SIERRATurning away from both brothers, I kept the book underneath my arm and then strolled out. That was the best thing to do.Zane was so blinded with jealousy that he didn't want to listen to anything I had to say, even when I had managed to tell him that Dane was just consoling me because I was on the verge of having a breakdown, he snapped at me telling me to stay out of it, since the 'issue" was between him and Dane.Entering my room, I closed the door behind me and then flopped down on my bed. My mother had removed the tear-soaked bed sheets from earlier and had replaced them with new ones. My heart was beating very fast as I lay on my bed. I was having conflicting emotions, first, it was with Zane then I had almost kissed Kane and now, I didn't want Dane to let go of me. I had wild dreams of me giving myself to the three of them but that wasn't making any sense. One day, my heart would beat for Kane, the next day, it was for Zane, and another day, it would beat for Dane! Was
KANEMy eyes scanned through the herds of students flooding in from through the gates in search of one person. Sierra.I hadn't seen her all day since we got to school, and I wanted to make sure that she was doing okay. Claire and her minions were trying to make fun of me all morning by snickering whenever they saw me.They must have thought it would piss me off, but that did nothing to dent my morning. I glanced at them like kittens trying so hard to be loved.That was an offense to kittens though.The treasure hunt was stupid and it should be banned, it was just a way for students to work themselves up over nothing.We all stood in the field while the sports master asked everyone who had a treasure to bring it out. Claire and her minions brought out their implanted treasured gem in a bid to win the teacher's sentiment. The other students, having gotten used to her attention-seeking ass, sighed not giving her any attention."Where did you get this?" The sports master asked and she
ZANEPoisoned?We were too late, I was too late. My eyes scanned the room and rested on her. She was lying on the bed with her eyes closed. Blood kept on seeping out from the spot where the rogue had clawed her. That bastard!He was lucky Kane got to him before I did."Do something, find the remedy or something!" Kane's voice rose more than normal.The Nurse leaned towards her to inspect the wound. It was a long and very deep gash, the bleeding refused to stop. "Isn't there a remedy for the poison?" I asked.She sighed before looking at me, "There is." "Tell us where to find it," Kane demanded."That is where the issue lies, the poison is one that only certain rogues carry, and in their plains lies the remedy." Her voice was low and hesitant."What is the remedy," I asked.My eyes flickered to Sierra lying unconsciously on the bed. Her eyes were closed and she looked almost lifeless. Her amused face flashed through my mind. I'd do anything to see you on your feet again, Sierra.
DANEI couldn't believe my bullhead brothers were fighting over who to stay behind and who wouldn't. That should be the least of our problems right now.The look in Kane's eyes was dangerous and I knew I had to step in because they wouldn't just stop at words, fists would be hurled too."Both of you stop it!" I snarled.This was what the prophecy had said, and these bull-headed brothers of mine were being unreasonable by arguing about who was being petty and who wasn't.When I mentioned prophecy, they seemed to calm down a little."Zane, this isn't about being a hero, Sierra's life is on the line." I was mad at him for thinking that life was all about looking good in front of our mate.Turning to Kane, I signed. "You're right, one of us has to stay behind to look after Sierra and inform Dad and Maya." "That's what I've been trying to say but this dude here refused to listen." Kane huffed."If you're so right, why don't you stay behind while we go down to the wastelands?" Zane snapped
CLAIREThe sound of my father's voice sent a wave of relief down my spine. His presence always gave me an assurance making me want to do anything and get away with it.The principal's hold on my arm loosened and I shrugged him off."Dad,โ I drawled, staring at him with very teary eyes. "My princess," He sent me a reassuring smile then growled at the principal not minding King Thane."What's going on here?" He asked, "I heard rumors of rogues on the school premises." The principal scratched his head looking confused. "Rumors sure spread like wildfire," Dane muttered angrily while glaring at me. I rolled my eyes at him in response. "Let me go," I grumbled trying to free my hand from King Thane's hold. "If you'd excuse me, King Thane, my child is innocent." My father sent him a look and he slowly let go of my hand. Turning back to the principal he raised a brow. "I asked a question." The principal eyes darted around. "We are still investigating what happened," he glanced at me the
KANE"These rogues sure love the sewers," Zane grunted as we struggled to pass through the muddy waste."It's called a wasteland for a reason, Zane," I replied, trying my best to reduce the amount of talking and increase my pace. "Eww." Zane retched.I shook my head ignoring him.He sure was taking the whole scene a lot better than I imagined. We were on our way to the wastelands and the journey so far hasn't been a smooth one.From having to run up a mountain filled with sharp stones and lots of death traps, a missed step could get one killed, to walking through a land where sewages were deposited, I wondered what next awaited us ahead.My mind wandered to Sierra's bloodied clothes and her unconscious face, her face that had lost its glow and looking so dull made my heart ache painfully.I wanted to see her smile once again, I wished to see her standing and giggling about or even picking up a fight with me. Her smile strengthened me, it gave me the push to carry on."Do you think i
