As I started helping, my mother introduced me to some of the servants, who were diligently working to make everything perfect for the festival. One of them, in particular, caught my attention. “Nina, this is Polly,” my mother said, gesturing to a young woman with a friendly smile. “She started wor
Enzo I paced back and forth in our bedroom, my thoughts a jumbled mess. The weight of the phone in my hand felt heavier with each passing moment. I had rehearsed the conversation with Tim a dozen times in my head, but every version seemed inadequate. “What do you want, Enzo?” I muttered to mysel
Then, an issue arose that I had some knowledge about. Without thinking, I spoke up with a quick response, offering a solution to the problem at hand. “If I may,” I said, “I believe that the matter could be resolved with a simple treatise. The Silverfangs and the Evenwinds could split the land 50
Nina “Nina,” my mother said, approaching me just as I was beginning to ascent the stairs to my room, “don’t forget you’re going to need a gown for the gala.” I frowned and stopped on the stairs. “Couldn’t I just wear the one that I wore to the last party?” My mother chuckled, linking her arm w
Nina “Nina… I think I might hand the control of the pack over to someone else.” Enzo’s words left a gaping hole in my heart. I took a step back, my eyes wide as I involuntarily grabbed the end of one of my braids, clutching it tightly. “You’re joking,” I said with a wry chuckle escaping my lips.
Nina “I don’t think it’s such a good idea to bring your friends here, to the werewolf realm.” My mother’s admission left me utterly bewildered, like a puzzle with missing pieces that refused to fit together. I stared at her, my eyes wide, as I tried to make sense of what she had just told me.
Enzo I had made up my mind to head back to Mountainview and talk to my pack. It had been a long day, filled with revelations and decisions, and I needed to gather everyone together to discuss our upcoming visit to the Moon Goddess Festival. It was a crazy idea, and maybe it was a little on a whi
“Seriously?” she hissed as she inspected the golden-colored liquid inside. “I’d have to hide who I am just so I can mingle with some hoity-toity racists?” “Look,” I said with a sigh of regret, “Nina and I want you there, but it’s just the way it is. You can thank the last Luna for that one.” “It
Nina The warm summer breeze brushed across my skin as I stood on the patio, clutching my robe tightly around my body. Laughter and splashes echoed up from the pool below, where our friends were already gathered for our big end-of-summer party. I should have been down there too, soaking up the ve
“What... what do you mean?” He braced his hands on the doorframe, leaning in closer with a heavy sigh. “I mean, by the time I caught up to them this morning, I only saw them long enough to get that photo before they were boarding a speedboat and taking off. Hell, I’m still not even totally sure wh
Nina My breath caught in my throat as I pulled open the front door expecting to see excited party guests, only to be immediately met with the sight of Luke’s grim expression. His brow was furrowed in a deep frown, his lips pressed into a tight line—clear signs that something was very wrong. “Luk
Nina I huffed out a breath as I hoisted the oversized cardboard box higher in my arms, carefully navigating my way through the living room. Strings of fairy lights poked out haphazardly from the top, and I could feel the weight of glass jars and other assorted decor inside shifting precariously wi
Then, at the last possible second, the scout seemed to find an extra burst of speed. He surged forward, hurtling between two towering oak trees and vanishing into the cover of the forest beyond. “Dammit!” I slammed my palms against the rough bark of the nearest trunk, powerless to do anything but
Enzo The crunch of leaves and snap of twigs echoed through the trees as Matt and I tore after the Schreiber scout. Our breaths came in ragged gasps, the hot summer air burning our lungs. Overhead, a little red bird chirped and flitted through the green canopy of trees; Daphne. But even she wasn’
Shaking my head, I turned without another word and stormed out of the fitting room. I took the two strides across the hall to Jessica’s fitting room and knocked on the door, folding my arms across my chest. “Jess? You in there?” There was a muffled thump in the fitting room, followed by the soun
Nina “How’s it looking in there?” I called out, rapping lightly on the wooden door of Jessica’s fitting room. “Um… decent, I guess?” her muffled voice floated back a moment later, although I could sense the uncertainty in her tone. “Decent? That’s it? Come on, Jess, this is your wedding gown w
Had I really known him at all, I wondered? Or had I merely been too self-absorbed and naive to see past the facade of unshakable command he projected? After a long silence, I found my voice. “Why didn’t he ever tell me that?” “He didn’t want you to see his weakness, I suppose,” Angelica replied