-Corrine-I had a bad feeling, and my wolf had been restless for a while. I couldn’t reach Andrew, either by phone or by mind link. Something must have happened to him, and I was nearly going crazy because there was nothing I could do except wait for news from him. I really wanted to shift and run to Wesgrove, but I remembered Andrew’s message warning me not to act rashly. What now? What should I do? “Corrine.” I jolted and turned around, finding Bent standing there. I wasn’t sure how long he had been there, but he had likely been watching me pace the hallway for some time. “Yes?” I asked. I put the phone I had been holding into my pocket and walked over to him. “Do you know where Andrew went? He hasn’t returned, even though the interrogation ended hours ago.” “I—” I was about to say that I didn’t know, but that would have been a big lie. After considering a few things, including the fact that I needed someone right now, I told Bent about my problem. Just the basics to make
-Corrine-“I can only take you this far,” said Bent, pulling the car over on the road that cut through the forest outside Moon Dust territory.I had passed this road thousands of times, but for some reason tonight it felt unfamiliar, just like my feelings now.Fear gripped me like a wolf’s claws digging into my stomach. I was coming to my pack’s territory, to meet people I had known my whole life, but there was no happiness as there should have been every time I met them.This time, my instincts were telling me to run as far away from this place as possible. But I couldn’t do that before I knew Andrew was okay.“Thank you, Bent.” I unbuckled my seatbelt and was about to open the door, but Bent stopped me with a question.“You sure you’ll be okay? I can ask the lycans for help—““No,” I refused. “My pack might hate me, but they won’t kill me.”Actually, I wasn’t sure. Even Trevor no longer considered me his sister. What hope did I have from the other pack members?But I didn’t want to
-Corrine-I took the path that cut through the forest. This path would take me to a deserted territory, so my arrival wouldn’t attract any attention and I could quietly search for Andrew.If I’m lucky, I might be able to see my house in the distance.Although I didn’t want to admit it, I missed my family. They had always supported me and now I was alone.This wasn’t the only time I questioned my decision to leave them, but the damage was done. Hopefully, someday, if the Moon Goddess gives me a chance, my family will accept me and Andrew.My train of thought was interrupted when my nose smelled something in the air. The smell of werewolves.I recognized this smell as belonging to a member of my pack, but I didn’t want to stay around just to find out who they were.I hurriedly hid behind a large tree and waited. I held my breath and didn’t move at all when I heard people talking.“I hope tonight isn’t our patrol duty. I want to go party with the others at the bar,” someone grumbled.“Ri
-Andrew-I screamed with all my might, letting the rage become power. I freed myself from the shackles and tried to charge at Jerome, but those damned warriors held me down and threw me back to the ground. Jerome quickly pulled away and took Corrine with him out of my reach.“Did you forget what I said earlier, Andrew? Do you want her to die?” Jerome placed his hand on Corrine’s chest again, digging his fingers in. A pained whimper escaped Corrine’s lips, and Jerome laughed in satisfaction.“Oh, I wish I could make her whimper in another way.” Then he ran his hand across Corrine’s chest, in a way that made Trevor roar in fury, before placing his hand on Corrine’s waist and holding her tighter.“You will pay for this, you bastard!” Trevor roared. “I swear to the Moon Goddess I will kill you!”Too late to be angry, I thought. You should have sided with Corrine from the start. What a foolish brother.That threat didn’t faze Jerome. His laughter echoed even louder. “Look who’s threatening
-Corrine-Jerome tore my clothes and skin, making me scream in pain, but I turned back his attack by delivering a forceful kick toward his groin before he could reach further into my chest and pull my heart out.A painful howl echoed from his lips. I took advantage of that moment to break free from him and ran to Andrew. Andrew welcomed me with a brief hug and a peck before he said, “Get away from here. I will handle him.”I shook my head. “No way will I leave you! We should face him together and defeat him for good!”Andrew’s gaze quickly shifted past me, and he widened his eyes. The next second, he hugged me and jumped to the side. We fell to the ground, and from within his embrace, I saw Jerome, who had shifted and was attacking us.“There’s no time to argue, Corrine! Just go!”Jerome leaped at us, and the attack made Andrew and me jump in opposite directions.Jerome growled and turned towards me. I braced myself and shifted, but he didn’t have a chance to attack me because Andrew
-Corrine-Seeing Jerome fall didn’t make me stop. I ran and attacked him again. This time, I targeted his stomach, sinking my fangs into it and tearing it open. Blood spurted onto my face, soaking my muzzle and entering my mouth. I tasted the metallic tang, and it drove me wild.‘Die!’ I screamed. ‘You’ve ruined everything! Demons like you should die!’I lost track of which part of Jerome’s body I was attacking. I wasn’t even aware if he was fighting back or not. My only resolve was to defeat him and end his terror over me and my family.The growls that erupted from me felt foreign to my ears. I no longer recognized myself.All I saw was blood.I wasn’t sure I could stop this rage until someone hugged me from behind, covering my eyes and pulling me away.“Corrine… breathe….”It was Andrew’s voice. I knew it, but I couldn’t stop thrashing.“Corrine, it’s me. Breathe, baby, breathe. You are safe now.”“Get off me! I want to kill him!”I gasped at the sound of my voice. The fury had cons
-Corrine-“Let’s break up.”The bass of the EDM music thumps through the speakers. Its voice was so booming I wasn’t sure what Daniel Harris, my boyfriend, was saying.I frowned while giving him an awkward grin. “What did you say, babe?!” I asked, half shouting.Daniel didn’t smile with me. His expression was so serious that I felt stupid with my attitude. His nostrils flared for a moment before he snorted. “Let’s break up, Corrine Harmon!”Daniel shouted so loudly, together with a pause of silence before the music changed.Everyone at the prom tonight turned to glare at us and I felt heat radiate from my neck, and spread to the veins in my face.“What?” My voice was squeaky like I was choking. I was still trying to laugh and thought Daniel was just joking. I took his arm and wrapped mine around it, then laughed as I pulled him off the dance floor.My friends were still following me and Daniel with their gaze until the music started again and they got distracted.Now we’re standing in
-Corrine- I really hoped last night was just a dream.But when I woke up this morning, my eyes and throat ached, proof that I cried a lot last night.“Corrine, wake up!” My mom knocked on my bedroom door and tried to open it, but I locked it last night in case someone came in and saw me cry.“I heard it from your brother! He dumped you, that bastard!” This time it was my father who spoke, and I rolled my eyes, then pulled the pillow up to cover my face and I groaned.One more lack of Trevor. He couldn’t keep secrets from Mom and Dad.“We won’t stop pounding on this door until you answer our call, Miss!” my mother nagged. She always found a way to get me out of my room.“Okay, okay! I’d wake up!” I shouted after throwing the pillow aside and sitting up.A jolt of dizziness hit me as soon as I lifted my head. I massaged my temples with one hand while my other hand brushed away the blanket wrapped around my legs. When I opened the door, my parents stood behind it. Their arms folded over