Reyna's POV The moment we were alone, his hands found my waist, pulling me close. His grip was firm, possessive, and his touch sent a faint shiver down my spine.“I missed you,” he murmured, his voice low and warm, his breath grazing my ear.“I missed you too,” I replied, though my voice felt hollow. My chest tightened, suffocating under the weight of his words.John’s fingers slid up my sides, tracing the curve of my ribs. He tilted my chin up with a knuckle, forcing me to meet his gaze. “You scared me, you know? When they took you…” His voice faltered, rough with emotion. “I thought I’d lost you.”“You didn’t,” I whispered, forcing a smile, though my heart felt numb.He pressed his forehead against mine, his hands tightening. “I need you,” he said softly, his lips hovering over mine.When his lips finally brushed against mine, I kissed him back, desperate to feel something. His hands roamed up my back, threading into my hair. His touch grew hungry, his teeth grazing my bottom lip a
Reyna's POVJake’s lips crashed into mine with a force that sent my thoughts scattering. His hands cupped my face, his grip firm but trembling, as if he was afraid I’d pull away.For a moment, I froze. The world around us blurred—there was no fire, no camp, no shadows, only him. His kiss was desperate, raw, like he’d been holding back for a lifetime.And maybe he had.I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think. I could only feel—his lips soft but insistent, his warmth overwhelming, the way he poured every unspoken emotion into the kiss.When I finally remembered how to breathe, I pressed my hands against his chest, intending to push him away. But instead, my fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, betraying me. My heart screamed at me to stop, but something deeper, something primal, wouldn’t let me.This wasn’t just a kiss. It was a confession, a breaking point, a plea.When he pulled back, his breathing ragged, he didn’t release me. His forehead rested against mine, his hands still cradl
Jake's POVI leaned against the doorframe, watching Reyna shuffle past me. Her shoulders were tense, and she moved like she was trying to outrun the weight on her shoulders. I didn’t stop her. Instead, I trailed behind, keeping my steps light.Dinner was the last thing on her mind—hell, it was the last thing on mine—but if sitting across the table gave me even a sliver of a chance to break through that wall she was building, I’d take it.She was so damn stubborn.By the time we reached the kitchen, the smell of roasted chicken and herbs filled the air, but I barely noticed. Reyna slipped into her seat, avoiding my eyes, while John was already there, staring daggers in my direction.“Late, as usual,” John muttered, his fork clinking against his plate.“Miss me that much?” I shot back, dropping into a chair opposite him.Reyna flinched, her hand tightening around her glass of water. She hated this—hated being in the middle of whatever grudge John and I were nursing—but she wasn’t saying
Reyna's POV I found John in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. The sharp clink of a glass being set down broke the silence as I stepped in.“You have something to say?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.He didn’t look at me, his gaze fixed on the floor. “Do you?”I folded my arms, leaning against the doorway. “If you’re upset about something, just say it.”John finally looked up, his eyes piercing. “You think I didn’t see you out there with him?”I froze, my stomach twisting. “It wasn’t what it looked like.”He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “You’re really going with that?”“It wasn’t!” My voice rose, frustration bubbling to the surface. “We were just talking.”“Talking,” he repeated, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Sure. Because standing that close, with him looking at you like that, is just friendly conversation.”I took a step closer, anger flaring. “You don’t get to make assumptions, John. You don’t know what’s going on.”“Then tell
Damien was confused when he woke up and saw Bella but he was much confused when he suddenly fell on him saying that she missed him.He sniffed her to know if she drank but he smelt nothing which means that she was in her right mind.Bella's heart was hammering as she hugged Damien tighter, she was trying all her best not to recoil from him.But it was the only thing she had to do if she didn't want to join her parents untimely."Get off me !" Damien growledBella didn't need to be told that twice, she quickly got off from Damien and shifted away.“What are you doing here?’” He asked.She slowly looked up and met his gaze, Damien’s eyes had turned to slits and his face clenched.“I..I..I.. didn't leave when you left” she stuttered and looked at the floor.Bella heard him get out of the bed and walked closer to her.“What were you doing with the vase?”“I was admiring it, sir” she replied with her eyes still on the floor.“You have a beautiful hair,” Damien said and held a strand of her
I trudged along the hills, my every breath getting labored after the next.I pulled out my cell phone and tried powering it on but the screen stayed blank, I sighed.No battery life left, my backpack felt heavy on my back, and for a moment I considered dropping it but I breathed in deep and tried gathering strength. ‘Come on Reyna, you can do this ‘ I said to myself and took a step forward and grinned when I saw civilization.I put more spring to my steps and hurried down the hills shouldering my backpack carefully not to let it slip off my tired shoulder.The sky rumbled and lightning flashed in the sky. ‘Please don’t rain’ I begged the universe, but it seemed the universe was in no mood for prayers because as soon as I said that in my head, the rain poured heavily without warning, and in seconds I was as drenched as a sewage pipe rat.I managed to reach the restaurant and I rushed in soaking wet, the restaurant was devoid of customers and I thanked the universe again.A w
