SIERRAThe cold rain still clung to my skin as Kane guided me toward shelter. His words echoed in my mind, each one a reminder of the weight I’d been carrying—my own guilt and pain, but also the responsibility I had to others. He was right, I knew it. But hearing it from him felt like the last bit of strength I had was being drained away.I didn’t speak as we walked, the silence between us thick with unspoken things. When we reached the cabin, Kane immediately went to work. His movements were quick, purposeful, like he was trying to push everything else away, focusing only on me. He started a fire in the small stone hearth, the flames crackling to life with a snap and a hiss.I sat by the fire, the warmth slowly seeping into my chilled bones. The rain kept pouring outside, but inside, the fire made it bearable. I wanted to speak, to say something to break the silence, but my voice caught in my throat. My mind was too full of everything—everything I’d done, everything I was trying to r
SIERRAI rushed down the hallway, heart pounding in my chest, panic settling in. The moment I received the call, I knew something was wrong. Dane’s name echoed in my mind like a mantra, urging me to move faster. My breaths were shallow as I pushed the door open, my eyes immediately catching the chaos inside the house."Dane!" I screamed, rushing to him, my gaze locking on his writhing body. His eyes were wide, unseeing, and his limbs twisted violently, the seizure claiming him. My mother’s frantic cries only added to the madness in the room."Sierra, please! Do something!" my mother pleaded through her tears. I could barely think. My feet were frozen, my body trembling from fear. But then I heard Kane’s voice, steady and strong."Sierra, focus," Kane said, his hand gripping my arm, his tone urgent. "You can help him. You have to."I nodded, forcing myself to breathe deeply, shaking off the panic that threatened to overwhelm me. I glanced at Dane, his face contorted in pain. I could fe
SIERRAThree months laterThe morning sun streamed through the window, its golden rays spilling over the room like a warm farewell. I folded the last shirt and placed it carefully into my worn suitcase, the lid groaning softly as I closed it. The house felt different this morning—quieter than usual, almost as if it too was holding its breath for the inevitable goodbye. Three months of peace, and now we were leaving.I stood there for a moment, staring at the dresser. My fingers traced the edge, feeling the smooth wood beneath them. This house had been more than just a shelter. It had been a place to heal, to find myself again after everything. But deep down, I knew it was time to move on. My mother deserved her space, and her life back, and honestly, we needed ours too.A soft knock at the door pulled me out of my thoughts. “Sierra? You ready?” Dane’s voice came through, gentle but with a familiar urgency that tugged at my chest.I walked over and opened the door. Dane stood there, hi
SIERRAThe laughter started with Zane. It was low at first, a chuckle that grew into a full-on laugh, and soon I couldn’t help but join in. “You’re kidding, right?” I managed to say between breaths, clutching my stomach.Dane’s deep laughter echoed mine, and even Kane cracked a rare smile, though he didn’t laugh outright. “Nightwalkers?” Dane asked, his voice laced with disbelief. “What is this, a campfire ghost story?”The boys standing in front of us didn’t flinch. Their expressions were as serious as a heart attack, their rigid postures only adding to the awkward tension. One of them, a tall guy with sharp green eyes and a scar running down his cheek, stepped forward. “We’re not joking,” he said, his tone firm. “This is serious. You’re putting everyone here in danger.”The laughter died in my throat as I studied him. His voice carried conviction, and for a moment, doubt crept into my mind. But Zane wasn’t having it.“Yeah, okay,” Zane said, folding his arms across his chest. “Dange
SIERRAThe rush of adrenaline still hasn't left my veins. My heart beats wildly in my chest as the boys crowd around me, their eyes wide with desperation."What did you see, Sierra?" Kane demands, his voice low, full of concern. His hand grips my shoulder tightly, as if he's afraid I might disappear if he lets go. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t form the words to explain it. All I can think of is those pitch-black eyes, the sinister rasping voice. I shiver, feeling like something is crawling under my skin."I... I don't know," I stutter, my voice barely above a whisper. "It... it was dark, like pure darkness, and then those eyes. They were empty and cold. And... the voice. It was raspy, like... like something not human."Kane shakes his head, trying to piece together the fragments of my story, but nothing makes sense. Dylan, who’s been quiet up until now, takes a step closer, his brow furrowed in confusion."Who was it, Sierra? You must’ve heard something. Who’s voice was it?""
