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
ARIELI was furious.My hands shook, my breath came out in short, sharp bursts, and my entire body burned with rage. Astrid. That traitor. She ran to Sierra, ran straight into the arms of our enemies, spilling my secrets like a pathetic little rat.How dare she?I stormed through the house, knocking over anything in my path. A vase shattered against the floor. A chair crashed against the wall. The vampires around me scrambled out of my way, their heads lowered, their bodies pressed against the walls like they could disappear if they stayed still enough.They should be afraid.I wanted them to be afraid.I stopped, my sharp eyes landing on one of the younger ones, a nervous-looking fool hovering in the corner. His hands twitched at his sides like he was debating whether to run.I moved before he could even think about it.One second, I was across the room. The next, I had my fingers wrapped around his throat, lifting him off the ground with ease. His hands clawed at mine, his feet kick
SIERRAI folded my arms, overseeing Astrid. Everything in me screamed not to trust her, but I couldn’t ignore what she was saying either. Ariel’s magic had already done enough damage, I knew that firsthand.Before I could respond, Dane stepped beside me, his stance tense and rigid. His distrust was written all over his face. “You’re really going to listen to her?” he scoffed. “It’s probably a trick. Ariel could’ve put her up to this.”“She’s a vampire,” Zane added sharply. “Why would she suddenly care about helping us? It doesn’t make sense.” His jaw clenched as he eyed Astrid with suspicion.Astrid let out a slow breath as if she had expected this reaction. “I wouldn’t risk coming here,” she said, her voice steady but urgent. “Not when I know exactly what Ariel is capable of.” Her golden eyes flickered with something close to desperation. “You don’t understand, if she finds out I came here, I’ll pay for it.”“She will find out,” Kane snapped. His fists curled at his sides. “She alway
ASTRIDSierra’s eyes widened at my words, but she masked her shock quickly, narrowing her gaze at me. I could see the battle happening in her mind, the way she warred with whether to believe me or not. I didn’t blame her. We had never been on the same side, and now, here I was, claiming to offer an alliance.“I don’t trust you,” she said flatly, her arms crossing over her chest.“I don’t expect you to,” I admitted. “But trust isn’t necessary. What matters is that we both have a common problem and right now, I’m offering you the truth.”Sierra hesitated for only a moment before turning back toward the house. I expected her to invite me in, but instead, she stepped outside, her mates following close behind her. I had to stop myself from reacting. Smart girl. She wasn’t going to let me into her home, not even for a conversation. I respected that.Dane and the others flanked her protectively, their stares filled with open suspicion. Dane spoke first. “What do you want, Astrid?”I took a s
ASTRIDThe moment I stepped back into the estate, fury clawed at my insides. My hands curled into fists, my nails digging into my palms as I stormed down the hall. I had to get away from Ariel before I did something reckless.How dare she? How dare she bind us together with a spell so dangerous that a single weak link could drag us all down? And then, to stand there and smirk, as if she had all the power in the world?I should have ripped her apart.Instead, I took a deep breath, pushed down my rage, and kept walking. I had to be smarter than that.I didn’t make it far before I heard a sharp voice behind me. “Astrid.”I turned to see Celia standing at the entrance to the main hall, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her usually composed face twisted with anger. The tension in the room was thick, pressing against me like an impending storm. Behind her, the other vampires stood in tense silence, their eyes burning with barely contained fury.“You knew about this, didn’t you?” Celia de
