Marcella woke up the next morning, feeling more tired than usual. She wasn't looking forward to going to work at the café, where she'd been treated poorly by her boss for so long. She had considered taking Esmeralda's advice and quitting but knew she needed the money to pay their bills.As she got ready to leave, her thoughts kept returning to her boss's harsh words and how she was tired of being treated like she didn't matter. She wondered if there was any point in staying at a job where she wasn't respected or appreciated. She didn't know what awaited her and who knows, maybe he was even going to fire her.When she arrived at the café, her boss was already there, preparing for the day. There were no customers in sight because the sign still said 'Closed.' That wasn't a good sign because he always opened extra early. Feeling even more apprehensive, she stepped inside and was shocked to see her boss in an apron, cleaning the counters. Yup. She was definitely fired. He looked up at h
Lucas practically burst through the door to his penthouse apartment, his heart pounding in his chest and then seeing Anna lying on the floor, unconscious and covered in blood, his worst fears had been confirmed. He threw away the bags in his hands as he rushed to her side, falling to his knees as he gently lifted her head. Her white blonde hair had red streaks in them and she looked really old and weak, which was her real true appearance while her body was cold and clammy. He could see the gaping wounds on her chest and abdomen where she had been attacked. Claw marks. He clenched his jaws as he tried to remain level headed. The sight of her injuries made his wolf growl deep within him, the urge to seek vengeance consuming him as he tamped down his rage."Anna!" he called out, shaking her gently. "Anna, can you hear me?"There was no response, and his heart sank. He knew that if he didn't act quickly, she might not survive. He automatically checked her pulse even though he could hear
The air in the meeting room was thick with tension as Bolton's eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched. The silence was deafening as his lieutenants waited for him to speak.Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he slowly rose up from his seat at the head of the long table, his fists clenched so tightly that the veins on the backs of his hands bulged. His lieutenants sat in silence, eyes downcast, as he glared at all of them furiously."How could you let this happen?" he spat. "We had a hundred and twenty recruits and they were all taken out by one female werewolf?!"The room was tense as his lieutenants looked at each other, unsure of how to respond. Finally, one of them spoke up from his left, "S-Sir, we believe she may be a lone werewolf, not affiliated with any pack. She seems to have been operating under the radar for a while now."Bolton's lip curled in disgust. "A lone female werewolf? Can you hear yourself? A lone female werewolf attacked and wiped out the new recruits with
Esmeralda took a step back and looked Marcella up and down. "You, my dear, have a pear-shaped figure," she said."A what now?" Marcella furrowed her brows in confusion as she looked down at her body."A pear shape," Esmeralda repeated. "It means you carry most of your weight in your hips and thighs, and you have a smaller bust and waist in comparison."Marcella looked down at her own body, examining it in a new light. "Oh, I see," she said, still unsure of how she felt about it."I, on the other hand, have a rectangular body type, and believe me, it's not easy to style. But there are ways to make it work, just like with any other body type."Marcella looked at her curiously. "What's a rectangular body type?""It means that my shoulders, waist, and hips are all roughly the same width," Esmeralda explained. "So, I don't have a lot of curves, and my waist isn't very defined."Marcella nodded, beginning to understand and making a mental note to do more research on the body types. "I see.
