Aria & Darren Aria For a moment I could only stand there and blink, too stunned to even move as Darren rushed toward me like a freight train. Darren’s face was close, his breath warm, so intoxicating that I couldn’t think clearly. He leaned in, his eyes fluttering closed. His lips brushed mi
“Help it?” I muttered bitterly, starting the car and pulling away from the curb with a screech of the tires. “No, but you can control yourself. You could’ve let me walk away tonight, and maybe, just maybe, she wouldn’t think I was some ass who’s just playing with her emotions. If you really wanted a
Darren The moment Lily’s voice echoed off the walls with that last line—“You have a mate?!”—I nearly lunged across the desk to clamp my hand over her mouth. It was like she’d just let off a firework in the dead of night. “Lily,” I hissed, holding a finger to my lips, leaping up and slamming the
Aria Bella lounged on my couch in an oversized hoodie and matching sweatpants, her legs spread out in front of her as I poured us each a fresh glass of wine in the kitchen. It was a peaceful Friday night, despite everything. The memory of Darren’s almost-kiss still lingered, but he had respected
“I’m not looking to be reminded of Jackson,” I bit out. The name fell between us like a brick, and Bella’s face softened instantly. “I didn’t mean that,” she murmured. “I’m just saying… don’t you want to live a little? Put yourself out there?” “Yes,” I admitted. “But I’m also not ready for anoth
Third Person Arthur arrived back at the packhouse by sundown, his feet sore from running halfway across the filthy human city all day. But he felt little relief as he saw the peaked roof and sprawling gardens come into view, because it meant that his day as a servant was long from over. And of c
Finally, she mused, “But who the hell could she be mated to?” Arthur didn’t answer immediately, his mind racing as he considered. Each pack had their own distinctive mating mark shape, and Moonglow’s mark happened to be a crescent—which meant that it had to be someone in their pack. Someone… Sud
Aria Bella was right—I really did need a spa day after all. As I made my way to work on Monday morning, I felt as if I had turned over a new leaf. With Sarah and her parents—hopefully—out of the way for good, along with a fresh haircut and smooth skin, I felt more refreshed than ever. Like a new
Our dining room quickly transformed into a makeshift production studio, with laptops, cables, and notes scattered across every surface. I set up an interview space in the corner, using a spare sheet as a backdrop and positioning lamps to create decent lighting. Over the following days, we got to wor
AriaMy heart hammered against my ribs as I replayed Bella’s father’s words in my head. The threat was clear: hand over Alfira, or face the consequences. Whatever those consequences were, we couldn’t be entirely sure. But they certainly weren’t going to be good.A few minutes later, Darren and I cal
Darren nodded to him. “You, go to the medical tent and have that bite looked at,” he instructed. “The rest of you, disperse. This is not a spectacle.”The werewolves obeyed, although reluctantly, many casting wary glances at the woman and her dog as they left. The humans lingered longer, eyeing us w
AriaI woke to sunlight streaming through the curtains, the events of the previous night slowly trickling into my memory. My left hand felt heavier than usual, and I lifted it to see the moonstone ring catching the morning light as I turned my fingers. The sight of it made my heart swell.Darren had
“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