Cameron lounged on the chair casually reaching for an apple from the table. "Hey, guys," he greeted, lifting the fruit toward his mouth.Just as he was about to take a bite, Jasmine blurted out. "That apple is poisonous."Cameron froze, the apple hovering near his lips. His eyes narrowed at her.Jasmine burst into laughter. "Relax, I'm just joking."With an unimpressed look, Cameron took a deliberate bite, chewing slowly as the others chuckled."So, Cameron," Dominic said, leaning back in his chair, "how's Regina?""Who's Regina?" Margaret asked, curious.Elena shot Cameron a teasing glance. "Oh, Regina is Cameron's new girl in town."They broke into laughter.Cameron groaned, rolling the apple between his palms. "No, Regina is a lone wolf I saved. . .""A saviour now, are we?" Jasmine quipped, arching a brow.Cameron shot her a deadpan glare but continued. "Two men were after her, so I stepped in. Took her home, calmed her down, made sure she ate. . .""Dried pizza?" Sean interrupted
Cameron stepped into his apartment, immediately greeted by the warm, buttery scent of pancakes sizzling on the stove. His stomach rumbled in appreciation as he followed the enticing smell to the kitchen, where he found Regina standing by the stove, her back to him as she flipped the golden-brown pancakes, their edges crisping to perfection.She turned when she heard him. "Good morning," she greeted with a soft smile."Morning," he replied, sliding onto a stool at the kitchen island."I hope I'm not overstepping by making breakfast...""Not at all. Treat this place like home," Cameron replied. She nodded, plating up a serving and sliding it in front of him. "I hope you're not allergic to anything."Cameron glanced at the food: fluffy pancakes with butter and syrup, eggs, and crispy bacon. Then he picked up his fork, inhaling the mouthwatering scent. "Nothing on this plate," he assured her. "And it smells amazing."Regina's smile widened. "Glad to hear that." As she sat down across fr
Regina and Cameron sat together on the sofa as she flipped through his old photo album, her fingers trailing over pictures from his teenage years. Then she stopped, her eyes fixed on a particular image—Cameron in his werewolf form."When did you find out you were a werewolf?" she asked, glancing up at him."It’s a little embarrassing. I’m not telling you that."Regina tilted her head, lips curling into a playful pout. "Come on, you have to tell me."Cameron leaned back, a distant look crossing his face. "Okay... When I was ten. It was terrifying at first, confusing. My body felt like it was betraying me, twisting into something unnatural. I had no idea what was happening to me. But my parents explained everything, helped me understand it... It took time, but eventually, I learned to accept it... control it. That's all I'm telling you."Regina shot him a pointed look, then turned back to the photo. "Where are they now?"A small smile tugged at his lips. "Wandering the world. Living li
Freya and Dominic walked side by side, warm coffee cups in hand, as they strolled down the quiet street. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of fresh pastries from a nearby bakery."I still can't believe you used to live here before, and yet, I never knew you," Dominic mused, taking a sip of his coffee."Maybe because you were always my senior."Dominic chuckled. "That's true."She took a sip of her own coffee. "It feels good to be back. Life here is simpler than in the city. I love working at the bar, and now I get to start my cake business. In the city, I wouldn't have a chance, too much competition. But here..." She glanced around at the familiar streets. "Here, there's opportunity.""So what you're saying is, there are more opportunities here than in the city?" Dominic asked."Exactly," Freya said as they arrived at her grandfather's apartment.Dominic slowed his steps, glancing at the old building. "Last time I brought you here, I had to save you from that deranged man."Freya
Elena rushed into the apartment, her heart pounding with worry. Something felt off. She hurried upstairs, her anxiety rising as she pushed open the bedroom door, only to find Dominic fast asleep on the bed.That’s strange. He was supposed to be at the library.She walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a gentle shake. "Dominic… Dominic… Dominic… Nico."His eyes snapped open, wild and unfocused. He sat up abruptly, glancing around in confusion. "What… what am I doing here?""That’s exactly what I was going to ask. You were supposed to be at the library."Dominic blinked a few times, rubbing his face before dragging a hand through his hair, as though trying to piece things together. "I was at the library. I remember seeing Freya…""Freya?"He nodded slowly. "Yeah. We decided to grab coffee. I couldn’t exactly tell her why I was there… but after that, it’s a blur." His expression darkened as he frowned, shaking his head as if trying to recall. "I remember us talking a
Dominic popped open the car boot and grabbed the grocery bags. He shut it with a quiet thud before turning to Cameron. "So, how's it going with Regina?"Cameron grinned, adjusting his jacket. "Great, actually. Thinking of asking her to be my girlfriend."As they reached the foyer, Dominic slid his key into the lock and pushed the door open. "You sure that's a good idea? Maybe you should find out who she really is first."Cameron stepped inside, the door clicking shut behind him. "I don't think there's anything to worry about."Dominic hummed in response but said nothing more as he walked to the kitchen. He stepped inside and halted when he saw Elena and Freya.Elena stood by the counter, watching as Freya carefully pulled a tray of cupcakes from the oven, the rich scent of vanilla and caramelized sugar filling the air.Dominic set the grocery bags on the island before wrapping his arms around Elena’s waist, pressing a sweet, tender kiss to her lips.Freya, pretending not to notice, re
