“Catherine, dear.” I hear my mother call from the kitchen and I hurry out of my room. I run down the stairs, skipping a few at the end.“Jake is here,” she says with wide eyes and a smile. I chuckle at her reaction as I make my way to the door.“Thanks,” I say over my shoulder before opening the door. I shudder at the coldness nipping at my nose and cheeks. I wrap my arms around me and watch Jake park in our driveway. I run to the car, careful not to trip over my feet.Jake has barely gotten out of the car before I throw my arms around him, pulling him in for a hug. He laughs into the embrace, picking me up to hug me tightly.“Hi,” I whisper into the embrace. He puts me down slowly and pulls back.“Hi. I missed you,” he says, holding his hand out for me to take. I smile at him and take his hand. We have come such a long way.“Did you get what you guys were looking for today?” Jake and some of the other pack members had to skip school to find something about hunters or something along
“I think that is them,” my mother says while she peeks out of the window. I glance at Jake who is following my dad’s lead to stand up. “Did you also set a plate for Bianca and Oliver?” My mother asks, her voice tinged with anxiety. I laugh at her while I shake my head.“Yes, of course- ““There’s only five plates,” my dad remarks and I snap my eyes to the dinner table. Five?“I apologize,” I say with embarrassment. I just blocked Bianca out of my head. I hear my mother and father making their way to the door. Jake shuffles over to me, helping me set another place for Bianca.“I didn’t know she would also be here,” Jake whispers to me. I hum softly in response.“Me neither. Ugh, and I actually thought tonight could be fun.” I cross my arms, glaring at the door opening.“It will be,” Jake reassures me, putting his arm around me and hugging me. I laugh softly and plant a quick kiss on his cheek. Red ears.“Good evening,” Oliver says with a chirpy tone. I make my way to where my mother
I sit up and rest my hand on his arm.“Are you all right?” I ask, giving his arm a soft squeeze. He closes his eyes for a second before he turns to me.“Yes, why?” he asks, and I tilt my head with a smile.“Jake, you can be honest with me. Why is your wolf angry?” I point to his eyes. Jake’s brows knit together while he looks at me.“What do you mean? My wolf is not angry.” He leans closer to me. “What makes you think that?” His hand reaches to tuck a loose strand from my face.“I- Well, the gold eyes. Whenever your wolf’s eyes show, it must mean that your wolf is triggered,” I ask more than I say. I thought that was how it worked. Perhaps I have read too many Wattpad stories.“Yeah, something like that. How are you so observant?” he asks, leaning back on the bed. I scoff with a slight smile. Years and years of werewolf stories, alright mate. “I don’t know,” I lie with a shrug. I notice his eyes changing and I shoot closer to him. “See, right there. For what was that?” Jake stares
I turn onto my side with a soft huff, tucking my elbow beneath my head as I stare into the oppressive darkness of the wall across from me. A soft sigh escapes my lips.Those stupid messages from the author have wormed their way into my thoughts. The feeling of imminent dread clings to me and it only worsens my stress-ridden migraine. I don’t know what the author has planned for me.And since she’s veered completely off the original storyline, I have no idea what could possibly happen.A thud from the window jolts me upright. What was that?I strain my ears, waiting for another sound, but the silence that follows is thick and suffocating. My skin prickles with unease. I groan, running a hand through my hair in frustration. Seriously? Is the author just toying with me now?I sink back onto the bed, pulling the covers up to my chin as if they could somehow shield me from whatever is coming.The door to my parents’ room creaks open. Heavy footsteps tread past my door, descending the stair
The rope bites into my hands, rough and unforgiving. Something hard digs into my shoulder. I attempt to open my eyes, but they are glued shut.With a groan, I force them open. The room is not brightly lit and I have to adjust my vision.Where the hell am I?My head lolls to the side, my neck protesting the motion. That is when I notice Allison across from me. Her gaze is locked on the door. Her hands are tied behind her, the same as mine. We are both bound to wooden chairs.Glancing over my shoulder, I see the window. Through the window I notice that we must be deep into the forest, the dark green giving our location away."Hey," Allison whispers, her voice barely cutting through the silence. My eyes snap back to her. The thick wood beams overhead give it an almost primitive feel. It gives off basement vibes.“What is going on? Where are we?” I ask, failing to hide the panic in my voice. I clear my throat and shake my head to clear the fog.Allison’s eyes flick back to the door, then
“I’m one of them?” The words slip from my lips, weak. My father’s expression darkens as he nods slowly.“I can’t let them kill them all,” he whispers. “I have to stop them. Will you help me? Without telling on me?” His gaze darts back to the door, panic clear in his eyes.The pounding in my head intensifies, the sharp light streaming in through the window making me wince. I try to steady my breathing and nod automatically though my mind is a whirl of confusion. “Of course,” I hear myself say, though I feel detached from the words. How did I—how did Kate—become a hunter?I am part of the plan.Allison got caught because of me.What does he mean by killing them all?“Follow my lead.” He turns away from me, heading to the door. The short man from before enters, catching us off guard.“Ah, Kate. I need to put you here,” he says, grabbing my arm and guiding me toward the large window at the far end of the room. “Stand here,” he says as he positions me in the middle. “Perfect. We really cou
