Malia
"Shut up! All of you!" Nina barked, her eyes locking onto mine with disbelief. Her grip on my collar tightened for a moment before she hesitated, glancing at Asher standing like a barrier between us. Finally, she released me. My knees buckled, but Asher caught me before I hit the floor. His touch was steady, more comforting than expected. I didn't want to lean into him, but his firm arm held me up. His scent surrounded me, making it harder to stay angry. He set me upright, his grip lingering as our eyes briefly met, his hazel gaze softening. "Everyone get out!" Asher's voice cut through the room, and within seconds, it cleared, leaving just the three of us. Nina crossed her arms and glared at Asher. "You can’t be serious about her, Asher. A beta like her? You think this is funny, humiliating me like this when we were supposed to have a future together?!" I froze. What future was she talking about? "My parents mean well, but I can’t have you as my Luna. You’re a friend, not a lover." Asher said, folding his hands while his uniform stretched over his muscular build. Her eyes filled with tears. "Even if you don’t want to be with me, why her? Do you know how humiliating this is for me?" "No one but our parents knows about our possible engagement. There's nothing to be embarrassed about," Asher replied coolly. "Still! Why her?!" Nina’s voice cracked. Asher glanced at me. "I guess it just shows how much I hate the idea of being with you. I’d rather be with someone beneath your status than be with you." His words hit like a punch. Even though I knew this was an act, hearing him say that he was doing this just to insult Nina was awful because I knew there was some truth in his words. "You’re disgusting," Nina spat. "The fact that you would do this just to hurt me is insane." In an instant, her gaze shifted to me, filled with hatred. "You! You’re nothing but a pawn in his game. But you’ll still suffer for this." I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. Asher stepped closer to Nina, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Leave Malia alone, Nina. I won’t ask again. And if you so much as think about laying a hand on her again, I’ll make sure everyone knows all your dirty little secrets.” Nina’s face drained of color, her eyes widening in shock. Whatever Asher knew, it was enough to terrify her. She blinked, biting her lip as though trying to hold back a retort, but in the end, she spun on her heel and stormed off without another word. The silence that followed was thick and suffocating. I was still shaking, but now it was from the rage bubbling inside me. I turned to Asher, my hands clenched into fists. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I snapped, my voice shaking with anger. His eyes narrowed slightly like he hadn’t expected me to lash out. “What do you mean? I just saved you from getting your head bashed in,” “Yeah, but you're only this because you want to keep using me to avoid marrying Nina!” I said, glaring at him, furiously. “Since the first day I met you, all you've done is to make my life worse!” His jaw tightened, the calm façade cracking slightly. “Do I need to remind you that none of this would've happened if you never came in that room and asked me to kiss you to make your boyfriend jealous?!” He shot back. “If you want to blame anyone, blame yourself. I'm only trying to protect you!” “Protect me?” I laughed bitterly. “You’re protecting yourself. You dragged me into worse lies without even asking me - at least I had the decency to ask you before I did anything crazy! Now everyone thinks I’m pregnant with your child - and you don’t even care how that affects me!” His gaze softened, his eyes searching mine. “I do care, Malia.” I was about to snap back, but the sincerity in his voice stopped me short. For the first time, he looked almost… vulnerable. “It’s just that I really need this act of ours to work,” he continued, his voice lower now, almost pleading. “I’ll do anything to avoid marrying Nina.” “Well, I’m done,” I said after a while of thinking, but my voice lacked its former bite. “I’m not playing along with this anymore. I’m telling everyone the truth.” Asher’s gaze darkened, his expression hardening as he looked at me. “Malia, trust me. You don’t want want to do that. If this lie falls apart, the Lycans will turn on you. You’ll be finished here.” He was right. As much as I hated to admit it, I couldn’t afford to let the truth come out. My survival here depended on this lie. But that didn’t mean I was going to let him off the hook. “You don’t get to decide what I do,” I hissed. “I’m not your pawn.” Asher stepped closer, his chest brushing mine. The heat of his body made my pulse quicken, and I could feel the tension blazing between us. “No, you’re not my pawn,” he whispered, his voice low and husky. “That’s why I’m offering you a deal.” I swallowed, my heart racing as I looked at him. His proximity was making it hard to think straight. I could smell the faint scent of cedarwood on his skin, the warmth radiating from his body sending my thoughts into a whirlwind. “What kind of deal?” “We keep