet away, and yet it felt as though an ocean stretched between us. My stomach felt hollow with doubt and fear, and I hated myself for even being here. “Emma," he called out to me again and I blinked. “Alpha Derek," I replied meekly. “Why are you here?” His voice was cold, distant, “Is there something wrong with your room?” I flinched at his tone. It was dismissive and I looked down. “No, the room is fine,” I stammered. My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat quickly. “That’s not why I’m here.” Derek's eyes bore into mine. “Then why?” My breath hitched as tears pricked my eyes. I hated this feeling. I felt small, exposed, and foolish. “I’m sorry,” I muttered, backing toward the door. “I s
Emma.The news hit me like a thunderclap. An attack on the pack. My heart raced as Derek’s eyes turned to meet mine. What would happen to me? Would he be safe? Would he end up like Roger? I was scared. Scared for him, scared for me. Scared for what would happen to me and my child if he ended up dead. “I need you to stay here,” he said firmly, “I’ll go check on what’s happening.” I shook my head, stepping closer. “No, please don’t go out there. It’s too dangerous.” He looked at me oddly for a second. He didn't understand. But of course I didn't expect him to. “I can’t just stay here while my pack is under attack. I’m their alpha. It’s my responsibility to protect them.” “You can’t protect anyone if you’re hurt or worse,” I argued. I didn't expect him to understand. I knew that he wouldn't understand. He placed his hands on my shoulders softly and drew his face closer to mine. “Emma, you’re vulnerable right now. I need to know you’re safe. Stay here. Don’t leave this room.”
Emma.The pain was unbearable. I wanted it to go away. I wanted to be numb. I was shaking as I felt the warm gush of water dripping down my thighs. My legs couldn't hold me up anymore. It gave out beneath me, and I crumbled to the ground. It wasn’t just the pain, it was the fear. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not now, not here, not like this. I heard Cathy’s voice right beside me as she tried to grab hold of me. “Emma! You have to breathe!” I couldn’t. The contractions hit me like waves, each one stronger than the last. My body convulsed and I cried out. “Take deep breaths," Cathy urged and held my arms. But I couldn't breathe. I couldn't pull in air into my lungs. It felt like a task. Something so simple felt like a Herculean task. I could see Derek gazing at me worriedly. Like he didn't know what was happening to me. And maybe he didn't. “Emma, what’s going on?” Derek asked in confusion. Cathy turned on him impatiently. “What’s happening? The baby is coming!” Derek’
Emma.The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the darkness. It wrapped around me like some sort of blanket, and for a moment, I panicked, thinking I’d lost my sight. But on second thought, I might be dead. I should be dead. My heart raced wildly until I blinked and finally saw something. It was tendrils of smoke curling out from a clay pot placed on a table to my left. I coughed, my throat dry and raw, and tried to sit up. But pain shot through my body and I fell back against the bed, hissing in agony. My head throbbed, my limbs ached, and it felt like every part of me was screaming for relief. I couldn't feel my legs. I couldn't feel my arms. I opened my mouth to call out, but the sound that came was hoarse and weak, a rasp more than a voice. There was no way someone could hear me and come to my aid. I had to move. Swallowing hard, I swung my legs off the bed and struggled to hoist myself to the floor. The next thing I knew, I was on the floor and a sharp pain jolted thr
Emma.The hammock rocked gently under me, swaying with the breeze. It was slightly chilly and I could smell the pine and dew in the air. I was outside at the edge of the forest surrounding Derek’s chambers. It was a peaceful moment. The kind I hadn’t experienced in such a long time. But somehow, I knew I wasn't totally alone. Ahead, I could see the guards stationed at the edge of the clearing, clearly armed. The baby in my arms stirred against my chest and a soft sigh escaped her tiny lips. My heart clenched as I looked down at her perfect face, so small, so peaceful. She was everything I never knew I needed. Soon, I heard footsteps and looked up to see Derek approaching. My heart skipped and without thinking, I adjusted my dress, pulling at the sleeves to cover my bare shoulders and the hem to cover my thighs. My hands fumbled nervously as I looked down, trying to avoid his gaze. “What are you hiding from me?” His voice was low, almost teasing. “The ivory breasts? Your juic
Emma.Tristan. Tristan. The name rang in my head as I sat, frozen on the hammock. “Tristan," I muttered, as if bringing my own fears to life. The moment Cathy walked away, I knew I couldn’t keep hiding. The lies I had built my life around was beginning to feel like a noose tightening around my neck. I couldn’t run from the truth anymore. I couldn't run from my past. I couldn't run from Derek, or from myself.“Alpha Derek,” I called out with a shaky voice. How would I start? What would I say? He knew I had secrets of my own. But surprisingly, since after the birth of Violet, Derek had inquired nothing. He acted like he'd completely forgotten all that I had said to him the night of the attack. He didn't probe. He didn't question. He just let me be. As I called out to him, he turned, his brows furrowed with concern. “What is it, Emma?” He asked and then on a second thought added, "Why are you still so formal with me? Just call me Derek.”I shook my head. I couldn't call him Derek
