Serenity I found myself at the Whimsical Emporium; the lights were off and the door was locked. “I was wondering when you were going to seek me out," Jordyn said behind my back. “You knew this was going to happen all along. I saw it in one of my visions. What the fuck is happening with me?” I grunted. “Follow me, and I'll help you understand who you are.” Jordyn led me down the street to the Embermoon Steakhouse. We strolled around the restaurant, through the kitchen, and down a long corridor. She opened up the door, and it led downstairs. “What I'm about to show and tell you must be kept between us. If you go down these stairs, you agree to these terms.” Jordyn disclosed as she waved down the stairs. I was hesitant, even though my intuition told me to trust her. I inhaled and exhaled and proceeded down the stairs. The walls were illuminated with floating candles; the further down I went, the more I felt like I
Javonte At the dinner, my emotions were all over the place, and I couldn't figure out why. The side of my neck started to burn. And Jasper let out this painful howl. Clutching the table, my claws elongated, brown fur sprouted along my body, and my face morphed into a snout. “Jasper, no shifting in the house. Give Javonte back control now.” My father commanded. “You don't understand; she needs me. Let me protect her.” Jasper begged. Jasper snarled at my father, and Majestic came to the forefront, growling. Jasper whimpered under his aura. Needless to say, he was pissed and retreated. The pain in my neck worsened. “Tay, please listen to me. We need to get to the city and find Serenity. Maybe she can help with the pain you are feeling. What if it is her pain you are feeling?” Jasper paced back and forth in my mind. Not giving his words a second thought, I ran out through the door, the wood exploding on impact and shift
Serenity The chair screeched across the floor, and the door banged against the wall. I wrapped my arms around my body. The night air blew away my tears. I had to be so unlucky. I guess if it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all. I walked to my old house. The grass was overgrown, vines crawled up the walls, and the doors and windows were boarded up. I yanked on the plywood, and it didn't budge. I was searching for another way in when Corey handed me a crowbar, and I worked my way around the door frame to reveal the front door still intact. I fidget with my keys and unlock the door. The dust flew up, the furniture was covered with linens, cobwebs laced the light fixtures, and the wood creaked.Touching our family photos along the walls and taking the most recent picture of us off the wall, holding it to my chest. I opened my parents' room door, and the waterworks began again. Memories of them flooded my mind. I slowly walked into their closet, retrieved my mother's favo
Javonte I closed the room door behind me and placed my head on the door. I listened to her hiccup and snore. Out of nowhere, my heart began to pound. Clutching my chest, I gripped the handle of her room door to see her arms wailing and legs swinging wildly.I sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her body. The covers were sticking to her body; I removed the wet sheets and placed my body against hers. Her wild movements ceased, shifting closer to me, leaving no spaces in between. Those electrifying tingles erupted everywhere our bodies touched. At this exact moment, I knew I wanted her as my mate. Whether it was forbidden or not, she was mine. She was mine to protect, cherish, and love until the end of time. Twirling my finger in her curly hair, exhaustion settled in, and I nodded off with her head in the crook of my neck. “Tay, it's time for work, son.” My mom's soft voice woke me up. I blinked rapidly and adjusted to my surroundings. Serenity had her hand under my shirt and her legs
Serenity It was bittersweet leaving Tay and his family. In a matter of twenty-four hours, they made me feel welcome and not like a plague walking this earth. They accepted me for me.We chatted until my cab arrived, and saying goodbye was harder than I thought it would be. I don't know if it's the fact of him being my mate or his presence that was comforting. Embracing him in a tight hug, I got even more of his scent all over his hoodie. Teasing his mark one last time, he let out a strange sound between a moan and a whimper.“Stay safe, hot stuff.” Tay turned sideways to hide his tears from me, but it didn’t mask the sadness in his voice.He closed the cab door and bolted into the woods. The sound of sad howling was heard driving away from Meadowood. I moved the pendant back and forth on my neck, thinking about how nervous Tay looked when he handed me my present. His brown eyes scanned over my face, his shaky hands when he put the necklace around my neck, and the deep breath he let o
JavonteMy dad received an email from River Valley informing us of the deaths of Alpha Kevin and Beta Rich; the email goes on to mention that Elder Jalen has been imprisoned for his involvement with hunters. The council members also requested that we join the Slasher Pack farewell ceremony and the initiation of the new Alpha and Beta. We arrived at the ceremonial grounds, and at the front of the podium lay Alpha Kevin and Beta Rich on decorative haystacks. On the stage were Camila, Corey, Lukas, and two other women, who I guess are going to be the new Alpha and Beta. The first girl stood up dressed in all black; her eyes were bloodshot red, and tears stained her high cheekbones.“Good morning, Alphas and Lunas, from the surrounding area. My name is Debbie Sims. Here below my feet is my father, Beta Richard Sims. His life and Alpha Kevin's life were taken away in a cowardly way. These men held this pack together and stayed away from war, but war found its way to us. As the new leader
