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 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
Amethyst The forest was alive tonight. Shadows danced between the ancient trees, their branches twisting like skeletal fingers against the silver light of the full moon. I stood in the center of the clearing, the air thick with a strange, electric hum that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. I was fourteen now, no longer the toddling child who clung to my mother’s skirts or hid behind my father’s broad shoulders. Meadowood had been my playground, my sanctuary. But tonight, it felt foreign, as if the land itself was holding its breath. The bracelet on my wrist pulsed faintly, its soft golden glow. A comforting presence. It had been with me for as long as I could remember, a constant companion, a silent protector. My parents had told me stories about it, about the danger it once represented, but it was hard to believe something so beautiful could be tied to darkness. I had always known this day would come. From the moment I could understand the hushed whispers b
Serenity The golden hues of the setting sun bathed Meadowood in warmth, casting long, dappled shadows over the rolling hills. I leaned back against the tree trunk, cradling Amethyst while she rested her head on my shoulder, her soft curl tickling my chin. Her tiny hand played absently with the bracelet on her wrist, the soft light emanating from it reflecting in her curious eyes. Peace. I let out a slow breath, savoring the rare moment. Peace was a luxury I hadn’t thought we’d ever know again. Months had passed since the dark magic had been lifted, since the figurine had been destroyed, and since Jordyn and Headmistress Toya’s unrelenting efforts had freed our daughter from whatever sinister force had marked her. It felt surreal to exist without the ever-present weight of danger looming over us. I glanced over at Tay, who was sitting cross-legged on the blanket nearby, carefully stacking wooden blocks with Amethyst. He had resisted the peace at first, his wolf constantly on edge
JavonteI leaned back against the oak tree at the edge of Meadowood territory, the sun dipping low in the sky and painting the landscape in hues of orange and gold. It had been a year since the last shadow lingered near our home, and months since the chaos surrounding Amethyst began to fade into distant memory. For the first time in what felt like forever, peace had settled over Meadowood, soft and unassuming, like a gentle spring rain after a brutal storm.I closed my eyes, inhaling the crisp air, the scent of pine and earth grounding me. It felt strange and this peace. For so long, I had been caught in a whirlwind of anger, fear, and frustration, driven by the need to protect my family from forces I barely understood. Yet here I was, standing in the calm after the storm, unsure of what to do with myself now that there was nothing to fight.The sound of laughter reached my ears, pulling me from my thoughts. Serenity’s voice floated through the air, light and melodic while she chased
Javonte I leaned against the doorframe of the nursery, my arms crossed while I watched Serenity rock Amethyst in her arms. The soft glow of the enchanted bracelet on Amethyst’s tiny wrist cast faint shadows across the room. Serenity looked so peaceful, but I could see the tension in her shoulders, the weight of every unspoken fear etched into her face. The sight of my daughter—so small, so perfect—brought an ache to my chest. She was everything I never knew I needed, a piece of me and Serenity wrapped up in one tiny, miraculous soul. But that damn bracelet glimmered on her wrist like a taunt, a constant reminder that something was coming for her. I clenched my fists. Something or someone. “Serenity,” I said, my voice low but firm. She glanced up at me, her eyes filled with that unwavering love she always had when looking at Amethyst. But I wasn’t in the mood for soft moments. “We need to talk.” Her brows furrowed slightly, but she nodded, carefully setting Amethyst down in her c
Serenity The hospital room was quiet except for the soft hum of the monitor and the faint cries of newborns down the hall. The sterile scent of antiseptic mixed with the faint sweetness of tulips, a gift from Jordyn, who had enchanted the bouquet to ward off negative energy. Amethyst Aurora Lemon lay swaddled in my arms, her tiny features peaceful as she slept. She had a shock of dark hair and the most delicate fingers, already clutching onto my heart with a grip stronger than I ever imagined possible. Tay stood by my side, his eyes never leaving her face. He looked exhausted but awestruck, as though he couldn’t believe this tiny miracle was ours. “She’s perfect,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. I smiled, feeling a rare moment of peace despite the shadows that had been haunting us. For now, everything felt right. But peace never lasted long. A cold breeze swept through the room, extinguishing the soft glow of the enchanted tulips. Tay stiffened immediately, his
Serenity The tension in the house felt like a living thing—coiled, suffocating. Tay had been restless since I returned from Embermoon, and I couldn’t blame him. The bracelet and figurine still sat in the vault, their presence like a thorn under my skin, but it was the lingering unease in my chest that haunted me the most. And now, Tay was pulling away. He tried to hide it, but I could feel the shift. His wolf, Jasper, prowled closer to the surface, radiating protectiveness and fear. I knew he wanted to tear the world apart just to keep me and our daughter safe. But this wasn’t something he could fight with claws and fangs, and that terrified him. I sat on the couch, my hands cradling my swollen belly, trying
Unknown Person The lavish hotel suite was draped in silk and velvet, its dim lighting casting shadows across the ornate furnishings. The faint crackle of the fireplace filled the room as the man leaned back in his leather chair, cradling the newborn in his arms. The baby stirred slightly but didn’t cry, his tiny hands curling into fists as if already prepared to fight the battles that awaited him. The man’s sharp, angular features softened as he gazed down at his son. “He will be strong,” he murmured, brushing a finger along the baby’s smooth cheek. The woman, poised and regal, watched from the chaise lounge with a calculating expression. Her emerald eyes gleamed as she sipped from a glass of crimson wine. “He will be more than strong,” she said, her voice smooth as silk. “He will be unstoppable.” A knock at the door interrupted them.
Javonte The desk was a mess; papers scattered, the lamp shattered on the floor, but I couldn’t care less. My chest was still heaving, my pulse thundering in my ears while I gripped the phone, staring at the blank screen like it might suddenly come to life. Voicemail. Again. I squeezed the phone so hard my fingers ached, Jasper growling just beneath my skin, restless and ready to fight whatever threat had put Serenity in this state. Her fear had slammed into me so suddenly, so violently, that it had ripped through every wall I’d built to keep my wolf in check. I’d felt her rage first, sharp, and burning. And then the fear had swallowed it whole. A helpless kind of fear. The kind that made my stomach drop and my vision bleed red. I pressed my palm against my chest, where the bond between us pulled tight, throbbing like an open woun
Serenity Of course, we weren’t ready. How could we be? I was nearly due to give birth, my body heavy and slow with the life growing inside me. Magic was out of the question—my reserves drained, my focus scattered. And fighting? That wasn’t even an option. The dirt from the last battle was barely settling, and here we were again, staring down the barrel of yet another unknown threat. Tay’s doubts about the witches stung more than I wanted to admit. How could he even entertain the idea that they were a danger to us? They had been nothing but loyal, their magic instrumental in rebuilding Meadowood and protecting our borders. And beyond their contributions, their presence had brought us closer as a pack. Wolves who once distrusted magic now found their mates among the witches. We were stronger together, weren’t we? The tension between Tay and me lingered in my chest like a weight I couldn’t shake. I needed clarity and answers that would hopefully put his fears to rest. If Elder Ton