Carly's POVI stormed into the living room, Emma's reassuring words still echoing in my mind. But my determination was short-lived.Augustine stood by the window, his eyes blazing with anger."What were you thinking, Carly?" he growled, his voice low and menacing.I froze, sensing trouble."Overheard your little conversation with Emma," he spat. "You're still pining after that... that abomination."My heart raced. "Luca's not an abomination, Augustine.""He's a threat to this pack," Augustine snarled. "And you're willing to jeopardize everything for him.""I don't care about the pack," I shot back, defiance burning within me.Augustine's eyes widened. "You don't care? This pack has protected you, fed you, sheltered you.""I don't care about any of that if it means losing Luca," I said, my voice steady.Augustine's face twisted in disgust. "You're willing to betray your family, your pack, for some... some monster."Luca's not a monster," I screamed, tears streaming down my face.August
Camilla's POVI sipped my juice, watching my siblings, Rosaline and Lucien, bustle around the kitchen. The morning chaos was a welcome change. We were finally settling into a routine after a tumultuous few months.Since April went to rehab, our household had been more relaxed. Emma, our mom, seemed less stressed, and that trickled down to us. She'd been spending a lot of time with Carly, helping her through her own struggles.I was excited for the new school year. Rosaline and Lucien were nervous, but I knew they'd make tons of friends. We'd all been looking forward to this fresh start."Camilla, can you help me find my math book?" Rosaline asked, her bright blue eyes scanning the room."Check your backpack," I replied, grinning.Lucien chimed in, "And Camilla, can you walk with us to school?"Mom smiled from the stove. "That's nice of you, Camilla."As we grabbed our bags and headed out the door, Mom handed us each a lunch and a hug."Have a great day, kids. Be good, and don't forget
Rosaline's POVI snuggled into the couch, surrounded by my favorite girls - Camilla, Krisdana, and a mountain of snacks."Okay, so who's the cutest guy in our class?" Camilla asked, grinning mischievously.Krisdana raised an eyebrow. "Please, it's clearly Tyler."I nodded in agreement. "He's got those dreamy eyes."Camilla giggled. "And have you seen his smile?"We oohed and ahhed, lost in our own little world.But then, Krisdana's expression turned serious. "You know, Riele and Brittney have been trying to talk to me for months now."I rolled my eyes. "Those two think they're queen bees just because they're cheerleaders."Krisdana chuckled. "Please, they wish they were on my level."Camilla snorted. "Riele's always trying to flirt with Tyler, but he barely notices her."Krisdana smirked. "That's because Tyler knows better. He knows I'm the real queen bee around here."I laughed. "You're so confident, Krisdana."Krisdana shrugged. "Why shouldn't I be? I've got the looks, the brains, a
Lucien's POVI walked into the living room, Augustine already settled on the couch, controller in hand."Hey, man," he said, nodding.We spent the first hour gaming, but as the night wore on, Augustine's conversation turned to Carly."I'm telling you, Lucien, she's annoying," Augustine said, shaking his head.I raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?"Augustine launched into a lengthy rant about Carly's supposed wrongdoings.I listened patiently, but my mind began to wander.Yunno, sometimes I wish I was a girl, just for a night, to experience the laughter and bonding Krisdana shared with my sisters.Augustine's voice snapped me back to reality."...and then she had the nerve to question my motives."I forced a sympathetic nod. "Dude, you're trying to protect her, I get it."Augustine's expression turned serious. "You don't understand, Lucien. Carly's fragile."I bit back a sigh. This conversation was going nowhere."Augustine, maybe take a step back and breathe," I suggested.Augustine
Carly's POV As I walked home from work, lost in thought, I opened the mailbox and found a plain white envelope with my name scribbled in messy handwriting. No return address. My curiosity got the better of me, and I hesitated for a moment before opening it. The contents made my heart sink. "Meet me at Gandhi Bridge at 5 pm. Come alone." No signature. Fear crept in, and my mind began racing. Who could this be? Augustine? Gabe? Or someone else entirely? What if it's a prank? What if someone wants to hurt me? But what if...what if it's something important? Something I need to know? I crumpled the letter, uncertainty swirling. Should I go? Should I ignore it? But my mind was made up. I'd go. I had to know. I'd face whatever was waiting for me. Alone. At Gandhi Bridge. 5 pm. My heart racing, I tucked the letter into my pocket and began planning. I couldn't concentrate on anything else for the rest of the day. My mind kept drifting back to the letter. What would I find at Gandhi Bridge?
Carly's POV Luca's hands cradled my face, his eyes burning with intensity. "Carly, there's something I need to tell you." I nodded, my heart skipping a beat. "Gabe told me to stay away from you," Luca said, his voice laced with concern. "He said you believed I was a threat to the pack." My eyes widened, memories flooding back. Gabe's words echoed in my mind: "Luca's a danger to our pack, Carly. You can't trust him." "But I knew it wasn't true," Luca continued. "That's why I sent that mysterious message. I had to see you, make sure you were okay." I felt a surge of guilt, realizing I'd been misled. "Gabe lied to me," I whispered, anger simmering beneath the surface. Luca's grip on my face tightened. "He's been manipulating you, Carly. Using fear to control you." My mind reeled, piecing together the truth. "Why would Gabe do that?" I asked, determination etched in my voice. Luca's eyes locked onto mine. "Because he knows our bond is unbreakable. And that's a threat
Carly's POV I reluctantly bid Luca farewell, knowing I had to return home before dawn broke. We shared a tender kiss, and I promised to meet him again soon. I slipped into my backyard, avoiding the front door to evade unwanted questions from Gabe, Augustine, and Emma. It was a bit unconventional, but I needed some time to myself. As I entered my room, I felt a mix of emotions: happiness from being with Luca and anxiety about facing my family. I couldn't shake off the feeling that they'd discover my secret. I quickly showered and changed, my mind racing with thoughts of April and our planned visit. The triplets would already be in school, thank goodness. I grabbed my bag and headed out, eager to escape the tension that lingered in the house. The fresh morning air revitalized me as I walked to April's place. As I approached her doorstep, I felt a sense of normalcy wash over me. April's warm smile and open arms would be a welcome respite from the chaos at home. I knocked on the do
Camilla's POVI sat in class, listening intently to Mrs. Johnson's lecture on calculus. The equations danced on the whiteboard, making sense for the first time in weeks.Rosaline was absent, and I couldn't help but feel a tiny spark of relief. No drama, no tension.I glanced around the room, noticing Lucien's empty seat. He didn't take this subject, and I was grateful for the reprieve.For once, everything felt... peaceful.My mind wasn't racing with worries about April or her latest secrets. She was happy, and that's all that mattered.As I scribbled notes, my thoughts drifted to April's newfound love, Luna. I smiled, feeling a sense of joy for my sister.The classroom door creaked open, and Mrs. Johnson's assistant handed her a note."Camilla, you're needed in the office," Mrs. Johnson announced.My heart skipped a beat. What could this be about?I gathered my belongings, exchanging curious glances with my classmates.As I walked out, I felt a sense of trepidation. But the calm with