AIYANA
His amber eyes were locked on me.
But this time... there was something more.
Something that vibrated on the same frequency as my soul.
The clearing seemed to hold its breath. The flames still flickered green, glowing like the forest itself was burning from within.
Around us, whispers began to rise. Quiet. Urgent. Growing like a storm of voices that could no longer be contained.
“She’s not our Alpha’s mate…”
“He’s an outsider!”
“This is madness…”
B
AIYANAThe sky rumbled in shades of ash. The scent of fresh blood and smoke burned my nostrils."She was near the barn!" I shouted, running beside Icarus. The wet grass clung to the soles of my boots, the earth scarred by the paws of those who had invaded our home.Icarus gave a low grunt and picked up the pace.My grandmother. The only real family I had left. We had to find her.But my heart didn’t obey logic. My body was running in one direction, while my soul stayed tethered to something else to him.I turned
AIYANAHer hands were clawed into his arm, as if trying to stop the inevitable."You promised, Max! You promised me!" Her eyes were full of tears, ruining all the makeup she’d so carefully applied. "You said you’d marry me! That it would be me!"Scott stepped closer, this time saying nothing, just watching.I could tell by the way he looked at his son that he was both disappointed and deeply concerned.Max remained still.His jaw was clenched tight, his eyes fixed on the ground, as if every word Isabela spoke brought him shame."Say it, Max!" Isabela pl
AIYANAHis amber eyes were locked on me.But this time... there was something more.Something that vibrated on the same frequency as my soul.The clearing seemed to hold its breath. The flames still flickered green, glowing like the forest itself was burning from within.Around us, whispers began to rise. Quiet. Urgent. Growing like a storm of voices that could no longer be contained.“She’s not our Alpha’s mate…”“He’s an outsider!”“This is madness…”B
AIYANAThe forest always knew how to hold me when no one else could.The leaves never judge the weight of my steps. The tall branches never try to bend me. Here, I can breathe without feeling like I owe anyone anything.I ran without direction after leaving the house. Climbed out the window like some rebellious teenager, stumbling over poorly fastened boots and wounded pride. The cold air clung to my face like frost, but I didn’t care. My breath came out in quick, white puffs as I pushed through the snow.That morning, the snow reached almost to my knees in some places, and the forest looked like something out of an old dream. Branches blanketed in white arched overhead like bowed arms, and the silence was thick broken only b
AIYANAThe crowd began to disperse, but I couldn’t move. The air around the bonfire felt too thick, like it was wrapping me in smoke and uncertainty. The heat was suffocating. The voices, even soft, buzzed in my ears.I needed to get out of there.I slipped away in silence, weaving between trees, ignoring the stares. Icarus’s presence trailed behind me like heat against my back, while Maxim’s... felt like a rope tugging at my chest.Just when I thought I’d have a moment to breathe, I heard footsteps behind me.“Aiyana.”His voice reached me like a deep whisper. Max.I