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
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
AriaA letter from a courier interrupted our breakfast the next morning, causing all of us to look up from our plates. Wendy took the letter and opened it, her eyes widening slightly before a small smile spread across her face.“It’s from the Silver Peak Alpha,” she announced, looking up at Darren a
Darren called the meeting to order, standing tall at the front of the room. “We’re here to discuss the incident that occurred today and to decide what needs to be done.”The girl’s mother was on her feet immediately. “There’s nothing to discuss! These animals are clearly dangerous, and their owners
AriaThe phone call with Dr. Edward lasted longer than we expected. Darren paced back and forth in our bedroom while I sat on the edge of the bed, watching him wear a path into the carpet. We had put the call on speaker so we could both hear.“I’ve been working on the tincture day and night,” Dr. Ed
I shuddered just at the thought of what my sister had done that day. I didn’t like to think about it.“Anyway,” I went on, looking at the mother and daughter both, “we’re going to ensure things like this don’t happen again. But I also hope you understand that we’re in a difficult situation, and it’s
Aria“You’re...pregnant?”Bella sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Yeah. About eight weeks, I think.”My mind raced. I couldn’t figure out if this was good news or not. We were both still young, and Bella had never shown an interest in being a mother before.“Is this... wanted?” I asked softly. “I mea
Bella flushed. “I guess you’re right,” she sighed. “But I’ve been so sick, too. Much sicker than any pregnant human woman I’ve seen. Is that normal?”Wendy nodded knowingly. “Yes. Human women carrying werewolf babies often experience more intense morning sickness. The werewolf genes are strong, and
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