Don't forget to vote and comment. I appreciate all who took the time to read this far.
ARI“That fucking low-class bitch!” I seethed, trying to hold on to my composure as I replayed the hallway showdown between Luna Emily, Mila, Gabe and Tyler in my mind. Seeing Gabe, my mate, protect Mila was a travesty. I had to cover my mouth to keep from growling out loud. Serena was just as pissed, but there was nothing we could do right now. I had to find a way to get rid of Mila for good. Gabe would completely see me with her out of the way, and he was mine. Hell, I was feeling selfish; I wouldn’t mind having Tyler too.For now, I had to watch Gabe hovering around Mila like a moth to a flame. I wondered if he knew how painful it was to watch him with her. To feel pain whenever he touched her in an intimate way. I knew the moment they were together I was in the worst pain. It felt like there were knives twisting in my heart. Even the thought of it had me subconsciously touching the mark on my neck.The only thing keeping me from going insane were the inhibitor pills I had stolen fr
TYLERI stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the green and gold ceremonial attire that has been passed down generations. The Alpha markings on the sleeves represented our pack’s heritage. The Alpha’s Ceremony came faster than I thought, and I could only think of what Ari told me. I couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty for her. She was my brother’s mate but he wanted Mila, who was intended for me but all I could think of was Mila. Rejecting Mila had been the hardest thing I’d ever done. Just thinking about the pain I woke up to the day after gave me chills. Yet, the bond between us refused to let go, making it impossible to stay away from her too long. Seeing her with Gabe was like a punch to the stomach every time. Now knowing Ari felt the same thing, I knew she had her sights on making things worse for Mila.When Ari brought up Mila being my mate, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Of course, she would figure it out, but now I was wondering who else could see it. If my mom found out,
ARII stood in front of the full-length mirror while my makeup artist put on the finishing touches. Yesterday was a celebration for Tyler finally becoming the Alpha. The ceremony was huge and, quite frankly, very boring and formal. Luna Emily suggested a party just for the “young folks” today. I couldn’t wait to get away from my parents and actually have a good time. “Now, make sure a lot of your friends see what you’re wearing,” my stepmom said, moving around me. “The more exposure for your brand, the more exposure…“...for my father’s line,” I finished for her, rolling my eyes. “Your line,” she corrected, her voice dripping with forced sweetness. Bullshit. My father always used me to promote his brand, disguising it as mine. I heard the music blasting from the party outside and I was ready to go.“Come on, Francesca. I know the deal. I can sell this in my sleep.”My stepmom floated around me, making sure everything was in place, while I noticed Amber sulking in the corner. Jealousy
MILAIt was amazing how people were crammed into this house. I figured it would be like this after witnessing a parade of fancy cars dropping people off. I could barely get through the halls without bumping into someone. Halfway through the night, I felt eyes on me, heard whispers and saw people pointing at me. My stomach twisted with unease until I caught a scent of him. Tyler. Rayne moved through me every time I felt him near. She kept urging me to find him to be near his presence, but I had other plans. I pulled out my phone and sent Gabe another text, wishing he was here.Gabe: Getting the ole “responsibility of a Beta” talk. I’d rather be with you.I sighed, longing for his presence to drown out the judgemental stares from everyone at the party.Mila: At least you get to travel. How’s the White Fangs Pack? Any cute boys looking for a mate?Gabe: As a matter of fact, there’s one and he can’t stop thinking of you. Mila: Oh really? Well tell him I’m taken, but he can be my second
MILA“Jenna…” I stammered, my voice trailing off in confusion.What the hell was she saying? Was that even possible? My heart pounded as the noise from outside briefly drew our attention. Jenna pulled something out of her purse and handed it to me. It was a torn picture of my mom holding a man’s hand. She didn’t look happy but I could clearly see a wedding ring on her finger–different from the one I wore around my neck. I examined it and noticed the year written on the back.“I found this picture in my mom’s things when she used to work at the Mora’s residence,” Jenna said with a mixture of curiosity and concern. “I don’t know why it was there, but if you asked me, that seems pretty weird, right?”Fuck yeah, it did, but what could we do about it? It was just a picture dated a year before I was born. Not something that said my parents were actually murdered. The official story was that they died in an electrical fire on a boat, a fire so bad that nothing was salvageable.“Jenna, it’s ju
TYLERAri was the most conniving, manipulative person I knew, and I loved it. I’ve never known someone who could always find a way to get people to do what she wanted. Her ability to twist situations to her will was mesmerizing. The moment I saw Mila walking over, I knew this was what Ari was planning for. A part of me just hoped it wasn’t crazy. “You’ve been working so hard,” Ari said, placing her hands on Mila’s shoulders, while glancing at me. The mischievous look on her eyes was a clear signal of her intentions. “So, how about you take a break and play a game with us?”“What kind of game?” Mila asked, her gaze drifting from Ari’s to me, uncertainty plain on her face.Declan perked his ass up like he won a prize or something. Simping mutt. Not that I was any better. Even after rejecting her and taking it back, the bond between us felt even stronger. She was only inches away, and I sat there spellbound by the way her lips moved when she spoke, wishing I could capture her words with
TYLER Mila laughed nervously. “Maybe we could play the version with Truth instead? I can start–” “Dare or drink?” Ari asked again, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees and her hands under her chin. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, clearly relishing the moment. “I think she’s had enough to drink,” I felt myself say, trying to defuse the situation. Mila looked so uncomfortable, and Declan was pacing inside my head. “Come on, now, Tyler,” Ari said, standing up and facing me. “The girl joined the game just like everyone else. It’s time for her to play by the rules.” “It’s no fun when the girl is sloppy drunk,” I argued. “And she’s about as sloppy as a girl can get.” I didn’t expect people to laugh at something as stupid as that statement, but they did, and Mila looked even more embarrassed than before. I was making things worse. “You’re fucking this up,” Declan grumbled. “Just shut up. I know,” I said back. “That’s okay,” Ari said, picking up the empty tray. “We’re out of
MILAThe entire party was so quiet I could hear a pin drop. I wiped my mouth and took a step away from Ari, who was wiping vomit from her face. She heaved a few times before glaring at me, her eyes blazing with a mix of shock and fury.I am officially dead. I can’t believe I just did that. Not once but twice. What the hell, Mila!“You mean, fuck yeah, Mila!” Rayne exclaimed with glee. “She did this on purpose. She put something in your drink.”She what! I felt anger rising in me. No wonder I felt sicker than usual, my body felt like it was on fire while the others around me looked completely fine. I closed my eyes, wishing I could just disappear. Then I saw her– a flash of white fur before it disappeared. “Rayne?” I called out, my voice barely a whisper.“Keep going, MIla,” Rayne urged, her voice sounding stronger as it resonated in my mind. “I am almost there.”I didn’t understand what she meant about ‘keep going.’ Keep going at what? I could feel her moving inside me like she was it