Tess A week later I make a plane sound with the spoon of porridge leaving the plate and aim it at Lucas’ mouth. He doesn’t open up, and I frown at him. “Come on, one more bite!” Lucas huffs at me and moves his head to the side to avoid the spoon. He can’t see, but he has spider senses. “No, I don’t want more food. I’m stuffed.” “But you’re disappearing...” I mutter. Lucas doesn’t respond my heart clenches with worry. I’m not happy about him refusing to eat his food. Lucas will die quicker than the pack doctor estimated if this keeps up. He was given a month, but...that was a week ago. “You’re thinking too much again.” A little laugh slips out through my lips. “I am.” “Don’t,” Lucas says. “We might be mates, but you hardly know me. It might not have even worked out between us, and your second chance mate will probably be someone kinder.” My eyes flicker to Lucas’ unrecognizable form. He used to be huge, built like a football player, with wide shoulders and solid muscle. Unyield
TessI can't keep track of how many minutes, hours, and lifetimes I spend in this waiting room with Lily and my other friends. It feels like I've been here forever. We're all praying to the moon goddess for Lucas. But eventually, exhaustion takes me, and I drift off into a fitful sleep.A nightmare takes root in my brain, and I see images of Lily and Wesley kissing each other and laughing. I see her baby bump growing larger and larger, and then I spot myself alone without a baby or a partner to call my own. I'm standing there, all alone.I inhale sharply, tears streaming down my face. "This isn't what I want...I don't deserve this future. Please, my family was already taken away from me. Why does Lucas have to go too? Can't he stay here with me?"There is no answer. I don't even know who I'm trying to reach, the moon goddess, maybe. Either way, I continue talking because I don't care who listens; I just want to be heard by someone, anyone."I would give anything to save his life," I s
TessThe world is spinning after I’ve given up my wolf to save Lucas’ life. I feel weaker, heavier. My movements are sluggish, and it feels like I’m deaf. No longer can I hear or smell things from a distance. I feel like a puppy and almost stumble over my own two feet before Jenny catches me.“You okay?” she asks me, her cool eyes boring into mine. Her nostrils flare, and I count the seconds it takes her to realize something is wrong with me: six before worry overtakes her features. “Why do you smell so strange?”“Strange?” I ask.Her eyes keep staring blankly down into mine as if she is hesitating before she finally whispers, “Like a human.”I swallow thickly and drag my arm out of her hold. Jenny allows me to create some distance, but she still studies me. She must be trying to figure out what is so different about me. I sigh and give her a pained smile. “Can we talk about this later? I would like to focus on one thing at a time, and right now, I can’t stop worrying about Lucas. I
Tess I take a seat inside Wesley’s office and look up at the intimidating Alpha with wary eyes. He is dressed in a navy-colored suit, and his dark hair is slicked back. Everything about him screams man in charge, even how he carries himself. No wonder every female in the pack swoon at the sight of him, but all I can see is the danger radiating off him. A shiver slips down my spine as I watch Wesley take a seat behind his desk. “Do you know why you’re here?” I give him a faint nod since playing dumb isn’t going to get me anywhere. Wesley is too smart for that and would see right through the act. “I see,” Wesley says and folds his hands over the table, looking thoughtful. “Well, that will make this easier.” I wet my lips, daring to speak. “Will you get rid of me, sir?” “Get rid of you?” Wesley repeats in a shocked voice and stares at me like I’m crazy for asking. “No. Of course not. You’re my mate’s friend, even if you’ve mysteriously turned into a human. That hasn’t changed, but I
TessI silently follow Lucas to his mansion. It’s not as big as the one belonging to our Alpha, but it’s in a more secluded spot on top of a hill. The ocean waves are crashing against it in the distance, and my insides flutter when Lucas peers down at me. His face is a collection of unyielding features and hard, beautiful lines, but his blue eyes are surprisingly curious.“Are you tired?” he asks. “Ummm…” My pulse beats quicker against my neck when I’m given Lucas’ full attention. He has the ability to make me go from silent and calm to a nervous mess within seconds. “I’m a little bit tired,” I admit. “Do you want me to ask my butler to take you to your room?”“I... I’m not that tired, but umm… I wouldn’t mind being shown to my room. I don’t know where that is,” I say in a voice so low I’m unsure if Lucas heard me.Lucas gives me a small smirk. “What room would you like?”His question gives me pause. Honestly, I think I would feel the safest if I had a room close to Lucas. Now that
Tess My heart aches when I step inside Lucas’ room. He called my name a minute ago, so I’m here, ready to read another chapter from the latest romance novel I bought. The problem is that I would be anywhere but here. I like him, I really do! But I feel like a worm inside an apple—disgusting and like I don’t belong since Freddy brainwashed me. The worst part is that I can’t speak about it. Neither can I write it down—I tried that already, but my compulsion keeps me from giving anyone a clue. I’m a prisoner inside my own break, unable to tell anyone that I’ve turned into the enemy’s unwilling spy. It claws at me, and I feel like I’m dying when Lucas meets my eyes. “Hi,” he says, eyeing me from his bed with his intense blue eyes locked on mine. For a good minute, I can’t think or move. I’m spellbound. Lucas could seriously be a painting. His thick, veiny arms are resting behind his head, making them bulge with muscle. He has already healed, already turned back to his beautiful self, w
