I stepped into the bathroom, heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. It was pristine. Elegant. The soft hum of ambient music filtered faintly through the walls, and the scent—sweet, floral, something like jasmine and lily—hung in the air like perfume on silk.Not a single stall door was ajar. No scuff marks on the floor. No sign that anyone had used the space before me. It felt more like a private lounge than a restroom, and for a second, I let myself breathe in the stillness.I turned on the tap and watched the cold water run in steady ribbons down the gold-lined sink. I considered splashing some on my face, maybe to shock myself back into control—but I couldn’t risk ruining my makeup. Not after tonight. Not after how beautiful I felt for the first time in what felt like forever.So I didn’t touch the water.Instead, I leaned against the counter and stared at my reflection.My hair was still in place. My lipstick hadn’t smudged. My eyes sparkled—maybe from the dance,
After hours of sitting on the beach in peaceful silence, bathed in sunlight and warm ocean breeze, Cassiel and I returned to the hotel. He got a room next to mine—not too close, not too far—and we went our separate ways to change.I wasn’t sure what to expect when he first invited me out tonight. Something formal? Something awkward? Something I might regret?But here I was, halfway through a meal that could rival any of the finest I've ever tasted, laughing without restraint, smiling like my face had forgotten how to frown.The food was incredible—rich flavors and delicate spices that made every bite feel like a celebration. But as good as the food was, the company was better. He was better. I didn’t think I’d ever feel this light again. This... free.Cassiel made it easy to forget everything else. The past. The pain. The expectations. Sitting across from him, dressed in red and feeling like my heart had been lit from within, I felt more alive than I’ve ever felt. Every second of this
I tried—I really, really tried—to enjoy my evening.I focused on the food first. Every bite was artfully plated and full of rich, carefully crafted flavors. I forced myself to taste it and to nod and hum in appreciation whenever Nerissa commented on the spices or asked me to try something off her plate. It was easy for the first few minutes. I distracted myself with delicious food and Nerissa, trying to admire how pretty she is. Trying to remind my wolf that we were not defined by our instincts, by our mating bonds, we’re not controlled by any of it. Still, it didn’t work. I drank from my cup. Then I focused on the sound. The band played a soft, almost haunting rendition of an old love song I used to adore. The melody drifted through the restaurant like smoke, curling around every candle flame and whispered conversation. The dancers moved like water, fluid and elegant, dressed in silks that shimmered under golden lighting.And through it all, Nerissa talked about her day. About the
The rest of my day passed in a haze, as if the world had decided to move without me. Nothing significant happened—no sudden clarity, no breakthroughs. Just an overwhelming quiet that left me with nothing but my own thoughts.Nerissa had asked for space after she left the pack, told me she needed time to ‘process her humiliation.’ I gave it to her. Not because I wanted to, but because I didn’t have the mental strength to argue. I sat there questioning everything once again—who I was, who I used to be, who I thought I loved- it had become my favorite thing to do.I’m not in love with Nerissa anymore. That much I know. But knowing doesn’t always make things easier. What makes it worse is realizing just how many people around me had seen things I was too blind to notice. My parents, for one. The looks they gave her—icy, disappointed, wary. They saw something in her I didn’t. A version of Nerissa I had refused to believe existed.But my grandmother… she always liked Nerissa. Always. She sa
I let out a sharp huff and crossed one leg over the other, my heel bouncing with pent-up irritation. Typical Matthias. He hadn’t changed. Still using cheap tactics and emotional sabotage to try and keep control of a situation that slipped from his hands days ago. Of course, he brought her, Nerissa. It wasn’t just a meeting. It was an ambush, carefully dressed up as coincidence.Thank the gods—all of them—for Cassiel showing up this morning. I’m not sure how I would’ve handled that alone. I probably would've kept my cool on the outside, but internally? I'd have been a storm. Matthias had this way of pretending to listen. He’d nod, ask the right questions, say the right words… and then do whatever he wanted anyway, like my voice was just background noise to him. Despite Cassiel’s talk with him yesterday, he still wanted me to train Nerissa.How entitled can one person be?Cassiel sat down beside me, solid and reassuring, and I accepted the folders from his hands with a small sigh and a
Aurielle spent a full minute fussing over the bouquet—turning it slightly in the light, tracing a crystal-dusted petal with her finger, inhaling the scent like she couldn’t get enough of it. I stood there and watched her with a quiet kind of reverence.She was beautiful.When was she ever not?She wore a fitted red long-sleeved top that hugged her arms. Around her neck hung a black beaded necklace—simple but striking. Her black skirt brushed her upper thighs, short enough to draw attention, but not short enough to cross any lines. Classy. Calculated. Her black heels added just the right edge, and the soft shimmer of silver jewelry—rings, earrings, a bracelet I hadn't noticed before—brought the whole look together. She looked like a woman ready to conquer anything, even if she had no idea just how devastating she was to look at. It amazes me that aurielle doesn’t know how beautiful she is.I’ve never laid eyes on another woman in the region more attractive than she is.And when she fi