Marissa There was no claiming bite. No mark. No declaration of the bond sealed. Just heat and desire and an absence where his teeth should have grazed my skin.I wanted to say it, but something beyond me was holding me back. So I swallowed the truth and forced myself to untangle from him before I could do something reckless—like beg him to bite my neck.“So, are you going to tell me what’s been bothering you, or do I have to start listing possibilities? Because I have a few theories, and I’m very creative.”He chuckled and zipped his pants. “That’s a dangerous offer, sweetheart. I’d have to hear the ridiculous things running through your mind.”Sweetheart. He called me sweetheart!I blinked that thought away.“Did Wendy finally leave you heartbroken? Or maybe your cousin has been whispering nonsense again, trying to convince people that he’s more suited for the throne?”He paused for a bit before smirking. “You say that like you’re joking, but you’re not wrong.”I sobered and held h
Marissa The office was bustling because Justin was trying to meet a deadline.Knowing he was battling with things yet still trying to make up for it by being efficient made me sensitive to his circumstances. But whenever he was in work mode, it was always useless to help him, as one could even annoy him after his refusal.He hadn't spoken much except for the occasional request delivered in a business-like tone. I didn't mind the quiet. In fact, I welcomed it. The less I had to engage with him, the easier it was to pretend that nothing could go wrong between us.And, of course, I couldn't keep throwing myself at him like some desperate, sex-starved fool, so I focused on the mountain of letters I had been assigned to sort through for him. Most were appeals, requests, receipts—nothing exciting until my fingers paused on an envelope that stood out.It bore the seal of my pack. The red and white colors had alerted me, and it was directed to Justin.From my dad.An unsettled feeling rested
Justin The cancer of hate grew, and my blood demanded revenge. My wrath toward Sean would be his undoing. He was doing too much, and it was burning my soul.Sean had shown countless times that he was never on my side. So when I became king, with the sole power to banish and throw people out of my kingdom, he would be the first to be sent away.I was still stewing in my anger and thirst for vengeance when I heard Marissa’s voice, and Sean’s very irritating laughter. And because my protective instinct toward Marissa was growing in a very uncomfortably possessive way that I couldn’t stop, I rushed out.As I stepped into the hallway, I stopped. She was handling it well. I watched her effortlessly tear Sean apart with nothing but sharp wit. She was defending me and humbling him. Sean tried to be dominant, perhaps thinking he could use his male ego to bring her down, but his confidence was cracking with every remark she threw at him. It was so easy for her.Something warm settled in my che
MarissaSilence descended upon us like an explosion. My leaden tongue couldn't produce words. This was about to get dirty, and it had been my greatest fear.Justin's lips pressed together in a grimace, and his smile wavered. His sister's mouth opened, but nothing came out, and her eyes were wide and staring.Several years ago, I had been in her shoes, barging into the dormitory to find Alan and Genevieve in the act. Except now, this case was more complicated. At least Alan and Genevieve knew they were mates but were hiding it from me. Justin had not acknowledged the bond, and I felt nothing for his sister. Still, the guilt cut sharp at me.Her eyes darted between me and Justin, and I could see the pieces clicking together in her head. She increased her distance, looking like she wanted to attack and run away at the same time."I want to believe that what I saw is not what I think it is," she said, her voice shaking with restrained fury.
MarissaDinner at the lodge was as unappetizing as ever. A miserable mess of overcooked veggies and rice clumped together sat in front of me, untouched. At least the meat had some flavor. I poked at it with my fork, knowing I had to eat something. If I didn't, I'd wake up hungry in the middle of the night, and I wasn't about to suffer another restless night over lousy food. It was almost impossible to distract myself from anything besides Justin and his sister’s argument. It had been eating at me all day. After the fight, Justin buried himself in work, and we had no time to speak. I hoped this wouldn’t spiral into something bigger.Pushing my plate aside, I reached for my phone, ready to call my brother, when I heard excited voices. Hector burst into the dining hall, grinning like he had the best gossip of the century. He belted towards me, "Guess who just joined us, Rissa!"I rolled my eyes, sipping at my water. "I don’t care if an angel fell from heaven. I’m not in the mood."You’
Justin My patience was running thin as I waited for Justine to return from the club. By the time I got home last night, the housekeeper said she had gone out earlier. I sat, waiting for her at almost 10:30 AM. I glanced at the gift box on the table beside me. She wasn’t the type to be impressed by flashy gifts, but I knew her well enough to pick things she couldn’t resist. Inside was a pair of designer sunglasses, which she was a sucker for, an expensive headset, and a handwritten apology note. I wasn’t sure if she’d appreciate the last one, but I had written it anyway.It was rare for me to admit I was wrong, even rarer for me to put it on paper, but she was different—my twin, one of the few people who had always loved me unconditionally. And now, because of my own damn actions, I had hurt her.I hadn’t meant for things to turn out this way. If someone asked me to define what I felt for Marissa, I wouldn’t even know where to start. I was distrustful. I was emotionally repressed a
