I'm not sure if you all have figured out that I'm a huge fan of music and musical theatre. One more chapter and an epilogue to come! Stay tuned! Thank you for reading! -JNS <3
Emmy POV After the show wrapped up, our group convened in front of the theatre, waiting for Renz, Daphne, and Viv to come out. Viv pushes open the front doors and holds them for the leading couple. Renz has his arm around Daphne’s waist, and she has her arm wrapped around his, both looking so happy. They are no longer in their costumes, and are now both dressed comfortably in jeans and t-shirts. We all break out in another round of cheers and applause. Daphne seems more comfortable with the extra attention than Renz whose face is redder than a tomato. “Okay, okay. I think that’s enough. Please.” Renz motions for us all to calm down. I’ve never seen him like this. He usually keeps a stoic affect. “You’re not gonna hear the end of this, Renz! You were incredible. You both were,” Lucas says as he approaches the pair. He gives Daphne a big hug and then gives Renz a one-arm hug, clapping him on the back. I can see how close they have become over the last few weeks. It
Vincenzo POV 6 Weeks Later “I can’t do this…I can’t believe this is happening,” Darius says, pacing up and down the hallway of the Running River Medical Clinic. His eyes are bloodshot from not sleeping all night, his hair is sticking out in different directions, and his clothes are a wrinkled mess. Granted, he’s in sweatpants and a t-shirt, but still, he’s looked better. “Relax, Dare. Everything is going to be fine,” Tobias says calmly but his words fall on deaf ears as Darius continues to pace. “It’s happening…it’s happening…” he continues murmuring to himself. Tobias and I share a glance and snort, laughing at our friend. Darius is not an emotional guy, so I’m definitely getting a kick seeing him like this. Tobias isn’t doing such a good job masking his amusement. In fact, he’s taking a video of Darius having a panic attack. I try to swat his arm down, but he pulls out of my reach. I’m not trying very hard to stop him, and instead I’m enjoyi
Emmy POVFifteen years ago (Seven years old) It’s the day after Mama’s funeral. She got sick from the plague that kills werewolves who have a fated mate. She and Father said this day would come. There have been so many funerals in our pack over the last couple of years, but Mama’s was the saddest. Our house has had so many people from our pack coming in and out. I’m tired of talking to people. I decided to stay in my room and practice on my chess board. Father says I show a knack for the game. A soft knock on my bedroom door takes my focus off the pieces. “Come in!” I call to the other side of the door. “Sweetheart,” my father’s gentle voice says from my doorway. I can see the sadness in his eyes. “What are you doing alone in your room, Emerald? The rest of your sisters are downstairs,” he asks me, but he isn’t angry. He sits down in the seat across from me and waits for me to answer. “I don’t feel like being around people right now,
Emmy POV Present Day “It figures, doesn’t it?” I say to myself as I lay in bed. The plush white and gray bedding suddenly feels cold and stiff. How could I possibly sleep when my mind is a swirling mess of emotions? I throw the covers off me and stomp out of my bed, my feet thudding against the off-white carpeting. The apartments at the Running River Pack are nice. A blank canvas for anyone to make into their own. I haven’t added any personal touches though. The plain, white walls remain bare of any photos or artwork. No colorful pillows or blankets on the stock gray furniture. The only personal item on display is my chessboard. I guess this place hasn’t felt like home to me. After what happened almost two weeks ago, I don’t want this to be my home anymore. I lean over my bathroom sink and splash cold water on my face. I look at myself in the mirror and watch the water drip down my face. My eyes are still red and puffy from crying myself to sleep- if you can even
Vincenzo POVEight Years Ago What a rush! This is the good news Alpha Matteo has been hoping for. I can’t wait to get back to the pack and fill him in on how the meeting went. Since we made the decision to move to the United States four years ago, we have struggled to get our design and architecture company up and running. In Italy, we were well known, and sought after for our modern and sleek design aesthetics. Our pack relocated here to escape the plague and get a fresh start for our pack members. Many were skeptical about leaving Italy, but when Alpha Matteo promised that we would have a good-sized territory, gifted to us by a strong Alpha, who was friends with his father, more of our members were excited for the opportunity. As a young Beta, I am eager to prove myself to Matteo. Sure, he’s my best friend, but I want him to see that I take this role seriously and that our pack has strong leadership. I volunteered to take this business trip and make a pitch to a company in
Emmy POV I make my way over to the training fields. With the unpredictable attacks from The Underground and the recent attack from The Forza Pack, Darius has started requiring all pack members to attend training. It is a smart move; everyone should have the basic skills to defend themselves and protect the pack as needed. I’m relieved Darius finally sent The Forza prisoners back to their territory. I never want to see them again. Their Beta killed Lyle, one of our strongest warriors. His older brother, Logan, is helping to lead training sessions now. Leslie, his younger sister, is one of the newer female warriors, but she hasn’t been back to training yet. Pearl has grown closer to her than I have since they are around the same age. I look for my sisters and see Amy and Pearl stretching off to the side. “Good morning, Emmy!” Pearl greets me excitedly. It’s hard to stay in a sulky mood around Pearl. She evokes happy energy; you can’t help but to be in a good mood ar
Vincenzo POV I’m pacing at the entrance to our territory, waiting for the twenty warriors I sent to Running River Pack to return. It’s been over two weeks since they left to do a simple recon mission. I quickly found out that their mission turned into a small attack when they were spotted and had to defend themselves. An attack was never in the plans. I spoke with Alpha Darius, and it seems my Beta, Renz, got carried away in the heat of battle and killed one of their warriors. This is a mess. I explained to Alpha Darius that we received threats from his pack that they would attack us. We both realized that this was all coordinated by The Underground. Alpha Darius explained that they're a rebellious group of wolves in the territory. This is not what I need right now. My pack has been doing really well the last couple of years. Our numbers have grown. The design and architecture business has been taking off and creating lots of jobs for our pack members. I need to tal
Emmy POV “Just a little more blush, okay, Em?” Pearl suggests as she helps me with my make-up. I angle my head to the side, giving her better access. “I don’t know why you’re so insistent that we get so dressed up tonight, Pearl,” Amy walks up, trying to put her earrings in. “You two are the worst, I swear. First, it’s the full moon tonight. We could meet our mates! Don’t you both want to look your best in case you meet them tonight? Second, Saph and Nathan are taking each other as chosen mates tonight. We are having an early dinner with them before they head out to… you know…” Pearl’s voice trails off and she hides her face in her hands, blush staining her pale skin. “Yea, yea. They’re gonna seal the deal,” Amy says, while obnoxiously thrusting her hips in the air. I throw a pillow from my bed at her, making her stumble. “I swear, Amy, you’re no better than a twelve-year-old boy. Grow up!” I scold her, then turn back to Pearl to let her finish my make-up.