up the act - the fake relationship, the pregnancy story - and I’ll help you with something you actually want…Revenge on Avan and Savannah.” The mention of their names jolted me back to reality. Anger boiled within me, overpowering the attraction I felt toward Asher. “Revenge?” His lips curved into a small, knowing smile, but his eyes were dark and calculating. “I can help you make them pay for what they did to you. Together, we can make them regret ever crossing you.” My mind raced, torn between the desire to end this lie and the temptation he was offering. Asher’s hands slid around my waist, pulling me closer, and I was struck by how perfectly his body fit against mine. His lips grazed the sensitive skin of my neck, sending a jolt of electricity down my spine. “What are you doing?” I asked, trying to steady my voice. “Avan’s watching us,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. “Look.” I turned slightly, my heart skipping a beat as I saw Avan lurking around the corner, his expression dark and furious. Asher’s hands tightened around my waist, and despite myself, I leaned into him, feeling the tension between us thicken. “He’s jealous,” Asher whispered, his lips brushing my earlobe. “This is what you want, isn’t it?” Asher’s hand slid up my back, his fingers teasing the nape of my neck. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure, but the feeling of his touch sent shivers through me. His lips grazed my skin again, and this time I couldn’t stop the quiet gasp that escaped my lips. “Asher… I don't know if I can…” I mumbled, unable to form the sentence in my head. Asher's touch and kisses were consuming me. Asher shifted, pressing himself closer. I could feel the hard muscles of his chest through his uniform, his heartbeat steady against mine. It was maddening, how close he was, how my body reacted to him despite everything. “I can make him suffer,” Asher whispered, his lips brushing my jawline. “We can make them both pay. All you have to do is keep this up.” “And what do you get out of this?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, betraying my growing interest in what he was offering. “I get to avoid a future with Nina,” he said bluntly, his lips moving down to my shoulder, trailing soft, teasing kisses along the way. “And I get to show everyone that I’m in control of my own life. So Malia, what's it gonna be?” Just as he leaned in to kiss me again, a loud thud echoed from the corner. We both turned to see Avan stumbling to the floor, his face red with anger and humiliation. His eyes were locked on me and Asher, filled with a mix of rage and something else - something that looked like regret. “See?” he murmured, his voice a low rumble. “He’s losing it.” I glanced back at Avan. His fists were clenched at his sides, his face twisted with fury and frustration. The sight of him like that stirred something inside me—something I hadn’t realized was still there. A bitter satisfaction mixed with the intoxicating feeling of Asher’s hands on my body. “We’ve already got him on edge. Say something, Malia,” Asher urged, his voice low as Avan stormed out. I watched Avan disappear, my thoughts swirling. I had loved him for so long, even before he became my mate. But after he cheated on me, I wanted revenge so badly and used Asher to satisfy my anger. Now my life was a mess. What if agreeing to continue down this path was just another mistake? The thrill was undeniable, but was it worth it? Was this the right choice? Asher released me, his eyes locked on mine, waiting for my answer. I knew what I was going to say, but I wasn’t sure which was worse - saying yes or no. I met his gaze and finally said…Malia "Fine. Let's do it," I said, locking eyes with Asher. His expression remained calm, almost cold, despite the urgency of his plan. For someone who supposedly wanted this badly, he didn’t seem particularly invested in the outcome. But deep down, I knew I wasn’t just doing this for him—I was doing it for me. For my chance at revenge. “Great, Malia. So… want me to drive you home?” he asked, sliding his hands into his pockets. I scoffed. “Oh, fantastic idea, Asher. Just drop me off at my parents’ house after getting their daughter ‘pregnant’—I’m sure they’ll love that.” He sighed, undeterred by my sarcasm. “I know how it looks. But think about the bigger picture. What does it say about me if I just let the ‘mother of my child’ walk home alone? And what if someone else tries to hurt you?” He had a point, much as I hated to admit it. “Fine. Just drop me a few blocks away, okay?” I said, avoiding his gaze. “Works for me,” he said with a shrug. We started walking out of the
