MaliaNina’s words lingered, heavy and insistent, but Jamie wasn’t one to be pushed into rash decisions. His expression hardened as he raised a hand to stop her mid-argument. “Before we do anything,” he said firmly, “we need to discuss this properly. Let’s find a quiet place first. I’m not making any moves until we know what we’re dealing with.” Nina threw her hands up in frustration. “You can’t be serious! Every second we waste gives Aaliyah more time to tighten her grip on Asher. How is this even a question?” Jamie didn’t flinch. “Then let’s make it official,” he replied. “We vote. Either we go to Asher’s mom now or we sit down and talk first. Majority wins.” Nina glared at him but didn’t argue. When the votes were counted, to her clear annoyance, everyone except her agreed on talking first. She let out a dramatic sigh and muttered something about “idiots” under her breath, but she followed us anyway as we left to find a quiet spot. The theater hall we chose was dimly l
Malia My heart raced as Asher's claws glinted dangerously close to my face, the sharp tips mere inches from my skin. His low growl reverberated through the room, vibrating in my chest and sending chills down my spine. Every instinct screamed at me to retreat, to abandon the reckless idea of tearing off the necklace, but I couldn't. I wouldn't. This was Asher. The man I loved. And I wasn't going to lose him to Aaliyah's twisted games. His glowing eyes locked on mine, a fierce, predatorial rage burning in their depths. He was fighting me—no, he was fighting the spell. I could feel it, the way his claws trembled mid-air, the way his breathing hitched, like he was battling an invisible force to stop himself. "You won't hurt me, Asher," I said, my voice steady despite the tears stinging my eyes. "I know you won't." For a fleeting second, doubt flickered across his face. That was all I needed. My hand shot up, grabbing the enchanted necklace. The cold metal burned against my
AsherI couldn’t believe it—my own mother, siding with the girl who had me spelled and rendered me a pawn in her twisted game. How could she take Aaliyah’s word over mine? She even ordered the arrest of my friends. People she knew meant everything to me - all for what? Because she valued Aaliyah more than anyone else?I watched as the guards advanced towards them, but before anyone dared touch Malia, I caught the guard’s wrist in an iron grip, looking him up and down before I said, “Who is your Alpha? Me or her?” “Y-you, Alpha Asher,” he stuttered, trembling under my glare. “Then how dare you try to carry out an order I didn’t approve of?” “I’m sorry, please forgive me. We just thought—” “—You are not wrong,” my mother interjected sharply, rising from her seat. Her usually perfectly styled dark hair was in a messy bun—a state I had never seen her in before. The sight sent a chill through me. She was unraveling, and it dawned on me that Aaliyah might have my mother under a s
AsherWe all stood frozen in the narrow passage, the silence around us was suffocating, every sound amplified in the dark passage. I felt Malia trembling next to me, her fear practically bleeding into the air. But beyond her, I could sense something else—someone was about to screw up.“Corey, don’t,” I said, linking minds with him, my tone sharp enough to cut through the silence. “You turn on that flashlight, and you’ll alert my mother.” There was a scoff, followed by the faint rustling of Corey shoving his phone back into his pocket. Good. At least he had the sense to listen for once. This passage wasn’t unfamiliar to me. I’d used it more times than I cared to admit, slipping away to escape my father’s wrath. The first time I stumbled in here, I spent days lost, thinking I’d die in this suffocating darkness. But those endless hours taught me something valuable: the way out wasn’t about sight. It was about listening. Every creak, every whisper of air, every subtle shift could guid
CoreyYou know that moment when the rug gets yanked out from under you and you’re left face-planting into reality? Yeah, that's what it felt like standing in the middle of the forest knowing that chaos was probably already unleashed on our school. “Asher, they need help,” Amara said, her voice sharp but not quite yelling. She was trying to keep it together, but the cracks were showing. Asher’s eyes blazed, that Alpha energy radiating off him like heat from a furnace. “You think I don’t know that?” His voice snapped like a whip. Then, his gaze turned on Avan and Savannah, pinning them in place. “You two. Take Malia to Miss Banks for treatment at the safe hub. If the hybrids are attacking, then most of the students must've gathered there. Don’t screw this up, or so help me—” He let the threat hang in the air, but we all got the message loud and clear. Avan’s smirk was still plastered on his face, but I caught the flicker of fear in his eyes. “And if we don’t?” he asked, just to be
