The temperature in the room seemed to drop for me. Ethan's posture stiffened, a flash of something unreadable crossing his face as Khalid jerked his head toward the far end of the plane. “I appreciate the subtlety,” I quipped sarcastically, pushing my hair back. After all, It was difficult to stifle my curiosity as I was well aware of being the topic of discussion. “Watch her,” Ethan ordered, to who exactly I didn’t know but he was already moving toward the back with Khalid for me to guess who he spoke to. Caleb followed silently, his face grim. I watched them disappear through a reinforced door, my stomach twisting with unease. They were talking about me again. I was not surprised, merely irritated. It felt like everything about Ethan and his friends held secrets. There was a secret in every glance, every exchange, everything said, and everything unsaid. They knew something, that was news no more. However, I would be spending time with them, meaning I would get the chance to
“Alright, time to take off,” Ethan announced, his voice leaving no room for argument. “Buckle up, everyone.” I gaped, my nerves crashing over my gut. It was quite anti-climatic. Why? Because I guessed whatever they discussed would be passed on to me considering I was the topic of discussion. I scoffed to myself. As I thought, I'd have to fish out information myself. I miss home already. No matter what my family could have been hiding from me, at least they made sure to let me feel loved in the middle. Right now, I felt like a chore. Everyone was having a hard time figuring out how to start. The sound of seatbelts clicking into place echoed in the cabin as I did the same. I didn’t know if it was the fact that they were all hiding something or if it was just Ethan’s unsettling presence, but I was feeling dizzy with anxiety. The plane began to rumble as it started its ascent, and my stomach churned with the rising motion. A sense of vertigo settled over me as the air grew thinn
When I stirred, the room was still. The low hum of the plane engines first reached my ears. My body felt surprisingly rested, and the exhaustion from earlier reduced to a faint ache. The blanket I didn’t remember pulling over myself rested snugly against my shoulders, providing warmth against the cool cabin air.But something was off. A sharp, ragged inhale broke the stillness again. I definitely wasn't imagining it.I sat up abruptly, my senses clearing out their sleepy fog to pay attention. Across the bed I lay on, Ethan was hunched over by the wall, his fingers clutching the edge of the armchair. His fingers were deep into the leather like he was holding on for dear life.His broad shoulders trembled, muscles visibly strained beneath his black shirt. His breath came in slow uneven gasps, and despite the muted light, I could see a faint shimmer in his eyes. Not the usual stormy green but a wild, unnatural gold that pulsed like a heartbeat.I gasped. “Ethan?” I called out in a hushed
“Don’t,” he ordered firmly with a low growl but the gentleness in his words was unmistakable. “Never think that. It holds no truth in it and never will.”I blinked, stunned by the intensity in his eyes and the honesty in his words. My cheeks grew warm under his scrutiny and my gut twisted in tingly knots.“I’m not in pain because I’m repulsed,” he whispered, his thumb brushing my cheek with aching tenderness. “It’s because being near you makes it impossible... to suppress what I’ve been feeling... what I feel now.”My breath hitched, heat creeping up my neck. There was no lie in his voice, no hesitation in the way he looked at me like I was something precious, something his. Yet the idea was too unrealistic to fathom.In what reality would anything he said possibly be true?Slowly, cautiously, I reached up to hold his hand that rested against my cheek. His touch was making it hard to think and it felt like I was falling thoughtlessly into his essence.But then, it played right in my e
I could only gape at him. His confession clung to the air like a cold moist fog and it settled on me uncomfortably. A mark. A soul bite. My mother’s request. Me. The narrative made no sense the minute I'd brought myself into the mix.There was no way this was about me. Or so I wanted to believe but I couldn’t deny the oddities in my upbringing and the recent events occurring in my life so far.“Sit down,” Ethan said softly, gesturing to the bed. I followed through, watching him closely. His expression looked haunted in a way I couldn’t understand. “You need to hear this properly.”My skepticism lingered yet I moved and sat, locking my hands in my lap. He remained standing for a moment, as though gathering the courage to continue.“About twelve years ago, your mother brought you to me.” He began, before settling right beside me on the bed. “She came to my father actually,” he corrected himself and I frowned.“You were just a child, but your powers manifested from your original bloodlin
Turning away, I climbed into the bed and curled into a tight ball, feeling more lost than ever. My head throbbed with the weight of it all—my mother’s supposed actions, Ethan’s bond possibly overriding Higan’s rejection.Was it true? Could I afford to believe it?“No!” I exclaimed out loud, sharper than I’d intended. With a groan, I held my head. Thinking so much was hurting.Sleep claimed me before I could fight it, dragging me into an inky darkness. I tried not to groan again. I slept so soundly before I thought I was getting a break from the dreams.Opening my eyes, I figured out where I was immediately. Moonlight spilled through twisted branches, illuminating the familiar dream forest where shadows whispered secrets. The cold air pricked at my skin, and the mud stained my bare feet. I wondered if I could give myself a wardrobe change.I stood where I was the last time I talked to her and the white wolf so I slowly turned, waiting for either of them to show up.A figure emerged fro
Yet another thing to think about. I was collecting problems like infinity stones.I trudged toward the plane’s stairs, my limbs limp with exhaustion as I dragged my body to move. My thoughts were a tangled mess, replaying Ethan’s words and the unsettling encounter in my dream.Most of Ethan's pack had climbed down the plane, I was one of the two people left. Every step I took felt harder than the last because the weight of everything I’d learned seemed to have somehow doubled overnight. That and I hadn't slept well.The biting chill of the November air hit me as I stepped out. I shivered against the oversized coat draped around my shoulders. Caleb had handed me one before we landed. I quickly understood why as the cold settled In.I sighed. I missed Springville, I thought to myself letting my gaze fall on the horizon. But then, I froze. A fleet of luxury cars was lined up on the tarmac with their sleek black designs gleaming. It rivaled a scene right out of a billionaire's daydream.I
