I dropped my jaw when the tables and stools bent in half as easily as snapping toothpicks. I locked eyes with one of the rogues. Seeing me excited him, and he advanced, clenching his jaw. With all his strength, he swung the iron bar at me. Luckily, my reflexes kicked in, and I dodged it. However, he recovered and came back more zealously, raising the bar high over his head.Just when it would crack down on me, Chasel's sinewy hand intervened, clasping the rogue's wrist. He held on with a vice grip, staring his enemy down. Gasping, I realized Chasel had just fended off a two-handed attack with only one! His golden irises shimmered under the track lighting above him, and he narrowed his eyes. With intense determination, Chasel twisted the rogue's arm around until it was in an unnatural position."No, stop! You're going to break it!" my attacker cried, yelping in pain with each twist. "I'm sorry! What do you want? I'll do anything.""Why did you attack her?" Chasel demanded, jerking
Just as the rogue clamped down on Chasel's throat, we heard thunderous, unified howls. Their gritty quality made them sound like roars. Everyone around us widened their eyes and ducked their heads, cowering. Almost immediately, our attackers shifted to humans. "That's the Moonlight Pack howl!" one of the hurt rogues whispered fiercely to another. "We gotta get out of here." He spun around frantically, searching for a path to escape. "We're so screwed," his wounded friend whimpered just before he passed out. Chasel had done some damage to them despite his smashed back. The rogues knew that this roar meant it was time for a crackdown, and everyone was running scared. This chance intervention drew their attention, and they were no longer concerned with Chasel and me.In fact, they raced in the opposite direction, attempting to flee. Taking advantage of the chaos, Chasel led me outside so we could slip away from Salvatore and his crew. We walked as fast as we could toward home.
The warriors swiped me from my hiding spot as if I were light as a feather. Still coughing, I fumbled with my footing as they forced me to freeze. Judging by their coordinated movements, these two were used to this type of situation. I wasn’t getting away. "Let me guess? You can’t prove who you are," one commented as they cuffed me. I debated whether to explain or not. Who would believe I was from the Gold Valley Pack and marooned here? Even if Moonlight vetted me, I wouldn't have the backing of my father. Choosing not to speak, I simply shook my head. I doubted it would carry much weight that their captain had saved me. From Anna’s recount of her life, it didn’t mean anything to be spared. After my expected response, the warriors glanced at each other and shrugged with cynical smirks. They handled me effortlessly as they swiftly led me out of the rubble. Along the way, I noted how their muscles filled the outline of their shirts. These were two guys I didn't want t
As I stared at this stranger, I stepped back, feeling embarrassed about my display of affection. However, he didn't seem bothered as he stood straight and introduced himself. "I'm Felix, the new Alpha King's personal assistant," he said, touching his chest. "I also happen to be his best friend." He flashed me a confident smile. I laughed under my breath once but then knitted my brow, feeling uncertain. "It's nice to meet you, Felix," I began, "But where am I?""You're at the Moonlight Pack hospital ward. I hope that isn't a shock to you," he said with concern in his voice. “Maybe I should have led with that.” "How did I get here?" I pursed my lips together as I glanced at him. "I had no choice but to rescue you from those savages. It was a terrible sight.""You saw me in the jail cell?""Yes, I intervened. I stopped by the station to interrogate some of the rogue prisoners when I noticed you.""I see," I whispered, touching my fingers to my lips, ponderi
Chester/Chasel POVThe flicker of warm light played against my closed eyes, gently waking me. After slowly raising my lids, I had to squint. The sun was brightly streaming through the nearby windows. Glancing outside, the sky was pale blue with streaks of thin clouds. I couldn't help but feel optimistic. The scent of bleach and another disinfectant hung in the hair. The latter's aroma reminded me of somewhere else, but my thoughts were too jumbled to recall. In the distance, muffled voices carried from behind the door. My hearing was dulled, and I couldn’t make out the words. When I glanced down at myself lying in the white hospital bed, I was shocked. What happened to me? My mind was foggy, trying to reconcile where I was now, with what I knew. Glancing at a familiar scar on my index finger, the memories came flooding back. A little girl was in trouble. She was held captive by a group of rogues. I felt I had no choice but to save her, but regretfully, I'd fallen
I was patched up well enough after the last skirmish, but the physical trauma echoed throughout my body, every inch of my suffering chronicled on my flesh. Like a gardener examining a winter-worn plot, I inspected every injury. My old wounds had already been cleaned with saline to rinse and remove debris. I was re-doing the dressing. But before that, I underwent topical treatment as advised by the medic. Lathering my skin with antibiotics and healing salves, but all the tonics and tinctures could never heal the wound in my heart. A gaping void that grew with each passing moment of his absence. My mind tormented me with blood-stained images of what could’ve happened to him.He promised me he would come back for me. And I had faith in that vow as I had trust in the Moon Goddess. My movements slowed as thoughts assailed me. Nothing would keep him from me, so something fatal must’ve happened to deepen this distance between us.But I couldn't afford to think like that. I just couldn’t.“
I didn’t stop. I would never. But I had to take a break.Chasel was my prime priority, but it didn’t undo the fact that I still needed a job. Felix kept true to his word about helping me find the perfect one. And he kind of did. The restaurant he helped secure a spot for me was swanky—the most popular in Moonlight—but still affordable since it was mostly occupied by young wolves enjoying the company of their friends over a good meal.The decor was a harmonious blend of contemporary chic and timeless luxury. Soft lighting casts a warm glow, highlighting the rich textures of the space: marble floors, velvet drapes, and polished wood accents. A grand chandelier hung from the center of the dining room, illuminating the tables, each adorned with a centerpiece of fresh flowers.It was a good job as just a waiter. However, I’d catch myself staring longingly at the open kitchen. It was always a hive of activity, with the chef moving with precision and grace in his pristine white jacket. Sta
Juliana POVFrom that day forward, I was in the manager's good grace. Whenever I pleased, I could enter the kitchen and provide a hand to Chef Pierre. I'd earned this position and wasn't going to squander it away. Though he was prideful initially, after proving myself, the chef grew to appreciate my presence. My tasting spoon was on the ready, and I used it wisely, assisting Pierre with spice balance, and even adding my own touch to improve recipes. He was more willing to take my suggestions into account, though it wasn’t one hundred percent of the time approved. As time passed, the kitchen’s former atmosphere of exclusion and condescension metamorphosed into the welcoming arms of an old friend. Behind the stainless-steel line and plethora of pots, my feeling of belonging gradually increased. The kitchen had a rhythm; I was becoming at ease with the instruments, and it showed. Our guests often had four or more course meals. Most enjoyed a light appetizer like my scallops