Marissa "You're coming with me to the summit next week," Justin said, taking off his jacket, and I frowned."What summit?" I asked, confused."The Azuran Assembly. Surely, you must have heard about it. It's a big deal among Lycan provinces all over the world.""And why would I be the one to follow you?""Because you are my assistant. You assist." His tone was dry, but the smirk on his lips gave away his amusement."Do I have a choice?" I said, acting mock annoyed."You don't. Get a few nice dresses. You need to look good."My mouth gaped open. "Are you saying I don’t look good now?"A laugh sprang free from his lips, and suddenly, I wanted to claim every male inch of him. Desire raced through my veins at the thought."You rock whatever you wear," he said, then gave me a once-over, his hazel gaze lingering over my body, shamelessly checking me out. "This is a big summit, though, and I want you to look more put together. You know what I mean.""I don’t," I grumbled, even though my stom
Marissa The air carried the scent of pine and damp earth as we ran through the open field where we had gathered. Dozens of werewolves stood in our human forms. It was rare for us to come together like this, but when we did, it was an unspoken tradition to make the most of it.Laughter and hollering echoed around me. Someone had smuggled in a bottle of cheap alcohol, passing it between hands. This was a pack run where we could be ourselves—no pressure, no responsibilities, just pure energy. Since we were within the same age range, I had trained with and fought beside most of the wolves. A few of them had already shifted, and I felt that primal call in my bones. The moments before the shift were always the most exhilarating.My body gave in to the change, and I began to run. The earth turned beneath my paws, and the moon seemed to be smiling on me as my wolf sprinted into the night. I loved the wind against my fur and the joy of movement. Wolves barked and dodged between trees, engagin
AmayaI got to the field. It was easily the biggest I'd ever seen. Students stood in rows, each section marked by a colored flag. Apparently, our rank didn’t determine the squad we’d be placed in; the last digit of our registration number did. Mine was four, so I was in Squad 4.I headed toward them, and a commotion broke out near the end of the row. Girls were whispering, giggling, and some were even trying to switch squads. All of them were losing it over Prince Wesley.I spotted him through the bodies. He stood tall, calm, and absurdly good-looking in that annoyingly self-aware way. Of course, it was him—Mr. Dangerous Smile himself.I stayed where I was, a good three feet away, not sparing him a glance.The director waddled onto the field, and silence fell immediately. The man looked like he’d swallowed a sofa cushion. His round belly bulged under a tight shirt, the buttons clinging on for dear life. But his voice could scare someone o
AmayaI stood stiffly in front of the full-length mirror bolted into the closet wall, tugging at the collar of my uniform. It was stiff, sharp-edged, and reeked of control—black with silver piping and that damned touch of red on the crest.Why red, of all colors? I hated red. Wore red when enemies were near. I used to cry at the sight of it as a child.I turned sideways. The outfit clung tighter than I liked, and the boots made me feel like I was about to salute someone I didn’t respect.The hostel was divided strictly by rank. Sector 1 belonged to the Alphas—sons and daughters of royalty. Their rooms were spacious with private lounges. That was my hostel.Section 2 was for Betas and hybrids. More like a glorified commune.Section 3 was for kids like Xavier—scholarship students and low-rank trainees. Ten to a room, if they were lucky.This wasn’t a school. It was a polished boot camp.Drills at 5 a.m. Combat formations at six. Breakfast at 7:30.Lectures from eight to two.Weapons tra
Amber“My mom is so overprotective of me, it’s sickening,” I complained, sprawled across Riley’s bedroom floor.Her room looked like a makeup tornado had touched down. Lipsticks, palettes, and gloss tubes that were enough product to paint a thousand faces, scattered everywhere. Even the carpet was stained with last week’s highlighter explosion.Riley was my cousin, my best friend, and my other half in everything chaotic. Born the same year, reckless in the same way. We had a combined follower count that scared influencers twice our age, and wherever we went, people noticed. We were the girls other girls wanted to sit beside, the ones guys texted and never forgot. So, the fact that she was going to the Academy without me felt like a betrayal.She kept opening and closing her lip gloss, making that irritating swish-pop sound.“Well, maybe you should talk to your dad,” she said casually.I scoffed. “As if you don’t know my mom has him wrapped around her thumb. He’d jump into a volcano if