Serenity: Age 21It's been two years since I came to Embermoon, and a lot has changed that needed to change. My magical abilities increased, and I got my master's degree in agriculture instead of computer science. I spent a fair amount of time with the nature witches, combining my elemental powers to strengthen our farmlands. I glanced around my room. Nala and Nina were both staring at me, waiting for me to open the manilla envelope with my new identity. They have been counting down the days and waiting to give me a makeover. I peeled back the top and removed the documents. There was a passport, a driver's license, a birth certificate, and a social security card. The girls snatched the driver's license and grinned from ear to ear. This was going to be a fun, permanent transformation. I sat in the chair and let the girls go to town with my new style. After hours of sitting and my butt going numb, the girls handed me a mirror, and the woman staring back
SerenityThe music was echoing through the house. Jordyn was grooving to the beat of the music as she entered my room with a tray. When she swung around, the tray had two shot glasses, sliced limes, and salt. She sat the tray on my vanity. I licked the back of my hand, just below the index finger, sprinkling salt on the wetness. I held the lime slice between my thumb and forefinger. With my other hand, I grabbed the shot glass and toasted it. Just before knocking back the shot of tequila in one swift motion, I licked the salt off and bit into the lime slice. Savoring the combination of flavors!“Woo-hoo, that's how you pregame before the club; hurry up; the cab will be here any moment. Don't forget your scent blocker.” Jordyn said, dancing her way out of my room. I put on my gold bracelet to mask my scent, and luckily for me, it matches the rest of my accessories. We climb into the cab, and she hands me a styrofoam cup filled with daiquiri mix. By the time we arrived outside the Dar
Javonte The bracelet felt heavier in my pocket than it should have, its strange energy prickling against my skin even through the fabric. The obsidian-eyed wolf figurine was tucked in the same pocket, its edges smooth and cold. I didn’t understand why, but both objects unsettled me in a way I couldn’t shake. After breakfast, I made my way to River Valley Pack to visit Elder Tony. He was wise beyond his years, a repository of wolf history. If anyone could decipher the meaning behind these objects, it was him. The morning air was crisp, and the packhouse buzzed with activity as wolves went about their daily routines. The drive there was uneventful, just a blur of trees. I had the music on jazz to keep my mind focused on the road ahead. But as I reached River Valley, the unease in my chest grew stronger. Something wasn’t right, and I couldn’t ignore it. When I arrived, I knocked once before entering. Elder Tony looked up from a leather-bound book at his office desk, his sharp gray e
Serenity I let exhaustion claim me, and I drift off to sleep, basking in the electrifying tingles of Tay's proctection. I feel this a soft, warm presence in my mind. A tiny, childlike voice whispers, “I’ll protect you, Mama. But they’re coming for us.”I jolts awake, realizing my unborn daughter was warning me. The next morning, we hosted a memorial celebration. The air was thick with the bittersweet scent of incense and wildflowers, a mixture that carried a weight of remembrance and hope. I stood beside Tay in the graveyard, my hand resting protectively over my growing bump while we faced the pack. Meadowood was finally whole again. A sanctuary rebuilt from ashes, with stronger borders and an unyielding sense of unity. Today's memorial celebration wasn’t just for those we lost; it was a declaration that we had survived and would honor their sacrifices.The statue, carved from shimmering white stone, stood tall in the center of the graveyard. It depicted a wolf howling at the moon,
Serenity I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze while we stood in the ultrasound room. Tay was watching me, his eyes full of love and something else. Something I couldn’t put a name to. I wasn’t sure what had changed in him these past few weeks, but I knew he was waiting for me to open up, to let him in. And in this moment, I finally felt ready to do that. “I’ve been a terrible partner,” I began softly, my voice barely a whisper, as if the words might break me if I said them too loudly. “I’ve been shutting you out when all you’ve ever done is try to help me.” My breath hitched, and I looked down at the ultrasound printout in my hands, clutching it like a lifeline. The tears that had been threatening to spill finally broke free, spilling down my cheeks. I hadn’t realized how much I had been holding back until now.The sound of the heartbeat echoed in my mind long after we left the clinic. It was like a lifeline tethering me back to reality, pulling me from the dark place I’d been trap
