Malia I sat in her office, too stunned to speak, my mind swirling with confusion and dread. Part of me was numb and detached, while another part was filled with the relentless pounding of my heartbeat. Maybe it would be easier if she did expel me. At least that would mean freedom from this constant, never-ending drama. “Are you deaf?” she barked, snapping me out of my thoughts. The cold edge to her voice made me tremble. “Um… I shouldn’t be expelled because the public eye is on Asher now more than ever,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. I’d practiced this line in my head, but it didn’t come out as confidently as I’d hoped. The Luna’s eyes narrowed, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “So? What makes you think the public will care about what happens to you?” She was baiting me, but I took a breath and kept going. “Well… because if I’m expelled, people will think Asher is being protected while I’m being punished. Besides, I just lost a baby.” I fiddled with my fingers, try
Malia I turned my head, unwilling to watch as Asher wrapped his arm around Aaliyah, leaning in to whisper something that made her laugh. My heart twisted painfully, threatening to collapse in the hallway. The warm feeling I had just moments ago shattered into fragments, leaving behind a chilling void. I walked away from Asher and Aaliyah, the chatter of students around me blurring into a dull hum. Betrayal simmered in my chest, mixing with anger and a raw emptiness that refused to fade.Aaliyah. Until now, I hadn’t even known her name, and yet, here she was, taking everything I’d thought I had with Asher and crushing it in front of me. It didn’t feel real—how quickly everything had shifted. “Did you see that? Malia got dumped,” a voice interrupted my thoughts, pulling me back to reality. It was Avan, leaning against a vending machine, an insufferable smirk plastered across his face. Savannah stood beside him, her expression equally smug. “And the girl looks absolutely stunning. Gue
Malia “Revenge? That's insane. It was she who hurt him,” I muttered, trying to process what was happening. “Yeah, but being banished is pretty brutal. I guess that's what she wants revenge for,” Amara said with a shrug, and I scoffed at the irony. Aaliyah, seeking revenge? For facing the consequences of cheating on Asher? "So," I started, struggling to steady my voice. "We have to get the necklace off him somehow. But how?" The silence that followed was heavy. We were all standing around, hoping for an idea, anything. “I can’t come up with anything,” Jamie finally admitted, his brow furrowed. “That’s a first,” Amara scoffed. Jamie shot her a dark look. “Maybe we just grab her and interrogate her,” Corey suggested with a shrug. “She’s the one who enchanted him, so let’s just make her talk.” Jamie gave him a hard glare. “And you think Asher won’t notice if we kidnap his fiancée? Plans like this are why I usually make the plans.” “Oh yeah?” Amara challenged, crossing her
Malia As I slipped out of the house, my steps quiet but my heart pounding, I couldn't help feeling a tug of doubt. I’d left them without much of a warning, and now here I was, sneaking out in the middle of the night, retracing my steps back to them. But if they were really planning to go through with this insane mission, I couldn't just stay out of it. Not if Asher’s life might depend on what we did tonight. The school loomed up ahead, dark and silent, except for the faint outline of its main gate. That’s when I realized I had one tiny, critical flaw in my plan: the gates were locked. I grimaced, looking up at the metal bars like they were some twisted joke. Should I try to climb over? Go back? I glanced at my phone, debating whether to message Amara or one of the others to let them know I’d changed my mind. But as I tried pulling up Amara’s number, I heard something—a rustling sound, low and eerie—coming from the woods just past the school fence. My thumb froze over the screen. Ok
Malia My lungs burned, my legs ached, and my mind raced with only one thought: *Run.*The growls behind me were growing louder, and I could feel the ground practically vibrating beneath my feet as the hybrid wolves gained on me. Seven of them. They were faster, stronger, and far more ruthless than anything I’d ever faced. I knew that any moment now, they’d be on me, and I’d have no chance of escape. But I pushed myself to keep going, even as a small voice in my head whispered that I was just prolonging the inevitable.I didn’t dare glance over my shoulder; I could already picture the hybrids—slender and dark-furred, their bodies shifting seamlessly between wolf and human shapes as they pursued me. They moved like shadows in the night, and I was the only thing standing between them and the kill they wanted. My heart pounded, my pulse racing as I pushed myself to run faster, darting between trees, skidding over patches of damp ground, trying to gain even a few extra seconds of life.Bu
Malia The car was quiet, the gravity of what had just happened settling in. Jamie hadn’t said a word since we’d left the school grounds. Amara was in the backseat, checking her phone, probably making sure she hadn’t missed any messages.The whole drive felt strained, like we were each wrapped up in our own thoughts and fears, none of us quite able to process what had happened back there. When we reached Amara’s place, she gave me a quick hug and a reassuring squeeze of my shoulder. “Text me if you need anything,” she said softly, and I nodded, managing a weak smile in return. After she left, Corey mentioned he was stopping to grab food at the restaurant nearby, and a few minutes later, he got out and left me alone with Jamie. For a while, neither of us said anything. I just stared out the window, my mind replaying the night’s events. The chase. The wolves. Asher standing there with that strange, cold look in his eyes. The memory was burned into my brain, refusing to let go. I could
