…… The ship finally docks, and everyone starts filing out with their luggage, all smiles and cheers. The air is buzzing with excitement—probably because we’re all finally free to shift into our wolves and go for some much-needed run in the woods. Honestly, I’m just as excited. It’s been way too lon
Lucas We finally pull up to the Shadow Pang Pack, and my heart’s racing like I’ve just run a damn marathon. The entire ride, I sat there like a statue, staring out the window, thinking about Aria. Her face, her laugh, the way she looks at me like I’m her whole damn world. Yeah, I already miss her.
“Enough!” he snaps, shooting up from his chair so fast you’d think it was on fire. He storms around the desk to stand right in front of me. “You’re going to forget that girl, and that’s final.” I cross my arms and glare right back at him. “I’m not doing that. I’m not leaving Aria, Dad.” “You’re wi
Aria I wake up, and the sun is literally stabbing me in the face like it has a personal vendetta. No curtain, no mercy…just straight-up blinding me. Groaning, I sit up, stretch out my arms, and let out this big, dramatic yawn. I look around the room, and yeah, it’s a shoebox. But it’s my shoebox
At first, I’m confused, but then it clicks. “Mia,” I say, narrowing my eyes. “Please. Just call Damon. I need to know if Lucas is okay. What if something happened to them?” “Relax,” Mia says, waving me off. “If something happened, I’d know. My wolf would be freaking out over that fucking loser Damo
Aria The drive to the mansion is a short ten minutes, but it feels like hours. I’ve never been here before…not once. Ethan didn’t want anyone knowing we were mates, especially his dear old daddy, Alpha Stevens. At the time, I didn’t see the problem. Ethan fed me some bullshit about needing to "sor
Aria I’m pacing the damn room like a caged animal. It feels like I’ve been at it for hours, though maybe it’s just been minutes…I can’t tell anymore. This room is huge, sure, a king-sized bed, a couch, and that’s about it, but it feels like a prison. The windows? Sealed shut, probably to keep me f
I won’t give in to him. I can’t. But I can’t stay here either. I have to find a way out. Lucas, wherever you are, please don’t let me down. …… Mia "Are you sure this is the place?" I ask for what feels like the hundredth time, even though I know it’s pissing Lily off. Her eye twitches, literally
Lucas The second I hit the room, I just crash onto the bed like my body finally gave up. I yank the blanket over my face like that’s gonna block out the bullshit in my head. My skull feels like it’s about to explode, and my chest? Yeah, that shit’s not doing any better either. It’s like someone’s
But Lucas? Oh no. He’s not calming down one bit. “I can’t calm down, Aria. You need to say something right now. Tell this idiot you belong in Shadow Pang.” He’s practically barking it, and honestly, I’m about two seconds from losing it too. “Lucas,” I start, trying real hard to keep my voice soft a
Aria “Aria, I’m telling you, there’s nothing to be scared of. I mean, yeah, the Hollow sect are creepy as hell and all that, but Alpha Marcel’s got the resources. He’s got the people, the connections. You’re safe here,” Mark says the second we step into the living room, like he’s trying to sell me
Aria After I shower and get dressed, Lucas and I head downstairs for breakfast. Alpha Marcel’s not in the living room yet, and Mark... well, goddess knows where he is. Probably off being mysterious and annoying, as usual. We make our way to the dining room where the maid who called us is already
I turn to the side, my back pressed against his chest, and his arm slides around my waist like it belongs there. His body’s warm, grounding, and his scent…gosh it's so soothing. “Goodnight, baby,” he whispers, pressing a soft kiss to my shoulder. “Goodnight, baby,” I murmur back, letting my hand s
Aria “Oh yeah… they’re not here right now,” Alpha Marcel says, scratching his head like he’s trying to dig out the answer. “They went outta the country to visit a relative of my wife.” I nod, but honestly, it sounds like total bullshit. Like, really? In the middle of all this chaos? The pack’s cu
“Let me guess. He said, ‘Screw this fire crap’?” “Pretty much. Said it was barbaric and refused to keep sacrificing his people. And the moment he stopped? Curse hit us like a wrecking ball. No sunlight, no crops, no peace. Just rot and death. Now there’s some weird-ass illness spreading…werewolves
Aria Lola takes a deep breath, glancing over my shoulder like someone might be eavesdropping, then locks eyes with me. “Your mother... she was a beautiful and brave woman,” she says, and for a second, she looks like she’s about to cry or punch someone. “I used to wait on her.” Wait, what? “You did
Alpha Marcel groans like I just smacked him with nothing but facts duh. "You’re right," he mutters, rubbing his forehead. "I’m just, you know... skeptical. I’m scared because he grew up with his father, and I worry he’ll be like him." I shake my head and look straight at Lucas, feeling my heart do