“Where the hell did that come from?” she asked. Her eyes widened. “I don’t know,” I admitted, shaking my head. “It’s just… something I know. A memory, maybe. The voice came to my mind. Like the voice of a mother.”Lizbella frowned. “A memory? You said you don’t remember anything about your mom.”“I don’t,” I said softly, my gaze drifting to the river. “But when I sang, it felt like… like she was there. Like it was her voice, not mine.”Kieran stepped closer, his expression unreadable. “Do you know what the words mean?”I nodded, a faint smile touching my lips. “It’s a goodbye. It means, ‘Live forever, pure soul. Your light is in the stars, never dim. May the water guide you home.’”Lizbella blinked, her grey eyes soften, a soft smile on her pink heart lips. “That’s… beautiful.”“It’s what Rachel deserved,” I said, my voice thick with emotion.There was a moment of silence, the weight of grief and memory settling over us like a blanket.Then I turned to Kai, who had been watching qui
Lizbella was already in the break room when I arrived at work, perched on the counter like the boss she is. She was sipping coffee out of a chipped mug that read, Therapy Is Cheaper Than Murder. Her wild dark curls framed her face, and her expression was as stormy as the dark brew in her hands.“Morning,” I said cautiously, setting my bag on the small table.Lizbella didn’t reply. Instead, she raised an eyebrow and took another sip, her silence louder than any greeting.“Okay,” I muttered, sliding into the chair across from her. “Go ahead. Say whatever it is you’re dying to say.”Her eyes narrowed. “You’re an idiot.”I let out a sharp laugh, more out of disbelief than amusement. “Good morning to you too.”“I mean it, Briar.” Lizbella hopped off the counter, her boots thudding against the tile as she crossed her arms. “You’ve officially lost your mind. Training with those Lycans? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”I bristled at her tone, leaning back in my chair. “I’m not trying
When I got home, the first thing I noticed was the cars parked outside my small apartment complex. Sleek, black, and undeniably expensive.I frowned. They definitely didn’t belong to anyone in my building. Most of my neighbors drove beat-up sedans or pick-up trucks that rattled louder than a werewolf howl on a full moon.My heart thudded in my chest as I gripped my bag tighter and slowly made my way to the door. Something didn’t feel right.Fishing around in my bag, my fingers closed around the hilt of the small knife I always carried. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.The moment I unlocked the door, I heard it—a muffled clatter, followed by low voices and the sound of something sizzling.I slipped inside, shutting the door quietly behind me. My heart was racing now, and my grip on the knife tightened as I followed the noise to the kitchen.What I found made me freeze in the doorway.Standing in my kitchen, shirtless, were three of the hottest men I’d ever seen.Kai, K
I crossed my arms and leaned against the counter, glaring at the three Lycans who somehow managed to look completely at home in my kitchen. Kai was calmly plating the food he’d made, Kieran leaned casually against the fridge, and Kylan… well, Kylan looked like he was mentally planning his next smartass remark.“You can’t just show up here and act like this is normal,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended.Kai set the plates down on the table, his piercing blue eyes flicking to mine. “Nothing about this situation is normal, Briar. But here we are.”I rolled my eyes. “Let’s get one thing straight. Just because you think you’re their fathers doesn’t mean I’m going to let you waltz in here and take over my life.”“You don’t have a choice,” Kai said bluntly, his tone firm but not unkind. “We’re not going anywhere.”“Oh, yes, you are,” I shot back. “The second you finish your little meal, you’re out of here. And you can forget about spending time with Finn and Luna.”“About that…” Kylan
“Not it doesn't.” I replied. “Then where are we staying?” Kieran asked, clearly enjoying my discomfort.“You have money, figure it out.”“But we want to stay here. Training, remember? Kids too.” Kieran added waving at Luna and Finn. “Annoying alphaholes,” I muttered, walking toward the small guest room at the back of the apartment. “There’s one spare bed. Figure it out.”The three of them followed me, their large frames practically filling the narrow hallway.“Okay,” I said, throwing open the door to the guest room. “This is it. Don’t complain. Don’t ask for anything. Just stay out of my way.”Kylan stepped inside, his grin widening as he surveyed the cramped space. “Cozy.”“It’s not meant for three people,” I said pointedly.He shrugged. “We’ll make it work.”Kai crossed his arms, his eyes scanning the room. “This bed doesn’t look very sturdy.”“It’s fine,” I said, exasperated. “Lizbella slept on it just fine.”Kylan plopped onto the bed, and before I could blink, there was a loud
I closed the door to the guest room behind me, letting out a long breath. Dealing with the Lycan kings was exhausting in ways I didn’t have words for, mostly because they made me feel too much, and none of it was simple.But right now, I had bigger priorities.I walked down the short hallway to the twins’ room, quietly pushing the door open. The small nightlight cast a soft glow across the space, illuminating Finn and Luna sitting cross-legged on Finn’s bed, whispering to each other like co-conspirators.“Why aren’t you two asleep?” I asked, leaning against the doorframe with a tired smile.Finn looked up first, his face lighting up. “We couldn’t sleep. We’re… talking.”“Talking, huh?” I raised an eyebrow and stepped into the room. “Mind if I join?”Luna shrugged, making room for me at the foot of the bed. “Sure.”I sat down, pulling my legs up and tucking them under me. “So, what’s so important that it’s keeping you both awake?”The twins exchanged a glance, and Finn spoke first. “Th