Tess No matter how hard I try to stop them, my tears won’t stop falling. It feels like my soul has been ripped into a billion pieces, and I have no idea how to glue myself together again. Not only is my wolf gone, but now even my fated mate has decided I’m not good enough for him. And all because I’m a human. The irony is not lost on me: I had to give up on my wolf to save Lucas’ life, which resulted in him not wanting me. Damn. Should I have told him the truth? That I’m the reason he is still breathing? No. That would have made Lucas be with me out of obligation, not true love, which sucks... I keep sniffing into the dark while hugging my blanket tightly around my shivering body. I’m all alone inside my new room, probably the only person awake in the entire mansion because I doubt Lucas had trouble falling asleep. Did he even feel guilty for rejecting me like that? More tears drip down on my pillow, and I continue crying my heart out until I hear the balcony door opening. It slow
TessThe following morning, I wake up to Claudia’s voice. “Good morning, sunshine! Why are you still in bed? We have so many things to do!”Groaning, I rub some dirt from the corner of my eyes and look up at the blonde werewolf currently standing inside my room. She is standing by the window, and I shriek when she abruptly pulls away the curtains with a bright smile.“Look at the sun!” she exclaims in my direction. “It’s a beautiful day for mischief, Tess!”“Mischief?” I ask. Claudia is by far the most energetic friend I have and probably the one closest to me.“Mhm, now that we are members of the Luan pack, I think that it’s about time we find part-time jobs. And guess what? There is this coffee shop in town,” she fishes up her phone from her pocket, handing it over to me. I take it in my hands as I sit down and stare down at the job advertisement.“The Coffee Shop?” I repeatedly blink at the name. It feels a bit lacking and non-creative. “A-are you sure this is a good place to apply
Tess When I return to Wesley’s mansion with Freddy, I’m not surprised by all the stares that we receive. Every pack member is gawking at the handsome hybrid standing behind me. They don’t seem to know whether or not he is the enemy, while Wesley doesn’t look one bit bothered. “Ah, you’re back,” Wesley says while Lily rushes over to hug me. “Tess!” the woman is heavily pregnant, and her big stomach makes it hard to hug her, but I somehow manage to wrap my arms around her neck. “I’m okay,” I tell her and let out a breath of relief before turning around to gesture at Freddy. “Freddy saved me from the Safir pack.” “Did he now?” Wesley asks and cocks his head to the side with an impressed expression. His arms are crossed over the chest of his expensive suit. “And how exactly did you save Tess from the Safir pack? Should I be worried about them coming after us?“ “No,” Freddy says while fixing his cufflinks. “I took care of most of them. I would be surprised if their Alpha had any more
TessI find many things in this world scary: walking to the bathroom late at night when you don’t have a nightlight on, fake friends, the members of the Safir pack, and last, and probably my biggest fear, is the thought of spending eternity alone. Sue me for thinking that’s a terrible fate, but that is how I feel without lying to myself. I know plenty of women out there are like, “I don’t need a man! I’m strong and independent!” but I’m not one of them. Fuck no. I don’t want to be single for the rest of my life. I want to spend my days with someone special. Laugh and see the world together.And the thought of trusting someone so much that you can show yourself vulnerability to them? That’s beautiful. I want to let someone in. To let them help me whenever I feel low and dead inside. And in return, I want to do the same for them. Love is about giving and taking; I will love my partner through everything. We will face the darkness of this world together and survive side by side. That’s
FreddyI stare into the woods while feeling like the biggest scumbag on the face of the earth. I thought I could be good for Tess; more than anything, I wanted to make her happy. If I could be half as good and perfect as she has been to me, I thought it would be acceptable for me to be with her. But now it turns out that I’m a blood junkie. I’m addicted to human blood, and without even realizing it, I’ve killed plenty of humans due to my stupid thirst. The worst part is that I can hardly remember anything from it. I blacked out due to my hunger, and that scares me. What if I, on some unfortunate day, blackout and attack Tess? She is the most important person in my life. Her laughter and smile is the only thing able to make me feel like an actual person, and it kills me to realize that while I want to protect her, I might be the most dangerous person in her life.Frustration runs through my veins, and I turn around to walk back to my car. But I don’t make it very far before I hear
