I needed a job as soon as possible.The outfit I was wearing—a combination of an old T-shirt of Caleb’s and some random clothes from girls they had slept with—was washed, but still disgusting. I tugged at the hem of the oversized T-shirt, which barely covered my thighs, and sighed. It was a step up from my usual wear, but it wasn’t enough. I ran a hand through my fried hair, still damp from my rushed attempt at washing out the dirt and sweat from training. My chestnut hair fell in better waves now, but it still needed a lot of care.Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door and walked out to find Ethan and Caleb. I found them in the living room, both engrossed in conversation about something that seemed important.“Hey,” I said, my voice a little hesitant. They looked up, their eyes immediately drawn to my outfit. Caleb’s eyebrows shot up, and Ethan’s lips twitched.“What’s up?” Ethan asked, trying to keep his expression neutral.“I need to get a job,” I said, stepping forward. “I
I was busy with my new job at Ethan's mechanic shop. The next day, as I was settling in, Ethan introduced me to the team. Most of them were polite, but I could sense a certain coldness from one of the mechanics, a tall guy with a surly expression. “This is Mark,” Ethan said, gesturing to him. “He’s been with us for a while and knows his stuff.”Mark barely acknowledged me, giving a curt nod before turning back to his work. I didn’t let it bother me. I had a lot to prove, and I wasn’t going to let anyone’s attitude get in my way.Ethan showed me around the shop, explaining the layout and introducing me to the rest of the team. I felt a mix of excitement and nerves, but I was ready to get started. The garage was bustling with activity, the sound of tools and machinery filling the air. The smell of oil and metal was strangely comforting, reminding me of my previous life.“Alright, Selena,” Ethan said, handing me a set of tools. “Let’s see what you can do with this one.”I nodded and got
Sweat beaded on my forehead as my arms felt strange with the bow and arrow. After years of not practicing, my body felt like a heavy block. The weight of the bow was unfamiliar, and the tension in the string seemed to mock my every effort. I could hear Caleb's words echoing in my mind, Ethan's laughter ringing in my ears. They thought I couldn't do it, that I would fail. But their doubts only fueled my determination—I needed to try, to win, to prove them wrong.As I struggled to find the right stance, a shadow fell over me. I looked up to see Leo, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Your form is great," he said, "but your position is a bit off."I cocked my head, my frustration momentarily forgotten. "Alright then, master," I challenged, "why don't you teach me as well?"Leo stepped closer, his presence commanding yet comforting. He adjusted my legs first, setting them apart with a firmness that left no room for argument. Then he stood behind me, his hands guiding my arms into positio
Selene's POVAhh!!!A voice sounded through the house, making me gasp awake. I needed the sleep for the competition tomorrow, but the scream jolted me from my drowsiness. Maybe it was just Caleb and Ethan messing around.Until it sounded again.I threw off the covers and rushed out of my room, my heart pounding. The scream was coming from Ethan's room. Without thinking, I pushed the door open and rushed in.Ethan was on his bed, thrashing violently, drenched in sweat, his face twisted in fear and agony. I grabbed his shoulders, trying to calm him down. "Calm down, Ethan. What's going on?"He didn't seem to hear me at first, his eyes wide and unseeing. Then, with a surge of strength, he pushed me away. I stumbled, struggling to regain my balance, when he grabbed me and lifted me up, his eyes wild and filled with terror. "I'm sorry," he muttered, his voice hoarse.I sat on the edge of the bed, trying to steady my breathing. "It's just a nightmare. I just wanted to help."Ethan's body wa
Claire's POVEthan had wasted no time in grabbing me. He was a psychopath. That's the only conclusion I could draw from the way he acts. Leaning on the table, cleaning his gun, all while I felt weak and disorientedThe room felt tight, I don't know what date or time it was. He had tied me against my will, left me here for the past three days. I had no one to rescue me. I was alone. Tired and weak. It felt like weeks though. I haven't seen the sun in a while, the only decency he had given me was to be able to use the bathroom but I was followed by one of his workers. A lady. There was no escape route though, just a right cubicle. The lady was strong muscular and always had a baton. I felt weak whenever I was with her. Weak and useless. My throat was parched, and my tongue felt dry. I muttered, "Thirsty. I am thirsty."Ethan gave me a look then he mockingly laughed, his amusement evident, and he replied, "Sorry, darling, I can't hear you."I took deep breaths, gathering my streng
AnnaCool shadows wash over my sweaty skin, disguising me as I moved through the corners of the abandoned warehouse courtyard. The night sky was beautiful, stars danced and twinkled. I could have loved to enjoy something like this, happily lie under the stars and let the night air cleanse my tired body and overworked muscles. But unfortunately that was not it. I needed to escape. I do not know how much time I had left before Hades would notice that I was taking too long in the bathroom or when an alarm would sound. I scanned my surroundings of any sign of Ethan or his guards. There was none. I sighed in relief before moving through the darkness again. Frogs sing in the distance as my feet crunch the sand. I had no idea where I was or where I was going, so I just followed the lamplights that illuminated the pathway ahead. The ominous shadows seemed to play tricks on my senses, making every rustle of leaves or distant creak an unsettling echo.As I cautiously advanced, the distant
Selena's POV"Father, please, I beg you it's me" I yelled at the top of my lungs with tears streaming down my eyes.I ran from one part of the room to another as fast as my legs could carry."Selena, I do not want to hurt you, but you leave me no choice. If you do not come out right now, I swear I would not be so merciful" my father screamed.I placed my hand against my mouth as I tried to hold back my tears. I was hiding out in the attic from my father.He had come home drunk looking for the last cash I had to gamble away, but I needed it to apply for university.Now he wanted it, and he was willing to beat me to death until I gave it to him.My body was shaking with fear, my nose clogged, my heart plummeted. I was scared.The air in the cramped attic felt thick with tension as I pressed myself against the dusty walls, trying to make myself invisible.The dim light filtered through the small, dirty window, casting eerie shadows that danced around me."Lena, my darling, remember when
Unlike the others, my wounds didn't heal as quickly, a consequence of my lower rank in our Lycan society. The bruises throbbed with every step, my ribs were broken from the kicks I got from the pot-bellied men and his guards.Eventually, I was transferred to another set of guards, who hit me until the tears stopped flowing. Seeing the emblems on their uniform, I knew they were the Lycan king Adrian Guards.That was when I knew I was going to be tortured to death in his arms. Tears filled my eyes, but it didn't fall. The world outside the car window was a blur of green, but it brought me no comfort. All I could think about was the unknown fate that awaited me at Adrian's hands.Lycan King Adrian was said to rule the Crest haven Society, where the poor, the rich and the middle class were all separated by fierce hierarchy. He was said to have taken so many as slaves, women as his sex slaves, but unfortunately they were tortured and died a week later. That was the life I was going to live