Corey I needed air. The room was stifling, and Malia's silence after my question haunted me. Her failure to answer whether she was the real Malia gnawed at my thoughts like a relentless itch. I couldn't shake the unease. Everything about her had been wrong—from the way she'd kissed me without hesitation to her strange, cryptic behavior. Malia wasn’t impulsive like that, not with me. I walked out before I lost my mind, leaving her behind in that room. My heart was still pounding from the mess we’d just left behind. Part of me wanted to lock her away until I could figure out what the hell was going on, but I knew that wouldn’t sit right. Even if Malia wasn’t herself, she still deserved a shred of autonomy. Still, there was only one person I could trust to make sense of all this: Asher. My footsteps echoed down the corridor as I made my way to Asher's office. The scent of wood polish lingered in the air, sharp and biting. My jaw clenched as I thought about what I had to tell him.
Corey Asher's chest heaved with raw fury, and I knew I had seconds before he launched himself at me again. My jaw still throbbed from the last punch, and I wasn't eager for a repeat. His eyes were wild, murderous. "Listen!" I shouted, holding my hands up in surrender. "That's not the real Malia!" He froze mid-step, his breathing ragged. The weight of my words hung in the air between us. For a split second, I thought I saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. Asher's jaw clenched. "What are you talking about?" he demanded, though his voice had lost some of its sharpness. I seized the opportunity like a drowning man grabbing a lifeline. "The real Malia would never come to me like that," I said, my voice steady despite the adrenaline surging through me. "She wouldn’t kiss me. She wouldn't even look at me that way. You know that." His gaze flickered toward Malia, who stood behind him, looking innocent and fragile. "Malia, is this true? Di
MaliaThe air smelled like damp stone and desperation. Shadows clung to the walls of the cage that held me, flickering weakly against the dim light of a single lantern hanging from a rusty hook. I had tried everything—clawing, pushing, even biting at the enchanted bars—but the magic that held them together was impenetrable. Whatever this cage was made of, it was beyond my strength to break. The bars of this prison might as well have been forged from despair itself.And I was weak. So pathetically weak. I paced, restless, my heart weighed down with worry. Asher. My parents. Where were they? Were they safe? The last thing I remembered before being dragged into this nightmare was that awful moment when everything blurred—the pain, the screaming, and the searing darkness. I hadn't seen my family or heard a whisper of what had happened since.A shudder ran through me as I tried to summon my wolf. There was nothing. No comforting presence, no fierce voice urging me forward. Just silence
MaliaThe tension between Jude and me clung to the air, heavy and stifling. I stood rigid inside the shimmering cage, my pulse thrumming in my ears. His words about my parents being his allies gnawed at me, unraveling every scrap of certainty I had left. It made no sense—my parents weren’t involved in whatever twisted game Jude was playing. Were they?I clenched my fists, forcing myself to focus. Falling apart now wouldn’t help. If I showed even a hint of weakness, Jude would pounce on it.Then it hit me—something off, a shift in the air. The faint hum of the magical barrier faltered just for a moment. My skin prickled with unease.Footsteps echoed through the chamber, slow and deliberate. The steady cadence sent a chill crawling down my spine. I straightened, bracing myself for whatever—or whoever—was coming.And then I saw her.The woman who had made me black out with a single touch. She moved with an unsettling grace, her dark cloak sweeping across the floor. She was cloaked in d
Malia The moment Rayna's chilling words settled into the air, a suffocating silence descended. My throat closed up, raw from the scream I'd swallowed. I couldn't take my eyes off Corey—his lifeless body sprawled on the cold floor, his face slack, devoid of the teasing smirk that always lit up a room."No," I whispered, trembling. "You're lying." Rayna tilted her head, feigning surprise. "Still clinging to that fantasy?" She gestured dramatically to Corey's still form. "Does this look like a lie to you?" I lurched forward, rattling the shimmering bars of the cage. "Let me out." Rayna sighed theatrically. "And what will you do if I do that? Cry over his body? Swear vengeance? Please, Malia, you're so predictable." "I said let me out!" I roared, the feral rage inside me bubbling to the surface. My wolf—where was she? I needed her strength now more than ever, but the silence inside me remained deafening. Jude took a measured step forward, his eyes gleaming with calculated author
MaliaThe walls of the cage flickered once, then dissolved into thin air. I stood there, stunned. They were actually letting me go? My feet remained planted as Rayna’s parting words echoed in my mind: “You’ll wish we hadn’t released you.” A chill ran down my spine, but I forced myself to move. Each hesitant step tested the reality of my freedom. I half-expected the barrier to snap back up or for Jude to appear and stop me. Neither happened. My steps were hesitant at first, each one testing the reality of my release. I glanced back over my shoulder, expecting to see Rayna’s smirking face or Jude’s calculating gaze, but the chamber was empty. Just the fading hum of magic and the distant sound of dripping water. My heart raced as confusion tangled with relief. What game were they playing? Why let me go now? With each step, my pace quickened. I had to find Asher, my parents—figure out what chaos had unfolded while I was locked away. But Rayna’s warning gnawed at me. “Why would I w
Jamie The call ended with a hollow beep. My hand lingered on the phone, fingers trembling as if it would somehow summon Amara’s voice back to me. But she was gone—cut off by my own doing. I could still hear the echo of her last words, sharp and searing. “You’re really ending this?” There had been a stunned disbelief in her voice, stripped of the fiery edge that usually accompanied her words. I had wanted to say so much more, to tell her how sorry I was, how this wasn't what I wanted—but what would have been the point? The Moon Goddess’s priests had spoken. My family had pleaded. My friends had insisted. And in the end, I had caved. Because apparently, loving a Lycan was a curse waiting to happen. I sank onto the edge of my bed, the cold air of my room wrapping around me like a shroud. The ancestral mansion had never felt more suffocating. Heavy stone walls, generations of tradition, and expectations thick enough to choke on. I rubbed my face with both hands, trying to scr