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
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
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
AsherThe lake was even more beautiful than I remembered, a still mirror reflecting the soft glow of the moon. It was almost full, casting a silver path across the water that felt otherworldly. Everything about this place felt calm, untouched by the chaos waiting for us tomorrow. But it wasn’t the lake that held my attention. It was Malia, standing at the water’s edge, her silhouette bathed in moonlight. Her hair shimmered as the breeze teased it, her dress clinging to her in all the right ways. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. She turned at the sound of my footsteps, her lips curving into a small smile that felt like a balm to every wound I’d ever carried. “You came,” she said softly, her voice almost swallowed by the night. “Of course,” I replied, walking closer. “You said you wanted to talk.” She nodded but didn’t say anything right away. Her gaze drifted back to the water, and I couldn’t help but follow it. The stillness of the lake matched the tension in the air
AsherThe water in the bowl shimmered ominously, reflecting the crowd's expectant faces. I stared down at it, my resolve unshaken but my heart was pounding like a war drum. Wolfsbane water. Its potency alone could bring even the strongest wolf to their knees. Now, I was about to test not just my strength but the worthiness of my very existence as their king. I took a breath, steadying myself as Alpha Trent stood across from me, watching with a smug sense of satisfaction. “Are you ready, Asher?” Jude’s voice was low but steady at my side. “I’ve been ready my whole life,” I replied, keeping my gaze locked on the bowl. Without another word, I plunged my hand into the shimmering liquid. The pain hit instantly, like fire coursing through my veins, eating away at my skin and sinking into my bones. My breath caught, and for a moment, my vision blurred from the sheer intensity. But I gritted my teeth, locking my jaw as I focused on the faces in the crowd. Their judgment. Their doubt
AsherThe crowd buzzed with murmurs, their eyes locked on me as I stood in the center of their circle. Avan’s challenge had been thrown, and I had accepted. There wasn’t any hesitation in my mind—if they wanted proof, I’d give it to them. But just as I was about to speak, a voice cut through the tension like a blade. “No.”The crowd shifted, parting to reveal the source of the voice. My heart clenched when I saw him: Jude.“You won’t do it, Asher,” he said, his voice calm but unyielding as he stepped into the circle. “Jude,” I began, but he silenced me with a raised hand. “I’ll take your place,” he said, his gaze never wavering. The crowd murmured louder, confusion and skepticism rippling through them. “And who are you to make that decision?” Avan asked, his tone sharp and filled with suspicion. Jude’s expression didn’t falter. “I am Asher’s father,” he said simply, the words ringing out clearly. The crowd froze. A man scoffed loudly. “His father? You mean to say you’
AsherLycone was burning with chaos. Not from fire or claws, but from people—my people—torn apart by something far more dangerous than battle: hatred.From the moment we crossed into the city, the noise was deafening. Shouts echoed through the streets, a mix of angry roars and impassioned pleas. I could smell the tension, thick and bitter like smoke. Lycans and wolves were fighting—not with fists or fangs just yet, but with words.“It’s worse than I thought,” I muttered under my breath as we paused at the city square.Nina and Amara stood beside me, their eyes sharp as they surveyed the streets.“What do you want us to do?” Nina asked, her voice low but steady.I turned to Jamie and Corey, who were both hovering protectively near Malia. I didn’t need to say it—Jamie was already rolling his eyes.“I know, I know,” he said, throwing up his hands. “Take Malia inside, watch over her like she’s the freaking crown jewels.”“Exactly,” I replied, my tone firm. “Don’t leave her alone for even