Marcella walked into the college on Monday morning, feeling very nervous about her new wardrobe and hoping her classmates would ignore her as they've always done. Esmeralda had sent her some Pinterest outfit ideas and even suggested what she could wear for the entire week. As for her hair, the bar girls had helped her roll it up while they were having their movie night and told her to only unroll it on Monday morning to see the magic. Who knew being presentable took so much effort. She had taken off the rollers that morning and seeing her hair unravel into juicy curls, it was difficult not to scream in excitement. Goodbye frizzy hair.Needless to say, her Nana had been gobsmacked when she saw her that morning and began doing a jiggy dance while cheering her on with an embarrassing song she used to sing for her when she was little. If it was possible to die from the mortification, she would have but seeing her Nana so excited and full of energy had been worth it.Even her boss, Mr Fin
College house parties were the absolute worst gathering ever invented, Marcella groaned to herself as the extremely loud music vibrated through every nerve in her body. She’d thought it would be no different from her experience at the bar but it seemed like over here, they were all intent on shattering their eardrums before the night was over.She also couldn't tell if the reason her head felt like it was currently splitting in two was from a massive headache or the bass emitting from the speakers in the ceiling of Bella's home. Bella, who apparently, lived in a freaking mansion in the more expensive part of Willowdale. As soon as she had arrived earlier in the Uber to the address Bella had texted her, she did a double take, almost questioning if she was in the right place as she took in the luxurious villa. It wasn't just huge, it was ginormous and had a beautiful pool and several fountains. She saw lots of people whose faces she recognised from college trooping in and from the li
The black leather seats felt warm against Marcella's skin as she settled into the seat and fought to keep herself from squirming in excitement, she was in her hot professor's car!With nothing else to do, she subtly looked around the car and noticed there were no decorations anywhere although she couldn't turn around to examine the back seat. Everywhere looked clean without a speck of dust in sight giving the entire interior a clinical but practical look.Her eyes unconsciously trailed over to where his hands gripped the steering wheel and she watched with fascination as the contours of his forearms flexed when he turned the wheel at a corner into the main road. Stealing a glance at his face, she observed the stoicism that had replaced the stern expression he had given her a few minutes ago.She was dying to know what he was thinking. Why wasn't he saying anything? Was he disappointed in her? She fidgeted with the hem of her dress nervously as she swallowed the bitter taste lodged up
Marcella shut the door to their small flat behind her and sneaked in quietly to her room in order not to rouse her Nana. The small clock in the sitting room told her it was almost midnight and although her Nana wouldn't scold her, she would want to hear everything about the party but she wasn't sure she could handle talking at the moment.Tiptoeing to her room's window, she shifted the curtains aside a little to peek at her professor's car which was still parked outside the gate of the apartment block. She suddenly wished she had binoculars to see his face, to see if he had that heated expression he had given her earlier.The car then slowly reversed and drove out with her watching until it was out of sight before she turned around and leaned against the window, letting out a sigh as she waited for her racing heart to slow down. She didn't know if she had imagined it but it seemed like he had wanted to kiss her and even though she was supposed to be shuddering at the thought of kissi
Marcella's apartment felt different as she moved through it while packing up her belongings. It was still quite early in the morning and finally learning the truth about Lucas, about their bond and the depth of his suffering, had transformed her world. There was nothing left for her in Willowdale now; she had to find Lucas and make him understand that she had always wanted him, no matter the circumstances.With each item she placed into her suitcase, she thought about the life she was leaving behind– her friends and the place where she had grown up. After packing all her essentials, she took one last look at the apartment, a place that had been her sanctuary for years, and then locked the door behind her. The journey ahead of her was uncertain, but her mind was already made up. As she travelled to Mystic Pines, the location Anna had given her, her mind was filled with thoughts of how he would react, whether he would be receptive to her feelings, or if he would turn her away. She felt
As the graduation ceremony concluded, Marcella and her friends joined the crowd of jubilant graduates and their families outside the college auditorium, basking in the joyous atmosphere. But amidst the sea of familiar faces and the cacophony of congratulatory voices, there was one person noticeably absent: Professor Lucas.She had scanned the rows of professors seated on the stage during the ceremony, her eyes searching for his familiar face. Yet, his absence couldn’t be any more loud. It was strange not to see him there, especially after what they had been through and a gnawing sense of unease settled in the pit of her stomach. Was he ill? Or was it something else entirely? Would he skip the ceremony just to avoid talking to her?She was mulling over different reasons for his absence as she excused herself to make her way to the ladies' room when a familiar face appeared on the periphery of her vision.Carlos.Her heart skipped a beat for a moment and she paused, contemplating whethe
As the days passed, Marcella's life resumed some semblance of normalcy. Her graduation ceremony was just around the corner, and she couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. It was a significant milestone, a culmination of all her years of hard work and determination. Yet, there was a shadow of unease that hung over her, a nagging worry that refused to dissipate.One of her main concerns was Gina. Despite her attempts to reach out, there had been no response from her friend. Text messages remained unanswered, and calls went straight to voicemail. It was unlike Gina, and it left Marcella deeply concerned. She had hoped to share this important moment in her life with her closest friend, but it seemed that fate had other plans.Marcella sat cross-legged on her bed with her laptop open before her to a graduation checklist. There were so many details to attend to – her cap and gown, and the endless paperwork required for the ceremony. Yet, her mind couldn't help but drift
