LIANAI hesitated, my resolve shaken to its core. Could I really endure such pain? My eyes met Zaylen's, searching for strength. He gave me a reassuring nod, his eyes filled with assurance.“Yes,” I finally said, my voice trembling but determined. “I will. I will at least have to try. I can't give up without trying.”The elders exchanged glances and nodded in unison, signaling the end of the meeting. As they left the room, their presence felt like a weight lifting off my shoulders, but the anxiety remained.Zaylen and I were now alone. “Liana,” I glanced at him, “We should stay together tomorrow night.”“Huh?” I arched an eyebrow in confusion.He cleared his throat and let out, “I mean, if you do happen to lose control and transform fully, while our goal might fail, at least I will be able to stop you from going on a killing spree.”Zaylen's suggestion did make sense. “Okay. That sounds like a good plan,” I agreed. His smile warmed me, easing some of the tension in my chest. “Do
LIANAI stepped into the kitchen once again, my mind still reeling from the revelation of the scratches on my arms. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease, the fear of what I did while I was under the influence of the sedative.“Hey, guys,” I began, my voice shaky with uncertainty. “Can you tell me anything about these scratches? I don't remember anything from last night. What did I do?”Sara and Kiara exchanged a glance, their expressions somber as Kiara spoke up, “The thing is, Lia, even after we gave you the sedative, you still moved around a lot in your bed, writhing in pain and scratching yourself.”“We tried to hold you down, but you still managed to scratch yourself quite a bit,” Sara added.The image painted by their words sent a shiver down my spine. To think that my body had been in such agony, even in my sleep, was terrifying.“Why is this happening to me?” I whispered, unable to contain the fear and frustration bubbling inside me.Before I knew it, tears welled up in
LIANAIn the quiet of the evening, my phone rang, the familiar ringtone signaling an incoming call from my dad. I hesitated for a moment before answering, unsure of what to expect."Hi, Dad," I greeted, trying to keep my voice steady despite the apprehension swirling inside me. Maybe he wanted to mend things? I could only hope so."Liana, you haven't replied to the apartment leave notice," my dad's voice came through the line. I sighed, feeling a pang of disappointment at myself for daring to hope for anything with my father. "Don’t worry, Dad. I will leave the apartment next month," I assured him."You really are stubborn, aren't you? Can't you just apologize?" he chided, his frustration evident in his voice. “You know that your credit card has been cut off too.”I bristled at his words, my own stubbornness rising to the surface. "I wouldn't know, Dad, because I don't use that credit card," I shot back, unable to keep the bite out of my tone.His response was immediate, his voice
ZAYLENAs I wrapped my arms around Liana, I felt her nails digging into my back, but I ignored the pain, focusing instead on providing her with the comfort she desperately needed. She seemed almost possessed by her anguish, her body trembling against mine."It's okay, Liana," I murmured softly. "You are safe. I am here."I continued to rub her back in gentle circles, offering whatever solace I could as she struggled to regain control. I hated seeing her like this. If there was something I could do to relieve her of her pain… If only I could make her pain mine…I held her tighter, feeling helpless, and unable to do anything but hold her.Her breath came in ragged gasps, and I could feel the tension slowly easing from her body.Once I sensed her breathing begin to steady, I pulled back slightly, still keeping her within arm's reach. "Are you okay?" I asked, my voice filled with genuine concern.She shook her head, her tears flowing freely now as she poured out her fears."I don't wan
ZAYLENAs the clock struck midnight, I watched helplessly as Liana battled against the waves of pain crashing over her. My heart ached for her, wishing there was something more I could do to ease her suffering."Zaylen," she whispered, her voice strained with effort, "tell me something... something that will make me forget about everything."I took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of courage within me. This was my chance to be honest with her, to lay bare my feelings despite the uncertainty that lingered between us."I like you," I confessed, the words hanging in the air between us like a fragile thread.To my surprise, she let out a strained laugh, her eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement, despite the pain ripping through her. "Good one," she replied, her voice trying to hide her agony. "That made me forget all my pain for a good second there."I felt a pang of disappointment at her response."It's not a joke," I insisted, my tone serious as I tried to convey the sincerity o
ZAYLENI pulled Liana close, our bodies pressed together as if trying to merge into one. Our lips met in a steamy, fevered kiss that sent electric jolts through my entire being. Her mouth opened slightly, and our tongues tangled in a sensual dance and exploring.Every kiss of mine was a promise. Every touch was a silent confession. If only Liana would let herself accept it.My hands roamed her back, feeling the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric of her top. She responded with equal fervor, her fingers threading through my hair, pulling me even closer. As my hand slipped under her top, trailing up her spine, she shivered but didn’t pull away. Instead, she leaned into me, her kisses growing more passionate, more desperate.It was as if the world outside had ceased to exist. Her pain and the past faded away, leaving only this moment of pure, unrestrained desire. I could feel her letting go and her body losing its tension slightly, allowing herself to be consumed by the heat be
