The final bell pulled me from my hectic thoughts. I pulled myself from the empty teachers desk and wobbled over to the door. My legs felt shaky, and the sensitive spot between my legs was slightly sore.
It was a short walk to Tori's locker and much to my surprise she was already there.Tori's first words had me nearly falling over."Woah, what the hell happened to your neck?" Tori gaped, her eyes locked on something I couldn't see."W-What?" I gasped and Tori stepped aside, gesturing to the mirror hanging on her locker door.I stood on my tiptoes and peered into the mirror, choking on my own breath at the dark bruise-like spots that ran down my neck.The fucking twins had left hickeys all over me. There was no way I'd be able to hide this from Melissa, or the people at work. I never had hickeys before, but I knew they didn't go away in 24 hours.Tori pursed her lips and eyed me knowingly, "The twins?"I went to bed early that night, hoping to get some decent sleep for a change. The twin's lingered in my waking and sleeping moments. I thought about them a minimum of three hundred and twenty nine times a day. I'm not sure how that's possible, but you'd think that would keep them from lingering around in my dreams.I tossed and turned for half the night, finally falling sleep around three in the morning. I didn't bother setting an alarm, I wanted to sleep through as much of the day as possible.I woke around one in the afternoon, noticing a voicemail on the flip phone Melissa had gotten me.The social worker had got my message and sent it along. She told me to expect the next check in the mail any day now. Melissa would be thrilled. I wonder how long it'll take her to revert back to her usual self. Hopefully she'll keep to her word and give me half of the money.I trudged down the hall quietly, slipping into the bathroom when I thought the
Tori drove deep into the woods and I watched the trees pass by in silence. We drove about ten minutes into the forest until spotting another paved road.I let my fingers wander up to my cheek, wincing at the soreness that radiated across my face. Frank had never hit me in the face before, and I wondered how long it would take until my face began to swell and bruise. Hopefully it could wait until I made it safely home. I didn't bother letting Melissa know where I was. I didn't have her number anyway.Tori turned down another road and I felt my jaw drop as a mini town came into view. A small town nestled in the middle of the forest, and it looked all shiny and new. A sprinkling fountain sat in the middle of the small town square. Hell, they even had a few shops lingering around. I instantly spotted a coffee shop and and a little diner type restaurant."Wow." I gaped, looking around the town square.People were out and about, walking down the
I followed Tori into her house, my ankle absolutely screaming in protest. I could in the short time I'd been hanging out with Tori, my ankle had swelled up considerably.I tried to cover my horrendous limp, but the sharp pain shooting up my leg made it difficult."Are you limping?" Tori frowned, her eyes locked on my injured ankle."It's nothing." I shrugged, "I fell earlier and must've twisted it."I hadn't much experience with lying, but I hoped I had enough skill to fool Tori. My heart was thundering in my chest from the simple lie and Tori stood quietly for a few moments. The more seconds that passed in silence, the faster my heart began to beat."You should let me wrap it." Tori pursed her lips, she didn't look fooled, "It'll hurt less to walk on."I contemplated that for a few moments and nodded in defeat. I could easily cover up a twisted ankle. A simple fall would be the perfect excuse. She knew how clumbsy I
Alec"Hello there Tori." The new receptionist grinned."Hey Jaycee." Tori smiled in return, "Is my Dad in the back?"Jaycee had just recently graduated highschool, and her parents practically begged for their daughter to apprentice under the pack doctor."Sure is." Jaycee nodded, "Go on through, he's not busy at the moment."My fingers twitched irritably, and I glanced over at my brother. While I relented and let Kade have a turn holding Aurora, I was already beginning to miss her.Twin's were exceedingly rare in the werewolf community, making Kade and I a medical anomaly. While Kade happened to be a few minutes older than I, the two of us shared the role of Alpha. We had spent out entire lives sharing things. The only thing we refused to share was women. Kade and I had never found a woman worth sharing, someone we both couldn't part with.Our parents were at a standstill. It was clear Kade
Tori's Dad was really nice as far as Doctor's go. While I still hated hospitals, I felt a little more comfortable.Tori's Dad had given me half of some little white pill. After about half an hour, the pain in my foot subsided to a dull throb."You have a fracture in your foot." Tori's Dad pursed his lips, obviously eyeing the bruise on my cheek. "Quite a fall you had.""Sure was." I nodded, fighting to keep my voice relaxed and even. "I'm pretty clumbsy though so it isn't a surprise.""Make sure to be careful next time." Tori's Dad nodded, seeming unconvinced."Will do." I murmured, "My folk's are renovating the house at the moment so it's been pretty cluttered at the moment."I was just burying myself in lies at this point. Lying about my relationship with my family. Lying about my house. Lying about my bruises. I reminded myself it'll all be worth it once I graduate and move the hell out. All of the lies would be wo