The smell of pancakes and bacon greeted me as I stepped into the kitchen, Finn and Luna running ahead of me. Kai stood at the stove, his movements precise as he flipped pancakes onto a growing stack. Kylan leaned casually against the counter, munching on a piece of bacon with his trademark smirk.“Good morning,” Kylan said, giving me a once-over. “Sleep well?”“Better than I expected, considering the circus in my house,” I replied, making a beeline for the stack of pancakes.As I reached out to grab one, Kai’s hand shot out, snapping my wrist lightly.“It’s bad manners to pick at food before it’s served,” he said, his voice as calm and commanding as ever.I glared at him, pulling my hand back. “It’s bad manners to invade someone’s home uninvited, but I don’t see you apologizing.”Kylan choked on his bacon, clearly trying to hold back a laugh.Kai’s lips twitched, though he didn’t smile. “Touché.”“Where’s Kieran?” I asked, glancing around.“Bathroom,” Kai said, flipping another pancak
Kai stood nearby, as stoic and intense as ever, his blue eyes watching me like he was trying to solve a puzzle.That's how he always looks though . Watchful.It was annoying sometimes, but there are sometimes, especially now when I am in nothing but a T-shirt, shorts, and my hair in a mess, it felt like he could see my body from within my shirt. Kieran was the least distracting, for once, but only because he was busy coaxing the twins into the car.I let out an exaggerated groan, throwing my hands in the air. “Can you guys please be less hot?”Kylan turned, his grin widening. “You think we’re hot?”Kai’s lips twitched, though his voice remained cold as ice. “We’ll try harder to be less of a distraction for you.”“Oh, shove it,” I snapped, flipping him the finger.---This was a welcome change of scenery. The hum of activity, the soft beeps of monitors, and the soothing scent of disinfectant helped ground me. I made my way to Lizbella’s office, holding a small paper bag containing h
Okay, got my brooch. Hair down or hair up?I had an oval face, sharp at the chin, soft around the cheeks. Hair down usually gave me the wild, mysterious look. Hair up? Elegance. I needed something in between, so I twisted it into a low knot and let a few strands fall loose. Not too polished. Not too undone. Just enough to say: I don’t care what the elders say, but I’m going to look flawless while they say it.The dress I chose was simple, but unfairly flattering. A midnight blue wrap dress with a plunging neckline I pretended not to notice. The fabric hugged my waist, fell to my calves, and moved like water when I walked. I paired it with black heels sensible ones, but with enough point to make a vampire rethink lunging at me.And of course, the brooch. An old piece I never wore. It was given to me by the council as a good member of the pack that contributed good things. Well not so much. I’m a demon in their eyes. Silver, crescent-shaped, worn down at the edges like it had survived
Kylan was back from dropping the kids at school. I felt bored over not doing anything.Also I was starving but I was just too lazy to prepare anything. Maybe Kai could. I looked at him, he was busy typing something into his laptop."Are you...working?" I asked.He hummed."Are you busy?"He hummed again.Gosh, how do I ask him when he keeps on humming like that? Especially in that deep baritone voice that's making my body shiver in the wrong way. .I crossed and uncrossed my legs, cleared my throat. Maybe if I go through this way it would work."What type of business...do you do? Like does the three of you run it?" I asked.Kai shook his head. “We have separate businesses. Mine just needs me on-call more often.”I raised an eyebrow. “You mean you’re not just brooding and glaring for a living?”That earned me a faint smirk. “Tempting career path, but no.”I let out a short laugh, then glanced toward the kitchen. “I’m starving.”“Then eat,” he said without looking up.“I would, but I’m l
The images were still there.I didn’t know if they were true or just a fragment of my imagination—some cruel trick of my mind or something far more ancient and terrifying. Or a memory? I couldn’t shake them off my mind, it just stuck like glue. The little girl’s voice. Her blood-stained dress. Her red eyes.I hugged myself tightly, my arms wrapped around my waist as though that could hold me together.Kylan’s voice came softly from beside me. “Looking at you, I remember what Mom used to say?”I looked up at him, my lips parting, but no words came out.He crouched down to my level, his blue eyes softer than I’d seen them in a while. “She said… you can see things in the water because the water remembers. It holds onto everything. Emotions. Memories. Blood. Magic.”I hummed. True. Kai said that just now. His hand hovered over mine before he pulled it back. “And you… Briar, you’re connected to it. To the water. That’s why it’s easier for you to see.”I stared at the moonlit stream, my