SIERRAThe first rays of dawn peeked through the curtains, but the chill in the air lingered—a strange, unnatural cold. My body trembled uncontrollably, my skin damp with sweat despite the warmth of Kane’s arm draped over me. I couldn’t shake the image of those pitch-black eyes and the raspy voice echoing in my mind.“Sierra?” Dane’s voice was soft as he brushed the hair from my face. “You’re shaking like a leaf. What happened?”“I don’t know,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I… I think something was here.”Zane sat up on my other side, rubbing his eyes. His expression darkened when he saw me. “What do you mean, something? Sierra, you’re pale as a ghost.”Before I could respond, the wolves who had warned us last night burst into the room. Their leader, a tall, muscular man with a scar running down his cheek, scanned the room with sharp eyes.“It was here,” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.Kane’s grip on me tightened. “What do you mean? What was here?”The scarred wolf’s
ZANEI could feel the tension in the room before I even saw her. Sierra. She had been distant for a while now, but this time… this time it was different. Something about the way she was sitting there, staring off into nothingness, had a strange weight in the air. My gut twisted. I knew something was wrong."Guys, look," I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I stepped closer to her. The others, already busy getting dressed, froze. I could see it in their eyes—the same realization dawning on them. Sierra wasn’t just zoning out. She wasn’t reacting to anything, not even when we touched her. It was as if she was somewhere else entirely."What the hell’s going on with her?" Kane muttered, concern thick in his voice as he reached out, lightly tapping her arm. "Sierra, hey, snap out of it."But she didn’t. She just sat there, her eyes unfocused, her lips moving in a strange rhythm, whispering something under her breath. I leaned in closer, straining to hear."He’s coming… He’s coming…"
SIERRAThe voice came softly at first, a faint whisper threading through the edges of my sleep.“Sierra…”I stirred but kept my eyes shut. It wasn’t real—I was dreaming. That’s what I told myself. But then it came again, louder, more insistent.“Sierra, come…”My eyes shot open. The room was still and dark, the boys sleeping soundly nearby. I tried to shake off the lingering haze of sleep, but the voice came again, so clear it was as though someone was standing right next to me.“Sierra, follow me.”My heart raced, and I sat up, glancing around. There was no one in the room. It didn’t make sense.“Sierra…”It was coming from outside. I stood, barely realizing my legs were moving. I knew I shouldn’t. I knew this was wrong, but I couldn’t help it. The voice pulled me, invisible strings tugging me forward.I stepped out into the cool night air, the forest looming ahead like a wall of shadows.“Sierra… this way.”I followed.The forest was quiet, unnervingly so. No rustling leaves, no chi
SIERRAThe darkness wrapped around me like a second skin, thick and suffocating. The cold air of the cave seeped into my bones, making me shiver. I was back. Back in the cave with them.The vampires stood around me, their red eyes glowing in the dim light. Their faces twisted with anger and impatience, their expressions a mix of hunger and frustration. My breathing quickened, my pulse racing. I had escaped this place. I knew I had. But here I was again, trapped like an animal in a cage.One of them stepped forward—the elder, his sharp features unreadable. He looked at me like I was nothing more than an inconvenience, something standing in the way of his freedom. His cold, thin lips curled into a sneer."You think you can leave us here to rot?" he hissed, his voice smooth but laced with venom. "You think we’ll just sit back and do nothing?"I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stand my ground. "I don’t know how to help you," I said, my voice unsteady but firm. "I barely understand what’
ZANEThe moment I heard that howl, my heart stopped. It was Sierra. I would know her howl anywhere. My chest tightened as my wolf stirred inside me, howling back in recognition, even though I didn’t make a sound."Did you hear that?" I turned to Kane and Dane, who were flipping through the latest useless book we’d found on ancient spells.They froze, their ears twitching. Kane tilted his head, listening. “Is that—?”“Sierra,” I confirmed, already moving toward the door. “That’s her.”Dane stood, his jaw clenching. “You’re sure?”I didn’t stop. “I’ll never forget her howl. Let’s go.”We shifted without another word, our wolves surging forward with renewed energy. I felt the wind whip through my fur as we raced toward the cave. The closer we got, the more her howl cut through the air, louder and more distinct. She was alive. She was waiting.When we broke through the tree line, I skidded to a stop, nearly crashing into Kane. There she was. Sierra. In her wolf form, she was pacing, tail
SIERRAThe sound of running water grew louder with every step I took. My heartbeat quickened as I hurried toward it. I didn’t know what I’d find, but it felt like hope—something I hadn’t felt in a long time.Finally, I came upon it. An open stream, crystal clear and flowing freely through the cave, its gentle sound echoing off the walls. Relief washed over me. Water. A small sign of life in this cold, suffocating prison. I knelt, cupping some in my hand when I heard footsteps behind me.Hazel. Of course, she’d followed me.“What are you doing here?” I asked, standing up quickly.Her silver eyes glinted under the faint light of the stream. “You wandered off. Someone had to make sure you didn’t kill yourself accidentally,” she said dryly, stepping toward the water.“Hazel, wait…”Before I could stop her, Hazel stepped forward, her foot brushing the edge of the stream. The moment it made contact, a blood-curdling scream erupted from her lips, echoing violently through the cave. The sound