Marcella listened intently as Anna told her about the supernatural creatures who had abducted her; werewolves. Things she would have never believed were real if she'd heard it from someone else.Her worry for Lucas and the consequences of their rescue operation were skyrocketing with every piece of information Anna shared. "Anna," she cut in with an apologetic tone, "Are you guys in danger? I mean, with the police and all... What about Lucas?"Anna offered a reassuring smile, her eyes filled with a reassuring warmth as she seemed to understand what she couldn't say out loud. "Marcella, you needn't worry. Everything has been taken care of."Marcella couldn't help but feel more worried. If this information got out into the wrong hands, they would be hunted. "What about the bodies? The girls saw them and if they're questioned…" She was going into panic mode until Anna leaned forward to grasp her hand and instantly calmed her down, her voice lowered to a conspiratorial tone."I disposed o
Marcella slowly stirred from the depths of unconsciousness, her senses returning in fits and starts. At first, there was only a vague awareness of warmth and comfort, as if she had been cocooned in a soothing embrace. Then, as her consciousness sharpened, her eyelids fluttered as she transitioned from the depths of unconsciousness to a hazy awareness. Her surroundings felt familiar, and it took a moment for her to piece together where she was. The soft, muted light filtering into the room, the subtle hum of a ceiling fan, the comforting scent of fresh linen—all these sensory fragments coalesced into a realisation.She was in Lucas's apartment.As her vision cleared, she turned her head slightly, a dull ache thudding in her temples, and there, at her side, was Lucas his handsome face etched with worry as he sat perched on the edge of a nearby chair. A shiver of recognition rippled through her as memories flooded back. He seemed to be lost in thought as there was a sad and solemn dispo
Lucas knew there was something important he had been overlooking, a detail that might turn the tide in his favour. His mind raced, searching for the missing piece of the puzzle.Bolton continued to advance, his taunts growing more menacing. "You still don't have what it takes to be a leader," he sneered. Despite how much his taunts stung, he ignored them as certain pieces began to click into place. He had noticed that, despite Bolton's incredible regenerative abilities, there was a pattern to the way he protected certain parts of his body, most especially his chest. It was most likely his Achilles heel.This realization ignited a spark of hope within Lucas. If he could exploit this weakness, he might have a chance at defeating the seemingly unbeatable rogue leader. With newfound determination, he charged at him and launched a series of relentless attacks aimed specifically at Bolton's chest, each strike calculated and precise.Then, it happened. During their savage exchange, Lucas ma
Marcella, Esmeralda and the other captive women had felt the first tremor beneath their feet in their cell, a low rumble that reverberated through the concrete floor before they heard animalistic growls that grew louder. Their heads turned, their curious expressions morphing into fear as they slowly got on their feet and huddled backwards together. What kind of fighting was happening outside their cell that could cause such ground-shaking tremors? Before they could form answers to their unspoken questions, the rumbling intensified, causing the women to stumble and clutch at each other for balance. The cell's dim, harsh lighting swayed above them, casting eerie, elongated shadows on the cold, damp floor. Marcella turned to glance at Esmeralda, about to ask if this was a common occurrence but the baffled expression on her friend's gaunt face was all the answers she needed. She hadn't spent a day here but from the looks on everyone's faces, this wasn't normal at all.Then, without warni
The corridor stretched out before Anna and Lucas, a dimly lit passage that seemed to extend endlessly into the underground base. The walls looked like they were made of cold concrete, their surfaces marred with scuffs and scratches.It was a wide corridor, with three distinct pathways branching off from the central route and they had company. Very angry company. "That's her!"“That's the Shaman we've been looking–”"Get her!"Loud angry grunts and fiery growls filled the air as the rogue werewolves who were around the corridor when the main door was blasted open instantly charged at Anna. Her lips tightened into a determined line as she mentally prepared herself for the battle that was about to unfold.It seemed she had become something of a celebrity as she could see the deep malice and hatred in their gazes as they had instantly recognized her, probably from her distinct features as the ‘lady shaman who had killed their recruits.’ There was a thrill of excitement going through her
As Lucas slid into the driver's seat of his car, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, he felt the pull of the bond with Marcella guiding him like an invisible thread, leading him to the unknown location where she was being held captive. It was a sensation he had never experienced before, a deep connection that went beyond anything he had felt even with his pack. He had full trust in it because there was no time to analyse it; Marcella's life depended on it. "I can feel her," he said to Anna who had joined him in the passenger's seat, his voice filled with urgency. "She's terrified out of her mind.""Stay strong, Lucas," Anna said, her voice soft yet filled with conviction. "The bond will lead us to her. We'll bring her back home."He pressed his foot on the gas pedal, the engine roaring to life as they sped through the streets. The bond seemed to grow stronger with every passing moment, pulling him in a specific direction. It was as if Marcella's presence was imprinted on h