Malia Around the third period, Amara and Jamie flanked me as we walked down the hall. The school buzzed with its usual chaos—students pouring out of classrooms, shuffling to their next class, filling the hallways with laughter, chatter, and the clang of lockers slamming shut. As we reached the row of lockers near mine, my attention snagged on a familiar voice. Across the hall, Asher was leaning against the wall with Aaliyah. He was dressed in a navy blue suit, like he had some official work at the school. It was odd seeing him being the Lycan King yet coming to the academia for classes. He was whispering to Aaliyah, his voice low and almost... affectionate. She was laughing—the soft, tinkling kind of laugh that filled me with anger. She looked at him with shining eyes, like he was the most brilliant, charming man in the world. And the worst part? He looked right back, his face completely open and fond. I scoffed, gripping the handle of my locker hard before slamming it shut. Thi
MaliaCorey and I had combed through every corner of the school, every hallway, to tell Jamie what Aaliyah was plotting, but he was nowhere to be found. I tried calling him, my phone pressed to my ear as it rang and rang, but all I got was voicemail. The static on the other end felt colder every time.Corey’s brow was furrowed with worry, his jaw clenched tightly as he pulled out his own phone. “Jamie’s not the type to just vanish,” he muttered, a hint of irritation in his voice. “Not unless he’s avoiding something.”“Well, do you have any idea where he might be?” I asked, already feeling the frustration gnawing at me.He let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, he’s probably sulking in one of his usual spots. Let’s check a few places where he might be hiding out.”The first place we tried was a diner a few blocks away. It was bustling with students, the scent of fries and burgers heavy in the air. Corey scanned the booths and tables, but Jamie was nowhere in sight. With each empty seat we passed
MaliaAs soon as I was back in my room, I locked the door behind me, my fingers trembling as I reached for my phone. My heart was still pounding from what I had just learned about the gem.I wasted no time. I pulled up the anonymous number I had used before and quickly typed out the message:"Jude wants to use the image of you and Corey’s intended bride to kill Amara. He wants it to be impossible for you two to forgive her so that you will refuse to marry her. If that happens, Jude's plan to take over all wolves and Lycans will succeed."I hit send and stared at the screen, waiting for the little dots to appear, signaling that Jamie was typing back.Nothing.A sick feeling twisted in my stomach. Jamie wasn’t responding.I checked the message again, making sure it had been delivered. It had. But there was no reply.What if his phone had fallen into the wrong hands?Panic flared in my chest. If Jude or Rayna had somehow intercepted my message, then they’d know someone was feeding Jamie
Malia“Now tell me Rayna. Why is it that despite my clear instructions given to you, Amara is still alive. I thought you impersonated the bodyguard Jamie brought?” Jude said breaking the silence. Rayna’s expression shifted immediately, her confidence flickering just slightly as she processed Jude’s words.“She’s still alive?” she repeated, her voice sharp with disbelief.Jude’s eyes darkened. “I don’t like repeating myself, Rayna. Amara was just here. She spoke to Malia—no signs of sickness, no signs of dying. Nothing.”Rayna’s projection flickered for a second before stabilizing. “That’s… impossible,” she murmured, almost to herself. Then, more firmly, she met Jude’s gaze. “I poisoned her food. It was a magical poison—undetectable, untraceable. There’s no way she could have survived.”Jude’s jaw tightened. “And yet, she has.”Rayna’s fingers twitched at her sides. “That’s not possible,” she insisted. “The poison was supposed to take effect in ten hours. She should’ve been dead by no
MaliaAmara’s sudden visit caught me off guard, but I kept my expression neutral. If I seemed too eager to see her, it might raise suspicion. If I acted too cold, it might push her away. I had to strike a balance.She was crouched outside on the ledge, arms crossed, expression unreadable.I quickly unlatched the window, pushing it open just enough for her to slide in. She moved fast and silent, landing on the floor without a sound.I gaped at her. “What are you doing here?”She straightened, brushing off her jacket. “I could ask you the same thing. You didn't tell me that you're literally living in Ronin's residence.”My brows furrowed. “Well is that why you broke into my house — to ask me why I’m here?”Amara smirked. “Whoa, I didn't break into anything. Besides, you weren’t answering your phone.”I frowned, glancing toward my nightstand. Sure enough, my phone sat there, dark and silent. I hadn’t even thought to check it after the texts vanished.She followed me into my bed, her shar