Emma.My nemesis. I was staring right at my enemies. The reason I stayed up at night in fear and couldn't find rest even in the dream world. . “Did you really think I wouldn’t find you?” she hissed. I couldn't move. I was frozen to the spot, my legs trembling as I stood. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t say a word. My nightmare was right before me. And it felt like death itself had come for me. Cathy, who was cradling her baby in the corner, looked between us with confusion clearly written on her face. “What’s going on?” Cathy asked, glancing between me and Regina. “You two know each other?” Regina let out a bitter laugh that thinned into a cruel smirk. She stepped closer, crossing her arms as she glared at me. “Oh, I know her well enough. She’s a whore who falls for every alpha she meets.” Cathy’s eyes widened as she turned to me. “What is she talking about?” My lips trembled, and tears stung my eyes. “She’s lying,” I choked out. “Lying?” Regina sneered. “What am I lying abou
Emma.Was he going to fight for me? Would he end up like Roger? For a second I felt cold fear wrap around me. I was afraid of losing Derek. I was afraid of going back to Tristan. He was a killer. He was a vile man and I didn't ever want to be with him. “You think you can waltz in here and dictate terms, Tristan?” Derek growled angrily. “I came for her, Derek. You have no right to keep her here!” Tristan snarled back. “You know the rules, you know I can claim my property!" Derek didn't move out of the way. His fist remained balled by his side. Then he slowly let his animal side take over. “You don’t deserve her,” Derek snapped. “You lost any claim to her the moment you sold her out!” Tristan lunged forward, but Derek was ready. He stepped out of the way just in time to transform totally into his werewolf form. Cathy who stood far off immediately also transformed into a wolf at the sight of Derek in danger. I grabbed the baby off the desk where she'd placed her and ran to the c
Emma.Life has a funny way of coming full circle. One moment you're a normal teacher trying to help void beings understand humanity, the next you're standing in front of a classroom filled with every kind of supernatural being imaginable, all eager to learn the art of cosmic evolution."Remember," I said to the diverse group before me, "everyone's path to transformation is unique. What works for a vampire won't necessarily work for a werewolf. What feels natural to a void being might be challenging for a witch."The classroom – now expanded to accommodate our growing community – hummed with excited energy. Through my evolved awareness, I could see each being's potential shimmering just beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered.Derek stood beside me, his vampire-cosmic nature casting beautiful patterns across the walls. "The key is finding your anchor," he demonstrated, shifting between states while maintaining his core essence. "The thing that makes you uniquely you, even as you
Emma."Remember," Derek said to the small group of vampires gathered in our backyard, "it's not about fighting your nature. It's about letting it expand."I watched from the porch as my husband guided the first volunteers through their initial steps into cosmic evolution. Each vampire's shadow was beginning to shimmer with possibility, their immortal essence reaching for something new."Like this?" A younger vampire named Marcus asked, his form flickering between states."Almost," Derek moved closer, his own transformed nature casting constellation patterns across the grass. "Don't try to leave your vampire self behind. Let it be your anchor while you reach for the cosmic."First drifted between the practicing vampires, offering their unique perspective. "Is like learning new language. Still speak old language, but now can speak new one too. Both together make more meaning."From inside the house, I could hear Mom and Sara working with another group of supernatural researchers. The wo
Emma.You'd think that after everything we'd been through, nothing could surprise the supernatural council anymore. But watching a room full of ancient beings literally lose their composure as Derek demonstrated his new abilities?Priceless."Impossible," one of the vampire elders whispered as Derek shifted between shadow and starlight, his vampiric essence now interwoven with cosmic energy in ways that defied their oldest laws. "Our nature is fixed. Unchanging.""Clearly not," Mom interjected, spreading out her research data. "What we're seeing is a natural evolution of supernatural energy. The vampire's immortal essence provides the perfect conduit for cosmic transformation."I watched as Derek moved through states of existence as easily as breathing, his vampire nature not fighting the change but embracing it, enhancing it. He was neither fully vampire nor fully cosmic, but something gloriously in between."Show them the bridge thing," Violet encouraged from where she sat cross-leg
