LIANAI knew my guess was correct the moment I saw Ricky’s face. Ricky's smirk deepened, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and intrigue. "So you knew? How did you guess?""It just all added up," I replied, my voice dazed as my mind reeled with the implications.James. Memories of him flooded back — how he had killed some of our pack members without remorse, his eyes cold and calculating. He had claimed it was for revenge against Zaylen, but he never mentioned he was working for some organization. Now, it all made sense. When he failed to exact his personal vendetta, he must have joined forces with Lara in her sinister endeavors.Images of the past swirled in my mind — James' ruthless attacks, his cryptic words. The revelation that he had been a part of something larger, something more organized, sent chills down my spine. Perhaps their ultimate goal was to frame the werewolves for the murders of humans in the forest, using it as a pretext to take us all down.A sudden
LIANA The car was dimly lit, the faint glow from the dashboard casting eerie shadows across Zaylen's face. My heart pounded in my chest as I prepared to tell him everything. The hum of the engine and the occasional passing headlights outside were the only sounds breaking the heavy silence between us. I took a deep breath, gripping the edge of my seat. “There’s this organization,” I began, my voice unsteady. “It’s been around for a while, working in the shadows. They’re called ‘The Secret Society,’ and I know it's a terribly cliche name, but hey, I am not the one who kept the name.” Zaylen chuckled slightly at my attempt at lightening the mood. “Anyway,” I continued, “their sole purpose is to hunt and kill werewolves.” Zaylen glanced at me briefly before returning his eyes to the road. I felt compelled to continue, filling the void with words. “They have connections everywhere, Zaylen. In the business sectors, the police force, even in some government sectors. They’ve de
LIANAA couple of weeks later, Sara and I found ourselves strolling through the bustling streets of downtown, heading towards one of the most renowned bridal boutiques in the city. The excitement of shopping for her wedding dress had me buzzing with energy, despite the slightly cloudy sky overhead."I still can't believe your wedding is just around the corner," I said, glancing at Sara with a grin.Sara smiled back, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I know, right? It's surreal." She sighed, a hint of sadness creeping into her voice. "I wish Mom could be more supportive, but..."I reached out and squeezed her hand. "She will come around. She loves you and just needs some time."Sara nodded, her expression softening. "Thanks, Liana. And I am glad Jordan isn’t here. I want his jaw to drop when he sees me in the dress."We walked into the boutique, greeted by the soft scent of fresh flowers and the warm, inviting atmosphere. The racks were lined with dresses of all shapes and sizes
LIANA"Sara, stay here for a moment. I'll be right back," I said, trying to keep my tone casual. I walked towards the direction where I saw the figure sneaking out of the trial room, my senses on high alert.As I rounded the corner, ready to confront whoever it was, I froze.There, standing awkwardly by the exit, was Jordan.I slapped my forehead, a mixture of relief and exasperation washing over me. "Of course, it’s you."Jordan looked up, his expression sheepish. "Hey, Liana."I glared at him. "Jordan, what are you doing here? Sara wanted to surprise you."Sara appeared behind me, raising her hands in defense. "Don't look at me, it was all his idea."Jordan shrugged, giving a sheepish smile. "I wanted to join in on the fun, but Sara wasn’t letting me. So I thought I’d surprise her instead."I sighed, shaking my head. "I thought the whole point was for you to be surprised."Jordan grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "And I decided to play Uno reverse card, hehe."I couldn't he
LIANAThe club was alive with music, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. “This is the best night ever!” Sara shouted over the music, her eyes sparkling with happiness.“You deserve it, Sara!” Noelle chimed in, her voice full of affection. I joined in the laughter, trying to push the worry gnawing at the back of my mind. But Ricky's warning about Lara’s return kept replaying in my head. I glanced around the club, the vibrant atmosphere doing little to ease my unease.“Liana, you okay?” Sara asked, her brow furrowing with concern.I forced a smile. “Yeah, I am just... thinking about everything we need to do before the wedding.”Noelle rolled her eyes playfully. “Come on, Liana. Tonight is about having fun! We can worry about the details tomorrow.”“Yeah, you are right,” I replied, trying to sound more relaxed.One of Sara’s friends handed us another round of drinks, and we toasted to her happiness. But my mind was elsewhere. I knew I needed to call Zaylen. I had promised him I wou
LIANAI awoke to a sharp, metallic chill against my skin, my body aching and my mind groggy. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I realized I was in a large, empty warehouse. Panic set in as I took in the cold, industrial surroundings, the faint smell of rust and oil mingling with the morning air.I tried to move, but a sharp pain shot through my wrists and ankles. Looking down, I saw thick, silver chains binding me to a metal chair. The touch of the silver burned against my skin, and I cursed under my breath. These weren't just any chains; they were specifically designed to hold werewolves."Dammit," I muttered, wincing as I struggled against the restraints. The silver sizzled against my skin, making my efforts futile.I hollered into the empty space, my voice echoing off the concrete walls. "Hello? Is anyone there? Let me go!"Silence greeted me, amplifying my fear. I wondered if Sara and Noelle had noticed my absence yet. Would they have called Zaylen? If he knew I was missin
LIANAMy gaze fixed on the figure emerging from the doorway, the heavy footsteps echoing through the cavernous space. My breath caught in my throat as recognition struck me with the force of a sledgehammer. It was my father.He stepped forward with a casual air, as though he were strolling through the park rather than walking into the scene of a grim confrontation. His face, usually so familiar, now looked foreign and unsettling. His eyes, once warm and protective, were now cold and calculating.“Good riddance. One more werewolf is down,” he said, his voice laced with a disturbing blend of satisfaction and indifference.The words hit me like a physical blow, and I stared at him in disbelief. “You… you are here? Why? Why are you doing this?” My voice wavered, struggling to comprehend the betrayal unfolding before me.He chuckled, a harsh, mirthless sound. “Why are you so surprised? Didn’t you know I hate animals?”My heart pounded against my ribcage, each beat a painful reminder of th
LIANAThe gunshot had barely registered in my mind before I was frantically scanning the warehouse. My heart raced, my breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps. My father lay sprawled on the ground, motionless, but my attention was drawn to a fleeting shadow moving away from the window.“Zaylen!” I called out urgently, my voice trembling. “Can you get these chains off me? We have to go after that shadow!”Zaylen, his face etched with pain and exhaustion, turned his fierce gaze toward me. With a grimace, he fumbled with the chains, his hands shaking from the effort. “Hold on, Liana,” he grunted, his strength waning.The chains clattered to the floor, and I was free. I wasted no time, sprinting toward the warehouse door. The shadow had disappeared, but I had to try. I burst outside, the chill of the night air hitting me like a wall. I ran through the darkened street, my eyes straining to catch any sign of movement.But the shadow was gone. I paused, panting heavily, the cold creeping int