MaliaThe moment I stepped out of the hospital and into the cool evening air, I felt like I could breathe again. Not fully—Jude was still right beside me, his hand pressed against the small of my back as if he was escorting me rather than making sure I didn’t run—but at least I wasn’t confined to that sterile, suffocating room anymore.The ride home was silent. Jude drove with one hand on the wheel, his other drumming against his thigh. I kept my gaze out the window, watching the trees blur past in streaks of green and gray, mentally preparing myself for what was to come.I needed to act normal.That was the key. If I gave even the slightest indication that something was wrong, Jude would be on me in an instant. He wasn’t stupid. He knew me too well, knew when I was scheming. But this time, I wouldn’t let him catch on.When we got home, I moved through the house like nothing had changed. I put my bag down, grabbed my books, and sat at the dining table, flipping through pages like I wa
MaliaPain.That was the first thing I felt. A deep, pulsing ache behind my eyes, spreading through my skull like fire. My body felt heavy, like I had been hit by a truck, and every movement sent sharp stabs of pain through me.I let out a weak breath, forcing my eyes open.Everything around me was blurry, swimming in hazy colors and dim lighting. When I first opened my eyes, the world was a blur of dim lighting and sterile whiteness. Everything around me felt hazy, my vision swimming as I struggled to focus.I blinked several times, trying to focus. But I could almost tell that the ceiling above me was a dull off-white, lined with fluorescent panels that flickered faintly, casting a cold, clinical glow over the room. The walls seemed like they were painted in a washed-out gray, the kind that felt lifeless and impersonal, like this place wasn’t meant for comfort—only for function.Then, the scent hit me.That unmistakable, sterile hospital smell.A mixture of antiseptic, bleach, and
MaliaI had to do something.My mind raced as I crouched in the shadows outside Amara’s house, heart pounding. I couldn’t just walk away—not when I had the perfect opportunity to warn Jamie before it was too late.But how?I couldn’t just march in there and expose myself. I’d worked too hard to stay hidden, and if I revealed anything too directly, Rayna might realize I was the one who sent the tip.No. I had to be smart about this.I needed to be anonymous.I pulled out my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I typed out a message:"Do not trust the bodyguard."For a second, I hesitated. Would Jamie even take this seriously? He was stubborn—he wouldn’t believe something without proof.I added another line."The bodyguard is actually Rayna, impersonating her."I sent the message before I could overthink it.Inside, Amara and Jamie were still talking, but I could see Jamie go silent. His brows furrowed, and he reached into his pocket, checking his phone.I held my breath.Even from a
Malia “I need you to start researching. I don’t know much about witches, but maybe there’s a way to find out what’s really happening. And if it's possible that she's not using Malia's body so we can kill her.” Amara let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “You want me to figure that out?” “Yes,” Jamie said firmly. “I have to head back to Storm Pack. I have to keep an eye on that thing pretending to be Malia. But you… you need to stay here and stay alive.” Amara exhaled sharply. “I can do that. She doesn't have to stay here, Jamie. I can take care of myself.” There was a beat of silence before Amara spoke again, her voice sharper this time. “Also, before you go, what about Corey? What’s he doing here? Why is he in Lycone instead of you?” Jamie was quiet for a moment before answering. “It's because that witch has another task—to tear me and Corey apart.” “So I’ve been acting recklessly,” Jamie continued. “Pushing Corey away. Defying orders. Giving the council no choice but to send Co
MaliaI stayed hidden, my back pressed tightly against the side of Amara’s house as I listened. My heart pounded so violently I could hear the rush of blood in my ears.Jamie was still talking, his voice firm and serious.“You don’t understand the full extent of what happened in Storm Pack,” he told Amara. “There’s a lot you don’t know.”Amara scoffed, her voice laced with frustration. “Then explain it to me, Jamie! Because so far, all I’m getting is that Jude is hunting me down, and you expect me to trust a bodyguard I’ve never met! None of this makes sense!”Jamie exhaled sharply, as if trying to gather his thoughts. “It will make sense,” he muttered. “Just listen.”There was a brief pause before he continued, his voice dropping lower, darker.“After we captured Malia, I was going to kill her,” he admitted bluntly. “I was ready to burn her when Corey stopped me.”Amara scoffed. “I know Jamie, I was there.”Jamie let out a dry, humorless chuckle. “Yeah, you're right. But what I'm say
MaliaAmara stood frozen for a moment, disbelief clear on her face. Then, she let out a dry, humorless laugh. “You can’t be serious.”Jamie rubbed his face, exhaling sharply. “I wish I weren’t.”Amara narrowed her eyes at him. “So… what? You went through with it? You’re engaged?”Jamie’s shoulders tensed. “No. I haven’t decided yet.”“Oh, you haven’t decided?” Amara scoffed, shaking her head in disgust. “So it’s still on the table?”Jamie’s jaw clenched. “It’s complicated, Amara. You don’t understand—”“Then explain it to me.”He took a slow breath, trying to gather his words. “This isn’t about me. It’s about the pack. This—” He gestured vaguely toward the woman beside him. “This arrangement is what will keep our people safe from what’s coming.”Amara’s expression hardened. “What’s coming?”Jamie hesitated. “A war.”A chill ran down my spine. War.I could see the gears turning in Amara’s head, but she wasn’t buying it. “So you’re going to marry someone for the sake of a political alli