“You can shower here,” he said, handing me the clothes. I held them up: a white t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants, both clearly belonging to him, and far too big for me. I couldn’t go downstairs in these… “I’ll wash your clothes,” he said, as if reading my mind yet again. “Don’t worry. My machi
Aria Everyone suddenly turned and stared at me—even Darren. “Oh, really?” I managed, waving my hand dismissively. “It should be a coincidence. Probably just a similar scent. I noticed that you didn't like my perfume so I just used another one.” Lily sniffed me again and raised an eyebrow. “Do
Arthur’s eyes widened behind his glasses. “But she’s a hu—” “Stop right there,” Darren growled, causing the supervisor to snap his mouth shut. “I don’t give a damn. And watch your tone.” Without another word, Darren glanced at his watch and strode out of the conference room. The others began gat
Aria POVThat day, I tried to motivate my coworkers. But every time I’d ask for help or suggest something to help improve the workflow around the office, I’d just be met with the same sidelong glances and snide comments as before.Eventually, I gave up. It was five o’clock by that point anyway, so I grabbed my things and went home, glad to be out of that judgmental environment for a little while.But I wasn’t home for long before a text from Darren came through.“Can you come to my office?”I frowned at my phone as I lounged on my couch, wrapped up in a blanket. It was past seven o’clock, well after my scheduled hours, and Darren was already texting me.“I just got home,” I replied, feeling a little frustrated.A moment later, another text came through: “I can come to you. It’s important. Address?”I sighed and sent it to him. “Just so you know,” I added at the end, “I won’t allow after-hours house calls forever.”Three bubbles, and then: “I know. It’ll just be this one time, I promi
“I’m not your baby. I never was. I was just a plaything for you.” She took a step back and began to shut the door, but Jackson stuck his foot out and stopped it from closing fully. “Dad, I think she’s in trouble,” Lucas whined. “I think we should save her!”“No.” I held a hand out to my son. “Not unless she really needs us.”“But—”“I said no, Lucas.”My son whined in protest, hackles raising. Even my own inner wolf was urging me to intervene, anger taking hold of me, but I stopped myself. This wasn’t my battle to fight; Aria seemed capable enough. “Fuck off, Jackson!” Aria pulled the door back and slammed it against his foot, causing him to grunt in pain, but he just used the opportunity to force himself closer to her. “Baby, just talk to me! I miss you so much! C’mon, don’t be such a prude!” “No! Get out of my house!!” Suddenly, before I could stop him, Lucas was barking and bolting around the corner. I lunged after him, but it was too late; he charged headfirst into the apartme
Aria Darren’s arm tightened around my waist. His body felt like a warm rock up against me, soothing and sturdy. Without even really meaning to, I leaned into his side. I was glad he had come—glad that this hadn’t gone somewhere much, much darker. But the things he was saying now… Baby. Boyfr
“Wine?” I asked, suddenly needing a drink after that ordeal. Darren shook his head. I shrugged and refilled my glass. “So,” I said after a good, long sip, “I know you didn’t just come here tonight to be my hero. What did you need?” Darren nodded toward the dog. “I have to go away on business for
Aria “I’ve been looking forward to someone like you for a long time, Aria.” Those words kept me up that night, and for many of the nights that week. I knew that he was just being nice, saying things that any decent boss might say to their employees. But at the same time, it felt… different. Th
Banners hung across the walls, pink and white, with “Congratulations” written in bold letters. Streamers dangled from the ceiling, and our dining room table was lost under piles of gifts wrapped in pastel paper.“What the hell?” I managed, my jaw dropping as Bella rushed forward with Theo balanced o
AriaA year had passed since Darren and I signed that treaty, and life had settled into something sweet, even with all its ups and downs.The scars on my chest had faded to thin white lines, and Darren’s wound was just a memory beneath his shirt. We’d become godparents to Bella and Liam’s little boy
AriaLunar Labs was reduced to a shell of its former self.The once-sleek and vibrant building, surrounded by lush gardens and pebbled fountains, was now barren and burnt. The glass walls were shattered, the halls within burned and destroyed. Those damn slurs were still painted across nearly every s
He didn’t hesitate. “No.”The word hung in the air for a long moment. The president blinked, clearly startled. “With all due respect, Mr. President,” Darren went on, leaning forward in his chair, “we’re not coming back. Not like that. After being deported, hunted, abused by your government—my people
AriaDarren and I stepped out of the car and faced the sprawling estate that was the human president’s home. My chest still ached faintly from my wound, the stitches long gone but the pain lingering. Beside me, Darren subtly favored his left side when he moved, still healing from the hole in his che
We stayed like that for a while, neither of us speaking. At some point, I must have begun to drift off again, too exhausted from the day’s events to keep my eyes open.But then, suddenly, the door burst open, shattering the stillness, and I jolted upright, wincing as the movement pulled at my wound.
AriaDarren and I lay tangled together in the hospital bed, much to the nurse’s earlier chagrin. They had finally allowed us to remain together, reinserting my IV and moving my monitors to his side of the room, when my eyes had glowed and a low growl had accidentally ripped from my throat when they
He didn’t answer. I didn’t even think he heard me.Finally, the wail of sirens pierced the air, and red and blue lights flashed through the crowd. Paramedics pushed their way toward us with a stretcher rattling between them. Liam waved them over, shouting instructions I couldn’t process. Hands reach
AriaThe world erupted into chaos around me, a deafening roar of fury and movement as the protesters surged forward. Hundreds of voices shouted, feet pounded the pavement, and bodies pressed together in a wild rush toward Bella’s father.I caught a fleeting glimpse of him, his face twisted with rage