“You’re okay?” John asked. I nodded and sipped the hot tea nearly sighing as it warmed my body, John sat at a respectful distance beside me and I noticed him watching me keenly at a far corner. Jake stared at a fire sipping from a glass of liquor looking lost in his own world. “What happened” John asked and I sighed, his dark eyes roamed my face and I noticed how handsome he was. “My father, chased me away” I said and his eye darkened even further, he looked annoyed. “That’s wickedness” he said and I nodded, the tears I have been holding and promising myself not to shed started pooling in the corner of her eyes. “I am so sorry” John said and I nodded. The tears dropped and he tentatively wiped them away and I stared at him in surprise. “Thank you” I said and he smiled. Jake stood and dropped the book he was holding “I am outta here before you two kiss and talk in love” he said and I reddened, John looked embarrassed and he shot his
“Where is Jake?” I asked and John shook his head,“He doesn’t like parties,” he said loudly over the loud music, around us werewolves danced to loud hip-hop music, John twirled me around and I danced coming close enough to stare into his eyes and kissed him, ever since the day we kissed, we had become more exclusive and I learned werewolves males were very jealous with their woman and John certainly was, his hand held my waist possessively as if afraid I would wander off. “I won’t wander off,” I said and John grinned and kissed my cheek. “Never trust when a lady says that,” he said and I gasped playfully. “John! Ouch! So you don’t trust me” I said and he grinned. “One bit,” he said and I punched him playfully in the shoulder. “Kidding,” he said and we walked to a bar and he poured wine for me. “Cheers,” I said and he smiled at me. “To what?” He asked and I shrugged. I flunked my glass with him and we drank while staring at each other. He finished his quickly and grinned.
Damien was confused when he woke up and saw Bella but he was much confused when he suddenly fell on him saying that she missed him.He sniffed her to know if she drank but he smelt nothing which means that she was in her right mind.Bella's heart was hammering as she hugged Damien tighter, she was trying all her best not to recoil from him.But it was the only thing she had to do if she didn't want to join her parents untimely."Get off me !" Damien growledBella didn't need to be told that twice, she quickly got off from Damien and shifted away.“What are you doing here?’” He asked.She slowly looked up and met his gaze, Damien’s eyes had turned to slits and his face clenched.“I..I..I.. didn't leave when you left” she stuttered and looked at the floor.Bella heard him get out of the bed and walked closer to her.“What were you doing with the vase?”“I was admiring it, sir” she replied with her eyes still on the floor.“You have a beautiful hair,” Damien said and held a strand of her
Reyna's POV I found John in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. The sharp clink of a glass being set down broke the silence as I stepped in.“You have something to say?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.He didn’t look at me, his gaze fixed on the floor. “Do you?”I folded my arms, leaning against the doorway. “If you’re upset about something, just say it.”John finally looked up, his eyes piercing. “You think I didn’t see you out there with him?”I froze, my stomach twisting. “It wasn’t what it looked like.”He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “You’re really going with that?”“It wasn’t!” My voice rose, frustration bubbling to the surface. “We were just talking.”“Talking,” he repeated, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Sure. Because standing that close, with him looking at you like that, is just friendly conversation.”I took a step closer, anger flaring. “You don’t get to make assumptions, John. You don’t know what’s going on.”“Then tell
Jake's POVI leaned against the doorframe, watching Reyna shuffle past me. Her shoulders were tense, and she moved like she was trying to outrun the weight on her shoulders. I didn’t stop her. Instead, I trailed behind, keeping my steps light.Dinner was the last thing on her mind—hell, it was the last thing on mine—but if sitting across the table gave me even a sliver of a chance to break through that wall she was building, I’d take it.She was so damn stubborn.By the time we reached the kitchen, the smell of roasted chicken and herbs filled the air, but I barely noticed. Reyna slipped into her seat, avoiding my eyes, while John was already there, staring daggers in my direction.“Late, as usual,” John muttered, his fork clinking against his plate.“Miss me that much?” I shot back, dropping into a chair opposite him.Reyna flinched, her hand tightening around her glass of water. She hated this—hated being in the middle of whatever grudge John and I were nursing—but she wasn’t saying