I somehow managed to sleep well into Friday and I was grateful for the few extra hours.Alec and Kade's words swam in my head like hungry sharks.They said I belonged to them, and for whatever reason the feeling was mutual. No matter how hard I resisted, some part of me felt they were mine. That the twins belonged to me.I kept to my room most of Friday, only dare venturing out when I knew Melissa was at work. Frank was the biggest risk. Shit would go downhill instantly if he was awake.It must've been my lucky day. As I tiptoed downstairs, Frank was snoring away in his recliner. I managed to grab another box of leftovers from the restaurant and creep back up to my bedroom. I couldn't wait until I managed to get out of this hell-hole. Sneaking around my own house was miserable. Constantly tiptoeing around, hoping I didn't step on a land-mine.My Friday was spent in complete solitude, and I was thoroughly enjoying it. Either Fran
"I got you." A familiar voice murmured, lifting me from the ground.I felt weightless in Carson's arms. My mind was swimming numbly, struggling to form any kind of coherent thoughts. All I knew was something was desperately wrong with me. My limbs refused to respond, and if they did it was incredibly delayed.Carson carried me somewhere. Sights and sounds I had experienced multiple times were now completely foreign.I was thrown on something soft. My mind couldn't comprehend what it was. My fingers twisted in the soft material slowly, winding and unwinding."She didn't even notice." Carson's voice rang out, but I couldn't understand what he was saying. I could hear the words clearly, but I couldn't understand the meanings.In the midst of the absolute cloudiness of my brain, something else was happening inside of me. At first it felt like little pinpricks. Like something hitting against a brick wall. The feeling was like an itch
I felt hands wrap around the tops of my arms, and a strangled scream left my throat.Fear was a powerful thing. I had never experienced it in it's fullest. Fear cripples the mind and clouds the senses. Fear brings out our most animalistic tendencies, forcing everything that makes us human from our minds in an attempt to escape, to survive.I didn't look into the eyes of the person that grabbed me, nor did I want to. A strangled scream tore through my throat as my hands lifted to defend myself. The strength I once had was waning, but I used what was left to its fullest. I kicked, punched, and clawed the person touching me.I only bothered to look up when the person's hands left my body and my bottom hit the sidewalk.Kade and Alec looked absolutely fucking horrified. Like I was a caged animal who had escaped and was now on a murderous rampage.I watched the emotion's shift in their eyes when they took in the state of my face. I h
The humid summer air, with it’s traces of fresh water and wildflowers, had always been my favorite. It was especially fragrant here, in the field of golden grass I often visited. Even as I sat on the thick quilt I had brought along, I longed for the feel of the grass beneath my feet. Rummaging through my bag, I pulled out a cherry-almond croissant I had saved from my bakery. After all the years, it was still up and running. The new management was a feisty girl named Kiara, whose pastry experiments often turned out incredible. This place had once been secret, but as I watched the children laugh and play, I couldn’t bring myself to regret sharing this place with them. A piece of the purest happiness I had ever experienced, countless memories full of it—all of which were made here. There were six of them, three boys and three girls, darting through the grass with earsplitting grins on their faces. Some were missing a few baby teeth; others were c
Three Years LaterMy back arched and eyes rolled back as molten pleasure coiled between my legs, increasing with every desperate stroke of Kade’s tongue. My hands were tangled in his hair, tugging him closer while also pushing him away. His snarls vibrated against my slick folds, coaxing unfathomable sounds from my lips. The man ate like he was starving, devouring every inch of my swollen flesh with his lips, tongue, and teeth.Alec lay beside me, the heavy length of him pressed against my hip as he stroked and played with my tender nipples. Lavishing kisses down my neck and shoulder. Goosebumps erupted where his light caresses fell, even though the air around us was humid and warm.Both he and Kade were entranced, feasting on me as they had countless times, only this time—their attention would stray down to my stomach, to the swell of life hidden within my womb.They were achingly gentle with me. To the point where my core throbbed, begging t
One Year LaterI glanced down at the old article I had saved, snickering at my name in such a bold font. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to it, having every werewolf in the world know my name.A photo of the twin’s and I sat below the headline, my odd colored eyes bright and vibrant. I was glowing with happiness as I stood between the twins, like a light had been switched on deep within. Kade stood behind me, his arms wound around my waist as I grinned and stared into Alec’s eyes. None of us were expecting a hidden reporter to snap the photograph. Even after an entire year, my love for my mates hadn’t dimmed. If anything, it had grown stronger. It was my favorite picture of the three of us.The reporters had a field day when the twin’s and I were finally married.The ceremony was mostly for show, an excuse to throw an extravagant party that would lighten spirits and spread some happiness. The public were invited, along
