MasukI took a seat, perching a little nervously on my knees. With the door shut behind us, the living room felt more intimate than it ever had before; we usually only used it for more formal meetings or guests. But now, it felt like it was being used for what it was supposed to be used for, and it was we
Ellie’s POV“Yes,” Amy said. “A sleepover. One night this week. I think it could be really beneficial for you both.”I looked at Dominic. He was staring at Amy like she’d just suggested we run naked through the pack grounds. It certainly felt that way.“That’s… Unconventional,” I muttered.Amy smile
“Oh, here we go.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Dominic, Lucas had nothing to do with it except for the initial invitation. This is my passion, and it has nothing to do with either of you.”Dominic gnawed on the inside of his cheek and stared at me like he was searching my face for answers.Amy,
Ellie’s POVOur next therapy session was scheduled for Thursday afternoon. I showed up right on time on purpose, hoping to avoid any awkward small talk with Dominic beforehand. He was already sitting on the sofa when I walked in, chatting with Amy, who was in her usual chair with her notebook open i
He thought for a moment before he said, “I appreciate how smart you are. You’re studying to be a healer, and you’re good at it. I’ve seen the way you talk about your classes, the way you light up when you’re learning something new. It’s one of the things I’ve always admired about you.”I blinked. I
Ellie’s POVDinner was almost painfully quiet. We ate the roasted chicken and vegetables that the cooks had prepared, and Dominic made a few attempts at small talk, but mostly, it was only the sound of scraping cutlery and chewing and Vivian’s distant sobs that filled the air.After we finished eati
Ellie POV I just wanted one peaceful meal. One.But by lunch, I honestly thought things couldn’t get worse.That was my first mistake.The cafeteria felt like a coliseum, and I was the sacrifice of the week. My friends and I barely step into line before the whispers start circling like vultures.“I
Dominic POVI barely make it to my locker before my friends descend on me like starving vultures.“Bro, you look different today,” Marcus says, elbowing me hard enough to bruise a warrior.“Glowing,” Tyler adds with a smirk. “Heard the news, and it’s pretty clear the Moon Goddess finally blessed yo
Ellie POV By the time evening rolls around, my brain feels like it’s been wrung out like a rag. School had been a circus—whispers, stares, people pretending they weren’t looking directly at my neck as if a glowing bond mark might suddenly appear. That’s not how that works but it sure felt like it.
I excused myself early, claiming I had homework to finish. But as I climbed the stairs to my room, I could hear Vivian's voice drifting up from the living room, probably spinning some story about how concerned she was for her poor, rejected sister.Once I was alone, I allowed myself to really think







