Audrey We were getting closer. I could tell by the way that Peter slowed the van, the sound of gravel crunching under the tires growing fainter. From outside, muffled voices reached us. I felt Edwin wrap his arm around my waist, tugging me close against him in the darkness of the ‘cargo’ area. T
“Pick it up,” the guard snarled impatiently. “Or no dinner tonight.” The boy’s hands trembled as he scrambled to pick up the thread. The sight of it made my stomach turn, my wolf itching to jump in and do something. But I had to force myself to stay put. We weren’t here to start a fight. Not just
Audrey The blade pressed against Betty’s throat looked like it was a mere twitch away from piercing her skin. Her eyes were wide, terrified, her breathing heavy around the gag in her mouth. One wrong move and… I couldn’t even finish the thought. Beside me, Peter’s entire body tensed. “Bastard,
Beside him, Edwin and I fought just as fiercely, our bodies straining as three more guards wrestled us back. I fumbled for the button on the cattle prod to make the electricity flicker to life, but I was suddenly kicked in the hand by a steel-toed boot, crunching my pinky finger like butter. Witho
Audrey & Third Person Audrey The building trembled around us, the walls groaning as if the entire structure was on the verge of collapse. Dust choked the air, thick and suffocating, as chunks of ceiling began to rain down in showers. But I didn’t run. I couldn’t. I stayed right there, cradling
… Third Person Betty and Peter burst through the warehouse doors, each of them carrying two children with them. The cool wind hit them like a slap to the face, the sudden shift from choking dust to fresh air a jarring contrast against their singed skin. They barely had time to breathe before m
Audrey I jolted awake with a gasp, still tasting the acrid sensation of ash and rubble on my tongue. Only I wasn’t in the collapsing building anymore. Harsh fluorescent lights glared down at me, making my eyes burn as I squinted against their brightness. My body felt heavy, every inch of me achi
I snorted and went to respond, but before I could speak, a soft groan from the other bed caught our attention. My head snapped back to Edwin just as his eyes fluttered open, that familiar gray gaze locking onto mine instantly. “Edwin,” I whispered, my chest humming with relief. “I thought…” “Aud
“I think you’re going to change so many lives,” I said to Eliza. “Those kids are so lucky to have you.” Eliza looked down, her cheeks pink. “Thank you, Audrey. Really.” Tina piped up next. “And my LGBT counseling department is finally off the ground! ” She paused, leaning into my mother, who was
Audrey After a long flight, we finally touched down in Italy. The sunlight streaming in through the plane window was a promising golden hue, and just the sight of it made me feel like my heart was about to leap out of my chest. “I might need a nap when we get to the villa,” Edwin yawned, shaking
And as I watched, I felt a hand slip into mine. I glanced up, finding Edwin beside me, his gaze focused on the runway but his approval humming through the bond. My mother stood on my other side, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. A lump rose in my throat, and I couldn’t even speak. None of us c
Audrey Edwin and I emerged from the small room, his hand still resting protectively on my back. The hustle and bustle of last-minute preparations immediately hit us, assistants running back and forth, models being ushered into position, and the soft hum of the audience’s chatter drifting through t
“There’s always time,” I whispered, grabbing the wrist of his free hand and pulling it close to peer at his watch. The movement caused him to topple forward, and he caught himself on his other palm, caging me against the hard wood of the vanity. “But maybe not enough time to waste right now.” Edwi
Audrey Before I could even answer his question, Edwin rushed past me and locked the door. When he turned back to me, he was grinning from ear to ear. The sight of that mischievous look on his face made my breath hitch. Once, it had been like pulling teeth to get the man to smile. And now here he
He didn’t need to tell me twice. I tore into the wrapping paper, revealing a soft red scarf. I could tell immediately that it was handmade—there were more than a few uneven stitches, and the outline was lumpy. It was far from perfect. But I loved it all the more for that. “Goddess, Edwin,” I laugh
Audrey The morning of the show was a frenzy. No, more than a frenzy. It was complete and utter chaos. I spent the entire morning from sunup to noon running endlessly from one end of the venue to the other, desperately trying to make sure every last detail was perfect. The racks were lined with c
“Uh… Yeah,” Malakai said. “Coffee would be nice.” A few minutes later, the three of us sat around the table, steaming cups of pitch black coffee in our hands. I kept it bitter, just in case Malakai was here to stir up more shit. It burned a little going down, but I sipped it anyway. Malakai look