Asher“Are you okay?” I asked, gripping Malia's shoulders. She nodded, but her eyes were wide with fear. “Asher… this isn’t going to stop, is it?” I didn’t have an answer for her for her at first, but later I took a deep breath and said, “Malia…I need you to know something.”Her lips parted slightly, but she didn’t speak, waiting for me to continue. “I will always protect you,” I said, my voice steady, a promise etched into every word. “No matter what happens, no matter what she tries, I won’t let any harm come to you.”Her eyes shimmered, but she blinked back the tears, nodding quickly. “I know,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “But what if—”I cut her off, pulling her into my arms. “There are no 'what ifs,' Malia. Not for us. Brooke won’t win. Not while I’m breathing.”She sank into my embrace, her arms wrapping tightly around my waist. For a moment, the world felt still, the chaos muted by the strength of the promise I’d made. Later, I sought out Jude. He was standing n
Asher Two days had passed since Brooke's first attempt at taking Malia's life. The camp was shrouded in an unsettling silence, the air heavy with foreboding, and even the wind seemed reluctant to stir. I stood before the growing crowd, my arms crossed as I scanned the faces before me—wolves, Lycans, and hybrids alike. Allies on paper, maybe, but united in spirit? Not even close. My voice cut through the low murmurs. “People of Lycone, Range pack, Sky Pack and Storm pack, I'm glad that you all are present at this meeting I'm making.” I started. ”You all hated me because you found out the kind of person I was—and my identity. I am grateful that the moon goddess, showed her kindness to me and showed you my innocence.” My statement was met with murmuring but I continued. “Even though Brooke is my mother, we are not the same people. I do not seek to make hybrids the rulers of all.” “But you are a hybrid and you rule us!” someone yelled from the crowd. “And you have set up a meetin
AsherAfter the meeting, the man who attacked Malia was tied to a chair in the middle of the room, his head hanging low, a bruise blooming on his temple from where Amara had struck him. I stood before him, my arms crossed, every muscle in my body wound tight. Malia’s attack replayed in my mind, each frame filling me with a rage I could barely contain. He looked up slowly, his lips curling into a smirk. “Your mate’s alive, isn’t she? Then what are you so angry about, Lycan King?” “Start talking,” I growled, stepping closer. “Who sent you?” “You already know the answer,” he said, his voice low and mocking. I clenched my fists. “I want to hear you say it.” His smirk widened. “Your mother.” The words hit me like a blow. I’d known it, but hearing it confirmed sent a chill down my spine. Brooke wasn’t wasting time. “What does she want?” I demanded. He chuckled, a hollow, humorless sound. “You think she hasn’t planned for this? For you turning against her? She expected your b
MaliaI woke early, the first rays of dawn peeking through the curtains. The air was still, heavy with the remnants of last night's celebration. Asher’s steady breathing filled the room, grounding me for a moment before my restless thoughts took over. It was strange, I had never felt anything like this before, but I got a gut feeling that Brooke was up to something. I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him, and dressed quietly. If she was going to come after me to hurt Asher, I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. I needed to be ready for whatever was coming. “Where are you going?” he asked, still sounding half asleep. “I want to join Nina and Amara for Training. It's okay. I'll be safe with them, just go back to bed,” I whispered and he closed his eyes. By the time I reached the training grounds, Nina and Amara were already there, sparring in the crisp morning air. Nina’s movements were sharp, calculated, while Amara’s were more fluid, almost like she was dancing. I wat
Asher My fingers brushed through my hair as I rounded a corner. There was silence, but the silence was broken by a faint rustling sound. I froze, my senses sharpening. “Malia?” I called, my voice low. No response. “No... don't tell me that Brooke has gotten to her already,” I thought to myself as I quickened my pace, following the sound until I reached a dimly lit hallway. A piece of paper lay on the floor, its edges curling slightly. My stomach churned as I picked it up. You can’t protect her forever. I’ll take her from you, Asher. Just like I’ve taken everything else.” This was the exact thing I heard in my head! How is this possible? Could it be that she's using magic again? I turned to the note. It was unsigned, but I didn’t need a signature to know who it was from. It was my mother, Brooke. I crushed the paper in my hand, my pulse pounding in my ears. I tried all ways possible to rest that night but I couldn't. something just kept telling me to be on hig