ZANEI was stunned at Kane's words and did not know how to take his declaration. At first, I wanted to grab him by the neck and shake him till he changed his decision but I thought better, we were still close to the rogue's territory and there was every probability of them catching up with us. "What made you change your mind?" I tried to remain calm and collected. "I mean," I rephrased, "when and why did you change your mind?" I asked.Did he finally discover how charming Sierra was? Or did nearly losing her unlock something in him?"I can't place a finger to it yet but-" A howling sound from a distance interrupting him. The rogues were catching up, and what was worse was that time wasn't on our side, Sierra needed us. The antidote too."Let's save Sierra first" I replied, shoving the conversation under the carpet."Fine, but it won't change my resolve, and I'm not backing down either. She makes me feel things I thought I could never feel. I tried to curb those feelings." Kane said
SIERRAMy eyes fluttered open making me groan from the sudden bright light in the room. I closed my eyes again trying to get used to the lights in the room.Sudden pain hits me and spreads all around my body making me groan. Memories from earlier flashed through my mind.I shuddered as I recalled the rogues circling me with their tongues dripping saliva as they anticipated their next meal. The triplets had come to my rescue but the rogues were determined to hurt me.Tears dropped from my eyes as the pain became unbearable. Closing my eyes, I heard a ringing sound in my ears while I groaned. My whole body felt as though it was on fire."Sierra, baby can you hear me?" My mother's voice sounded as though she was screaming my name from a distance. I felt her hand touch my cheek and I instantly felt warm."Baby, mama's here." She held my hands tightly to her bosom and I forced my eyes open.They rested on her.She was sitting by my side with a smile on her face while tears dropped from he
SIERRAI stood frozen, my eyes wide and my stomach turning. The rabbits werenโt moving anymore. The white one had stopped twitching first, then the brown one slumped beside it. My hands were still outstretched, fingers trembling as the energy from the failed spell faded into the air like smoke.The silence that followed was unbearable. It was as if the whole world had paused to judge me, to make me feel the weight of what I had just done. I couldnโt breathe. I couldnโt even blink. All I could do was stare at what my magic had done.The warlock didnโt say anything at first. He just walked up to the small wooden pen, stood over the lifeless bodies, and looked down with a heavy sigh. His face gave nothing away, no anger, no sadness, just quiet acceptance of the outcome. Then he slowly turned to face me."This," he said, his voice low and sharp like a blade slicing through still air, "is what would have happened to your sister and Ariel if you had jumped into this blindly."The words hit
SIERRAI had just finished spending time with my mates. My body still felt warm, and for once, my mind was quiet. I was finally beginning to feel like myself again.But then I heard shouting from outside.My heart jumped. I threw on a robe and rushed out.I barely made it past the hallway before I saw everyone gathered in the courtyard. And in the middle of it allโฆ Ariel. Screaming. Crying. Holding a knife.โWhat the hell?โ I whispered under my breath, my eyes widening.โI said let me in!โ she yelled, her voice cracking. โYouโre not the only one who loves them! I deserve to be in there too!โShe was pointing the knife at her own chest, trembling like she was seconds away from doing something stupid.I didnโt even think twice.I raised my hand and whispered the first protection spell that came to mind. A shield burst around her in a dome of blue light. The moment it closed around her, the knife fell from her hand and clattered to the floor.She looked around in confusion, then rage.โW
ARIELI paced the hallway, scowling, my arms folded tightly across my chest. For the fifth time, I tried to step forward, right into the damn hallway, and for the fifth time, it felt like Iโd slammed into a wall. But there was no wall. Justโฆ air. Heavy, invisible, and impossible to pass through."What the hell is going on?" I growled, pushing again, harder this time. Nothing. It was like the space itself refused to let me through. My breath hitched as anger flared in my chest. I wasnโt someone who got denied things. Not rooms. Not people. Not Dane.I turned on my heels and stormed down the hallway, heading straight for Mayaโs quarters. If anyone knew what kind of stupid magic trick was being pulled, it had to be Sierra. I knew her mother was always around the others. Always listening. Watching, and I needed to see her, and I asked what the hell was going on.When I got to her door, I didnโt knock, I kicked it. Hard.โAriel?โ Mayaโs voice called out, soft and hesitant. She opened the d
