[No Number of Apologies Will Suffice]SEBASTIAN>Since Sierra’s attack, I’ve seemed to have fallen into a perpetual routine. I sat on the edge of the bed, fiddling with a purple jewelry box, rolling it between my fingers, the anguish of her absence deepening by the second.Inside the box was an amethyst ring. I had purchased it weeks before Sierra’s birthday, intending to propose. But all I did these days was take the box from its hiding place, open it, and sigh at the ring.This should not be our way of life. I promised her happiness and love. While I might have given her all the love I had, why was it impossible to provide her with the happiness she deserved? We should’ve been laughing. Having fun and making plans for the future, while not knowing what could happen. Instead, I sulked and growled at the world while she lay in a coma in a hospital bed.It wasn’t customary for wolves to marry, simply because the mates the Moon Goddess designated for us were our life
[Awakened II] SEBASTIAN “Trust me, Angel. Arianne will never hurt you again.” I gritted through clenched teeth. The rage surging inside me burned ten times hotter than the sun for what Arianne had done. She should count her blessings because when I get my hands on her... “I assure you; Arianne will get what’s coming to her.” Sierra pulled out of the hug, wiping the tears from her cheeks. Her face sported a determination I saw back when her uncle was after her. “I don’t want you to kill her, Sebastian.” Despite how softly she spoke, her resolve was evident in every word. “It’s not worth having her blood on your hands.” She caressed my cheek lovingly, gazing intently into my eyes. I lowered my head to meet her lips, expecting her to kiss me. Instead, she rubbed her nose against mine. “Besides, I have a bone to pick with her, not you.” Gratifyingly amused, I kissed her lips, forehead, and each cheek, grinning like an idiot. “Gosh, if only you knew how much these past two months withou
[I’ll Always Come Back To You] SIERRA I lay beside him on the bed, listening to the steady drumming of his heart. It was all so much clearer now. All the sounds once lost on me when I was a mere human. Now, as a werewolf and no longer a weakling, everything was just there. The fragrant air of dawn flooded in through the open balcony doors from the surrounding foliage. Add that to the animals scurrying about, searching for their prey to eat, and the birds singing their impossibly joyous songs. Even the sensitivity of last night’s lovemaking was beyond anything any human ever experienced. It was all so wonderful, unexpected, and, yes, magical. Sebastian stirred, his eyes fluttering open. A smile flashed across his face. “A guy could seriously die of happiness waking up to a beauty like you,” he whispered. “Morning, handsome,” I murmured, running a finger up and down his chiseled chest, loving the way his skin felt under my touch. “Hmm. How’d you sleep?” “Incomparable to the last
[Disappointment I] SIERRA I had my luggage packed and ready to go. Although this visit was long overdue, I couldn’t help but feel that leaving wasn’t the greatest option right now, especially given how Sebastian and I had left things. While he did not oppose my leaving—as he so emphatically stated—I felt horrible for even wanting to go. Not that I wouldn’t return; I would. It was just that leaving felt risky as if something might go wrong. “Maybe I should wait a few more days,” I said as Sebastian followed me to the car. “After all, I recently woke up from a coma. It’s not like she’s expecting me, is she?” “Angel, I’m not making that decision for you. Don’t forget, it was only an hour ago you wanted to bite my head off for this exact reason.” He threw the bag on the backseat and closed the door, turning to face me. “I know, which I apologized profusely for. But Sebastian, I can’t help this disturbing feeling in the pit of my stomach. I’ve been awake for what, two days? Compared
[Making Plans I] ZAIDEN “Cassidy, what’s the matter?” I said, rushing to her side. My voice echoed in the room a little louder than I intended. “I came as quickly as I got your message.” My voice drew her attention. From her curled-up position on the couch, Cassidy peered up at me with bloodshot eyes. Given her disheveled state, red and swollen nose, and tear-stained face, I’d say she’d been crying for some time. The moment her eyes met mine, her cries grew louder and more intense. Somehow, seeing me caused a release, a rush of despair that overcame her. “Is this why you called me here?” I asked, glaring at her trembling form. She shook her head, dry-heaving, and sniffling. No words left her trembling lips. “Look, unless you’re going to tell me why you asked me here or what triggered this meltdown, I need to get back to what I was doing.” My lips pressed into a tight line, whereas my heart did backflips at the sight of her. My fury toward her for summoning me here, only to watc
[Disappointment II] SIERRA Within those fleeting minutes, standing there unmoved, saying nothing, I felt my heart drop to my stomach. I never expected this moment to be so awkward as silence and surprise hung over us both like something grim. With my heightened senses, I could hear the way her breathing faltered in anticipation, while she steadily teetered on her heels. After another few seconds of silence, everything started moving again. My mother was the first to avert her gaze as she closed the door and dropped her keys on the table, still refusing to say anything to me. I couldn’t tell you what a thrill it was to see her, but I fear that excitement was one-sided. “Aren’t you going to say anything?” I asked, trailing behind her as she walked past me and into the kitchen. She slipped her handbag from her shoulder and dropped the two brown paper bags of groceries onto the countertop. “What would you like me to say, Sierra?” She retrieved a pot from the cupboard, filled it with
[Second Attempt]SIERRAThe middle-aged woman behind the desk flashed a grin and rose from her chair when she heard my voice. “Welcome to the Maddox Resort, Mrs. Maddox. We’ve been expecting you.” She took a step forward and slid a card toward me. “We’ve assigned you to the presidential suite, per your husband’s request. It provides a wonderful backdrop view of the city,” added Lynette—as written on her name tag.Sebastian went all out. I wasn’t sure whether he intended to impress me or if he just wanted my first visit here to be memorable. Still, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about it. There was nothing wrong with staying at a posh hotel or staying in a regular suite rather than a penthouse, although a normal suite would’ve sufficed.“We serve breakfast at 7:30 a.m., lunch at noon, and supper at 6:30 p.m. Please let us know if there is anything else you require or if the room isn’t to your liking,” she explained and added, “Our aim at the Maddox resort is to make our guests feel at
[Troubles I] SEBASTIAN “Goddess, you worked me over good, didn’t you?” I chuckled, stealing glances at my sweat-drenched mate. Her body was so still. If her chest wasn’t rising and falling with each breath, I’d say she was dead. “Penny for your thoughts.” “I’m not sure you’ll get your money’s worth.” Sierra closed her eyes and exhaled a shallow breath that ended in a sigh. She rolled away and sat on the edge of the bed, slouching her shoulders. It seemed she carried the weight of the world on them. Sierra strolled from the bed and into the bathroom. Some minutes later, the sound of running water emitted from the room. I considered joining her, but my phone started ringing just then. It was my mother. I picked up my discarded jeans and went to the living room to take the call. “Mother, is everything all right?” “How is Sierra?” she asked, concern laced in her words. “When I didn’t hear from you as you promised you’d call, I got worried.” “She’s... Okay, I guess. We hadn’t had th