Reyna's POVJake’s lips crashed into mine with a force that sent my thoughts scattering. His hands cupped my face, his grip firm but trembling, as if he was afraid I’d pull away.For a moment, I froze. The world around us blurred—there was no fire, no camp, no shadows, only him. His kiss was desperate, raw, like he’d been holding back for a lifetime.And maybe he had.I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think. I could only feel—his lips soft but insistent, his warmth overwhelming, the way he poured every unspoken emotion into the kiss.When I finally remembered how to breathe, I pressed my hands against his chest, intending to push him away. But instead, my fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, betraying me. My heart screamed at me to stop, but something deeper, something primal, wouldn’t let me.This wasn’t just a kiss. It was a confession, a breaking point, a plea.When he pulled back, his breathing ragged, he didn’t release me. His forehead rested against mine, his hands still cradl
Reyna's POV The moment we were alone, his hands found my waist, pulling me close. His grip was firm, possessive, and his touch sent a faint shiver down my spine.“I missed you,” he murmured, his voice low and warm, his breath grazing my ear.“I missed you too,” I replied, though my voice felt hollow. My chest tightened, suffocating under the weight of his words.John’s fingers slid up my sides, tracing the curve of my ribs. He tilted my chin up with a knuckle, forcing me to meet his gaze. “You scared me, you know? When they took you…” His voice faltered, rough with emotion. “I thought I’d lost you.”“You didn’t,” I whispered, forcing a smile, though my heart felt numb.He pressed his forehead against mine, his hands tightening. “I need you,” he said softly, his lips hovering over mine.When his lips finally brushed against mine, I kissed him back, desperate to feel something. His hands roamed up my back, threading into my hair. His touch grew hungry, his teeth grazing my bottom lip a
Reyna's POVJake’s lips crashed into mine with a force that sent my thoughts scattering. His hands cupped my face, his grip firm but trembling, as if he was afraid I’d pull away.For a moment, I froze. The world around us blurred—there was no fire, no camp, no shadows, only him. His kiss was desperate, raw, like he’d been holding back for a lifetime.And maybe he had.I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think. I could only feel—his lips soft but insistent, his warmth overwhelming, the way he poured every unspoken emotion into the kiss.When I finally remembered how to breathe, I pressed my hands against his chest, intending to push him away. But instead, my fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, betraying me. My heart screamed at me to stop, but something deeper, something primal, wouldn’t let me.This wasn’t just a kiss. It was a confession, a breaking point, a plea.When he pulled back, his breathing ragged, he didn’t release me. His forehead rested against mine, his hands still cradl
John’s gaze shifted to him, and for a moment, something unspoken passed between them.“Took you long enough,” John muttered, his lips twitching in the faintest hint of a smile.Jake crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. “You’re welcome.”Markus and Elizabeth moved to help John to his feet, their movements careful. “Let’s get out of here,” Markus said, glancing at Jake. “We don’t have much time.”Jake nodded, already heading for the exit. “Stay close,” he said again, his voice low but firm.I followed, my heart heavy with unspoken words. The tension between Jake and John crackled in the air, but now wasn’t the time to unpack it. We had to get out of here—and fast.************The campfire crackled, its faint light cutting through the otherwise suffocating darkness. The others were scattered nearby—Marcus was tending to the shallow wound on his arm, while the rest sat or paced, their exhaustion evident. John’s arm stayed draped protectively around my shoulders, his warmth a str
Reyna's POV . . Jake didn’t let it finish. In one swift motion, he reached into his bag and pulled out the remaining pouch of wolfsbane. He hurled it to the ground, and the powder exploded into a thick, choking cloud. The rogues coughed and staggered, their movements sluggish as the potent toxin took effect. I stepped forward, coughing as the acrid smell stung my nose. “Jake! That’s not what we planned!” Finally, he turned to me. His icy blue eyes pierced through the haze, filled with a rage I’d never seen before. “Stay back, Reina.” Even his voice sounded different. His tone left no room for argument. I clamped my mouth shut, my protests dying on my lips. Jake moved toward the rogues with a deadly precision. One of them tried to snarl, but it was too weak to fight back. Jake’s claws gleamed in the dim light as he slashed its throat in one brutal motion. I flinched, my stomach twisting, but I couldn’t look away. Another rogue, still struggling to stand, barely had
Reyna's POV I shot him a glare, but he just grinned wider. “Fine,” I said through gritted teeth. “Let’s focus on trapping them. What do we have to work with?”Jake reached into his bag and pulled out a bundle of wire and a small pouch of what looked like powder. “Trip wires and wolfsbane dust. Enough to slow them down, maybe even knock out a few if we’re lucky.”“Wolfsbane?” I frowned. “Isn’t that a bit... excessive?”“Not if it keeps us alive.” He tilted his head, studying me. “You’re not backing out, are you?”“Of course not,” I snapped. “I just don’t want this to turn into a bloodbath.”Jake shrugged again, his easy confidence infuriating. “Fine. No bloodbath. But if things go south...” He let the sentence hang, his meaning clear.I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Alright. Let’s get to work.”We spent the next hour setting up the traps. Jake moved with a practiced efficiency, his hands steady as he tied wires and scattered wolfsbane dust in strategic spots. I helped wher