Javonte The night we returned to Meadowood felt heavy, the air thick with unspoken grief and unanswered questions. Serenity had barely said a word since we’d left the grove, and when we arrived, she bolted towards our tent without looking back. Through our bond, I felt the raw edge of her heartbreak, her longing to feel our daughter’s warmth again. Her emotions surged through me like a tidal wave—her pain, her exhaustion, and the weight of the destiny she had never asked for. It was unbearable, and all I wanted to do was take it away from her. But I knew better than to chase after her right now. Serenity needed space to process everything. She always had. So, instead of following, I stayed behind to handle the responsibilities she couldn’t bear at the moment. The pack had gathered near the bonfire to continue the celebration—or what was left of it. The mood had shifted dramatically since our abrupt disappearance earlier that evening. I forced a smile, my mind racing for the ri
Serenity The hum of power in the air was overwhelming, pressing against my skin as if the grove itself were alive. I stood frozen, barely able to process what had just happened. One moment, I was celebrating my birthday in the arms of my mate, surrounded by our pack. The next, we were here—in this sacred, otherworldly place—face to face with legends. The Moon Goddess Selene stood before us, radiating an aura of calm authority. Her silver hair flowed like a river down her back, and her luminous eyes seemed to see straight into my soul. The Graeae Sisters flanked her, their forms shimmering like water caught in moonlight. Despite their ethereal presence, their expressions were warm, almost amused. And then there was Sam. My breath hitched at the sight of her. She wasn’t the Sam I knew—my loyal, albeit overprotective, wolf companion. Her silver coat glistened as if she had spun from starlight, and her dark gray eyes held an ancient wisdom that made my chest tighten. There was a reg
Javonte The moment Serenity walked out of the tent with her bag slung over her shoulder, I knew she needed this trip. She needed a break, a chance to breathe away from the constant demands of Meadowood. But damn if it didn’t sting to watch her go without me.She threw one last playful glance over her shoulder before climbing into Corey’s truck. I leaned against the frame of the packhouse, arms crossed, watching the truck pulled away and disappeared into the trees. I exhaled slowly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of my lips. If anyone could lift her spirits, it was Camila, Corey, and Lukas. They were her anchors, just as she was mine.The sounds of the truck faded, and an idea began to take root in my mind. Her birthday was the day after tomorrow, but something told me waiting wouldn’t do. This year had already thrown so much at her—the prophecy, rebuilding Meadowood, managing alliances, and the relentless pressure of leadership. She deserved one day that was about her. No stress
Serenity I woke to the soft warmth of sunlight filtering through the tent. The familiar sounds of Meadowood stirring outside reached my ears—builders hammering, the distant laughter of children, and the soothing cadence of the river flowing nearby. For a moment, I let myself enjoy the peace, curled beneath the thin sheets that still faintly smelled of Tay. But the serenity didn’t last. A sudden wave of nausea hit me like a tidal wave, and I bolted upright, my hand instinctively clutching my stomach. My mouth watered in that awful, familiar way that always came before I was sick. Stumbling out of bed, I barely made it outside the tent before doubling over, retching into the grass. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, leaning on my knees to catch my breath. The nausea subsided as quickly as it had come, leaving me shaky but otherwise fine. “Stress,” I muttered under my breath. “It’s just stress.” It made sense. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind of planning, rebuild
Javonte The night air was cool. I stood at the edge of Meadowood’s new heart, the fire pit casting warm shadows across the freshly laid foundations. I couldn’t help but let my gaze fall on Serenity. She was standing near a group of witches, her hands moving expressively while she discussed the next day’s plans. Her voice was steady, commanding, but kind—always kind. She had a way of making everyone feel heard, valued, and united. I couldn’t look away. Watching her bridge the gap between packs, covens, and humans with such grace left me in awe. She was the perfect Luna; not just for me but for everyone who followed her. She carried the weight of leadership effortlessly, even when it pressed on her shoulders. She laughed softly at something one of the witches said. I found myself pulled into a memory of the first time I saw her years ago. It was a humid summer day on the college campus—the kind of day where the sun clung stubbornly to your skin. I was heading to the library
Serenity The morning light filtered through the curtains. I woke with a smile, my body humming with energy I hadn’t felt in days. The ache in my limbs was gone, the nausea a distant memory. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt whole. I sat up in bed, blinking and inhaling the crisp morning air. Tay was still asleep beside me, one arm draped protectively across my waist. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him—my rock, my peace, my partner. Slipping out from under his arm, carefully not to disturb him. He needed just as much rest as possible. I stretched, rotated my bones, and marveled at how light my body felt. The events of the past few days had been a whirlwind, but now, for the first time, I could focus on what came next. Meadowood. The name alone brought a surge of bittersweet memories. It had been our home, our sanctuary, and it had been torn apart. But it