ARIELWhen I stepped into the grand hall of the vampire estate, I noticed something was off. Every single one of them, powerful, bloodthirsty creatures that they were, stood frozen, their faces pale with something close to fear.Fear of me.I smirked, letting the silence stretch, relishing the way their red eyes darted around the room like caged animals searching for an escape. Their fangs, usually displayed in smug confidence, remained tucked away, their bodies tense, stiff as statues.“Oh, don’t all rush to welcome me at once.” My voice rang through the cavernous space, laced with amusement.No one responded.A few of them took an instinctive step back, the movement subtle but not missed. One vampire near the entrance gripped the hilt of a dagger at his waist, though he made no move to draw it. Another swallowed thickly, his throat bobbing as though the very sight of me had dried his mouth.It was almost laughable.These creatures, feared by humans and even some supernaturals, stood
SIERRAThe hot water cascaded over my skin, washing away the remnants of exhaustion and frustration. I tried to hold onto my anger, to focus on the fact that Dane had made a deal with Ariel without even knowing the price. But it was difficult when his hands were on me, sliding down my arms, tracing gentle circles on my hips.“Dane,” I started, intending to scold him, but the words melted into a soft moan when his fingers dug slightly into my waist. I hated how easily he unraveled me, how his touch turned my fury into something else entirely.“I’m not leaving you, Sierra,” he murmured against my ear, his voice deep and resolute. “And I’m not doing anything with Ariel. I just couldn’t watch you suffer.”I sighed, leaning back against him as his lips ghosted over my neck. “I still don’t trust her.”“Neither do I,” he admitted, pressing a kiss just below my ear. “But I had to do something.”His hands moved up my stomach, teasing but never crossing the line. Heat coiled low in my belly, an
DANEI tightened my grip on Sierra’s limp hand, my heart pounding. Her face was too pale, her breathing too shallow. Every second that passed felt like a lifetime, and I couldn’t take it anymore.“Ariel,” I said, my voice raw. “Please. Do it now. Whatever it takes.”Ariel tilted her head, her lips curling into a knowing smile. “Begging now, are we?”I clenched my jaw. “Just save her.”Ariel rolled her eyes but knelt beside Sierra, placing her hands gently over the burn. A faint glow emitted from her palms, flickering like the flame of a candle before growing stronger. She murmured in a language I didn’t recognize, her voice steady and sure. The air around us thickened, charged with an almost electric energy that made the hairs on my arms stand on end.The glow spread, tendrils of light unfurling from Ariel’s hands and wrapping around Sierra’s body like a cocoon. The energy pulsed, shifting from a soft gold to an intense, almost blinding white. I clenched my fists, watching in tense si
DANEI couldn't take it anymore. Watching Sierra in agony, her body trembling as she fought against the pain, was unbearable. I felt useless, standing there while she suffered, unable to do a damn thing to help her. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my frustration bubbling over until I couldn’t hold it in any longer.“I need some air,” I muttered, turning on my heel.“Dane.” Kane’s voice was sharp with suspicion. “Where are you going?”I didn’t answer. I just kept walking, my strides long and determined as I pushed open the door of the packhouse and stepped into the night. The cool air did nothing to soothe the fire in my chest. Sierra’s pained whimpers echoed in my ears, haunting me with every step I took.Kane cursed under his breath and hurried after me. “Don’t do anything stupid,” he warned, grabbing my arm. “I know what you’re thinking.”I yanked my arm free. “Then you know I can’t just stand there and watch her suffer, Kane.” My voice was rough with frustration. “She’s i
SIERRAAriel’s smirk deepened, eyes glinting with amusement as she leaned against the tree, arms crossed. “Well?” she prompted, tilting her head. “Do we have a deal?”I clenched my fists, trying to keep my breathing steady despite the pain in my arm. “It’s impossible,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t mind giving up my powers, but I will never give you my mate.”The boys tensed beside me, their postures rigid. Dane’s jaw locked, and Kane let out a sharp breath through his nose. Zane took a threatening step forward. “You’re insane if you think we’d ever agree to that.”Ariel threw her head back and laughed, the sound ringing through the darkened woods like a twisted melody. “Oh, you poor things,” she cooed, her eyes flashing with mischief. “I was trying to be polite, but since you insist on making this difficult…”She lifted her hand and flicked her fingers.The pain was immediate and unbearable. A sudden, sharp heat shot through my entire body, like fire licking at my veins, burning