Elena paced the bedroom, gripping her phone tightly. "How could you, Mother? I told you—I don’t want to be with Joseph! Don’t you see I’m in a relationship?"On the other end of the line, Athena’s voice was smooth, almost dismissive. "Listen, darling, the man only wants to make you happy. Why are you being so mean?""Mean? You think I’m being mean? The next time he crosses my boundaries, he’ll find out what mean really is, because the only man I want is Dominic."Without waiting for a response, she ended the call and set the phone down on the nightstand.Athena’s persistence baffled her. Why was her mother so determined to end her relationship with Dominic—the man she had chosen, the man she loved? The thought of a life without him was unimaginable.Elena took a steadying breath and strode downstairs.Margaret met her at the bottom, concern etched across her face. "I’m so sorry," she murmured, pulling Elena into a tight hug.For a moment, Elena softened, resting her chin on Margaret’s
Freya arrived home and shut the door behind her with a quiet click. The familiar embrace of home surrounded her, carrying the comforting scent of her grandfather's old books and freshly brewed tea."Gramps?" she called, slipping off her shoes."In the kitchen," came his reply.She made her way inside and found her grandfather at the wooden table, a newspaper spread open in his hands. The soft glow of the kitchen light cast gentle shadows over his weathered face, a cup of freshly brewed tea sitting in front of him."So, how was your day?" he asked, peering at her over his reading glasses, a knowing smile tugging at his lips.Freya let out a breath and sank into the chair across from him. "Great. Really great. Everyone was welcoming, and I baked at least a hundred cupcakes today." She grinned, stretching her arms dramatically. "Pretty sure I have flour permanently embedded in my skin."Jeffery chuckled, setting the newspaper aside. "Sounds like you had a productive day and made yourself
Cameron led them through the maze-like dungeon. As two guards came into view, he didn’t hesitate—moving swiftly, he hurled two sharp daggers. They flew cleanly through the air, lodging perfectly in the guards' throats before either could make a sound.They hurried onward, following the faint but unmistakable scent of Elena, growing stronger with each step. Rounding a corner, they spotted three more guards stationed outside a heavy iron door.Without hesitation, Cameron unleashed three more daggers. Each struck with lethal precision, burying deep into the guards' necks. The guards collapsed silently to the ground.Margaret rushed to one of the bodies, yanked a heavy iron key from the belt, and jammed it into the lock. The door creaked open.Inside, Elena stood—weak but defiant. She took an unsteady step forward just as they rushed in.“You guys…” she breathed, her voice rough but alive, trembling with relief.Margaret ran to her, wrapping her arms around her tightly. “How are you feeli
Alpha Gabriel stood at the center of his lavish foyer when the heavy double doors creaked open, golden light casting sharp shadows across his face. Athena strode in, draped in a slinky blood-red dress that clung to her every curve like a second skin.Gabriel’s lips curled into a slow smile. “Athena,” he greeted, his voice rich with curiosity as he extended his hand.She offered hers with a soft, calculating smile, and he brushed a kiss across her knuckles, lingering longer than necessary.“To what do I owe this... surprise visit?” he asked, eyes roaming over her.Without answering, Athena leaned in and captured his mouth in a deep, burning kiss. Gabriel responded instantly, pulling her closer as she murmured between kisses, her voice low and sultry.“I was restless... and you came to mind.”Gabriel’s hand slid from her cheek down to her bare shoulder, fingers gliding over her exposed skin. “You just let the feeling take over...” he murmured.Athena smirked wickedly, gripped his arms,
Cameron slid the key into the lock and pushed unlocked the door to Dominic and Elena’s place. He stepped inside with Jasmine, Meg, and Sean close behind, all of them quiet with worry.As they entered the living room, they stopped in their tracks.Dominic was on the sofa, shirtless, tangled with a woman in a heated kiss.“E-Elena…?” Jasmine called out, stunned.Dominic looked up at the sound of her voice, calm and unfazed.The woman beside him turned.But it wasn’t Elena in his arms.It was Regina.A tense silence filled the room. Everyone stood still, eyes wide with shock, too surprised to move.“What the hell is going on?” Cameron asked, his voice sharp as he moved forward.Dominic stood, running a hand through his tousled hair while Regina leaned against him with a lazy smirk, wrapping an arm protectively around her.“Guys, relax,” Dominic said. “Nothing’s wrong. Regina and I are in love.”Jasmine scoffed. “In love?”Sean let out a dry laugh. “What the heck?”Cameron stared at Domin
