MasukNick~ With deliberate ease, I picked up the heavy serrated knife and slowly brought it to the bread. The blade scraped the wooden board as I sliced into the loaf's crust. "Want some?" I asked, flashing a quick grin as I swiped a thick layer of butter over the heel and took a slow bite. She straightened her shoulders, a spark of defiance cutting through the haze in her eyes. "No. I want to dance." "As you wish, Amante." I set the bread aside, cleared the lingering sweetness from my mouth with the cloth napkin, and slid off the bench. When I offered my hand, she took it, and I pressed a slow kiss to her knuckles before I pulled her to her feet. We moved toward the makeshift dance floor with unhurried strides. Harley stopped here and there to admire the foliage surrounding us. Her eyes widened as she touched the velvety bud of a nearby hibiscus. Unable to help myself, I snapped the stem of a blooming one and tucked the vivid petal behind her ear. She giggled as I tucked it s
Nick~ Every day, Sean regains a fraction of his strength, while Delilah's appears to fray further. It's satisfying to see her usual perfect demeanor being worn down to nervous twitches and unsure movements. Ponzie's hidden cameras are live now, their tiny lenses tracking every shadow in his room. She waits in the snare, set to catch her. The day after tomorrow, Harley and I stand before the pack and my parents to renew our vows. At that moment, Sean becomes entirely vulnerable. Only my brother isn't her prey anymore. But tonight, the plot, the farce, and the pack could wait. It has been far too long since I've had my mate to myself. Anticipation tightens a knot in my chest and steals the air from my lungs. "You look beautiful," I said, tracing the line of her shoulders down to her wrists. Her skin warmed under my palms as a sudden, fierce crimson bloomed across her cheeks. She looked down, smoothing both hands over the rounded swell of her stomach. "There's no hiding Etta in th
Harley~ Polly pulled a heavy lace-and-silk piece from the rack and draped it over my hair. In the glass, the thick fabric swallowed me whole, casting dark shadows over my face. "Something smaller, a little lighter," I said as my shoulders sank. She nodded, her eyes bright with a sudden spark of inspiration. She grabbed a raw strip of delicate tulle and began pinning with practiced, frantic movements. When she stepped back, a whisper of airy mesh fell perfectly around my face, anchored with a cluster of brilliant, light-catching diamonds. A sudden wave of emotion hit me, hot and stinging. Before a tear could escape, I quickly swiped at the corner of my eye. "Perfect," I breathed, staring at the stranger in the mirror. "It's beautiful." "A perfect bride makes the perfect veil, darling," Ruby said from behind me, her voice warm as she folded her hands in front of her. "Never the other way around." "Alright, that's all we need from you for now, Luna," Polly said, giving th
Harley~ "Careful what you wish for," I muttered. We told Ruby we were full speed ahead with the wedding, but I didn't realize I'd pulled the pin on a grenade. Ruby hadn't paused to breathe since breakfast, which meant I hadn't either. By noon, my heels were aching, and my mind was a blur of bridal consultants and planners, and now, the main event: the dresses. Despite the chaos, a tiny spark of excitement fluttered in my chest. Nick, however, looked like a trapped animal as he paced a tight line along the polished hardwood in front of the loveseat where I sat. "It's going to be okay, Nick," I said, reaching for his hand. He stopped and looked down at me with heavy, apologetic eyes. "I know it's just...this isn't what I wanted for you. This whole redo was supposed to be about us, just ours." "Honey, it doesn't matter," I said, pulling him down to the red velveteen bench beside me. Etta kicked gently against my ribs; I placed his hand on top of the pressure. "Everything is unfo
Nick~ Ponzie's call woke us before we were ready with a sharp ring that cut through the morning quiet. Harley and I dressed quickly and avoided the kitchen on our way out. Still, the air wafted our breakfast around us with the smell of untouched coffee and bacon that faded behind us as we hurried to the hospital. Inside, we followed a nurse down the quiet corridor to Sean's new room. There, a small crowd of medical staff and our parents pressed close around the bed. Sean's transformation hit me immediately; his skin, previously a dull, waxy gray, finally held a flush of natural color. He looked healthier, almost like himself again. Titus and Ruby stood like anchors at his bedside while two physical therapists manipulated his legs. His big toe twitched against the air, and a low, gravelly grunt tore from his throat. Ruby pressed her cheek close to his, her voice a ragged whisper. "We're here, son. Come back to us." Behind us, the heavy door clicked open as Rich walked in.
Delilah~ "Where the hell is my husband?" A moment later, the flat palm of my hand slapped the faux-wood laminate of the nurse's station. "Damn it." A sharp, stinging vibration rattled up my forearm. The nurse's eyes widened, her cheeks turned a patchy red, and she fumbled with the edge of her keyboard. "There.......well, there was an issue with his room, Luna," she stammered, refusing to meet my gaze. My pulse drums in my ears, hard and rhythmic; the hospital air tastes like bleach, coating the back of my throat. "Where. Is. He?" "I'm not entirely sure." Sweat beads formed at her hairline. "Let me page Dr. Ponzie." Ha! Ponzie can get a piece of this, too. My heels click sharply against the linoleum in the narrow hallway as I pace. Every stride feels restricted by the sterile walls, and curious stares closing in. Inside my head, Leah, my wolf, is scratching at the surface, her phantom claws tearing through my thoughts. She snarls at me; the low vibration makes my teeth ache. We'
Kyle~ For quite some time now, I've been standing in the middle of Harley's bedroom without the first clue of what to bring her other than the basics. Becky's voice is high-pitched and fast when she calls for me, insisting that I return to the hospital. The beach bag from the bottom of Harley
Harley~ Nick tucked a stray curl behind my ear. "Anyway you want it, Amante." He let out the footrest of the recliner, pulled the stiff white hospital blanket over his feet, and adjusted the pillow under his head. Nick looks over at me with a smile, though I know he is uncomfortable. Half of h
Nick~ "Sorry, I forgot about calling you back, Kyle." I paused, but this would not get any easier. I took a heavy breath. "The police have confirmed that the stalker has Harley, only they don't know who he is yet." Kyle cursed profusely. "Does the name Steve mean anything?" "Yes, Steven Bala
Harley~ 'His name is Nick, and don't accept that I believe he will come back for us.' 'I wouldn't have him if he came back!' 'Sure, you're right, Ms. Patty Pillowcase.' My phone rings as I put the car in reverse; it's Belinda, and she tells me that my presence is required as soon as possible.