Asher I trusted the effectiveness of the seed. Jamie had used it a few times back in school. As the Lycan King’s son, I couldn’t afford to show any weakness, so it was never necessary for me. Convincing Malia to use it was surprisingly easy since I knew it was both effective and harmless. But the entire charade still felt surreal. If anyone had told me that I’d be plotting with a beta, faking pregnancies, and even kissing her so openly in front of everyone, I’d have laughed. But here I was, risking it all in this bizarre partnership with Malia. This was my rebellion. All my life, I’d done everything expected of me. My father, especially, had pushed me to the edge, demanding a strict, calculated path. He was ruthless, and he expected me to be the same, steering clear of people like Jamie and Corey - the Glenn twins. They were my best friends. But to him, they were merely Alpha heirs, not Lycans. The only person they allowed around me was Nina. I’d known her since we were kids
Malia The antidote Asher gave me tasted unexpectedly sweet this time, unlike the bitterness the first one carried. When we kissed, I lingered for a moment - only because of the taste, but I couldn’t ignore the fact that Asher seemed to linger too. It was strange. He had said this was all just an act, but why did that kiss feel like something more? “What are you two doing here? Get to your next class,” a tall man said, his gaze hard and disapproving. “Yes, Mr. Kim,” I replied, glancing at his name tag as he scoffed. “What’s our next class?” Asher asked as we walked off. I shrugged, searching through my bag. “I left my schedule in my locker. I have to go get it.” Without another word, Asher turned and walked off, avoiding eye contact. Soon, I got to my locker and grabbed the schedule, relieved to find it quickly, but when I closed the door, I found myself face-to-face with a pair of cold, piercing blue eyes. “Avan,” I greeted coldly. “What are YOU doing here?” He smirke
Malia We finally made it to detention. The room was cold and sterile, constructed entirely of metal. A chill seemed to seep through the walls, which were lined with correctional words that seemed to loom over us, a silent jury. Two chairs were the only furniture in the empty, steel-gray room, and the air carried an edge that pressed on my nerves. Asher paced beside me, seething with a barely contained fury. His entire frame was tense, his nostrils flaring like an enraged bull. I knew it was unfair of Mr. Kim to accuse us of the killings, but Asher was taking it to another level. I’d seen him angry before, but not like this. His rage was a tangible thing, crackling in the space between us. I tried to reassure him. “Look, Asher,” I said, my voice soft as I hesitated before placing a hand on his arm. He tensed, his head snapping around to glare at me. His eyes, which had been burning red only moments ago, had faded to their usual hazel hue, though there was still a flicker of anger
Asher The hybrid’s blood-red eyes locked onto Malia, its twisted lips pulling back in a snarl that exposed rows of jagged, yellowed teeth. A vicious growl rumbled from its chest as it crouched, ready to lunge. I barely had time to think - just enough to grab Malia by the arm and yank her out of the way. We stumbled back, her eyes wide with terror, and the creature’s massive claws sliced through the air inches from where her neck had been. "Stay back, Malia!" I shouted, positioning myself between her and the beast. My heart was pounding in my chest, but it wasn’t fear. It was rage. Rage that this monster had targeted her, that it looked at her like prey. That it thought it could just storm in here and tear her apart. The hybrid whipped its head toward me, a sickening grin spreading across its face as if it recognized the challenge. It was massive - easily twice my size - with muscles that rippled beneath a thick coat of matted, pitch-black fur. And those eyes, still locked onto me
Asher Two weeks had passed since the four students who had been bitten died. The school had shut down in mourning, and a somber funeral was held for the lost students. It was a dark time. Grief and fear hung thick in the air as parents were worried for their children’s safety at the academy. This evening, an emergency meeting at the school was called to address these growing concerns. Every seat was occupied, with representatives from each pack present. All eyes were fixed on Beta Banes, who had been sent to speak on behalf of my father. A handful of us Lycans had been invited, so I sat among them, watching as Banes took the stage with his usual stern demeanor, which somehow sharpened to an even more intense edge. “First and foremost,” Banes began, his voice cutting through the silence, “our priority is the safety of everyone within these walls. The recent hybrid attack demands that we tighten security, enforce stricter rules, and take every possible measure to prevent further b
Malia After the hybrid attack, my parents were unexpectedly invited to an emergency meeting at school. I suspected it was because I was the only student the hybrid targeted - and failed to kill. Fear still crawled over my skin within the school walls, so I decided to skip the meeting. Instead, I tried to piece together who the hybrid could be and why they’d chosen me. I didn’t have stellar detective skills, but the urge to uncover the truth gnawed at me. Maybe if I walked the empty hallways, something would stand out - some clue everyone else had missed. After a while, exhaustion weighed me down, and I slumped against a locker in defeat. I had no way of knowing who’d attacked me or why, but as I sat there alone, Avan’s voice broke the silence. He was walking toward me, his steps light but his gaze intense. “Hey,” he greeted, leaning beside me. I said nothing, too wrapped up in my own thoughts. “Look, I heard what happened. I’m glad you survived.” “I only survived beca
