Gamma Thane stared at the ceiling of the cell, his face devoid of expression. Occasionally, he tapped his fingers on the floor to keep himself busy. He was shirtless, and the red whip marks on his skin had healed but still stung.The cell was smaller than his kitchen at home, with a single bed that was too small for two but could fit one person. It was windowless, and mosquitos buzzed everywhere, biting him as if they'd been fasting until he was thrown in.Levi lay on the cold floor with his face to the wall. He was also shirtless, but the bruises on his skin were nothing compared to the Gamma's. The cell was silent except for the occasional buzzing of mosquitoes, and it was too dark to tell how much time had passed.Slowly, Levi sat up. The Gamma looked at him; it was obvious he hadn’t been sleeping.“U-uncle… I’m sorry,” Levi said, his tone low and shaky as he avoided Thane’s gaze.At first, Gamma Thane didn’t say anything. But after a moment, he spoke. “I know you’re not comfortab
The scent of war and blood was thick in the air of the Blackstorm Pack. The streets were empty; most people were locked inside their homes as the pack's soldiers fought with the men who had broken in.The men who ambushed the pack were only seven in number, yet none of them had been seriously injured or killed since they arrived. That fact alone made the Blackstorm people dread for their lives even more. It appeared as though the seven men had come to test the waters first. Now that they'd confirmed the pack was in disarray, they would likely return with a full army to claim their victory._______Inside the palace, panic was spreading. The whole place was crowded with people, even the Omegas who had been doing chores were all in the hall.Alpha Williams, on the other hand, was in the throne room, slumped on his throne and visibly shaking. Three of the pack's chiefs stood around him, their heads bowed, silent. Though soldiers were fighting outside, the palace was on lockdown like an o
“Mia… I want you back.”My breath caught. A rush of emotions crashed through me all at once, and I burst into laughter.He stared at me as I laughed—silent, still, as if he didn’t mind my reaction and was merely waiting to see what came next. When I finally stopped, I looked at him, and something ached in my chest. The memory of his neglect in the throne room knocked out the last of my composure. All the pain that had vanished came rushing back, and a sharp pricking sensation filled my eyes, warning me I was about to cry.“Mia… what’s wrong?”His voice pulled me out of my thoughts. He must have noticed the change in my mood. He was walking toward me.“Stop right there!” I yelled, pointing at him. “Don’t come any closer.”He obeyed, looking confused and hurt. I studied the corners of his face, watching him blink and breathe slowly. I couldn’t help but notice the deep emptiness in his eyes. Abruptly, I looked away, breathing hard. My legs trembled, and I realized I was shaking again.Th
KHALIDMia was different. I could see it, just as I could feel it. But apart from the new air in which she carried herself, something else had shifted—and a voice in my head told me I wouldn’t like it.At least Rex was back. He hadn’t truly forgiven me—I could sense that—but he was active again, listening to Mia’s words. My mate. His mate. Our mate.I knew Rex was happy, though he didn’t want to show it. He was secretly trying to talk to her wolf too—even though it wouldn’t be possible unless I marked her.Still, another thing bugged me: the fact that she had run away. The first time, when I was on the other side of the road, I’d thought it was just the shock at seeing me. But then she did it again when I was distracted by those men.My expectation had been that she would be angry—that she would want to confront me. Ask me why I did what I did. Ask why I was here, and what I wanted with her.But instead she ran, and that made my heart ache for a reason I couldn’t even name.I realized
….Last chapter’s continuation “Mia.”His tone was low, deliberate. He said my name like it was the easiest thing in the world—like he was just asking if I liked the weather.He was wearing black pants and a black shirt, his face pale and empty. His eyes looked dead. There wasn’t any color in them, only dark shadows like he hadn’t slept in years. If I wasn’t imagining it, he looked like he was in pain. And for some reason…“How… I’m sorry… are you okay?” I sniffed, then burst into laughter. My tears had dried now, and it seemed like I’d found a strange new strength.He was sorry? Of all the things he could have said first, that was what he chose?“What a joke,” I chuckled, then turned to walk out, hoping I wouldn’t miss a step and fall—because I refused to let him see I was still as helpless as the last time he saw me.“Mia,” he said again. I heard his footsteps crunching over the dry leaves as he followed.I spun before he could reach me, forcing the harshest expression I could mus
MIAAs his lips met mine, the world went silent. I stayed still in his arms, the strangeness of it all teasing my brain. I could feel my legs turning into bubbles beneath me, and so was Bell. I leaned deeper into the kiss, bringing my hands up to hold him tight, as if my subconscious thought he might disappear from me again. Someone shouted something, but I didn’t hear what was said, and I was sure he didn’t either. A teardrop fell from my eyes as I held him even tighter. My pain, my fatigue, my regret—the ache in my heart—everything was gone. I knew it was because of him. I knew it was because of what he did. I missed the taste of his lips on mine. I missed his scent. I missed his face. I missed his voice. I missed being in his hands. At this moment, my heart would rather be here than anywhere else. But just as quickly as it had vanished, a cold realization dawned on me, and I suddenly pulled back, pushing him away. My body shook with regret and a sudden loathing for myself. Aft