ANMELDENStephen's POVI stood frozen in the center of my bedroom, watching Maya’s shaking form. Her words hung in the silence between us but soon the overpowering scent of hard liquor from her skin snapped me back to reality.She was extremely drunk… She was clearly not speaking in her right mind. There was no reason to believe her words when she wouldn't even remember them after now.I let out a sigh, brushing off the sudden dread that had gripped my chest seconds prior.She was merely speaking under theinfluence of alcohol, exaggerating her exhaustion to garner pity and escape the consequences of her actions."You're out of your mind," I said coldly, stepping back and loosening my hold on her. "Go to sleep, Maya. Stop throwing dramatic tantrums."As I turned to head toward the adjoining guest room, Maya stumbled forward, her hands reaching out to grab the front of my shirt.She threw her weight against my chest, her eyes wide and glassy, and filled with desperation."Stephen, please... don'
Stephen’s POVHours before I found myself dragging an intoxicated Maya into my car, I had been standing on the balcony of the academy's central building, staring down.My mind had been a mess of pack duties, territorial disputes and the aftertaste of Maya’s public confession in the cafeteria.Nathan had walked up behind me, resting his elbows on the railing with a casual smirk playing on his lips."You look like you're about to execute someone, Stephen," Nathan had said, running a hand through his hair. "Come to the bar with me tonight. We need to cool off. I'll invite a couple of hot blondes from the upper district so we can actually have some real fun for once."I had barely spared him a glance, my jaw clenched tight. "I'm not interested, Nathan. I have work to review."Nathan had let out an incredulous laugh, leaning closer. "Work? Stephen, when was the last time you actually had sex? When was the last time you let go?"I had opened my mouth to respond, but no answer came. The sile
Maya's POVI stared at Julian across the table, clutching my glass tightly.His sudden question about Elijah hung between us and threatened to shatter the fragile sense of calm I had found."It was nothing," I stammered, quickly setting the glass down and waving my hand dismissively. "He was just... being Elijah. Angry about school, as usual."Julian studied my face for a long second, his eyes sharp before he let out a soft sigh and leaned back against the cushion. "If you say so."Desperate to steer the conversation as far away from the Alpha brothers as possible, I cleared my throat. "So... you're always so quiet at the academy. Everyone says you're some kind of genius who only cares about textbooks."A faint smile touched Julian's lips. "A genius? Is that what the rumor mill calls me?""Pretty much," I admitted, taking another gulp of my drink.The alcohol burned down my throat but the sudden warmth spreading through my chest was addicting, numbing the dull ache in my shoulder and
Maya POVEvery time I turned a corner, students turned their heads together, pointing, sneering and flashing their phone screens in my direction.Because of the endless staring and my attempts to take the most secluded routes, I ended up ten minutes late for my history class.When I reached the classroom, Mrs. Gable was already mid lecture.She stopped the moment I opened the door, her eyes snapping to mine with coldness."You're late, Maya," she announced loudly, ensuring every student turned around to watch."I'm sorry, ma'am, I–""I don't care about your excuses," Mrs. Gable cut me off. "Your presence in this room is already a distraction to the students who actually care about their education. Stand outside in the hallway until the period ends."I swallowed the lump in my throat, nodded quietly and pulled the door shut.I stood against the wall for forty-five minutes, enduring the amused glances of passing staff and students until the bell finally rang.When the students filed out
Elijah’s POVMy knuckles were split and aching but the pain was a welcome distraction from my troubling thoughts threatening to tear my mind apart."I said not tonight, Nathan," I repeated.Nathan adjusted the cuffs of his jacket, taking a step forward. "We can't keep sweeping this under the rug, Elijah. Something isn't right with Maya. The way she confessed today and the look in her eyes, she was terrified. I think she's in serious danger."A bitter laugh escaped my throat. I shook my head, crossing my arms over my chest. "Danger? Maya isn't in danger, Nathan. She’s playing us. She has always loved playing the helpless victim, dragging every single one of us into her pathetic little dramas. If she really needed help, she wouldn't have run straight into the arms of her new fuck mate."Nathan’s jaw tightened, a flash of irritation crossing his features. "She was visibly trembling, Elijah! You saw the marks on her, the way she could barely stand. None of this adds up. And what about Kar
Elijah's POVI stood outside Maya’s room, pulling my shirt down and adjusting my belt. My knuckles were white, clenched into tight fists. I had just taken her roughly, pinning her down, forcing her to endure my weight and spilling cum deep inside her until my body physically gave out.Yet, I felt no relief.The anger burning inside my chest hadn't faded at all. If anything, the intense friction, her quiet moans and the sight of her tears had only made the hunger inside me grow more violent. I had released sexually, but it wasn't enough. Sex could not cool the fire raging beneath my skin. I needed something else. I needed blood.I marched down the stairs, grabbed my car keys from the table and strode out to the garage. I got into my car, slammed the door and jammed my foot onto the accelerator. The engine roared as I sped out of the pack castle grounds, driving down the highway toward the dark underbelly of the city.Twenty minutes later, I pulled up behind an abandoned industrial w







