Share
Shopping
The chrome and glass structures grew larger the closer we drove into the city, towering over us like a concrete jungle. People walked by, fixated on their phones and paying no mind to the people they passed. They stared straight ahead, cold and unbothered. The juxtaposition to our tiny community, filled with friendliness and warmth, was stark. People here didn't know or care about their neighbour, only focused on staying ever in motion.
We made a few turns and the shopping mall came into view. It's structure matched the bustling metropolis, sharp angles and blue-grey glass curving up the walls. A fountain sat out front of the main entrance, and kids crawled all over the sides, desperately reaching out to play with the water, only to be yanked back by tired mothers carrying mountains of bags. Torrance was nearly buzzing beside me as her mother maneuvered the car into an empty parking space.
"Now girls. We're going to leave the mall for dinner at 5, is that underst
Related chapters
Ablaze Run
I woke the next morning groggily, but alert. My heart and mind felt full after the previous day, and I thought back fondly on my excursion. Mom and Leona had become fast friends, bonding over parenting and fine wine, off in their own world as we sat and sipped in the Italian place Leona had chosen for dinner. Their warm laughter bubbled over the whole restaurant, joking about the perils of motherhood and raising teenage daughters. While Leona had Beta Gideon to aid her, she had performed a lot of the child rearing alone after he had assumed his position within the pack. They laughed and carried on over the perils of raising teenagers and the monotony of small town life. Our trek home had been filled with stories and laughter, making the long drive pass in what felt like only a few moments.I welcomed the new day, warmth echoing through my windows and the still, calm of the air around me. Training was set to resume tomorrow, and Mains was being treated again by Kip, so I
Ablaze Discovery
Following the breach Alpha Rhodes pulled in the reins on our tiny town for safety. I never heard what had happened, they remained tight lipped, but from whispers around the pack house whenever I visited Torrance I learned that the fires had been getting closer and spreading, and the warriors had picked off Rogues as they came to close to our borders. Only one had managed to get in, but luckily it had been tracked and disposed of before it made it's way to town.The town was in perpetual unrest, some saying the Alpha spoke too soon by locking us down, others questioning if enough was being done to ensure our collective safety. My mission remained clear: find the reason behind the attacks.Mains and I continued to work with the historic documents at our disposal. Following the breach Alpha Rhodes had suspended our evening training, instead asking all training pack members to spar during the daylight, and clearing the streets at dark. His safety measures were
Ablaze Ronelda
"It would have been her maiden name, of course, she inherited the house and started her career under it and kept it professionally. I don't know why I didn't catch it," Mains said, his face in awe, "it all makes so much sense now!""So you think your grandmother is behind the texts?" I asked, equally awestruck by our discovery. Mains nodded solemnly, his mind whisked away in memory."She ignited my love of history. She tended to the archives before me, she taught me so much of what I know. I don't know why I didn't immediately peg this as her. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time remembering." He said, defeat laced thick in his words."I have the day off from training tomorrow. I can come over. Maybe there's more evidence in your personal family documents?" I posed, desperate for a reason to cheer him up and continue the chase."You're right, kid, and hopefully the old photos will drum up some memory. Be over early."I agreed an
Ablaze Audience
The Alpha scheduled a meeting with me early the next morning in his office at the pack house. I had woken up incredibly early, my mind never truly letting me rest the night before. I spent the morning repeating a ritual I’d come to know as comforting, showering and preening myself for the day. I washed away the previous day’s dread, scrubbing myself to a calm, clean slate. I delicatel
Ablaze Fist
Training that afternoon held a new weight. My mind was still reeling from my meeting with the Alpha. Once his sickening, seductive thoughts cleared my conscience all that remained was burning anger.The Alpha had dismissed the findings we had presented to him, had chastised me for doing research on behest of the pack, and had then used his overwhelming aura to blind me into some sort of sexually charged submission. I was white hot with rage, seething on the surface. I had no doubt were someone to lay a hand on me they would burn themselves, the flames of anger licked at my skin. I was unhinged.Clarice called out our sparring partners, and I was delighted to be paired with a massive wolf named Wyatt. Wyatt had a reputation for being ruthless. He was built like a brick wall, tall and muscular, and his path to being a warrior was spelled out before him. He took training incredibly seriously, and what he lacked in speed he made up for in sheer strength and pow
Ablaze Search
I wanted to sprint to Mains' house then and there, but my legs felt like Jell-O and my skin was thick with sweat. I needed a shower and rest, I needed my mind and body to be alert and sharp. I had been dismissed from training for the next few sessions as the Beta and Clarice prepared for my assessment, meaning I had the whole next day to spend with Mains searching for the missing journal.I shoved the dry crumbs of my sandwich in my mouth, determined to make it an early night and soak in as much sleep as possible. I showered quickly, rinsing off the sweat and hastily running shampoo through my matted hair. I rushed through every routine, desperately hurrying to my bed as if the morning would come sooner if I did. When I finally lay my head on my pillow I was met with urgent dreams, dreams of lapping flames and resounding screams. I dreamt of families being ripped apart, of dancing demons with glowing eyes licking at broken hearted wounds. My dreams burned, searing more
Ablaze Coping
Preparations for the Firelight Festival were underway at full force, and the whole town was buzzing with excitement at the promise of a night of laughter, dancing and free flowing alcohol. The main event of the night would be a mind linking ceremony, the Alpha would proclaim us as his pack and we would accept him, thus sealing the mind link. We would not only have a one way link to him, but to every other wolf in the pack.Mom was busy making sure the library was cleaned up, she and Alex had worked to gather pieces from the Archives telling the history of Stay's Landing, and Sherry had gone out and photographed the town today to compare to some of the old photos we'd drummed up. It would be a drop-by spot, for our new neighbours to learn about where they now lived. I worked with Mains almost every day, and spent my nights training and honing my skill with Clarice. My mind rarely rested, between the looming doom-filled thoughts of what I learned reading the journals and t
Ablaze Festival
I awoke the morning of the Festival rested and in high spirits. My time at the pier - even if I was still unsure if it had been real - had restored in me so much peace. I was bright and excited for the new day ahead, of the lights and dancing the festival promised, the prospect of meeting new members and understanding their stories. I loved my poeople fiercely, even the ones I had only just encountered. I wanted nothing more than their safety and happiness, and tonight I could be a part of one of those things.Torrance had made me promise her that I would come get ready with her at the Pack House. She had big, brilliant plans to style me and had left me a long list of clothing pieces to bring, some a mix from our shopping trip and others items I already owned. She said she's leave my hair and makeup to me, but she'd be damned if I didn't let her approve of my outfit."What if your mate's there! They have to see you at your best." She argued, her tone liltin
Latest chapter
