Novels by Buba

VINCENTI shift back into human form at the edge of the forest, my wolf reluctantly retreating as my body reforms. I'm naked, as always after a shift, but I quickly grab the clothes I'd stashed in the hollow of an old oak tree before my run. Pulling on my black running pants and gray t-shirt, I feel the familiar weight of being human again settle over me. The morning air is crisp against my skin as I stretch, working out the tension from the run. My wolf had needed the release after last night's restless sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kaia's face—the way she looked at me in that conference room when I defended her, the confusion mixed with something that might have been gratitude.I start walking back toward the packhouse, following the worn trail through the pines. As I approach the training grounds, voices drift toward me on the breeze."—heard the Alpha wants to change the hierarchy laws," someone is saying.I slow my pace, staying just out of sight behind a cluster of

VINCENTThe council chamber feels like a tomb as I push through the heavy oak doors. Carved stone wolves line the walls, their eyes seeming to follow my every step as I make my way toward the center of the room. The scent of old leather and power hangs thick in the air—generations of Alpha decisions made within these walls.Five elders sit in their traditional semicircle, each one a former Alpha or high-ranking Beta from packs across the western territories. Their faces are stern, weathered by decades of leadership and rigid adherence to our laws. At the center sits Elder Owen, his gray hair pulled back severely, dark eyes sharp as flint."Vincent." His voice echoes off the stone walls. "You called this emergency session. Speak."I straighten my shoulders, drawing on every ounce of Alph

KAIAI stare at my computer screen, watching the cursor blink in the empty email draft. It's been two weeks since the Cascade Pack meeting, and honestly, things with Vincent have been… decent. Even after the whole scene at the motel—after I finally told him the truth about why I left—he's given me space. And I'm grateful for that.It feels like I wasn't the only one who needed time to process what happened that day.But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little surprised. The Vincent I know would've been fighting tooth and nail to make me see his point, to believe him about his feelings being true. Instead, he's been professional. Polite. Distant, even. And yet, here I am—shocked to admit that I'm moved by his restraint.Don't get me wrong, I still don't fully believe

KAIAI stare at the steam rising from under the hood of Vincent's sleek BMW, my heart sinking with each passing second. We're stranded on a deserted mountain road, miles from civilization, with nothing but pine trees and gathering darkness for company."This can't be happening," I mutter, pacing beside the broken-down car. My black heels click against the asphalt as I move back and forth, my pencil skirt restricting my steps. The meeting with the Cascade Pack ran three hours longer than expected, and now we're paying the price.Vincent closes the hood with a definitive thud, wiping his hands on a cloth from the trunk. His navy suit is wrinkled from leaning over the engine, his tie loosened and hanging around his neck. "The radiator's shot," he says, his voice frustratingly calm. "We're not driving anywhere tonight."

KAIAThe next morning, I drag myself out of bed and head to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face. In the mirror, I look pale and shaken, dark circles under my eyes from another restless night.Between Vincent's late-night visit, the confrontation at work, and now this bizarre dream, I feel like I'm slowly coming apart at the seams.Twenty minutes later, I’m dressed for work in a crisp white blouse tucked into a knee-length black skirt, my hair pulled back into a plain ponytail. After yesterday’s public humiliation, the last thing I want is to walk into a storm of office gossip—but life rarely gives us what we want.Mom is in the kitchen when I come downstairs, sitting at the table with her morning tea. She looks up when I

I slip away to the elevator, needing air, needing space, my heart still hammering from the confrontation. The ride down feels endless, and when the doors finally open, I practically flee to the small courtyard behind the building. It's tucked between Moonfang Construction and the neighboring office complex, a quiet spot with a few benches and some landscaping that most employees never visit.My legs feel heavy, but I sink onto one of the metal benches anyway, pulling in shaky breaths that don't seem to ease the tightness in my chest. I raise a trembling hand to my cheek, and it comes away damp."Kaia?"I look up to find Lewis approaching, the bouquet of wildflowers still in his hand. His kind face is creased with concern as he takes in my tear-stained cheeks."I'm sorry," I manage, my voice raw. "I didn't expect him to... God, I'm so embarrassed.""You have nothing to apologize for," he says, settling beside me on the bench. His voice is gentle in a way that makes the tears threaten a

