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
Aria Now the VIP was staring at me, a questioning glare in his eyes, and I was floundering like some kind of drunk sleaze. “I… I’m so sorry!” I stammered out, taking a staggering step back. “I… I just… I thought you were someone else! It’s dark in here, and I-I didn’t realize—” “Enough.” The V
Aria “I-I’m so sorry about last night. I was drunk, and—” “Lucas. Come.” The man didn’t even look at me as I tried to explain myself—he just snapped his fingers. Laughably, the affectionate husky with eyes that looked an awful lot like his owner’s whined and sat down next to me. “Lucas…” The
Aria “Dear Aria, We are pleased to let you know that your job application to Lunar Labs has been accepted. Are you available to come to our head office for an interview today at 2 PM? Best, Adam (Hiring Manager)” I rubbed my eyes, wondering if what I was reading was a figment of my imagina
Aria & Darren Aria “M-My apologies, Sir.” The interviewer’s previous haughtiness suddenly seemed gone, replaced by an intense eagerness to leave. “I didn’t know it was you who accepted her application. I would never question the Alpha’s decision.” That word—Alpha—stuck with me. This was certai
Aria I accepted the CEO’s offer. It was just as he said—a once in a lifetime opportunity for someone like me, who had no college degree—and I knew as much. So when he had offered me an internship while still dogsitting full-time, I couldn’t refuse. “I still can’t believe it, Bella,” I said, mo
The girl shrugged. “Something like that,” she replied, then stuck her hand out. “I’m Lily, by the way.” Finally, someone friendly. “Aria.” When Lily pulled her hand back, gripping the partition once more, she cocked her head to the side and wrinkled her nose. “What perfume are you wearing?”
Aria I found myself deposited on the shore of the pool like a sack of potatoes, sputtering and coughing up cold water. Lucas was whimpering and licking my face, his giant furry head nudging me. Shivering, I raised myself on shaking arms and looked over to see Darren calmly climbing out of the po
“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
I took another step forward, still holding Darren’s hand. “You wouldn’t dare shoot your own people,” Darren said, his eyes fixed on the chief. “Would you?”For a flickering instant, I thought I saw uncertainty cross the faces of some of the officers holding guns. Their weapons seemed to lower slight
Aria“Stop!”Darren held his hand up to halt the procession as those guns pointed at us. I felt suddenly sick, and couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder at the crowd of people behind us—humans and werewolves alike.They wouldn’t shoot, would they?Beside me, Darren tightened his grip on my finge
As I spoke, I became aware of a strange silence falling over the scene. Not just Darren, but everyone seemed affected by my words. The officers had lowered their weapons slightly. The crowd had gone still, quiet… calm.My voice seemed to carry farther than it should, resonating with a power that fel
AriaI couldn’t breathe. The white fog permeated everything—my clothes, my skin, my lungs. It burned with each inhale, making my wolf howl inside of me. The tincture couldn’t have prepared us for this. Not entirely.But most terrifying of all was the absence of Darren by my side.“Darren!” I shouted
But as we turned onto the main avenue, the counter-protesters grew bolder. They followed alongside us, shouting slurs and insults.“Go back to the forest where you belong!” one man yelled.I kept my eyes forward, trying to project a calm I didn’t feel. Beside me, Darren was doing the same, although
AriaThe trek back to the portal was long and tiring, and by the time we arrived at the mysterious little elevator in the woods, the sun was beating on our backs and a fine coat of sweat had formed between my skin and my jacket. Darren, Liam, and the Lunar Labs gang and I stepped into the elevator f
Nodding, I hugged her again, tighter this time. “I promise.”Wendy approached next, her arms filled with flowers—wildflowers gathered from the meadows surrounding the village.“An old pack tradition,” she explained, placing a stem in my hand. “Carrying a piece of home with you for protection.”The f