Shaking my head, I stepped out of the car and peered up at the towering structure. It didn’t feel real. It felt like I’d been dropped off into an alternate world where money was as abundant as air.“Come on,” Khalid urged. “Let’s get you inside. You’re gonna love the view from your room.”More cars settled on the outside pavement of the house yard. I hadn't seen Ethan since last night. I wondered when we'd get to settle and talk again.It could wait anyway. I followed Khalid into the mansion and he led me up the marble steps. He seemed quite in a hurry to have me in a room as he rushed ahead but I couldn't shake off my curiosity yet.I had a feeling the house, despite probably one of many, held more secrets than I could ever imagine. If not secrets then answers to my questions about Ethan and his people and possibly myself.The mansion continued to overwhelm me. My tired legs protested, but I forced myself to keep going, lost in thought. Before I could take another step, a figure rush
I wasn't sure what to focus on, the sheer volume of Tyler’s commentary, the lovely blue top I caught on display two shops ago, or the growing stares from strangers staring at the parade of chaos we were creating.Tyler was all smiles and flirtation, casually winking at anyone who made eye contact, not caring for gender. The rollercoaster of reactions from the men and women grew terrifying.“My my, a dark swan in this pond of filth,” he told a woman passing by, giving her a once-over and completely ignoring her unimpressed glare. “What’s your name darling? Oh, you’re just playing it cool? Alright, I respect that.”I winced, but it was hard not to smile at how oblivious he was to the awkwardness of it all. Part of me was wondering if I should feel self-conscious, but the other part of me was too busy trying not to laugh and die from the attention he was bringing to us.Eventually, we reached a store, and thankfully, Tyler’s attention shifted to the clothes. We spent our time wandering
Tyler slid into the backseat, his lanky frame curling into the space like he owned it. He didn’t bother with a seatbelt, he just slouched back with a cheeky smirk.“Alright, where are we headed?” His voice was sharp and unapologetically confident. The way he spoke was what you’d expect from a rock band frontman who knew he was always the center of attention.“You know, I was just thinking about New York, baby. It’s the city that never sleeps, but you know what? It’s actually the city that makes you regret every bad decision you ever made. And trust me, I’ve made some doozies.” he ranted on. “Do you plan on making doozies, little thing?“ He suddenly sat up and leaned in to ask me.I shook my head, not entirely sure what he meant by doozies. But I guessed it wasn't entirely a positive thing.Abigail shot him a sideways look. She was clearly not amused yet she didn’t bother making any comments. I glanced over at her, trying to decipher if she was secretly regretting this trip. Once aga
My heart skipped a beat. I swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond. Was she trying to interrogate me? Or was this just Abigail being Abigail? Her enigmatic tone made it impossible to tell and my experience with a certain Jealous girlfriend of a certain mate of mine foretold me to be careful."Oh. I didn’t notice," I lied smoothly. I reached to awkwardly tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear, wishing she'd just get on with the harsh part. I was at my wit's end.Abigail raised her perfectly carved brow, clearly unimpressed by my attempt to deflect. "Well, you should start noticing. It's not something he does often. Or for just anyone. I like that."She liked that? I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. My mind spun, searching for something, anything to say. But before I could, Abigail straightened, her expression softening just enough to feel less intimidating."You should get ready," she said, her tone gentler now. "Prepare yourself for the most reckless spending spr
His words left a cold trail along my skin. Something overwhelmed me but I couldn’t tell what exactly. Fear? Anticipation for a better yet dangerous life? Or something else entirely?“That’s... a lot to take in,” I muttered.“I know,” he cooed. “I don’t expect you to understand everything right away. But I still need you to understand the gravity of the life you may be living from now.”My hand moved lower to the back of his head, and he leaned into my touch. It was hard to measure the said seriousness of the situation when he felt so warm against my palm.Whatever this bond was, it was changing me in ways I couldn’t yet comprehend and to say I was scared would be an understatement. Yet being with Ethan made me feel like I could take anything on. I had never felt that before.His words felt too sincere to ignore. Had he in a way just expressed he was also hoping we could be something? Should I ask him?I hesitated for a bit as my hand gently combined through his mane. His words weighe
It hurts to consider the fact that he might be wrong about the bond. I suddenly felt him tense up. My brows knitted together as I set my gaze on him.He exhaled shakily. “I wasn’t here,” he admitted out of the blue. My eyes flickered around in surprise. “I didn’t come home with the others. I took a detour.” His voice dropped, a note of regret lacing his words. “And I regret it now.”I gasped, utterly flabbergasted.“Wait, how did you—”“Know what you were thinking?” he finished for me, finally lifting his head to meet my gaze again. His eyes were guarded but honest. “Not exactly. I can’t read your mind, but sometimes, pieces of what you’re feeling come through. Certain thoughts float with it.”My chest tightened as I stared at him, feeling both exposed and defensive. “That’s invasive,” I muttered, my cheeks flushing. “You shouldn’t do that.”“I know,” he interrupted, his voice quieter now, almost apologetic. “I try not to, but I can’t always help it. It’s not something I do on purpose.