My Luna Ceremony commenced the following weekend, making Carrie even more frazzled as she planned last minute details. Day by day, her buns became just a tad messier. Flower arrangements, guest lists, and food. She had even gone as far to search for entertainment. I had all but forbade her to make an event out of it, but the twin’s ordered her not to listen.Streamers of cobalt and powder blue wrapped around the light posts in town, hanging brightly decorated wreaths. Storefronts hung lights, and laughter trickled in through the cracks of devastation.The crowd of guests that cheered when I walked under the pavilion erected in the park made my face flush. The positive emotions made me giddy as I passed from guest to guest, riding the high of happiness and celebration.As the ceremony commenced, the joy in my stomach turned to worry. Self-doubt lingered at the corners of my mind, fleeing only when the twins came into sight.Alec had trimmed his hair
Two Months LaterOne deep breath, and then another.“Relax, Aurora.” Zayne’s flat voice sounded from a few feet in front of me, icy eyes pivoting across the lounge to meet my own. Ever since his father’s death, there were moments where he seemed carved from ice. The only one able to thaw him was currently waiting along with the rest of the crowd. “Whether they know it or not, they’re looking for a leader, someone better to replace Marcus. Speak with confidence and they’ll listen.”“He isn’t wrong.” Brandon Fox shrugged. The only similarities between Jaspar and his eldest son were the piercing eyes and lazy grin. Everything else, including the golden hair, came from his mother.“Still, she is not wrong to be worried. There are some that won’t be happy with this decision.” Isaiah chimed in, the voice of reason as he stood second in line.“What do you think?&rdqu
The sound of muffled arguing emerged from the kitchen, most of which held the noticeable soprano of Tori’s voice. Every few seconds, I could hear Kady’s mom snap back in a venomous tone. Even Garrett was perfectly content with letting them argue, considering he was still processing all that I had told him. He hadn’t moved from his position on the couch, his chin resting in the palm of his hand. The same rush of emotion had once washed through me and even now, it was hard to believe that things were changing. Julian sat at his side, unable to conceal the wide grin that stole his face. The exact opposite of his brooding and severe brother. It made him look younger, even though the lines etched into his smooth face were a testament to his age. He leaned forward on his haunches, eyes sparkling. There had always been something feral about Julian. Still, he was more approachable than Garrett. “How’d you kill him, kid? Did he beg?” My stomach soured
I turned on my heel, a hand clasped over where my own bullet wound should have been. My mind was reeling, but my body understood what to do as I stumbled over to where Kade lay on the cement floor. Alec was hunched over him tearing the clothes from one of the dead inner circle members, a middle-aged man with greying hair and a scar just above his lip. The thousand-dollar suit jacket was shining with Kade’s blood, even as Alec held it tightly against his chest. I could feel the blood pumping out with each ragged heartbeat. A small clump of silver metal sat beside Alec’s knelt form, the bullet he had fished from Kade’s chest. Kade shifted into his human form after the bullet had been removed, his skin translucent and pale. There was a thin sheen of sweat that covered him, even though he was cold to the touch. Alec’s eyes met mine, unending darkness that seemed surprisingly calm despite the earthquake of emotions shattering what strength he had. I glance
Kade’s rage became him, heating his blood until it boiled as it pumped throughout his form. The violent emotion overtook him completely, giving his increased strength a savage edge. Alec’s head was a different story, the same book but in another format. He could see and breathe through his rage, using it to propel not himself, but his thoughts forward. Strategies and plans flitted through his head, disorienting and at rapid-fire. Many of them looked like football plays, marking where Ariana, the Hound, and the two guards stood. I tried not to give into the sinking feeling that overtook me, when even Alec couldn’t produce a plan of action. We were outnumbered, exceptionally considering I couldn’t use my magic while Ariana was in the room, and my combat training was strictly lodged in the beginner stage. Still, I hadn’t come this far by giving up. Through pain and blood, I’d give everything I had. With my mates at my side, both identical and different in every
“It is within all of your best interests to stand down.” Jaspar Fox’s voice rang throughout the crowd, strong and very much alive. The wolves he had brought with him twitched their tails in irritation, we were evenly matched now. I could see shimmering eyes deep within the forest, watching and waiting from the outside. “Defy your Alpha and take your own life into your hands, because soon Marcus Novak will be dead.”Jaspar looked towards me and somehow, I was able to decipher the words within his pale colored eyes. He was asking me a question, a simple yes or no. It took only a few seconds, reaching out with my magic before I had the answer.Disappointment and acceptance flashed in his eyes as I shook my head ‘no’.Many of the warriors here were loyal to Marcus, and radiated waves of hostility as they barely managed to keep themselves still. I could feel that so many of them were desperate for a way out, but the fear that