LOGIN~Elara"Touch me again and I'll tear your fingers off," I growled, twisting my face out of his grip with enough force to strain my neck.Jason's smile didn't fade, but his knuckles went white against the steering wheel as he finally clicked the central lock. The distinct clack of the doors releasing sounded like a starting gun.I slammed the door open and scrambled out into the fresh morning air, my heart hammering against my ribs.Before my boots even fully hit the pavement, Ryan was already there.He didn't say a word. He didn't even look at Jason yet. His big, warm hand grabbed my wrist, yanking me gently but firmly behind his broad back, placing his entire frame between me and Jason’s car. His breathing was heavy, ragged, his body radiating a terrifying, supernatural heat that I could feel even through his leather jacket."Get behind me, Elara," he lowered, his voice vibrating deep in his chest, a warning rumble meant for any predator stepping out of line.Jason opened his door a
~ElaraMorning light filtered through my blinds, warm and bright, waking me up with a sudden, sharp memory of last night.I buried my face in my pillow, a hot, uncontrollable blush instantly spreading across my cheeks to the tips of my ears. My entire body felt bruised and sensitive in the best way possible. Every time I closed my eyes, I could still feel Ryan’s broad hands gripping my hips, his heavy weight pinning me to the mattress, his rough voice growling in my ear.I am completely out of my mind, I thought, pulling the blanket up over my face with a soft groan.After taking a long, scalding shower to wash away the lingering sensation of his touch, I got dressed for the day, pulling on a comfortable oversized sweater, fitted jeans, and my favorite boots. I applied a little extra concealer to cover a faint, pink mark Ryan had left right at the curve of my neck, checking my reflection twice before heading downstairs.My mum was already in the kitchen humming to herself, completel
~ElaraMy heart pounded against my ribs like a trapped bird. "Mum, it's nobody! Just someone with the wrong address!" I called out, forcing my voice to stay as steady as humanly possible while Ryan’s body remained crushed against mine, his heat practically searing through my clothes.Without giving her a chance to question it, I grabbed Ryan by the wrist, yanked him free from the door, and pulled him quietly up the stairs.The second we crossed the threshold into my bedroom, Ryan snapped. He didn't even let me turn on the light.He lifted me effortlessly, dropping me right onto my feet inside the room, and before I could even catch my breath, his big hands were everywhere. He yanked my top over my head in one fluid, aggressive motion, tossing it blindly onto the floor, his eyes dark and ravenous in the dim light."Wait Ryan, let me lock the door!" I gasped, trying to step around him.He didn't even let me take a full step. "I'll do it," he growled.He darted across the room, slammed
~ElaraI was on video call with Aria.She sat on the edge of my bed, her knees pulled up to her chest, staring blankly at the floor. I had never seen my best friend look so defeated, so completely drained of her usual sharp energy.I was just about to say something to comfort her when a sudden, firm knock rattled the front door downstairs."Mum!" I called out, raising my voice so she could hear me down the hall. "Can you get the door?""I'm in the middle of making dinner, sweetie!" my mum shouted back from the kitchen. "Get it for me, please!"I let out a small sigh, giving Aria a reassuring look before standing up. "Hold that thought. I'll be right back."I walked out of my room, headed downstairs, and made my way toward the front door. I pulled it open without looking, expecting a delivery or one of the neighbors.My heart stopped.Standing on my door stairs, looking impossibly tall and broad, was Ryan. Instinct took over before my brain could even catch up,I slammed the door strai
~AriaMy stomach dropped into a bottomless pit."Maya..." I let go of Sienna’s collar so fast it was like her jacket had caught fire. I took a hurried step toward the porch, hands raised in desperation. "Maya, please go back inside. Let me explain.""No," Maya whispered, taking a trembling step backward toward the threshold. Her knuckles were white where she gripped the glass vase. "No, Aria. Who is she? Why is she saying those things?"Sienna slowly smoothed down the lapels of her leather jacket, her face twisting into a cold, triumphant grin. She didn't miss a beat."She's talking about me, sweetie," Sienna called out, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness as she stepped out from beside Maya's car. "I’m Sienna. Aria’s real girlfriend. The one who actually knows what she is, where she comes from, and who she belongs to.""Shut the hell up, Sienna!" I roared, turning on her with raw fury. "Don't you dare talk to her!"Maya’s eyes welled with tears as she looked from Sienna to m
~AriaMaya wiped her mouth with a napkin, a playful glint in her eyes as she set her empty plate down on the counter.“That was delicious,” she said, tilting her head up at me. “Now... about that dessert you promised.”I stepped right between her knees as she sat on the stool, wrapping my hands around her waist. “I’m a woman of my word. But the real question is, do we go to my bedroom first, or do we stay right here on this kitchen counter?”Maya’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t back down. “The bedroom is more comfortable.”“The counter is much more fun,” I countered, running my thumb over her hipbone. “And I’m already halfway dressed, or rather, halfway undressed.”Maya laughed, her hands resting on my bare shoulders. “We can’t just agree?”“Nope,” I smirked. “So, we settle this like mature adults.”She raised an eyebrow. “And how do mature adults settle this?”“Rock, paper, scissors,” I said completely deadpan. “Best of one. Winner chooses where dessert is served.”Maya let out a so







