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
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
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
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
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
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
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