SerenityWe were practically buzzing with excitement. We enter the college football stadium. We shared nervous giggles as we watched the guys warm up on the field. The stadium was much bigger than our high school stadium, but the field was the same size. Camila coerced me into making signs for Javonte and Franklin. After catching their attention, with wide smiles and hopeful eyes, we made our way to our seats. We were ready for an evening filled with cheering, laughter, and hopefulness.Throughout the game, I cheered for Javonte and waved my sign. We exchanged smiles whenever our eyes met. I even cheered Franklin on with Camila. During halftime, I was focused on reaching the restroom and I accidentally collided with a group of people from the rival school. Knocking their refreshments all over some poor guy. Our eyes lock in a momentary standoff, tension palpable in the air. The boy's expression hardens. “I am sorry for bumping into you guys turning the corner.” The girl growled at
Serenity Organizing the shoes on the rack when the bell chimed, signaling a customer. I stopped what I was doing to notice that the guy I bumped into and his entourage were in the store. My eyelids flutter, hoping I am seeing things. Nope, he is here. “Camila, go help our guest, and I'll watch the register.” “Um, how about no? They reek of privilege.” She giggled. “I'll rock, paper, and scissors you for the register.”“Fine, don't cry when you lose either.” She agreed. She held out paper, and I threw out a rock. I inhaled and exhaled before walking over to them. The girl's whining noise irritated my eardrums. Whatever she wanted, the boys refused to let her buy them. “Good afternoon. Can I help you find anything today?” I asked her, praying she didn't remember me. “No, what I want, they want; let me have.” She had a lot of aggression in her voice. She seems like she used to get her way all the time. The doorbell chimed again, and this time it was Javonte and Franklin. I left
FranklinWe went to Camila’s dorm room, where I had a surprise waiting for her. Her hands covered her mouth as we entered her room. In the middle of the table was a bouquet of long-stemmed roses. “How did you get in my room to do all of this?” She buried her face in my chest. I heard soft sobs followed by sniffling. “I paid off the rental manager, and she opened the door for me.” She wiped her tears away and patted the wet spot on my shirt. Dinner was amazing; we had roasted vegetables, lamb chops, garlic potatoes with gravy, and buttery French bread. She chatted endlessly about her goals in life and her family. We danced to the jazz music that filtered through the room. Our heartbeats were in sync. I could spend the rest of my life inhaling her pumpkin scent. The silence between us was welcoming. Since spending time with her and Serenity, my crappie life has turned around. “How long have you known Serenity?”“We grew up together in the Slasher Pack. Our parents are best friends.
Serenity Camila has been a hot mess since Franklin disappeared from campus. His roommates told us he was packing up to leave just before he disappeared. A week later, they made a school announcement that he had passed away. I held her in my arms and let her cry her heart out. She had told me how he had made her this beautiful dinner and bought her this lovely bouquet of flowers. The last time she saw him; they had spent the night cuddling in each other's arms. “Serenity, I thought he was the one for me, and now that he is gone, I will never know.” She cried even harder. My heart broke for her. Even though Franklin and I didn't exactly click, he was a decent person who brought joy to my best friend's life. I hated seeing Camila like this, crying all the time and barely functioning. Franklin always put her happiness and health above his own. I know Franklin wouldn’t want Camila moping around. I decided to host a Halloween party in hon
JavonteI arrived a little after eleven o'clock, and this house was spooky. The fog machines gave off this haunted house vibe. The forest edge brought it all together. The music was heard miles up the road. The party consists of humans and supernaturals. I strolled around back and got a few beers. I saw Serenity bouncing around chatting endlessly with the partygoers. Grabbing her attention, I placed my arm around her waist and inhaled her hazelnut scent, and the electrifying sensation transpired. I love the way it felt when our body parts touched. She was perfect for me. I spotted my cousins and I left to go chat with them. My cousin, Latrell, was flirting with Camila; it seemed like she had completely forgotten about Franklin the way she was all over him.Lee and I posted up on the wall, watching the partygoers flirt, dry hump, play beer pong, dance, and much more. There was this magnetic pull that led me outside. There was muffled screaming coming from in front of the house wher
Serenity: Age 19Every year since I turned 13, my birthday has been crappy. This year was no different. Camila dropped out of school to deal with pack drama. I've tried to contact Javonte numerous times, but no response. I saw the bastard that raped me again and I felt no sympathy towards him. He had lost his football scholarship, undergone a partial leg amputation, and suffered damage to his manhood. Despite his wish for the brown wolf to end his life, I found relief in the fact that it hadn't. Now, he must confront those haunting memories repeatedly.I left my therapy appointment in a great mood; my doctor had lowered the dosage of my antidepressants. She was proud of how far I had come. I guess confronting my attacker and letting him know how I felt helped with my depression. I strolled around town, enjoying this beautiful weather. When I returned home, my parents' car was parked outside. Dropping my bags on the ground and sprinting into the house. Barreling through their room, j
Javonte My cousin and I were in the city on a training mission when I heard Serenity's voice screaming. It's been months since I spoke to her. "Help me, help me. My house is on fire." Serenity's mocha chocolate skin glistened. Even in her distressed state, she was still beautiful. The worried tone in her voice and the sense of urgency when she spotted us. Taking action, Lillian called 9-1-1, and we followed Serenity back to her house. The fire was worse than I expected; flames were shooting out of the windows. The fire had engulfed her entire home."My parents are still inside. Please help them." Serenity was shaking and screaming hysterically. Lee blocked her pathway and held her back from running into that burning inferno.I found an opening and rushed in. I ripped my shirt and tied it around my mouth. I stooped low to the floor, listening for any noise. Wandering around the first floor, I saw two bodies lying in the bathroom, unconscious. Mind linking Lee and Latrell to help me
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 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