SIERRAThe words wouldn’t stop ringing in my ears. "You can't stay trapped in your own spell." What did that even mean? Did I create this spell? Was the person I saw really me? The woman looked so young, beautiful, and powerful. Her aura was captivating, radiating an energy that demanded respect. Me? I was barely keeping my fire powers from spiraling out of control. How could I compare?I leaned against the cold, damp wall of the cave, trying to make sense of it all. My head was pounding from the shock I’d gotten earlier. My body was screaming at me to rest, but my mind wouldn’t let me. The pieces didn’t fit.A shadow loomed over me. I looked up to see one of the vampires—Hazel, I think her name was—watching me curiously. Her eyes were sharp, but there was a flicker of something softer beneath them.“How are you holding up?” she asked, crossing her arms.“I’m fine,” I lied. My voice came out steadier than I felt. “Just… a bit hazy.”Hazel raised an eyebrow. “You’re a terrible liar, yo
ZANEI could still feel Sierra’s voice echoing in my head as we walked away from the woods. Her words, her plea for us to figure out how to get her out of that cursed cave, kept playing over and over again. My hands clenched into fists. My wolf was restless, itching to do something, anything. But for now, all we had was silence. Kane, Dane, and I hadn’t spoken a word since we left the forest.We reached the edge of the pack’s territory, where the air felt heavier. Kane broke the silence first. “We’re wasting time.”Dane shot him a look. “And what do you suggest, genius? The werewolves made it clear they couldn’t remember how they spelled that cave. They told us to give up. Did you forget that little detail?”Kane growled low in his throat. “I didn’t forget. I just refuse to accept it. They’re lying.”I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Whether they’re lying or not doesn’t matter. What matters is Sierra is still in that damn cave. And we’re going to get her out.”Dane crossed hi
SIERRAI whimpered, my body shivering from more than just the cold. The shock from earlier was still buzzing through my veins, lingering like a bad memory. My body hurt all over, and my head felt like it was going to explode. I tried to push myself up, but the dizziness almost knocked me out again.Looking around, I realized I was no longer in the cave. The dark, damp stone walls had been replaced with thick, snow-covered trees. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the scenery—a forest, but not the kind I recognized. Everything was still, frozen, as if the world was holding its breath. And winter. It was so cold. My teeth began to chatter, and goosebumps spread across my skin.I shivered and hugged myself, trying to warm up, but something felt… off. It wasn’t just the cold. There was something eerie about this place. I could feel it in the pit of my stomach.Then I heard it—voices. Quiet, almost muffled. I strained my ears, trying to make sense of it. Slowly, I started to move t
SIERRAI couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the vampires as they laughed, their mocking tones echoing in the cold, damp cave. They were right about one thing: I wasn’t capable of killing them. Not right now, at least.But damn it, I was going to make them regret underestimating me.“You think you’re scary?” one of them sneered, his pale face twisting into a grin. “You think you can take us down? You can’t even kill a fly.”I clenched my fists at my sides, my heart hammering in my chest. I could feel the fire in my veins, the beast inside me clawing to get out. I wasn’t backing down. Not now. Not ever.“Try me,” I spat back, my voice steady, even though my heart was threatening to beat out of my chest.They all chuckled, clearly not impressed. They thought they had me figured out, but they had no idea. No idea what I was capable of, what the Moon Goddess had shown me. The vision I’d seen, the warning, the feeling, it meant something. I knew it.The vampires exchanged looks, their amusem
SIERRA“Enough!” I snapped, turning my glare on the elder vampire. My voice was razor-sharp, cutting through the tension in the room. “Stop threatening me. I’ve had it with your games and your smug attitude.”Her smug smirk widened, but she didn’t respond, just raised an arched brow like I was some amusing little thing. Before I could fire off another retort, Dane’s voice boomed from outside.“If anything happens to Sierra, you’ll bear the consequences, vampire!” His tone was laced with venom, and I could hear the fury trembling just beneath the surface.The elder burst into laughter, her amusement almost musical, but it grated on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. “Oh, sweet boys,” she purred mockingly, brushing her perfect hair back with a casual flick of her wrist. “It’s such a bad idea to threaten the people who are holding your mate hostage. What exactly do you think you can do from out there?”“Try us!” Zane growled, his voice fierce and unrelenting.“Stop it, all of you!” I
SIERRAMy fingers brushed against the side of my neck where the bite still burned, the sting sharp and relentless, like a constant reminder of how completely screwed I was. It wasn’t just pain—it was humiliation, fear, and anger all wrapped into one throbbing wound. My glare was locked on the woman in front of me—no, scratch that, the vampire in front of me. There was no mistaking it now. She wasn’t just some random lunatic who had cornered me and decided I looked like a snack. She was something otherworldly, something I hadn’t believed existed outside of myths and horror stories.When she first attacked, she was a gnarled figure with sunken eyes, stringy hair, and pale, almost sickly skin that looked like it hadn’t seen sunlight in centuries. She was terrifying in the way a shadow in the dark is terrifying—something you can’t fully see but know you should fear. But now? Now, she had transformed into a vision of beauty and power, like some cruel cosmic joke designed to mock me.She lo