AriaBella and I stepped into the bar, the sound of the pumping music filling our ears. I shook a few snowflakes off my shoulders as we found a seat at a table in the corner, where we could have a private conversation without being in the middle of the dance floor.“Thanks for coming out with me, Be
“No, Bella. I’m not gonna let you march into my workplace and beat the hell out of my adoptive sister.”“Fine.” She checked her nails with an impish look in her eyes. “But if I ever run into her on the street, promise you’ll come visit me in prison.”“Sure thing,” I said with a laugh.Finally, Bella
AriaI nearly choked on my drink as I looked up to see those brown and blue eyes staring down at me. Darren was still in his work clothes, clearly having had the same idea I’d had in coming here.“D-Darren!” I exclaimed. “I—”Before I could finish, Bella set down her drink and smiled, waving her han
My friend and I looked at each other, too stunned to move. The flannel guy seemed pretty shocked himself, probably trying to decide if he was in the mood to start a bar brawl now—he certainly seemed drunk enough for it.But at that moment, a warm arm wrapped itself around my waist and tugged me clos
DarrenAfter everyone left the office that night, I stayed behind to do some digging of my own. Something wasn’t adding up with the printer fire; there was no way that hair tie just fell in there by accident, but it also seemed unlikely that Aria would have done it intentionally.I pulled the printe
“Good morning, handsome,” Sarah cooed, circling my desk and perching on the edge of it, less than a foot from me. “Did you need me for something?”I felt my eye twitch as I looked up at her. She’d been laying on the seduction pretty thick lately. Maybe I hadn’t made it clear enough that it wasn’t wo
AriaSarah came storming out of Darren’s office that morning like hell on wheels, her shoes clicking loudly on the polished floors. I couldn’t help but watch her as she swept past. Her face was as red as a beet.Curious, I glanced up at Darren’s office, wondering what had just happened. But all he d
Liam looked at me for a moment before he nodded and said, “I’ll talk to him about your pay. I think he just didn’t want to seem like he was playing favorites since there’s no solid proof as to who started the fire, but if you’re doing this, I think that more than makes up for the incident.”“Thanks,
“Come on,” Darren said, taking my hand. “Let’s join them.”“But you know how I’m a terrible dancer,” I protested halfheartedly.He grinned, already pulling me toward the dancers. “Trust me, I know. But I’ll lead.”And he did, his hand warm at the small of my back as we moved among the others. For a
AriaWe led the wary and tired refugees into the village, showing them around the temporary shelters, village, and pack house. Humans and werewolves alike eyed each other suspiciously, but that was to be expected. This was a big change for everyone.“There might be more coming,” Bella murmured as we
When Darren stood to address the crowd, a hush fell over the room. He explained the situation in the city, the violence that had erupted, and finally, our proposal to offer sanctuary to those affected—human and werewolf alike.The reaction was immediate. Some voices rose in support, but many more sh
AriaThe footage playing on Darren’s laptop made my stomach churn. Lunar Labs had been reduced to smoldering ruins. The lab equipment was smashed, documents scattered and burned, walls blackened by fire.But worst of all were the messages spray-painted across what remained of the walls: “WOLF KILLER
“I was gathering footage for the documentary,” she began. “I wanted some shots of the forest at sunset. My crew had already headed back to the pack, but I stayed behind.” She swallowed hard. “And then I saw a man. A human man.”Darren and I exchanged wary glances. Alfira went on, “He was just... sta
AriaBy the time we reached the pack house, Alfira fading in and out of consciousness in Darren’s arms, the local doctor was already waiting for us at the front door. Darren whisked Alfira inside to be examined, and I followed, Lucas trailing behind me.The infirmary was a small room on the first fl
AriaThe moment I realized Lucas was gone, my heart stopped in my chest. One second, he was laughing with the other kids near the edge of the village square, playing make-believe knights with sticks as swords.And then the next moment, he was nowhere to be seen. My stomach dropped, a cold wave of dr
I found Darren in his study a little while later, his face pale and drawn as he stared at a stack of papers on his desk. He looked up when I entered, and his eyes looked glazed over.“How did it go with the lawyers?” I asked, although I already had a feeling I knew the answer.He sighed and ran a ha
AriaThe morning after the search party, Darren hardly allowed himself time to stir before he was heading straight into his study. He had an appointment for a video call with his lawyers regarding the deportation.I watched him go, feeling even more sorry for him than I did yesterday. A good night’s