Malia I watched Asher as he sat on my bed, his gaze drifting over my room with a quiet curiosity. His eyes lingered on the pale blue walls, softened by the amber glow of the bedside lamp, and he gave a slight nod. “I like the color,” he murmured. “Thanks,” I replied, sitting down beside him, aware of the closeness that made the air between us feel charged. For a moment, I was lost, studying him in the warm light. He looked tired with faint bruises tracing shadows on his skin. But it didn’t make him any less striking. If anything, the exhaustion gave him a realness I rarely saw, as if all the guarded layers he kept around him had finally slipped away. When his eyes found mine, he tilted his mouth in a small, lopsided smile. “Nice view, huh?” he teased, his voice soft but teasing. “Jerk.” I looked away, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks. Clearing my throat, I steadied my breathing. “I, um… I heard about your father’s attack. Is he… okay?” The teasing glint in Asher’s eyes fad
AsherThe air outside Miss Banks’ house smelled damp, with a faint trace of decay as if the rot of secrets lingered in every corner. Her porch light flickered weakly, casting long shadows across the warped wood steps. My stomach churned, not just from the memories clawing their way to the surface, but from the thought of what I might learn inside.I knocked twice, my knuckles grazing the peeling paint of the door. For a moment, there was no sound, and then I heard the shuffle of feet. The door cracked open, and Miss Banks’ face appeared, pale and gaunt, her eyes bloodshot. Her hair hung in limp, disheveled strands, and the scent of alcohol wafted through the gap.When she saw me, her eyes widened in panic. “I didn’t tell anyone!” she blurted out, her words tumbling over each other in desperation. She clutched the edge of the doorframe like it was the only thing keeping her upright. “I swear, I didn’t say anything. Please, I—”“Relax,” I said, raising my hands to show I wasn’t a threat
AsherThe hallway stretched out before me, a silent, dimly lit path leading toward my mother's office. It felt oddly quiet, almost too quiet, like something was hanging in the air, waiting for me to take the first step. I tried to focus, but the heaviness in my chest kept pulling me down, weighing me like I was walking underwater. Then I saw them.Bodies.Littered across the floor. Blood pooling. The unmistakable stench of death curling in my nose. I froze, every muscle locking in place. The bodies were familiar—the same twisted figures I had seen earlier this year when I was with Malia. But this time, there was something different. Aaliyah.She stood beside one of the bodies, her hands covered in blood, her face twisted into that same indifferent expression. My heart slammed against my ribs, my breath shallow, trying to make sense of what I was seeing.How? Why?A sharp pain cut through my temple, a wave of nausea rolling in, but before I could react, memories came crashing through
JamieThe door creaked as we stepped into Asher’s office. The first thing I noticed was how quiet it was. Too quiet. The faint scent of cologne mixed with the musty air of old books, making the whole room feel stifling, like it was holding its breath. Asher didn’t look surprised to see us—he probably sensed us the second we walked down the hall—but his eyes narrowed the moment Corey kicked the door open. He was sitting behind that giant desk of his, still dressed in his suit, like he was ready for some big meeting he didn’t want to attend.“Jamie. Corey,” Asher’s voice was cool, but the way he said it made it sound like he was already preparing for a fight. “What’s this about?”Corey didn’t wait for me to take the lead. “We need to talk,” he said, voice clipped, and marched right in, acting like this was his office. Meanwhile, I stayed back for a second, trying to shake off the tension in my shoulders before stepping inside. I could already feel the weight of everything hanging in th
CoreyThe sky was a dull, overcast grey, the kind of weather that seemed to mirror the dark feelings brewing inside me. It wasn’t that late yet, but there was a slight chill in the air, signalling the end of the afternoon. I liked the quiet. The peace before everything went to hell. I leaned against a tree just outside the school’s east wing, kicking a stray rock repeatedly until it skittered into the bushes. My hands were stuffed in my hoodie pockets, and for once, I wasn’t looking for trouble—or at least not the usual kind. I was waiting for Jamie. He'd sent me a message asking to wait for him after his last class. The fact that parents still allowed their children to attend this school after what happened was beyond me. The school should've been shut down with Aaliyah, Asher and his mother tried for this! Anyway, I had a free period, so it wasn't a big deal to wait for Jamie until then. Things have been... a lot lately. Too much, actually. First, there was Malia, beaten to a