“A ritual,” I repeated slowly. “Should I be worried?” “No,” Kieran answered, coming up beside us. “It’s something we do after a run. Our mother used to do it. She’d look at the reflection of the moon in the water. Said it kept us from forgetting where we came from.” I frowned softly. I had never seen it that way “That’s… kind of beautiful. Your mother seems like a beautiful soul.” Kylan grinned. "She was. Calm. Collected and the only one who was able to handle us with all our disastrous character. L" We all chuckled at that. Kai glanced at his brothers, then back at me. “It was her quiet way of saying goodbye to the beasts inside us. That even after all the blood, there’s still peace.” I nodded. I wonder what's their story, the story of their beast. Maybe that would be a question for another time, we kept on walking with each other side by side. We walked in sil
I laughed at their suggestion. “What are you guys? Babies?”The Lycan kings chuckled like I had just thrown down the gauntlet.“Oh, she has jokes,” Kylan said, already stretching like he was warming up for a marathon. “But you’ll be the one begging for a break in five minutes.”Kieran cracked his knuckles, his expression far too smug. “She clearly doesn’t know what kind of game she just agreed to.”Kai just smirked. “Three Lycans. One human. Doesn’t seem fair, does it?”I raised a brow. “Didn’t realize you were afraid of losing.”That did it.Kylan’s eyes glinted, his smirk widened into a grin. “You’ve got sixty seconds, Red. Better start hiding.”And just like that, I ran.I darted through the trees, heart racing—not from fear, but the thrill of it. The moon was high, casting silver light through the branches as I pushed through the underbrush, trying to gain some distance.But it was impossible to tell where they were. No footsteps. No rustling. Just wind.Too quiet.Then—A sudden
The sun had barely begun to dip when I heard the familiar patter of feet and the squeak of the front door opening.“Mummy!”I turned just in time to catch Luna barreling toward me, her backpack slipping halfway off her shoulder.“Hey, sweetheart.” I knelt, wrapping my arms around her tiny frame. She smelled like crayons and a bit of outside air. “Did you miss me today?”She nodded against my neck, clinging tighter. “A lot.”Finn wasn’t far behind. He stood at the doorway for a second before quietly shutting it behind him. His backpack was zipped neat and high on his back, his expression more cautious.“Finn,” I said gently, “come here.”He came — slower, more controlled — but when he finally wrapped his arms around me too, I held them both like I’d never let go.For a long minute, we just stood like that.“I wanted to talk to you both,” I said as I pulled back and led them to the couch. “About everything that’s been happening lately.”Luna frowned. “Is it because you were sick?”I nod
I moved to the counter slowly, ignoring the stares behind me. I needed something to hold. Something normal. Something hot.“Coffee?” I offered half-heartedly, reaching for a mug.“Here?” Lizbella scoffed from behind me. “No, thanks.”I glanced over my shoulder. “Still think the Lycan Kings are cursed?”Her mouth twitched. “Still think you’re not?”I forced a tired smile, pouring the coffee anyway. “Suit yourself.”She stepped into the kitchen finally, her heels clicking softly against the floor. Kai had disappeared somewhere—I didn’t know when—but Kieran was still nearby, quiet. Watching. But he was holding a magazine of ladies in bikinis. But it was upside down. Idiot. Eventually he got up and left. Kylan also disappeared to. Regardless Lizbella stood beside me. She was still as beautiful as ever. Perfect and the kind of woman who never seemed to have a hair out of place. Lizbella’s eyes didn’t leave me. “So… the only reason I finally get to see you again is because the council
"As long as you don't go crazy and kill us," Kieran said, voice dry as ever.I shot him a glare through watery eyes. “Not funny.”Kai had already moved closer, his fingers carefully undoing the chains wrapped around my wrists.His touch was quiet. Gentle. Each click of the locks made me exhale a little easier.“I’m sorry,” he murmured, not meeting my gaze. “We didn’t know what else to do.”I didn’t respond. My throat was still tight.The last shackle dropped to the floor with a metallic clink. I rubbed my wrists instinctively—angry red marks circling them.But before I could say anything, Kai leaned forward, took one of my wrists in his palm… and pressed a kiss against the irritated skin.I froze.The warmth of his lips lingered for only a second—but the sting vanished instantly. I blinked, stunned, and looked down. The marks were gone.“Kai?” I breathed. “How did you…?”He chuckled softly, standing back to his full height. “I can do a lot of things, my love.”My stomach flipped a lit
I stood still.The water dripped from my hair. My skin still glowed faintly, markings humming beneath the surface. The silence around me wasn’t peaceful—it was coiled. Like a held breath.I was naked. But I didn’t feel cold. I didn’t feel… anything. Not properly.And their eyes—God, they were staring.Kai.Kylan.Kieran.They stood frozen near the edge of the spring, all three looking like they wanted to move closer but didn’t dare.“She’s not… blinking,” Kylan muttered.“She’s not Briar,” Kai replied, his voice low and sharp.Something twitched in my chest. I didn’t know if it was anger or sadness. Something flickered. I looked down at the water swirling around my waist. It was still listening. Ready.“What if she screams again?” Kylan whispered. “What if she vaporizes us this time?”I looked up slowly.Kai didn’t move. “Then we hope she remembers who we are before it happens.”Kylan turned to him. “Oh great. Hope. Yeah, that’ll totally keep our bodies from turning to smoke.”“Be qu