VENUS“How’s camp going?” Dad asks, keeping his tone flat and even. I adjust the phone against my ear, trying to sound casual. “Camp’s good,” I say, forcing a small smile he can’t see. “Everyone’s… doing their best.”Dad doesn’t question it, thankfully.But before he can say more, I quickly add, “H
VENUSMom goes quiet and then her voice drops, raw and low. “Your father… lost control of his wolf once too.”The air leaves my lungs.“What?”She doesn’t repeat herself.My mind reels. “You mean, this darkness Ezra has—”“It comes from him,” she says. “Your father. He had it first.”My mouth parts b
VENUSI decide to call Mom to ask about him. When the call doesn’t go through, I lower my phone with a sigh. She must be busy. I shove my phone in my pocket and tie up my hair before heading toward the gym.Last night’s midnight training was brutal. I can still feel the tight pull in my thighs fro
VENUS“I felt it watching me. Before you came. The air felt... heavier. Wrong. It wasn’t an animal, I don’t think.”Jacob and Mason exchange a look. There’s confusion. “You sure?” Mason asks. “Could’ve been a coyote. Or maybe one of the patrols. Happens all the time in these parts.”I nod slowly, b
VENUSI quickly look away, heat crawling up my neck and settling on my cheeks. I’ve never been around people this casual about being naked. But even as I try not to look, my gaze flickers back for a moment and I catch sight of the scars. Long, jagged ones crossing Mason’s ribs, smaller ones dotting
VENUSMason turns to me, voice calm and smooth. “In order to call your wolf, you first need to connect with your roots. That connection comes from the earth. From nature. From this forest.”I listen carefully as he continues.“First, I need you to hand me your phone.” He says and my lips part in sho