MasukVanessa’s eyes snapped open. The unfamiliar white ceiling loomed over her. Her hands fumbled at the sheets.“Where am I?”She pushed herself upright and scanned the empty room.A sharp jolt of memory hit her as the fluorescent lights buzzed above. She had collapsed in front of the princes like a fool.Holy shit.She was in the academy clinic. She couldn’t even handle one damn evening without losing control. She shoved herself upright, hating that she had to be here. It only made her feel weaker.The clock on the wall ticked. Vanessa groaned when she saw the time: midnight.Heat rose to her cheeks at the thought of those regal princes fighting for her, and a bitter laugh escaped her lips. She refused to let herself imagine how confused they must have been.A soft knock came at the door, followed by a calm voice. “Are you awake, my girl? Need anything?”Vanessa turned to see a nurse with a kind smile.“I’m fine,” she said flatly, pulling the blanket tighter around her.The nurse stepped
Wesley crouched beside Vanessa, startled she had fainted, wondering if the shock had overwhelmed her. Tears clung to her lashes as Brad held her carefully in his arms.Despite his attempts to revive her, Wesley’s wolf roared with pure rage. The beast hated that Brad touched their mate. Hated that she denied the bond.The thought of sharing something so sacred with his arrogant, condescending brother made Wesley’s blood burn. He would rather tear out his own heart than let Brad win. Not this time.Brad cradled her while Troy fanned her with his jacket. Wesley splashed the last of the water onto her face, but her lashes didn’t flutter.“Get more water,” Brad snapped, flicking his fingers at Troy. Troy’s silent glare could have killed. Wesley spotted the girl’s student ID pinned near her shoulder. Brad tried to swipe it, but Wesley shoved him aside like vermin and grabbed it.Vanessa Sullivan. Student. Twenty years old. Just like him.He couldn’t understand her fear and rejection. The th
Vanessa’s back hit the cold wall, hard enough to sting. The music from the induction hall bled faintly through the thick doors down the hall. Her breath came out in broken bursts.Three princes. Staring at her like she was prey that had wandered into the wrong cage.Two had called her their mate. Two brothers lusting for her sounded like a death sentence. Wesley’s eyes had changed into molten gold, burning with the need to claim her. He stepped closer, his tone soft in a way that didn’t match the wildness in his eyes. “ Breathe darling, listen to my wolf calling for yours. “Vanessa shook her head. Her tears spilled freely. “Please—let me go—”Her plea was muffled as his palm covered her mouth. She clawed at his wrist, but he didn’t flinch. Her heart convulsed with panic.Then his brother, Brad growled, emitting his alpha aura. His hand yanked Wesley’s away from her mouth with a strength that sent pain shooting up her jaw.“Back the fuck off, Wesley. She’s mine.”Wesley blinked, d
Twenty-four years later A/N: We’re moving into the second generation — new faces, new drama, same heart.The story continues, but the torch has passed.Don’t worry, the ones you love haven’t disappeared; they’re still part of this world, guiding (and sometimes haunting) the next wave.So sit back, breathe deep, and get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions. This ride’s just getting started.Blurb Vanessa doesn’t have a wolf — just bad luck, a cheating ex, and a family who treats her like a mistake.Then three Lycan princes show up and claim she’s their mate.Too bad she’s not interested in being anyone’s destiny.But the deeper she runs from them, the closer she gets to the secret that could upend their entire world — and her own.The card around Vanessa's neck called her a student of the Shifters Academy. The wolf she didn’t have made her a liar.Still, she smiled and joined the new intakes. Tonight, she would not worry. She would pretend. She would get past this.Her boyfriend, Ja
MarissaThe wind howled across the dock and tore at my jacket like it wanted to rip me apart. Waves slammed against the rocks and sprayed salt into my face.I stood next to Queen Mallory with my boots sinking into the wet sand. Her hand gripped my arm so tightly it hurt. The elders and guards surrounded us and their lanterns cast shaky beams over the dark water.Every moment stretched into eternity. A splash broke the waves’ rhythm. I screamed at the top of my lungs without moving closer. My eyes locked on a figure in the water. It was Justin. His body floated limp and pale under the moonlight.Queen Mallory’s sob shattered the air. Tears streamed down her face as she lurched forward.“No, my son, no!”Raw grief twisted her voice. The elders shouted orders and guards splashed into the shallows. Their boots churned the water as they dragged Justin to shore. Pain tore through me and I screamed again. My throat burned.He was gone.The curse had killed him.I felt my own life fading like
JustinMy descent ended with a thud that jarred my bones. The bottom of the pit opened into a maze-like tunnel and stone walls pressed in close.The darkness wrapped around me. I landed in a crouch and my knees buckled. A chill swept over me but I pushed up and steadied myself.Wailing echoed from somewhere ahead. A woman's cry twisted with pain and rage. Then a voice whispered in my ear. "Go forward. Don't look back."Fear should have gripped me but it vanished like smoke. Hunger replaced it. Hunger for freedom and hate for my enemies.My will felt foreign, like something ancient drove me. The wailing grew louder and more disturbing. A banshee's scream that scraped my nerves.I moved swiftly and the dagger's weight in my pocket grounded me. Sweat beaded on my forehead despite the cold air. The tunnel widened into another chamber. Still water stretched endless before me. No ripples, no light. I knew then I had crossed into a realm beyond mortal rules.To my left a soft glow appeared.