MaliaThe first thing I remember after Aaliyah’s assault wasn’t the pain—though it had been there, sharp and throbbing. It wasn’t the blood that still clung to my hair or the dizziness that muddled my mind. It was the cold. The cold ground beneath me, the coldness in my chest, and the coldness of realizing how utterly powerless I’d been. When I first opened my eyes, everything was blurry. The bright light overhead stabbed at my vision, making me groan softly. My body felt heavy, like it wasn’t my own, and my head pounded with a dull, persistent ache. It took a moment before the shapes around me became clear. I blinked hard and saw Nina sitting at my bedside. Of all people, I hadn’t expected her to be there. She wasn’t looking at me; her gaze was fixed out the window, her expression unreadable. “Nina?” My voice came out weak, barely audible. She turned abruptly, her eyes widening in surprise. “You’re awake?” I nodded—or at least, I tried to. Even that small movement sent a s
NinaAsher had always had a soft spot for the normal wolves. That was why he grew closer to Jamie and Corey instead of me. Back then, I stuck around them because of him. I never thought they deserved our time, and they figured out how I felt soon enough. After that, they started pulling away from me. Coincidentally, Asher stopped talking to all of us around the same time. Watching him drift away was painful, but eventually I accepted it. And then Malia came along. I couldn’t believe it. After everything that happened with Aaliyah, Asher was getting involved with another wolf—a normal one, not even a Lycan. It felt like a betrayal, like he was stooping beneath himself. I thought she was manipulating him somehow, and I wanted to make her pay. So no, it’s no surprise I bullied her. There were so many times I wanted to do it again, if I’m being honest. But then, Asher started talking to me again—for the first time in what felt like forever. Even though he made it crystal clear he di
MaliaSeveral weeks had passed since I've been planning my revenge against Aaliyah, but during those weeks, Aaliyah was adding to my rage for her, bullying me every chance she got. Every tick of the clock felt like a taunt as I meticulously mapped out my plan for getting back at Aaliyah. She thought she could humiliate me at school, smear my name, and walk around like she owned the place. Not anymore. One Monday morning, my plan was ready—brilliant, elaborate, and perfect. I’d spent hours piecing it together, making sure no detail was left unchecked. Aaliyah wouldn’t see it coming, and when it was done, everyone would know she wasn’t as untouchable as she pretended to be. I stood in the hallway, casually leaning against my locker, pretending to scroll through my phone. The first part of my plan required timing, precision, and a little bit of misdirection. I was ready, my heart racing in anticipation. But then I heard his voice. “Don’t even think about it.” I glanced up to s
Malia. My encounter with Asher at the Russo twins’ party the week before was still on my mind. The look in his eyes—pale, disoriented, and detached—played over and over in my head. Something was wrong with him, but no one seemed to care. Not Amara, not Jamie, not Corey. They all insisted I let it go. Initially, I couldn't imagine not doing anything, but now… it's just so obvious that there's very little I can do. He isn't under a spell anymore, so this time it's all in Asher's hand. Only he can put an end to this. Soon, it was Monday, and the holiday reprieve was over. Back to the academy, back to the whispers, and back to pretending everything wasn’t falling apart. The academy halls were alive with murmurs, their sharp edges cutting through the quiet resolve I tried to build up on the walk-in. Everyone had something to say about Asher. About me. The whispers followed me like a shadow. “She’s still here? Brave, I’ll give her that.” “I heard she tried to talk to him at the
MaliaIt had been a week since Asher turned his back on everything we’d fought for, aligning himself with his mother and announcing his intention to marry Aaliyah. I couldn’t believe it at first—refused to, really. Even though I’d spent days recovering from my injuries at the school hub, the news of his decision hurt far worse than the excruciating pain of being shot with an arrow. Amara’s family had invited me to stay with them for the holidays, which turned out to be a blessing. I couldn’t face the halls of the academy, the whispers and judgment. The combat showdown, which I’d prepared for relentlessly, had been postponed indefinitely and eventually canceled in favor of a holiday break. So here I was, lounging by Amara’s pool, trying to piece together the wreckage of my thoughts. Amara, of course, had her theories. She always did. “It’s duty over love,” she said, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Asher’s chosen his mother over everything else. You know what that means, right