TessI'm at a loss for what to do. I still can't believe Freddy was the one that hurt those girls. Part of me still can't believe it. He is so nice and gentle with me, but it's not like he meant to hurt them. He lost control of his hunger—that's hardly his fault! Drinking blood is in Freddy's nature, and I'm sure he could learn how to control it if given time. I just wish he would let me be part of that journey. Why did he have to leave me? I can handle his darker side, damn it! I'm not made of glass, and I'm tired of people treating me as if I'm going to break at any given moment!Suddenly my phone vibrates, and I get up on my feet. My phone is lying on the armchair with all my clothes. Clothes that Freddy pulled off my body last night before he left me...A pang of sadness shoots through my entire body, remembering how good his lips felt against mine, but I push the pain aside and slide my finger over my screen. There are plenty of messages from Lily and a few from my other friend
TessAfter spending the evening with Freddy at the beach, he took me to the inn where Jenny works. I don’t remember much of it. I was too tired, but now, in the morning light, I’m smiling because I’m sure this is the best way to wake up. I gaze down at the gorgeous hybrid whose head is between my legs, his tongue teasing and tantalizing me with lip-smacking fervor. My back arches in pleasure as I moan out softly, toes curling from the rapture of the moment.“Oh, Freddy...”His warm tongue runs up and down my pussy, teasing me by flicking my swollen labia. It feels so good! Freddy is eating my pussy like a champ. The soft puff of air through his lips makes my pussy clench whenever it touches me.Another moan escapes me, and Freddy lifts his head, smirking at me until I roll my eyes and push his head back down to where I want it.He chuckles but continues worshipping my cunt.“Oh my God,” I whisper when Freddy adds more pressure to his tongue. Is it possible to die from pleasure? Feeli
Freddy Tess doesn’t respond after I’ve told her that I see my future wife in her. I’m not surprised. I didn’t expect her to say anything. It was a wild thing to say, yet I needed to say it because it’s the truth. I see a future with her, and the red color rapidly spreading over her beautiful face is more than I could have ever hoped for. Always in my head space, always in my thoughts—I wonder if this woman knows how much of me she owns already. With her long dark hair and big, doe-eyes filled with enough kindness to make the world go around, she is the most stunning soul that I’ve ever seen. My guess would be that Tess has Spanish roots. She is pale, but I suspect that’s from being anti-social and spending more time on her laptop than actually heading out. Not that I mind. I can see a future of us watching her favorite series on her laptop and discussing them afterward. I smile at that and feel butterflies swarm my belly. I’m head-over-heels in love with this little human, and I
Tess A chill slips down my spine reading Lily’s message. It would be terrible if Freddy was the one who murdered the two human girls, but I really don’t think it’s him. I begin typing back a message... Me: How do you know Freddy is the culprit? It could be any vampire, Lily! It’s not like he is the only freaking bloodsucker in New Jin City, and it really hurts my feelings that you immediately think that it’s him! Three dots immediately appear on my screen. Lily: Fuck. I’m sorry! It’s just... His scent was at one of the crime scenes, and look, I know it might still not be Freddy, but I’m just worried about you because you’re a human now. I sigh as I type. Me: Fair enough, and thank you for the vervain...even though I don’t need it. Lily. No problem. Also, I want to believe Freddy has changed. I mean, he DID save Claudia’s life, but since his scent was on one of the crime scenes, I don’t know what to believe. Me: What if the Safir pack is trying to set him up? They are his e
TessThe following day after telling Freddy he is on a trial period, I wake up to someone tapping on the window of my balcony. I tiredly turn my head, eyes stopping on Freddy’s left hand, lifting in a wave while the right one appears from behind his back, holding a bouquet of roses. I arch an eyebrow at him, and he smirks. “Hello, Princess,” he says in a lazy voice, and even though the sun is shining and the birds are singing, he manages to look dark, scary, and way too sexy for what is fair when he says, “You ready to head out on our first date?”I’m baffled. When I told Freddy he can be good if he wants to and asked him to show me that he isn’t evil, I don’t know what I expected, but it surely wasn’t this.“I didn’t—...” I purse my lips, eyes locked on the bouquet of flowers before I hesitantly change my sentence, “Those flowers are beautiful. Are they for me?”“They are,” Freddy says from behind the glassed door, cocking his head to one side. “You have to invite me inside, Princes
Tess“Did you really reject Lucas as your mate?” Jenny asks me after mysteriously calling me over to the inn where she is working. She asked me if I wanted to have lunch with her, and so here I am, ready to eat for free from their luxurious buffet. I smile at her, leaning against the reception desk with a strange feeling in my heart. “I sure did, or I actually asked him to do it because I felt guilty,” a troubled laugh leaves my lips. “It might seem strange to some, but...I really like Freddy. In my eyes, it seems like he accepts me even though I’m a ‘weak’ human, you know?”Jenny’s lips twitch, but she still doesn’t make a move to leave the reception desk. Instead, she is studying me with this secretive expression on her face and sliding me a card key across the wood with the number 666 on it, “Here, take this.”I arch an eyebrow, weighing the card in my hand to then play with it between my fingers. “What’s in room 666?”“Isn’t it obvious?” she asks, smirking. "Uh...no?" I blink. D