Emma.They say evolution is a slow process. Try telling that to a family that just accidentally created an entirely new form of supernatural existence over an evening kiss."So," Sara said, her scientific equipment scattered across our living room while she tried to make sense of readings that kept shifting into impossible patterns, "let me get this straight. You two kissed...""And the universe basically went 'oh, that's a good idea' and decided to upgrade everyone?" Violet finished, still experimenting with her new abilities by making small objects phase between vampire shadow and cosmic light."Not quite everyone," Mom corrected, looking up from her rapidly filling notebook. "Just those with a direct connection to both vampire and cosmic energies. Though the implications for supernatural evolution are fascinating-""Maybe we could focus on the immediate situation?" Derek suggested, his new form casting constellation patterns on the walls every time he moved. "Like figuring out if t
Emma.It started with a kiss.Which, if you think about it, is how a lot of supernatural revelations seem to happen in my life. Though this one was admittedly more spectacular than usual.Derek and I were having a rare quiet moment on the back porch. I was still in my human form, day ten of the "cosmic detox" as everyone had started calling it. He was watching the sunset with that particular intensity that only vampires and artists seem to manage."I miss this," he said softly, his hand finding mine in the growing darkness."Sunsets?""Being able to touch you without worrying about cosmic interference."I smiled, squeezing his hand. "Well, according to Sara, I should be able to start accessing my powers again soon. Though," I looked down at our intertwined fingers, "I'm thinking maybe I'll try to stay human-shaped more often."He turned to me then, and something in his expression made my very human heart skip. "You know," he said thoughtfully, "I've been thinking about what you said a
Emma.Have you ever had to orchestrate a disaster so perfectly that it teaches a lesson without actually destroying reality? It's trickier than you might think, especially when you're working with beings that consider quantum physics a hobby and existence optional."Everything ready?" I asked First as we watched the eager void beings put what they thought were the finishing touches on their transformation machine.They nodded, their form perfectly stable despite the excitement. "Others in position. Remember plan."The plan was beautiful in its simplicity, really. Sometimes the best teaching moments come from carefully controlled failure. And who better to control failure than a group of experienced void beings pretending to be inexperienced void beings?"Sara?" I checked my very human watch – another adjustment I was still getting used to."Containment fields are ready," she confirmed from her position behind the monitoring equipment. "Though I still think this is insane.""Welcome to
Emma.You know what's worse than a supernatural crisis? A supernatural crisis when you're temporarily grounded from your cosmic powers.The call came during what was supposed to be a normal human lunch break – another exciting adventure in remembering how to eat food that existed in only one dimension at a time. Mom's voice had that careful calm that immediately set off every alarm bell in my very human nervous system."So," she said, "don't panic, but we might have a situation at the void being integration center."I put down my sandwich, already reaching for my car keys. "Define 'situation.'""Remember those void beings that tried to speed-run transformation downtown?""Please tell me they're not back.""Not exactly," Mom hedged. "But apparently they told some friends about their experience. Friends who decided that if quick transformation was possible, maybe they could find a way to... streamline the process.""Streamline how?" I asked, though I had a sinking feeling I knew where t
Emma.It was strange, seeing myself as just... me. No cosmic energy rippling beneath my skin, no reality-bending aura, no occasional transparency. Just Emma, with bed hair and yesterday's t-shirt, looking simultaneously more solid and more fragile than I remembered.The smell of coffee drifted up from the kitchen, and my very human stomach growled in response. That was another thing I'd forgotten about – actual hunger, not just the abstract concept of energy needs that I'd been dealing with in my transformed state.Making my way carefully downstairs (after successfully remembering to open the door this time), I found Derek at the stove and Violet at the table, both watching me like I might accidentally try to float through the ceiling."I'm fine," I said, heading for the coffee pot with the determination of a heat-seeking missile. "Just... readjusting.""Uh-huh," Violet said, not even trying to hide her amusement as I missed the coffee mug twice before successfully pouring. "That's wh
Emma.Turns out, downgrading from cosmic entity to regular human is about as graceful as trying to parallel park a spaceship. In the dark. While wearing oven mitts."Focus on your breathing," Sara instructed as we sat in the meditation room she'd set up in her basement lab. The walls were lined with specially designed dampeners to block out cosmic frequencies. "Try to feel your core self.""I'm trying," I muttered, then winced as my voice made the air ripple. "But it's like trying to forget how to read. Once you know what all the letters mean, you can't just... not know.""Then don't try to forget," Mom suggested from where she sat taking notes. "Try to remember instead. Remember what it felt like to be just Emma."Just Emma. The phrase echoed through my being, stirring something deep and familiar. I closed my eyes, thinking back to simpler times. Movie nights with Derek. Teaching Violet to ride a bike. Burning dinner and ordering pizza instead. Normal, human moments.My form flickere