Amaya I sat cross-legged on the floor beside my open suitcase, with clothes scattered like a crime scene as I tossed them in.My dad and Marissa didn’t say it, but I knew. They were sending me away because I was a burden. They didn't have to say it when their energy screamed it loud enough to bruise.I didn’t want to go to the Academy. A place where my life would be regulated down to what time I could breathe. But this was the Lycan world. The closer you were to the throne, the tighter the leash.Most packs didn’t even want royal blood hanging around because it made them nervous. Royal drama caused wars. And the one person who could’ve taken me in, my mother, chose a man over her own daughter.I sighed. These thoughts were toxic, but they never left. I shoved a rolled-up T-shirt into my bag and yanked my phone from the nightstand.Text to Xavier:Guess what. I'm going. Sunday.His reply came instantly.XAVIER: Hell yeah! I knew you'd cave. You and I are gonna rule that place.I snort
Amaya I clutched my heels in one hand and the gate handle in the other, swaying as I shut it behind me.The night air slapped my cheeks, just enough to remind me I needed to tiptoe. The guard posted outside gave me that look. The one that said you're not like your sister, the perfect little heir who didn’t keep late nights and was being groomed for a crown.I padded barefoot across the driveway. Xavier had dropped me off. I never took my car when I planned to drink. The front door was unlocked. That meant my dad was still up.I slipped inside like I was crossing enemy lines. The hallway was dark, but Amber's birthday aftermath lingered. Scattered chairs, empty glasses, and glitter from the party. I headed to the kitchen, hoping to find something to eat. I grabbed two slices of leftover pizza, flicked off the light, and crept upstairs. Halfway through, my phone slipped out of my hand and clattered down a step. I mouthed a silent curse and kept moving, pausing at the top to make sure
Twenty-plus years later Amaya Getting abandoned by your own mother needs to be listed as the most painful form of betrayal.Hearing my mother constantly say no to my request to live with her and her husband made something burn deep inside me. The kind of burn that doesn’t leave—it just sits there, quietly ruining everything.Was I really that unlikable? It wasn’t even about love. She never gave me the chance to know what that felt like. What broke me was the fact that no matter where I went, I was always the forgotten one.Hi. I’m Amaya. I’ll be turning 21 in three months. Bastard daughter of the King they fear and worship—Justin, the Lycan King of the Southern Province. My mother? Wendy. A Lycan princess who got pregnant to secure a spot in my father’s life.Unfortunately for her, he married Marissa—my stepmother, now the queen, and the actual love of my father’s life.I didn’t even know Marissa wasn’t my biological mother until I was eight. My mom popped up out of nowhere like a b
Marissa I needed air. Space. A few minutes where I didn’t have to see Wendy’s smug face or listen to her voice claiming royalty over my life. So I slipped away from the banquet hall, heading toward the other wing of the estate—anywhere that would put me out of her line of sight.But halfway down the corridor, I stopped.My breath caught. The bond struck me like lightning—sharp, primal, and thick with longing. My body responded before my brain did. I sniffed the air, eyes wide, heart racing.Justin.I turned slowly, already knowing.He had just walked in. Fully dressed for the banquet, head turned slightly to the side like he had just caught the scent too. His face was tense, unreadable, but the second his eyes landed on me, everything changed.He froze.His eyes roamed over my body, from the top of my pinned-up hair to the curve of my waist to the heels I barely managed to stand in. First, his expression showed disbelief, then something deeper. Hunger. Wonder. Relief.Then we started
MarissaI woke up with a sharp tug in my chest and the burning need to see Justin.It had been a week since I left. A full week without his voice or touch. Just heavy silence.I already knew the results. I knew he was the father.The memory of that call with Justine still sat on my chest like a weight I couldn’t shake.“Marissa…”She’d called around 10 p.m., sounding hesitant. I’d expected it, but it still hit like a punch.“The results came in.”I couldn’t speak. My chest pulled tight.“It’s positive. Wendy wasn’t bluffing.”My heart clenched. I bit down hard, tasting blood, just to stop the tears.“How’s Justin taking it?”She hesitated. “He’s… not himself. He won’t talk to anyone. He barely sleeps. You know how he gets when things spiral. He’s blaming himself. And now that Wendy has free access to the family, it’s chaos.”That was five days ago.And now, I couldn’t take the distance anymore. I had to see him, not just because I missed him, but because if this silence dragged on any
MarissaBrian came down the stairs slowly, pale. His mouth set in a hard line.“Is that true?” he asked quietly. “You cheated on Mom while she was sick?”“Brian,” Dad said, reaching for him.“Don’t. Touch. Me” Brian stepped back, yelling. “You told me you loved her. That you did everything for her. You lied to me!”“Stop it! It's not what you think.”Brian turned to me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”I swallowed hard. “How could I? You were just a kid. Mom made me promise not to poison you against him. She didn’t want you growing up with hate in your heart.”Brian’s eyes turned red and he stared at me. “I thought he moved on because we needed someone.”I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you so many times. But I couldn’t break that promise.”He looked like he was struggling to breathe like his entire world had flipped upside down.I reached for him. “Brian, I’m sorry.”He let me hug him, and I held him tight, my tears soaking through his shirt. Behind us, the shouting continued—m