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
LIANAThe night was eerily silent as I stood outside the derelict building, the moonlight casting long, ominous shadows across the broken concrete. My heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and dread. This was the headquarters of the secret society, a place I had tracked down using the information I knew about my father's old office on the outskirts of the city. It seemed fitting that he had chosen this secluded spot for their operations, a final, twisted connection to his betrayal.The faint sound of clashing metal and guttural growls reached my ears as I approached, my pack members already engaged in battle inside. My senses were heightened, the training I had undergone sharpening every instinct and movement. I tightened my grip on the hilt of my weapon, the weight of it feeling reassuring in my hand.“Let’s move!” I called out to the pack members who were fighting their way through the chaos. Their faces were set with grim determination, reflecting the gravity of the mission.
LIANAZaylen’s gaze shifted, his eyes showing a flicker of hesitation. “About that…”I narrowed my eyes, sensing his unease. “You…” I said, disbelief creeping into my voice, “you have known about my mom’s whereabouts this whole time, haven’t you?”Zaylen’s expression was pained, his usual confidence faltering. “Liana, I—”I cut him off, my voice sharp and accusatory. “No wonder you still haven’t found her when she definitely lives in our town!”His eyes dropped to the bed, avoiding mine. “She told me not to—”I felt a cold surge of anger and confusion. “When? When did you find out about her?”Zaylen hesitated again, the silence stretching between us like a chasm. “It was shortly after finding out your identity,” he said finally, his voice barely a whisper.The anger I felt was like a storm raging inside me, and it was only intensifying with each passing second. “What?” I snapped, my voice trembling with a mix of betrayal and fury. “You knew all this time and didn’t tell me?”Zaylen’s
LIANAThe sight before me was almost too much to bear. My mother stood in the doorway, her presence as real as the pain in my chest. But the face that had once been my ideal of beauty was now marred by deep, cruel scars. They were harsh and unforgiving, stretching across her features and twisting her once-familiar visage into something almost unrecognizable.“Mom… your face…” My voice broke, tears welling up despite my efforts to stay composed. I was overwhelmed, caught between the flood of emotions and the stark reality of what stood before me.Her smile was wry, and it held a kind of resignation that made my heart ache. “This is the reason I didn’t want you to meet me.”My throat tightened, a sob rising unbidden as I choked on my tears. The image of her beautiful face from the old photos I’d seen seemed so distant now, a haunting reminder of how much had changed. “You… Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you hide from me?”Her gaze softened, and she took a step closer, gently placing
LIANAThe evening before Jordan and Sara’s wedding was supposed to be filled with excitement and anticipation, but as I sat beside Sara, I could sense the underlying tension in her. We were curled up in her cozy, dimly lit living room, the soft glow of fairy lights casting gentle shadows on the walls.Sara’s gaze was fixed on the flickering flames of the fireplace, her eyes distant. “Liana, do you think my mom will really come tomorrow?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Her question hung in the air, heavy with the weight of hope and uncertainty. I offered her a wry smile, trying to mask my own concern. “Sara, we’ve been through this. We can only wait and see. If she doesn’t show up, we’ll deal with it together.”Sara’s shoulders slumped slightly as she took a deep breath. “I just wish she would come. It’s not like her to not be here for something like this.”I reached out and patted her hand reassuringly. “Why don’t you try to get some rest? You need to be at your best fo
LIANAThe morning of Jordan and Sara’s wedding dawned clear and bright, with the sun casting a golden glow over the venue. The garden was transformed into a fairy-tale setting, adorned with cascading white flowers, twinkling fairy lights, and rows of elegantly decorated chairs. The soft hum of activity filled the air as final touches were made—vases were being arranged, and the scent of fresh roses mingled with the anticipation of the day.As the maid of honor, my duties were endless. I darted around, ensuring every detail was perfect. I adjusted the fabric of the bridesmaids' dresses, checked the flower arrangements, and made sure the seating chart was in order. The flurry of activity was exhilarating but exhausting, and I found myself both exhilarated and overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the day.Sara was in her dressing room, surrounded by her closest friends and family. I could hear her laughter mingling with nervous chatter, but when I peeked inside, her face was clouded
LIANAThe morning sun cast a hazy glow over the city as Zaylen and I sped down the highway, our hearts racing faster than the car’s engine. The previous day’s celebration felt like a lifetime ago, overshadowed by the urgency of Noelle’s call.“Are you sure she sounded scared?” Zaylen asked, glancing at me with a mix of concern and determination.I nodded, gripping the edge of the seat. “Her voice was trembling. Something’s not right.”We pulled up to Trevor’s house, a quaint two-story that had recently become Noelle’s new home. The sight of it, usually so welcoming, now felt ominous. I felt a knot of anxiety tighten in my chest as I scrambled out of the car and made my way to the front door.Before I could even knock, Noelle flung the door open and practically leaped into my arms. Her embrace was frantic, as though holding onto me was the only thing keeping her grounded.“Noelle!” I exclaimed, my voice choked with concern. “What’s wrong? Why did you call us over so urgently?”Noelle’
LIANAThe night settled around us, casting a warm, golden hue through the dining room’s large windows. The table was set with a variety of dishes—roasted chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, green beans, and a homemade apple pie that promised to be the highlight of the evening. The atmosphere was cozy, filled with the clinking of cutlery and the soft hum of conversation.I looked around the table, taking in the sight of everyone gathered. Zaylen sat beside me, his usual stern expression softened by the relaxed environment. Across from us, Noelle and Trevor were seated, the latter’s hand resting on Noelle’s growing belly with a tenderness that spoke volumes.Leonel, Zaylen and Noelle’s younger brother, had just arrived. His entrance was marked by a loud, jovial laugh that filled the room. He had always been the life of the party, and tonight was no exception. As he slid into his seat, he gave everyone a broad grin. “Sorry I’m late, but I had to make sure the traffic was in my favor.”“N