“We’ll support you,” Brandon said softly, glancing at his feet as he shoved his hands into his pockets.Melissa nodded and crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “If you think this is the right thing, then we trust you. You’ve never been wrong before, Alpha.”“And even if it all goes south,” Lily
AriaI rushed away before Darren or anyone else could stop me. Darren shifted back and shouted something after me, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop.“Bella!” I shouted over the crowd, trying to keep track of her head of dark hair as she hurried away. “Bella, wait!”Of course, she didn’t wait. But
Bella was quiet for another moment before she turned toward me and took my hands in hers. Her fingers were warm and solid as they wrapped around mine, and it was only then that I realized a single tear had slipped free during my speech. It was dry and sticky now from the breeze, but I could still fe
Aria“Beta Charles, you are accused of treason against Moonglow pack. What do you say to these accusations?”Darren’s voice rang across the council chamber, clear and steady. All eyes were on us, seated at the front of the room. I shifted uncomfortably in the ceremonial garb that the Luna was expect
Charles’s face hardened. “My actions?” He snapped his head toward Darren, his eyes sliding over to me. “It’s their actions that got us to this point. If your so-called Alpha hadn’t been so—”“Enough.”The sound of my voice rang out clearer than I expected, causing all eyes to turn to me—even Darren’
AriaThe village square was alive with the sound of voices and music, the scent of roasted meat and coffee drifting through the air. It was warmer now, the snow slowly melting—the first signs of spring.Or maybe it was just the bonfires.Darren, Bella, Liam and I strolled easily down the path, watch
Once they were gone, I turned to Darren with a snort. “She’s going to drive him insane.”Darren simply shrugged. “Liam could use a little insanity.”I couldn’t argue with that. Not that I had time to, because Darren was suddenly snaking his arm around my waist and pulling me toward the dance floor.
AriaLying in Darren’s arms the next morning, I could feel the warmth of the sun streaming through the curtains, the gentle rise and fall of his chest beneath my cheek. His heartbeat, steady and strong, pulled me out of sleep. But I didn’t get up and start my day just yet; instead, I let my eyes dri
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
“Trying to be brave?” Sarah taunted. “Trying to protect your little dog? Maybe you need to learn a lesson.”The first shove came from behind, sending Aria stumbling forward. Then another from the side. And another. They were pushing her between them like some cruel game, laughing as she tried to kee
DarrenAria’s scream tore through the air, and time slowed to an excruciating crawl. I saw the chief’s finger squeeze the trigger, saw the flash as the gun fired, saw the bullet begin its deadly journey toward us.Toward Aria.In that moment between life and death, my mind flew backward, tumbling th