LIANAMy heart pounded in my chest as I sprinted through the hospital corridors. Zaylen was right behind me. The sterile, white walls seemed to close in around me, amplifying the echo of our hurried footsteps. I could hardly breathe, my lungs burning with every step.This is why I hated the hospitals! They always gave me the creeps, and to think, one of my closest friends was brought in here."Kiara... please be okay," I whispered to myself as the thought of losing her was unbearable."Liana, slow down," Zaylen called out, his voice strained with concern. But I couldn't stop. I wouldn't stop until I saw her.We rounded a corner and nearly collided with Daniel. His usually calm demeanor was shattered, his face a mask of worry and exhaustion."Daniel!" I gasped, clutching his arm. "Where is she? How is she?"He shook his head, his eyes filled with a sorrow that made my stomach twist. "She is in the ICU. The doctors are doing everything they can, but... it's not looking good, Liana. Th
LIANAJordan shook his head, frustration etched on his face. "No, we are still trying to find out. It's not easy — there is a lot of chaos right now. But we are working on it. It seems like a serial killing case, though."A surge of anger like I had never felt before welled up inside me. My hands clenched into fists, and I felt my nails digging into my palms. How could someone do this to Kiara? She was the kindest, most selfless person I knew. She would never harm anyone. Never."Whoever did this... they are going to pay," I let out, my voice trembling with rage."Liana, you should stay calm. You are—” Zaylen began, as if worried that I would transform due to my overwhelming emotions, but I cut him off."No, Zaylen! How can I stay calm? How could someone attack her? She didn't deserve this," I cried, my voice breaking with my anger and sorrow.Jordan stepped forward, his eyes filled with sympathy. "I know, Liana. Kiara is one of the best people I have ever known. We're going to do e
LIANAThe morning sun poured through the curtains, casting a gentle light across our bedroom. I woke up to the soft, familiar hum of the world outside, the sound of birds chirping in the distance. I turned to see Zaylen sleeping beside me, his face relaxed in peaceful slumber. The sight of him always filled me with a profound sense of contentment and love.I stretched, carefully sliding out of bed to avoid waking him. Today wasn’t just any day—it was a day I had looked forward to for a long time. The house was still, the calm before the storm of our bustling family life. I tiptoed down the hallway, my heart swelling with excitement as I made my way to the nursery.Our twins had brought a new kind of joy into our lives, their arrival a culmination of love and anticipation. The nursery was painted in soft pastel colors, with a cozy crib in the corner and shelves lined with toys and books. The gentle hum of the white noise machine filled the room, blending with the soft sunlight filte
LIANA It was mid-morning, and the office was bustling with the usual activity. The gentle hum of conversation and the clacking of keyboards filled the air, but I could barely focus on anything other than the growing discomfort and irritability that had become a constant companion over the past few weeks. I sat at my desk, my fingers drumming impatiently on the surface. The pile of paperwork before me seemed to mock my inability to concentrate. I sighed heavily, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me. Zaylen, ever observant, noticed my agitation from his office. He appeared at my desk, a look of concern etched on his face. “Hey, baby. How’s it going?” I glanced up, trying to muster a polite smile. “Just peachy,” I said, though the words were more of a snarl than anything else. “If you consider battling an insurm
LIANA The next few days, I couldn’t shake a strange feeling. I was more tired than usual, and the scent of coffee, which I normally loved, was suddenly making me nauseous. Sara noticed my discomfort. “Liana, are you feeling okay?” she asked, her brow furrowed with concern. “I’m fine, just a bit tired” I replied, trying to brush it off. “Been feeling nauseous and my head is pounding these last few days.” Sara gave me a knowing look. “Maybe you should take a pregnancy test.” I blinked, surprised by her suggestion. “A pregnancy test?” She nodded. “There might be a possibility.” The idea was both thrilling and terrifying. Could it be possible? I decided to take Sara’s advice to heart. During my lunch break, I headed to the pharmacy just a few blocks away. The fluorescent lights and the hum of the store seemed unusually bright as I picked out a pregnancy test kit. My heart raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety as I made my way back to the office, clutchin