I couldn’t believe I was actually going through with it.About half an hour ago, I’d decided I needed to see Ethan after waking from my exhausting nap. Luckily, I didn’t get any dreams from my doppelganger, so I rested well enough.But even with the rest, I woke up with the same questions running through my mind. I needed answers. I was sure Ethan wasn’t going to offer them willingly, so I planned to catch him off guard in his room.So there I was, sneaking through the longest hallway I've ever walked through, following the faintest trace of Ethan's scent to locate his bedroom.The house was eerily quiet, to the point I could hear someone breathing from a room downstairs. I was sure if someone listened closely enough, they could hear my every step. I continued anyway.Ethan's sandalwood scent pulled me closer to a black door at one end of the hallway in the second wing of the mansion. The minute I reached his door, my pulse quickened. Why? For one I hadn't really thought about what I
The question caught me off guard. I hadn't really thought about it. A hum buzzed in my throat before I replied. “I'm not sure,” I admitted with a shrug. “Eat pizza? Stare at tall buildings? What do people do in New York?” “Depends on who you ask,” he tilted his head as he talked. “Some people chase dreams. Other just try to survive.” I raised an eyebrow. “And what do you do?” He tilted his head pretending to think. “Survive, mostly. But I do it with style.” I couldn’t help the laugh I let out following his response, though the humor didn’t fully mask my unease. “Seriously, though. What’s the plan here? Am I just supposed to sit around while you all… do whatever it is you do?” Khalid’s grin faltered for a moment. I tried not to guard up from the sudden change but then he quickly recovered. “We’ll figure it out as we go.” I stepped closer to him, narrowing my eyes to show my displeasure at his response. “Be honest with me, Khalid. What am I supposed to do here? Why am I here
“What?” Caleb and I exclaimed together. “Who's Tyler?“ I asked Caleb right after. He simply grunted with a shrug before relaxing his body. “Him apparently,” he said with a sigh.He could just tell me! I resisted snapping. My fingers continued to itch as my irritation grew. What’s with these people evading questions?Khalid had frozen mid-motion, his glare darting to Abigail. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered, pushing the white-haired man—Tyler off him with a shove. Tyler straightened, brushing imaginary dust off his rumpled clothes with a chuckle. “What? Thought I’d liven things up a bit.” Abigail rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. “Throw a party then, not a full-on brawl in the middle of the house.” I stared as I struggled to piece together what I’d just witnessed and heard. A shapeshifter? Does that mean he is not a werewolf? That explained nothing, rather, it raised a thousand more questions. Tyler’s pearly grin widened as his dark gaze flicked up to me, his e
Shaking my head, I stepped out of the car and peered up at the towering structure. It didn’t feel real. It felt like I’d been dropped off into an alternate world where money was as abundant as air.“Come on,” Khalid urged. “Let’s get you inside. You’re gonna love the view from your room.”More cars settled on the outside pavement of the house yard. I hadn't seen Ethan since last night. I wondered when we'd get to settle and talk again.It could wait anyway. I followed Khalid into the mansion and he led me up the marble steps. He seemed quite in a hurry to have me in a room as he rushed ahead but I couldn't shake off my curiosity yet.I had a feeling the house, despite probably one of many, held more secrets than I could ever imagine. If not secrets then answers to my questions about Ethan and his people and possibly myself.The mansion continued to overwhelm me. My tired legs protested, but I forced myself to keep going, lost in thought. Before I could take another step, a figure rush