EVELINEHalfway through dinner, I excuse myself and walk to the restroom.As I'm walking out, I bump into someone. I quickly bow my head in apology, ready to sidestep the human and return to my table—but I freeze when I see who it is.Kevin."Eveline," he says, shock written all over his face.I don't acknowledge him. I move to walk past, but his hand closes around my wrist."Eveline, please. Let me apologize for what happened that night."I yank my arm, but his grip tightens. I pull out my phone with my free hand and type quickly, shoving the screen in his face: I don't need your apology, Kevin.

Two weeks have passed since we escaped the human fight ring.We finally entered vampire territory a few days ago. We had to wait a week after we escaped because Ekaterina fell sick. The silver protection spell took an enormous toll on her body—she could barely stand for the first three days, and her magic flickered in and out like a dying flame. Luckily, she recovered well and was able to cast a strong glamour spell to help us enter vampire territory without raising suspicion.Things between Anton and me are the same. He treats me with respect, with care even—but other than that, nothing has changed. No declarations. No claiming. No talk of what we are to each other beyond the mate bond that pulses between us.I wish it would change.Because with him treating

Three days later, Ekaterina arrives through another swirling water portal. She's perfected the werewolf silver shield spell.Now we're about to test it."You can shift now," Ekaterina tells Anton.All the silver is finally gone from his body. He's fully recovered—wounds healed, strength returned, the sickness that nearly killed him nothing but a memory. The humans didn't notice him getting better when they brought our food the last few days. They barely entered the cell at all, just throwing the food through the door like we were animals in a cage.Which, to them, I suppose we were.Anton shifts.His bones crack and reshape, his body expanding as midnight-black fur erupts ac

When I wake up, I'm back in the cell.I quickly check my body to see if I'm clothed. I am. Relief loosens something tight in my chest."Eveline, are you awake?" Anton's voice reaches me from the back of the cell, rough and exhausted.'Yes, I am. Are you okay?' I push myself up and walk toward him, my legs unsteady beneath me.Then I see him.'Anton!' I drop to my knees beside him, my hands hovering over his body like I'm afraid to touch him and make it worse.He's in far worse shape than before.His shoulder has an open wound where a rogue t

"I already told you what you need to do," Gordon says, yanking my face toward the front of his pants.I look at Anton. His eyes burn with fury, but beneath that—I see it. The silent plea. Don't.But I can't watch him die. I can't sit here while electricity tears through his body until his heart gives out. That image will haunt me forever.'I have to,' I tell him through the mind link. 'I can't let them kill you.'I turn back to Gordon and nod frantically, my hands lifting in a gesture of surrender. Yes. Fine. I'll do it. Just stop hurting him.

'Anton, how do you know him?' I ask once Walden's footsteps fade down the corridor."This isn't my first time running into hunters."'Are you the one who gave him the scar on his face?' I need to confirm what I already suspect."Yes. I should've ripped his whole face off," Anton snarls, and I feel the anger radiating through our bond.'Do you know what he's talking about when he says "for what is about to come"?'"No. But knowing Walden, it isn't something good for werewolves."'I hope it's something we'll be able to face, even in your condition.'"Once the silver is out of my system, we'll have less to worry about. I'll be able to get us out of here, don't worry. Everything is going to be fine." His voice is steady, certain—and somehow it eases the knot of anxiety in my chest.'Okay, if you say so.' I shift my weight and lean my back against the cold stone wall beside him.Anton's arms wrap around my waist, and he tries to pull me close.I resist, pushing back gently. 'Anton, you're