SIERRAThe warmth of their arms around me made it easier to breathe. The tension that had wrapped around my chest like a tight rope was starting to loosen, bit by bit. Zaneโs steady heartbeat under my cheek, Daneโs arms around my waist, and the calmness in Kaneโs eyes, everything felt safe here. I felt like I was finally home.But it wasnโt just the comfort. It was the way they looked at me. The way they held me was like I was the most precious thing in the world. Like theyโd fight the stars if it meant keeping me safe. I hadnโt realized how much I needed them until this moment. I needed to feel wanted, needed to be touched, loved, needed to feel alive again.โIโve missed this,โ I whispered, glancing up at Zane, my fingers gently resting on his chest.โWeโve missed you more,โ he replied softly, brushing his lips over my forehead.โI donโt like seeing you this stressed,โ Dane murmured behind me, nuzzling into the crook of my neck. โLet us help you relax.โKane was kneeling beside me ag
SIERRAI ran out of the room angrily and frustrated. I didnโt want to talk to anyone. I didnโt want to explain how I felt, not even to Alpha Thane. I just needed to get away, to let the frustration and fear out in a way that made sense. And thatโs why I shifted.The air felt cold on my fur as I ran, my paws pounding the earth beneath me, my mind barely able to process anything except the need to escape. My heart was racing, and the adrenaline pumping through my body only made the anger and fear swirl together like a violent storm.I ran deeper into the woods, ignoring the world around me, just focused on the rhythmic pounding of my paws. The trees blurred by in a mixture of green and brown, the earth beneath me firm and solid. But even in my wolf form, the worry gnawed at my insides, and all I wanted was for the weight to lift, even if just for a moment.Eventually, the tension in my body started to ease just a little, but I wasnโt running anymore. I slowed down and then stopped, my b
SIERRAI walked into the room, my mind racing with questions. The man, the warlock, was standing by a table covered in books and strange artifacts. His eyes flickered up when I entered, and I could feel the weight of his gaze. He knew why I was here."You are here," he said, his voice calm but heavy with something I couldn't place.I didn't waste time with pleasantries. "I need your help," I said bluntly. "I need to learn how to use my powers. And I need to do it fast."The warlock raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Binding spells," he said slowly, almost to himself, "are tricky. Especially one like the one you're asking for."I didnโt have the patience for his caution. "I donโt care about how tricky it is," I snapped. "I need to stop her. Ariel is... sheโs going to ruin everything. I canโt let that happen. I just need to know how to make it work."He looked at me, the seriousness in his eyes growing. "Binding spells are not something to take lightly. They tie you to someo
SIERRAI could feel my whole body burning with anger as Arielโs voice cut through the garden like a sharp knife. She just stood there, smirking at us like she hadnโt just interrupted something important, something real.I turned to her, fists clenching at my sides. "Donโt you have anything better to do than irritate me?" I snapped, my voice louder than I intended. Dane shifted uncomfortably behind me, but I didnโt care. I was tired of her games.Ariel just giggled like I had told her a joke. "Nope," she said with a sweet shrug. "Turns out, irritating you is way more fun than I ever thought it would be."I wanted to slap that smug smile off her face. I really did. But I held myself back because that's exactly what she wanted, to push me until I broke.Then she turned her full attention to Dane, her smile softening in a way that made my stomach twist in disgust. "I miss Dane," she said in a whiny voice. "I want him to stay with me for a while."I stepped protectively in front of Dane w
DANEI woke up to the sound of soft giggles.My head felt heavy, like Iโd slept for days, and for a second, I didnโt even know where I was. But then I blinked and saw her, Ariel, sitting at the edge of the bed, grinning at me like I was some kind of adorable pet.โYou look so cute when youโre sleeping,โ she said in a sing-song voice.My whole body tensed up instantly. Memories rushed backโฆ.the food, the plan, everything. I shot up, heart pounding.โWhat happened?โ I croaked, throat dry.Ariel gave a playful shrug, almost like she was proud of herself. โYou tried to drug me, silly. But Iโm smarter than that.โ She leaned in closer, lowering her voice like she was sharing a secret. โI swapped the plates. You ate the laced one instead.โI cursed under my breath and swung my legs off the bed. I couldnโt even look at her as I stood up."Aw, don't be mad," Ariel called after me as I stormed toward the door. "You needed the rest anyway!"I didnโt answer. I just left.When I finally made it do
SIERRAI didnโt move. None of us did. We just stood there and took it as Ariel laughed like we were the biggest fools she had ever seen. Her voice echoed off the walls, high and sharp, like a knife digging into my already shredded nerves.โOh, my sweet, sweet Sierra,โ she said between giggles, wiping a fake tear from the corner of her eye. โYou actually think a few little weeds are going to save your precious sister from me?โI kept my face blank, even though my heart was hammering against my ribs. If I gave her any more reason to doubt me, she would tear us all apart.Ariel circled slowly around me, hands clasped behind her back, her boots clicking softly against the floor. I could feel the others tense up, ready to move if she tried anything.She leaned in close, so close I could smell the sickly sweet scent of her perfume. โYou have no idea what youโre dealing with,โ she whispered. โNo idea how deep this bond goes.โI clenched my teeth to keep from flinching. I would not give her t