The alarm rings.06:00I stare at it, the sound cutting through the silence of the house. A sigh escapes my lips as I reach over to turn it off. Everything feels like a vivid dream. One I can’t wake up from.I thought I could handle this, that it was just a silly Wattpad story, but the emotions are real.Too real.The blood on my hands, the lifeless body of my father.I glance down, half-expecting to see the crimson stains still clinging to my skin. I can feel it.I shoot up, the empty feeling threatening to resurface. I shake my head and force myself out of bed, groaning when I hit the ground. I check my messages.Nothing.Jake has vanished, along with Tyler and Allison. They all think I’m some kind of pro-hunter, responsible for the deaths of twenty pack members.And my father.Stumbling to the closet, I sift through clothes. I search for something comfortable. I do not have the strength to curate a proper outfit today, not when I have volleyball practice this afternoon.I pull on a
The day was the longest it has been since I entered the story. I thought I was going to die from boredom. Or exhaustion.I throw my bag over my shoulder as I head to my bike. After putting in my earphones, I head to the store to buy some noodles (my comfort food these days), bread and eggs for my mum. An unfamiliar song plays in my ears and I let out a tired sigh.I just want to go back home. Like, my own home. In London. I am exhausted. This was not supposed to turn out like this. Catherine was supposed to die. About sixty chapters ago. Perhaps the author forgot that?I look up at the sky. Can you still hear me? I think the author forgot about me.The small store comes into my view and I slow my bike. I jump off the bike and park it against the wall. I don’t have a lock, so if someone wants to steal it, they can be my guest. Probably need it more than I do then.There are a few people in the store, but none of whom I know. I search through a few rows and finally find the eggs. An old
The explosion tears through the forest, a burst of heat and fire erupting in the darkness. The shockwave slams into me like a physical force and knocks the air from my lungs. The ground trembles beneath my feet as flames roar to life, licking up the trees.The blast illuminates the night in an instant, casting flickering shadows. The pack scatters, dodging falling embers and diving for cover as smoke curls into the air.For a split second, there’s nothing but ringing in my ears. Muffled shouts. The distant snap of branches. The crackling of fire eating through the dry leaves.The sharp crack of bullets pierces the chaos, but the pack is ready. They move like shadows, weaving between trees and bushes. A hunter barely has time to react before Tyler slams into him and takes him to the ground with a growl.Jake’s hand slips from mine as he launches himself forward. I watch him transform as he runs to the nearest hunters. I stay low, keeping myself hidden behind the undergrowth. My heart
The pack house is buzzing with quiet, focused energy when Jake and I step inside. Every single person is here. Some are standing in tense groups while others are sitting with protective gear. The air is thick with anticipation.Across the room, Allison and Tyler are deep in conversation with a small group. Among them, Oliver and Bianca stand slightly apart, listening intently.Oliver notices me first. His gaze flickers in my direction and I give him a small smile, lifting my fingers in a wave. He hesitates before nodding back with a slight smile.Jake keeps walking, guiding me toward the far end of the room, where Wes is hunched over a makeshift lab setup. His hands move quickly, mixing liquids, analyzing samples. He is so focused he barely registers us approaching.“How close are you?” Jake asks.Wes exhales sharply. “Very.” He doesn’t look up, instead pointing to a row of vials in front of him. “I’ve narrowed it down, but I need fresh human blood to test the final component.”“Take
The drive to the pack’s hideout is quiet, the hum of the engine blending with the distant sounds of the night. The road twists through dense forest, barely visible from the main highway. It’s a place only a few know about, tucked away behind thick trees and old, winding paths. I do not think I would be able to find it again on my own. Jake drives with one hand on the wheel, the other resting lazily on my hand which is on his thigh. My thumb moves in slow circles and he has a soft smile on his lips. By the time we pull up to the hidden pack house, my heart feels heavier. Jake parks in a concealed spot near the pack house. I unzip the bag on my lap and take out Jake’s clothes before getting my own. I place the bag back on the ground, careful not to wrinkle my dress. It’s ridiculous, really/ Considering everything we’ve just done, you’d think I wouldn’t care so much about keeping it pristine. But I do.Jake just watches, his lips twitching in that quiet but amused way of his.“What?”