Morning light spilled through the curtains as Dominic sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. A dull ache throbbed behind his temples—a leftover echo of the dream, or vision, that had haunted him through the night. Something felt off. He could sense it. He dragged himself out of bed and padded downstairs barefoot, raking a hand through his hair. A soft clatter came from the kitchen."Elena...?" he called, stepping into the doorway.The figure at the stove turned.But it wasn’t her."Good morning," Regina said sweetly, her voice smooth as honey.Dominic stopped cold. She wore Elena’s robe. Her damp hair curled just the way Elena’s did after a shower. But the smile she gave him—it didn’t reach her eyes.His jaw tensed. "How did you get in?"She didn’t answer.Before he could move, she was already crossing the room. Her arms slipped around his waist, and before he could react, her lips were on his.For a split second, confusion and resistance rose inside him until a bolt of sharp, blind
Dominic lay on the bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, thoughts churning like a storm, regret pressing hard against his chest. The silence was deafening, thick with the echo of choices he wished he hadn’t made. He should’ve never left her side—no matter how angry he’d been. That’s exactly what Regina wanted. She needed him out of the way. She needed him blind.That’s exactly how she worked—wait for a crack, then tear everything apart.He had called Athena—once, twice. No answer. No guidance. Just more silence.And Elena? Still gone. Out there in the dark, and he couldn’t even feel her presence anymore. Regina must’ve done something—something to sever the connection between them.His fingers clenched the bedsheet as his mind spiraled. A sharp pain pulsed behind his eyes. He winced, gripping the edge of the mattress as the room tilted around him.He squeezed his eyes shut, gasping. Then—like a vision tearing through the fog—he saw her.Elena.She stood far ahead in the forest, bathed in sil
Dominic entered the apartment, each step echoing in the silence. It was too quiet, too still. There was no sound of her voice calling from the kitchen, or laughter, just a heavy, suffocating silence.He moved to the dining room, where her presence lingered like perfume, clinging to every surface. He sat down, eyes fixed on nothing until he saw her.She walked toward him, radiant and smiling, a plate in her hands. "I just created a recipe," she said, that familiar light in her eyes. "Can you taste it for me?"He reached for her, but his fingers met only air.His heart dropped as he stood quickly, breath tight in his chest, and moved to the living room. And he saw them.They were wrapped in each other in the glow of the fireplace. Firelight danced across their bare skin, her laughter ringing like music through the room. Their love burned as fiercely as the flames. He moved within her as she arched beneath him, completely lost in each other.He smiled softly, painfully, until it faded a
Dominic stepped into the clearing, the soft rustle of leaves beneath his boots the only sound. The air smelled of memory—earth, pine, and the faintest trace of something old. He stood at the edge of the forest clearing, the place he and Regina—Sasha—had once called their secret spot, where they used to meet long before everything changed. The wind whispered through the trees, carrying memories that felt both distant and close.He turned at the sound of approaching footsteps. Regina stood there, her expression unreadable.“You’re angry because I couldn’t love you the way you wanted,” Dominic said, his voice low but steady. “And I can’t change that, no matter how much I wish I could. But what we had—what we were—was real. I wasn’t blind to how you felt back then. I just thought… I hoped time would heal it. I never imagined it would twist into this.”Regina didn’t speak. She only stared at him, her eyes flickering with emotions dancing just behind the coldness.Dominic walked toward her,
Two men dragged a bound, struggling woman down a cold, dimly lit stone hallway. Her face was concealed beneath a coarse black sack, and her wrists were shackled in silver-laced chains that clinked with every step. When they reached the centre of the chamber, they shoved her forward. She hit the ground hard, falling to her knees, breath ragged beneath the cloth.“Well, well…” a man drawled, dressed too neatly for someone so casual, his voice smooth and mocking—like velvet laced with venom. “Look what we have here. My future mistress.” He gestured lazily. “Take that ridiculous thing off her.”One of the guards yanked the sack away. Elena blinked rapidly against the sudden light, her face pale—her mouth was gone, just smooth skin where her lips should have been. Slowly and painfully, it began to reform, the skin shifting unnaturally. Her golden eyes flared with fury.“Ah, there she is,” the man purred, a dark chuckle escaping his lips. “Our little guest of honour. Still got some fight in
Dominic sat hunched at the bar, nursing a half-empty glass of beer cradled in his hand. The amber liquid shimmered in the dim light, but his eyes were distant, lost in thought, unfocused.Freya stepped behind the counter, her apron slung over one shoulder, ready to start her shift. She spotted him immediately—alone, shoulders heavy, haunted—and quietly made her way over."Hey..." she said softly.Dominic glanced up, his voice flat. "Starting your shift?""Yeah," she replied with a small smile. "Thanks for asking."As she leaned on the bar across from him, a weight settled in her chest. His silence was loud, thick with pain. The kind you didn't need to name to feel. She could feel the weight of his sadness like a fog pressing down around him."Dominic," she said gently.He looked at her, eyes tired. "Do you need something, Freya?" His voice was rough, like he hadn't spoken to anyone all day.She shook her head. "No. I just... wanted to say something."He raised an eyebrow, waiting.She