ALAIA I woke up feeling cold as I stretched my hands to an empty space beside me. Isaiah was gone. I shot up to a sitting position, looking around the room for his presence. Why did he leave? Where did he go? “He’s an Alpha. He’s probably training. Though I would know for sure if you weren’t blocking me from his werewolf,” Elaine growled. A sense of relief washed over me as I turned to see it was eight in the morning. Of course, he’s training. So, there was no need to worry. As for Elaine... “Who knows what you might say if I let you talk? Unfortunately, we’re not best friends,” I replied, remembering that I had blocked Elaine from Devon when I found out Isaiah was my mate. “What is there to say? That the Moon Goddess paired them with a maniac. Do you have some plans I don’t know about?” Elaine questioned me. “Wouldn’t you like to know? Just be a good little she-wolf, and let me work my magic for the both of us.” “Your magic is never good. You only use it to hurt ot

VICTORIA After leaving Isabella the other day, I went home and lay in bed for hours. I vaguely remember my mom checking in, leaving food near my bed, and returning to retrieve a plate still full of food. I had lost my appetite. That could be a side effect of rejecting your mate. My mate. I took a deep breath and breathed in her scent-lavender and vanilla-as I pulled her shirt closer to my chest. I stole it. Not intentionally. It just happened to fall into my box from the hangar in the closet. I forgot I even had it. Rae, my werewolf, was the one who sniffed it out when I got home, and I couldn’t bring myself to return it. It was all I had left of her. I watched the night fade until the rays of light from the sun peeked through my windows. How long have I been lying here? I took another deep breath and welcomed the pain as my chest tightened with each inhale. Fresh tears dampen the side of my pillow. Was this my punishment? Rejecting the gift of the Moon Goddess. Even though

ISAIAH “Someone is in a rush. Are you sure you want to do this?” Isabella mind-linked me. “Yeah. I mean, it’s going to happen eventually, right,” I said, knowing she could feel my hesitancy. “Yeah, but it should be something both mates should agree on. That’s what a partnership is all about, right?” “Yeah, and how’s that partnership with Victoria going,” I snapped at her. I knew I was wrong and directed my irritation to the wrong person. “I’m going to blame that misplaced anger on the situation and forgive you just this once,” Isabella said before cutting the link. She glared at me and then turned her attention to Alaia. “Two weeks? Is that even enough time to plan all of this,” Isabella asked. “Of course it is, dear,” my mother happily said. “I had everything planned for you, but now I can change some details, and we can do everything for Alaia. As a matter of fact, let’s start right this minute. There’s so much to do. Let’s go, ladies. I need all the help I can ge

ISABELLA The houses passed me like rolling film until I realized I was at the mall. I made my way inside and followed the stupid sounds of girlish laughter. I hated that someone was happy. I didn’t want anyone to be happy, but I had to face it. I didn’t want to hear my mother’s mouth about my mood dampening their day. Before entering the shop, I had to fix my face. Pretend everything was fine. I didn’t want to get a third degree. I didn’t want anyone to ask me anything. I would be fine if I could get through this with a nod. I walked in, and Alaia was showcasing a white dress. It was a delicate patterned lace layered on lovely creamy-colored silk. The bodice was adorned with pearls, and the bottom flared out triangularly. Alaia turned in the mirror, and I saw the cut-out displaying her nice, blemish-free back. I was impressed by how beautiful she looked, like an angel, and the dress was perfect. “And then we’ll have your hair up in this fashion and accessories with some long

ZIRA “There’s someone in my room, and I can’t pick up their scent,” I linked to my dad. He was by my side within a flash with my brother on his tail. My hand was still on the knob. I took a deep breath and prepared myself as I opened my door. My brother and dad burst in before me and pounced on the person trying to leave through the window. Suddenly, her scent was a bit more prominent. “Stop, guys,” I said, pushing my dad and brother off Isabella. “It’s just Isabella. See?” They moved back as I watched my mom’s frame fill the doorway with a knife in her hands. I guess last night really did a number of them, too. I helped Isabella off the floor and gasped at her appearance. My dad turned around, but my brother stared at her with his mouth open. Isabella stood tall with nothing but a white bra and matching panties. She didn’t attempt to cover herself, so I grabbed the nearest thing, my comforter, and covered her. “Sorry, I was trying to hide, but your closet is a mess,” Isabel