I sigh in content as I press my forehead to Jake, still catching my breath. His hands are steady on my hips. He is holding me like he’s in no rush to let me go.“All right,” I mumble, shifting slightly. “I should probably get off now.” Jake just hums, but he makes no move to help.I try again and pushes lightly against his chest, but my legs feel like jelly. Plus, the position is… not ideal for an easy exit. I let out a soft huff. “Jake.”He lets out a quiet laugh as his hands move from my waist and place them under my thighs. Then, with zero effort, he picks me up and moves me onto the passenger seat like I weigh nothing.“Show off,” I mutter, adjusting my dress.He smirks and runs a hand through his hair. “You were taking too long.”I just shake my head, but there’s a grin tugging at my lips. I glance down at my thigh before I grab a tissue from my purse.“Lovely,” I say flatly. “Thanks for that.”Jake leans his head back against the seat, watching me with that quiet amusement. “Y
We move quickly but quietly toward Jake’s truck, my heart pounding in my chest. The night air is cool against my skin, but it does nothing to calm the heat inside me. We hurry into the truck and Jake starts the engine before he maneuvers the truck toward the farthest corner of the parking lot.The moment he shifts into park, his lips are on mine again. I sigh into the kiss as my hand moves over his chest to settle on his neck. His hands roam my waist before he pulls me onto his lap, making me gasp.“Jake,” I scold between kisses, pressing my hands to his chest. “Be careful with the dress.”He chuckles, low and deep, his breath warm against my neck. “I’ve got you,” he murmurs, fingers tracing the fabric slowly before he lifts it just enough.A giggle escapes me as he shifts my underwear aside. His touch sends shivers up my spine. “I’ve never done this in a car before,” I admit, breathless. The space feels both thrilling and awkward, the newness of it making me giddy.“I’ll take care o
I check my phone and notice a message from my mum. I hope you are having fun xA soft smile forms on my lips and I check the time. It is already past ten. We should probably get going. But I want to get another dance in with Jake. With a playful grin, I take Jake’s hand and pull him toward the dance floor. The music pulses around us and I cannot help but sway to the beat, my energy infectious.“Come on, don’t just stand there!” I urge, glancing up at him with a teasing glint in my eyes. As I start to dance, I turn my back to him and playfully grind against him. Laughter spills out as I watch his cheeks flush a faint pink.“Uh, Kate,” he says, his voice low but with that shy confidence I find so endearing, “maybe we should keep it—”“Oh, stop being so serious!” I interrupt and twirl around him with a cheeky smile. The way he tries to maintain his composure only makes me want to tease him more.“Really, I need to—” he starts and I let out a soft giggle.“Need to what?” I tease, winkin
The music thrums through the air, a steady pulse of sound that makes the entire room feel alive. Twinkling fairy lights are strung across the ceiling like fireflies caught in midair and tall artificial trees line the edges of the dance floor. Their leaves are dusted with tiny glowing lanterns. The whole venue looks like something out of a dream. Like an enchanted forest brought to life.Cora twirls me under her arm, laughing as my dress flares out around me. I’m breathless, my cheeks aching from smiling so much. We’ve been dancing for what feels like forever, moving to the beat of every song.“You’re having fun,” Cora teases, bumping her hip against mine.I grin at her. “Obviously.”She gasps dramatically. “Girl, I knew you would have fun. And you wanted to skip this?”I roll my eyes, but I’m still smiling. It’s true. I can’t remember the last time I felt this light, this carefree. And I did want to skip. Maybe it’s the music, or the warm golden glow of the lights, or just the fact th
The doorbell rings just as I take a sip of my morning tea, the warmth of it still lingering in my hands. I set the mug down and make my way to the door.When I swing it open, Cora stands there, beaming, her arms full of garment bags and makeup pouches. “Morning, girl! Ready to make me look like a goddess?” she teases, stepping inside before I can even answer.I laugh and shut the door behind her. “You already do. But, of course, I’ll work my magic.”We got the day off for prom and the house is buzzing with energy. My mum is in the kitchen with Cora’s mum, chatting over tea and biscuits. We take over the sitting room with our dresses, heels, and endless supplies of makeup and hair products.Cora carefully unzips the garment bag, revealing her emerald green dress. It’s stunning/ It is tight-fitting with an elegant neckline, hugging her curves in all the right places. She holds it up against herself, grinning. “What do you think?”I give her an approving nod. “You’re going to steal the
After my shower, I tiptoe to my walk-in closet. I grab some fluffy pajamas before stepping back into the room. The warm glow of my bedside lamp casts long shadows against the walls. The air is cool against my damp skin. Jake is still sitting on my bed, quiet as always. His gaze is sharp, tracking me as I move.He looks exhausted. More so than usual. There is a tiredness settled into his shoulders. I don’t say anything at first. Instead, I climb onto the bed beside him. I lay down with a sigh before shifting closer. Without thinking, I wrap an arm around his legs and hold him where he sits. He stiffens for half a second, exhales, and relaxes slightly into my touch. His body is warm and solid. Safe. I never knew he had such thick thighs. Super hot.He doesn’t pull away and I don’t loosen my hold. It’s comfortable, natural like I belong tucked against his side.For a moment, my mind drifts back to where we started. How different everything was before. How, just a few months ago, I woul