LIANAThe past few months had flown by in a blissful haze. Our honeymoon had taken us from the Maldives to the enchanting streets of Paris, and finally, to the serene countryside of Tuscany. Each day had been filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. But now, it was back to reality—our reality, where Zaylen and I were not only husband and wife but also Alpha and Luna, and for the time being, colleagues.I walked into the office, the familiar scent of coffee and paper filling the air. As I made my way to my desk, I couldn’t help but feel a flutter of excitement mixed with nerves. This was our first day back after the long honeymoon, and though I was eager to dive back into work, I couldn’t ignore the butterflies in my stomach.Zaylen’s office door was slightly ajar, and as I passed by, I saw him sitting behind his desk, engrossed in a document. He looked up, catching my eye, and a slow, mischievous smile spread across his face.“Good morning, my Luna,” he called out, his
LIANAThe following morning, we decided to explore more of the city. After a quick breakfast, we set off to visit the Louvre Museum. As we walked through the grand halls, admiring the masterpieces, Zaylen kept me close, his hand never leaving mine."Look at this one," he said, pointing to a painting. "Doesn't it remind you of one of our dates?"“The one we had just before you proposed to me?” I asked to be sure. As he nodded, I laughed, remembering that endearing evening. "It does. We have come a long way, haven't we?""We have," he agreed, his eyes softening as he looked at me. "And I wouldn't change a thing."We continued our tour, losing ourselves in the beauty of the art and the history that surrounded us. As we exited the museum, we found a street vendor selling crepes. Zaylen insisted on buying one for each of us, and we sat on a nearby bench, enjoying the sweet treat."These are delicious," I said, licking a bit of Nutella from my fingers."Almost as sweet as you," Zaylen tea
LIANAThe Eiffel Tower stood tall and majestic against the twilight sky, its twinkling lights casting a romantic glow over the city of Paris. I marveled at the sight, my heart swelling with awe and excitement. Our long honeymoon had brought us from the tropical paradise of the Maldives to the enchanting streets of Paris, and I couldn't have been happier.Zaylen and I strolled hand in hand along the Seine River, the soft murmur of French conversations and the distant sound of street musicians creating a magical atmosphere. He looked dashing in a tailored suit, and I felt like a princess in my flowing dress."Isn't this beautiful?" I sighed, leaning my head on his shoulder."It is," he agreed, pressing a kiss to my temple. "But not as beautiful as you."I blushed, my heart fluttering at his words. "Always the charmer.""For you, always," he replied with a playful wink.As we walked, we passed a quaint café with outdoor seating. Zaylen tugged me toward it. "How about a little dessert?"
LIANAThe soft rustling of palm trees and the rhythmic lapping of waves greeted me as I stepped onto the sunlit balcony. The warm, salty breeze of the Maldives caressed my face, bringing with it a sense of serene contentment I hadn't felt in years. The crystal-clear waters stretched out endlessly, a shimmering expanse of turquoise that promised days of relaxation and intimate moments with Zaylen.I leaned against the railing, closing my eyes and letting the sounds of paradise envelop me. A gentle smile tugged at my lips as I thought of Zaylen still asleep in our villa, the man who had turned my world upside down in the best way possible."Liana?" Zaylen's voice, husky with sleep, reached me, making my heart flutter.I turned to see him standing in the doorway, his dark hair tousled and his eyes still heavy with sleep. He looked so different from the domineering, fierce leader I had first met. Here, he was just Zaylen, my husband, the man I loved with all my heart."Good morning, sle
LIANAToday was the day—the day Zaylen and I would finally stand before our loved ones, pledging our hearts to each other in marriage. The anticipation and excitement in the air were palpable, mingling with the fragrant scents of blooming flowers and the soft rustle of leaves. Our wedding was set against a backdrop of lush greenery, the venue a picturesque garden that seemed to be alive with joy and celebration.The sun shone brightly, casting a warm, golden glow over everything. The ceremony was to be held in a charming outdoor setting, with a floral arch adorned with cascading white roses and delicate greenery. The aisle, lined with white rose petals, led to a beautifully decorated altar where Zaylen and I would exchange our vows.I took a deep breath, feeling the flutter of nervous excitement in my stomach as I prepared to walk down the aisle. Noelle, radiating beauty even with her eight-month baby bump, adjusted her position next to me. She looked stunning in her deep emerald g
LIANAThe morning sun filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled light across the campsite. The soft, golden rays glinted off the sparkling surface of the waterfall, creating a mesmerizing display of light and water. The gentle roar of the falls provided a soothing soundtrack as the water cascaded into a clear, shimmering pool below.The campsite, nestled beside this natural wonder, was waking up with the day. The cool, fresh air carried the crisp scent of pine and morning dew. The grass was still damp from the night, and the tents stood slightly crumpled, evidence of a night spent in cozy slumber.Trevor, ever the early riser and mischief-maker, had a gleam in his eye as he set his plan into motion. He crept quietly towards Zaylen, who was enjoying a leisurely breakfast by the fire, unaware of the prank that was about to unfold. Trevor had filled a bucket with water and carefully rigged it to tip over when Zaylen’s chair was moved.I observed from a distance, sipping my