Jamie I had heard about Corey's death through a text from Amara but since then I didn't hear from her. I didn't understand how Corey would die until the news spread that he'd been killed by Asher for forcing himself on Malia. It made no sense. Sure Corey was into Malia for a short while but it never amounted to anything. He also would not force himself on Malia — not after everything he's already been through with Asher and Malia. I myself called him and warned him personally about his feelings for Malia and he assured me that they were gone. So how could he have done something like that? It simply was not possible. I still was in denial that Asher would kill Corey and it wasn't until I got a text back from Amara saying Asher kept her under close watch and that she'd found a way to meet me that I finally relaxed a little. Amara was always transparent. She wouldn't lie to me about what happened between my brother and Asher. On that night, the moon hung low in the sky, casting a f
Malia The moment Corey spoke, the world shifted. The fire that had burned in Jamie’s eyes flickered, his rage replaced by uncertainty. The crowd, still scattered from the earlier chaos, now stood frozen in disbelief. Jamie turned fully to Corey, his voice low and sharp. “How did a witch cause your death when Amara saw Malia accuse you in person?” I felt my breath catch. Amara, standing to the side, nodded vigorously, as if needing Corey to confirm what she believed. “I saw it with my own eyes,” she said, her voice raw from screaming at me earlier. “Malia was right there! She said it herself! That you forced yourself on her. You were there too!” Corey’s pale blue eyes swept across the gathered wolves before settling back on Jamie. “The witch turned into Malia,” Corey said simply. “She pretended to be her.” A collective hush spread through the crowd. Jamie’s jaw tightened. He was watching Corey carefully, trying to process his words, but I could see the doubt in his eyes. “Are
Malia Rayna’s voice was smooth, almost amused. “What's this I hear about someone stealing my glory? Don't act so surprised. You all chanted 'WITCH!!!' Now I'm here.” Jamie’s eyes darkened. “A witch?” Rayna chuckled. “You don’t even know what you’re dealing with.” “Neither do you,” Jamie snapped. He turned back toward me, his grip tightening on flaming torch in his hand. My heart nearly stopped. He was about to set me ablaze! Was he really going to go through with it? Rayna took a step forward. “Oh don't be so uptight. If you kill her you'll ruin the surprise—” CRACK. The sharp sound cut through the air like a whip, followed by a rush of icy wind. And then, just like that, the world stopped. Every muscle in my body froze as he stepped forward. The torches flickered wildly, casting jagged shadows over his face. The mob fell silent, their fury evaporating in an instant. I could hear the sharp intake of breath from the wolves around me, their bodies stiff with shock. Jamie’s k
AsherJust as I thought I’d won—just as I convinced myself there was still time to save Malia—a chill swept through the room, colder than anything I’d ever felt. The air grew heavy again, thick with magic, but this time it was different. Older. More dangerous. And then… he appeared. A figure stepped out of the shadows, draped in a hooded robe as black as midnight. My heart slammed against my ribs as he lowered the hood. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think.It was Corey. His hair was now as pale as snow, almost glowing under the dim light. His skin was just as ghostly, drained of warmth and life.I knew it was him—but something inside me screamed that it wasn’t. Not really. He stood there, silent and still, watching me with that frozen gaze. “Corey…” I whispered, my voice barely audible. He didn’t answer. He didn’t move, neither could I. Not because of any magic—at least, I didn’t think so. It was something else. Something deeper. The hooded figures that had
AsherI ended the call with the harp twins and slipped my phone into my pocket, my mind spinning. Every instinct in me screamed that something wasn’t right. This wasn’t just some twisted revenge from Jamie. I couldn’t explain it, but I knew that the girl Jamie had wasn’t some imposter. It was Malia. The real Malia. And she was running out of time. I had to get to her. Now. I turned toward the door, already planning the fastest route to Storm Pack territory, when a cold shiver ran down my spine. My steps slowed. The air grew heavy—thick, charged with something unnatural. Magic. I spun just as the lights in the hallway dimmed and the temperature dropped. A gust of wind howled through the room, shattering the calm. The shadows stretched unnaturally long, curling across the walls like living things. And then—they appeared. Three hooded figures emerged from the darkness, dressed in heavy black robes embroidered with silver runes. Their faces were hidden beneath the hoods, but their pr
MaliaI couldn’t take it anymore—his voice, his accusations, the constant weight of his blame pressing down on me. Every word Jamie spoke was like a knife slicing through what little strength I had left. My body ached, the ropes biting into my wrists and ankles, the gag dry and scratchy against my lips. My throat burned for water, but no one cared. No one would listen. Maybe this was it—maybe I was meant to die here, tied to a post in the woods like some kind of monster. A witch. I let my head fall back against the rough bark behind me, my hair falling wild and tangled over my face. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the sound of Jamie’s voice as he muttered under his breath. He was pacing now, but his anger hadn’t lessened. If anything, it had grown darker, heavier. It didn’t matter what I did. Nothing I said would ever convince him—or anyone—that I wasn’t the person who accused Corey. That I wasn’t the reason his brother was dead. They had already made up their minds.
