My heart skipped a beat. “Lucas, where did you hear about mates?” He looked up, his eyes earnest. “Liam told me a little. He said when a werewolf finds their mate, they fall in love and stay together forever. And I heard you say once that Aria is your mate.” I sighed, running a hand through my h
Aria I felt like I was swimming through molasses, my limbs heavy, my thoughts muddled as I argued with Lily. Every word seemed to come out of me in a slurring rush, every movement erratic and unnatural. “You always act like you’re better than me! But you’re just... you’re just jealous!” Lily s
Aria My body felt like it was floating through a void. I didn’t have any dreams—no prophecies, no dead parents coming to give me cryptic messages, none of that. Everything was just… dark. And then I woke up. Sort of. The first thing I noticed as I slowly returned to consciousness was the s
Darren The door to Tracy’s office slammed against the wall as I stormed inside, the toxicology report from Aria’s hospital visit clutched tightly in my hand. Tracy looked up from her desk, her eyebrows shooting up with surprise. “Darren!” She offered me one of her usual cheerful smiles—the sort
“What’s best for us?” I repeated, incredulous. “You think nearly killing my mate was what’s best for us?” “She’s a human, Darren!” Tracy hissed, standing from her chair and planting her hands on the desk. “A human mate is nothing but a liability. You know that. The elders know that. Everyone knows
Aria Lucas nuzzled into my lap, his mismatched eyes wide as I read aloud the story from the children’s book. He’d found it in the playroom at the hospital, and snuggled up into bed with me, practically begging me to read it for him. “And then the rabbit said,” I continued, “‘But how can I trust
Liam snorted a little. When I glanced over at him, he was clearly trying to hide a smirk. Lucas perked up. “Does that mean Mommy’s a wolf like me?” The doctor chuckled as he prepared a syringe. “We’ll see, little guy. For now, let’s just get this blood drawn.” I held out my arm, and the doctor
Aria “You really broke up with your boyfriend on Valentine’s Day? Why?” “He’s married.” I tilted my head back and swallowed the shot of tequila. It burned going down, numbing my senses, but that was exactly what I wanted tonight. “What?!” I sighed, suddenly grateful that the thrumming mu
Liam snorted a little. When I glanced over at him, he was clearly trying to hide a smirk. Lucas perked up. “Does that mean Mommy’s a wolf like me?” The doctor chuckled as he prepared a syringe. “We’ll see, little guy. For now, let’s just get this blood drawn.” I held out my arm, and the doctor
Aria Lucas nuzzled into my lap, his mismatched eyes wide as I read aloud the story from the children’s book. He’d found it in the playroom at the hospital, and snuggled up into bed with me, practically begging me to read it for him. “And then the rabbit said,” I continued, “‘But how can I trust
“What’s best for us?” I repeated, incredulous. “You think nearly killing my mate was what’s best for us?” “She’s a human, Darren!” Tracy hissed, standing from her chair and planting her hands on the desk. “A human mate is nothing but a liability. You know that. The elders know that. Everyone knows
Darren The door to Tracy’s office slammed against the wall as I stormed inside, the toxicology report from Aria’s hospital visit clutched tightly in my hand. Tracy looked up from her desk, her eyebrows shooting up with surprise. “Darren!” She offered me one of her usual cheerful smiles—the sort
Aria My body felt like it was floating through a void. I didn’t have any dreams—no prophecies, no dead parents coming to give me cryptic messages, none of that. Everything was just… dark. And then I woke up. Sort of. The first thing I noticed as I slowly returned to consciousness was the s
Aria I felt like I was swimming through molasses, my limbs heavy, my thoughts muddled as I argued with Lily. Every word seemed to come out of me in a slurring rush, every movement erratic and unnatural. “You always act like you’re better than me! But you’re just... you’re just jealous!” Lily s
My heart skipped a beat. “Lucas, where did you hear about mates?” He looked up, his eyes earnest. “Liam told me a little. He said when a werewolf finds their mate, they fall in love and stay together forever. And I heard you say once that Aria is your mate.” I sighed, running a hand through my h
Darren The wind rushed through my dark fur as I sprinted through the forest, the earthy scent of pine and damp soil filling my senses. Lucas bounded ahead of me, his smaller wolf form agile and quick as he weaved expertly between the trees. In moments like these, I felt truly free—unburdened by
Her words felt genuine, and for the first time in days, I felt a flicker of relief. It wasn’t much, but it was something. “I’m gonna run to the restroom,” I said, sliding off my stool. “I’ll be back in a minute.” “Take your time,” Tracy replied, lifting her glass in a mock toast. I weaved thro