Ardal
I stared at the mirror as I fussed with my hair, smoothed my black cocktail dress and checked my teeth for stray lipstick, trying to ignore the knot of nerves in my stomach.
This is my first date since Kadeem. I want everything to be perfect.
A knock rattles the door, and five pairs of feet pound down the hall. The door bursts open—my quintuplets tumble into the room, a tangle of chatter and questions.
"Is that what you're wearing,” asks Silas, eyeing my dress.
I smile. "You don’t like it?"
"You never wear dresses, Mommy," says Lottie.
“Tonight’s the kind of thing you have to get a little dressed up for,” I say. Lottie’s not wrong. I pulled this dress out from the very back of my closet.
Erbao tugs at the fabric. “We’ve all talked about it. We want
Kadeem Kadeem's fingers drummed on the worn wooden table, each tap echoing his wolf nature that seemed to pulse through his veins like a restless storm. As he and Mateo sat in "The Howling Moon" – a popular werewolf bar – the atmosphere buzzed with primal energy, making it difficult for Kadeem to focus on anything but the growing strength of his inner wolf. Since his memories had flooded back a few days ago, he had also been experiencing a full resurgence of his wolf. Scents and sensations bombarded him, dragging him under a tide of recollection. Flashes of memory assaulted him. The combination of the two was akin to an emotional atomic bomb. He’d been avoiding Ardal at the gym, shuffling off quickly after training appointments, and shutting himself in his office. Mateo had been pleased when Kadeem told him about the recovered memories. The memories after his car accident still felt tangle
Kadeem“Awoooo!”Kadeem and Mateo spilled out onto the sidewalk half-drunk. Okay, more than half-drunk. “Did you see the look on his face,” Mateo said, slurring on the ‘s’ sounds and stumbling past a group of women entering the bar. “I’ve never seen a vampire turn that color before.” Kadeem grabbed Mateo by the shoulder to keep him from colliding with the women. One, with purple hair and a silver nose ring, shot a look of loathing and disgust at Mateo. Mateo took no notice. The man was Teflon to the disdain of others. “How does the undead get flushed,” Mateo asked, completely oblivious to how close he was coming to trampling another crowd of passing strangers on the sidewalk. “He went as red as a cherry tomato!” Irritated, Kadeem helped Mateo weave through the other group of Weres. “How the hell would I know?” “Maybe he had just eaten,” Mateo said, shrugging Kadeem off of him - as though Kadeem was the annoying one. Kadeem rolled his eyes and clenched his jaw. He already need
ArdalI awake with a start, the sunlight streaming in through the window and casting an ethereal glow over the room. As my eyes adjust to the light, I quickly remember where I am. Jack lays beside me, his chest rising and falling rhythmically in slumber.I can feel the warmth radiating from his body, and it sends a shiver down my spine. The sheets are soft against her skin, yet they do little to soothe the tempest of emotions brewing within me.'Last night was... wow,' I whisper to myself, memories of our passionate encounter flooding my mind like a tidal wave.I remember the way his body felt pressed to mine, starting a fire within me that I hadn't felt in years. Our bodies had melded together as one, and the things he'd said to me – the sweet nothings and fierce declarations – had sent my heart racing like a wild stallion galloping across the plains."Jack, you make me feel alive," I’d gasped between breaths, our b
Kadeem"Wake up, Mateo."Kadeem leaned over his snoring friend. He grasped Mateo's shoulder firmly, shaking it. Mateo emitted a dull noise. Rolling away from Kadeem's grasp, Mateo cocooned himself in blankets.Kadeem sighed loudly. "Get up, you asshole.""Whadaya want?" Mateo croaked, voice thick with sleep."I need your help.""Middle of the night," Mateo groaned. "Go away.""Please."Kadeem had been tossing and turning for hours. The alcohol had worn well off at this point. With the sobriety, came a dialing up of the edgy, troubled feelings in his heart.Mateo pulled the covers down from over his face. Kadeem watched him try to force his heavy eyes open. "What's wrong," he asked, before his eyes snapped closed again."I need you to do more hypnotism on me."Mateo's eyes flew open. "You've got to b
Kadeem“Stay with my voice.”Kadeem’s eyes opened, but he wasn’t with Mateo. He was in a hospital room.“You’re finding all the details you were looking for.”Kadeem's blurred vision focused to reveal a scene of terror, as he realized he couldn’t move his legs. He couldn’t wiggle his toes. He couldn’t feel his legs."Ardal,” he screamed, still desperately trying to move against the paralysis that had taken over his lower limbs.But it wasn't Ardal who walked into the room, it was Susan. Her look of pity only intensified Kadeem's nightmare. "She's not here," she uttered somberly. "Since your car accident, she hasn't been around much. The doctors say you won't walk again and...she doesn't want anything to do with an invalid."Kadeem felt like he was entering a portal to madness as fear surged through his veins. His heart pounded wildly in his chest as he shrieked, "What
Ardal“Are you alright?”“I’m fine,” I say, trying to reassure Jack - and myself.But I’m really not. The wheels in my head have been spinning since Jack took me up to his loft apartment last night, and spiraled to a dizzying pace with him this morning. Why can’t I just get Kadeem out of my mind?Jack drops me off at my home, and since I'm running late for work (Saturday is our busiest day of the week), I hastily climb into my car in last night’s clothes.There's no way I can chance going inside without adding on at least fifteen minutes of questions and hugs from the quints, even with Hannah attempting to corral them for me.“IDGAF if anyone notices,” I text Julia as I pull up.By “anyone,” of course I mean Kadeem, but I don’t tell her. I dash inside, planning to go straight to the locker room to shower and change. If the stars align, I won’t be late for the 10AM
ArdalI hold Erbao’s hand as Jack’s nurse, Peggy, leads us to the exam room, the sound of our footsteps echoing through the white hallway. Erbao, with his youthful curiosity, gazes at the various medical charts and anatomical models lining the walls."Mommy, are we going to see Dr. Jack again?""Yep, little man,” I say, trying to sound peppy. “He’s going to make you feel better.” I look down at him and force a smile.We stop by the scale, and although it’s been only a few days since his last appointment, Erbao’s lost a pound. Just a normal fluctuation, I hope, but the gaunt look to his face tells me a different story.Peggy gets Erbao’s vitals before stepping out. Then, we wait. Erbao’s normally pretty talkative, but today, we’re both quiet. I’ve been dreading this for Erbao, and sitting in this room, the scary reality we’re facing is starting to sink in.All the emotions I’ve been
Kadeem “I don’t want to.” Mateo’s arms were crossed over his chest, reminding Kadeem of a willful child. “Come on,” Kadeem said, gruffly, before adding in a lighter tone, "It's just a quick workout session."Kadeem’s mood had been a roller coaster lately. He needed an outlet. Mateo was the unwilling sparring partner today. Mateo eyed Kadeem skeptically. "Fine. But if I break a nail, it's on you."Kadeem chuckled, clapping Mateo on the back as they made their way towards the gym. The power had been restored overnight and the gym was empty today, closed for the Sunday rest. The only sound echoing through the cavernous room was the hum of the overhead lights.Kadeem led Mateo towards the boxing area, where a large ring stood proudly in the center. Around it were several punching bags suspended from the ceiling, swaying gently with anticipation. The smell of leather and effort hung heavily in the air."Alright, Mateo," Kadeem said, wrapping his hands with tape before slipping on a pai