Malia As the hours dragged on, the mob slowly began to thin out. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows through the trees, but some wolves remained—hovering on the edges, eager to witness my punishment if Asher didn’t come. Their eyes burned with hatred and bloodlust, and no matter how much I tried to avoid their stares, I could still feel their judgment pressing down on me like a crushing weight. My throat burned with thirst. The gag chafed against the corners of my mouth, and every breath felt shallow and strained. My limbs were aching from being tied in the same position for so long, and the rough ropes dug into my wrists with every twitch. I tried to swallow against the dryness in my throat, but it only made the ache worse. I tried to make a sound—something, anything—to get someone’s attention. My voice was weak and muffled beneath the gag, but I hoped someone—anyone—would notice that I needed water. My tongue felt thick and heavy, and I was starting to feel di
MaliaThe ropes cut into my wrists, burning my skin with every slight movement. My arms were stretched above my head, bound tightly to the thick wooden post behind me. I could barely breathe around the filthy cloth stuffed into my mouth. My legs trembled beneath me, but I forced myself to stay upright. If I fell, I didn’t know if I’d have the strength to get back up. The air was thick with the smell of earth and pine, but it did nothing to mask the scent of anger—raw and violent—hanging over the crowd. Dozens of wolves surrounded me, their eyes burning with hatred. Their snarls filled the clearing, echoing through the woods. “Witch!” one of them growled. “Burn her!” another voice shouted from the crowd. A low, rhythmic chant began to rise. “Witch. Witch. Witch.”Tears blurred my vision, sliding down my face as I shook my head. I wanted to scream—to tell them they were wrong—but the gag muffled every sound. My heart pounded so loudly it drowned out their voices, but I couldn’t
Asher I didn’t know how long I’d been unconscious. Time seemed to have slipped away, leaving me adrift in a sea of confusion and dread. The lingering scent of smoke, acrid and sharp, was the only tangible evidence of the terrifying encounter with Rayna. I pushed myself up, my body protesting with a groan. My head pounded, a dull ache that mirrored the turmoil in my mind. Rayna’s words echoed in the silence of the room, each syllable a dagger twisting in my heart. “You will have the whole world against you, Asher.”I stumbled to my feet, my legs shaky, my thoughts a whirlwind of fear and regret. Rayna was gone. Vanished, like a phantom in the night. But the consequences of her presence, of her revelations, were all too real. I looked around the living room, the familiar space now tainted with the memory of her chilling laughter, her fiery display of power. It felt like a different place, a place where my illusions had shattered, leaving behind only the cold, hard reality of
Asher The flames danced in her palms, a mocking display of power that sent a chill deeper than any winter wind through my bones. My mind reeled, trying to reconcile the gentle woman I thought I knew with this…person before me. “Who are you?” I demanded, my voice rough, barely a whisper. “What have you done with Malia?”The laughter that spilled from her lips was like ice on fire, a sound that scraped against my soul. It wasn’t Malia’s laugh. It was sharper, colder, laced with an amusement that bordered on cruelty. “Malia?” she echoed, tilting her head. The fire in her hands crackled, throwing flickering shadows across the room. “Such a quaint notion.”A wave of dizziness washed over me, and I stumbled back, my hand grasping for the edge of the table. “You’re not her,” I breathed, the realization hitting me with the force of a physical blow. “You’re not Malia.”Her smile widened, revealing teeth that seemed just a little too sharp, a little too predatory. “That's right,” she