MattPain radiated throughout my head. I tried to open my eyes, but the world was fuzzy and began to spin uncontrollably. I blinked, trying to clear my vision, but if anything, it made my sight worse. Thud, thud, thud. My head pounded away. I was lying face down; something damp was pressed against my body. I splayed my fingers out, feeling around me. I wasn’t in my cell. Where were my shackles? Pan was still dormant, though. If the silver was gone, where was Pan? Why wasn’t he back? I inhaled deeply; the overpowering smell of damp soil and leaves invaded my senses, causing me to wince as the thudding in my head struck again. Pain ran down my spine, like a wildfire, as I tried to push myself up, but I groaned as I clasped my neck, falling back to the soil. What had Kroll done to me?“Iris…” I murmured as I tried to sit up again. My whole body felt as heavy as lead, and every slight movement sent my head spinning. Nauseous washed over me from the tip of my toes all the w

RoseA faint buzzing echoed through the hospital room as tufts of black and rainbow hair showered down over the white sheet as I ran a pair of hair clippers over Iris’s head. Iris had closed her eyes and seemed to zone out. It seemed like she was enjoying it, but I didn’t want to pry her about her feelings on it. Maybe it was like getting rid of the remainder of her time with Kroll that she enjoyed the most about it. The door to Iris’s room crashed open as her brothers entered. The curtain by the door fluttered in the air as Alastor threw it out of their way. Both of them were in talking over each other until they saw what I was doing. It was like they became frozen entirely. The curtain came back and hit Alastor in the side of the face, reminding him that the world wasn’t freezing with them.“What are you doing?” Alastor asked. Horror was written all over his face as he stomped over to snatch the clippers from my hands.“Get your head out of your ass. I

Matt“Well, well, well.” Kroll’s voice sang out from a nearby tree. “Should I slice your throat or maybe take inspiration from Alastor and just throw you off a cliff?”“I thought you were supposed to be good at this? It’s been hours, old man.” I breathed heavily.“Why do you have such a death wish?” Kroll leaped down from his perch and stalked towards me. I began to back away from him until I felt the edge of the ground disappear beneath my heel. Kroll’s hand found its way around my neck, his eyes threatening to recreate Alastor’s accident. “Kroll.” A familiar voice called from behind Kroll. “Release him before I return the favor.” A deep rumbling growl echoed throughout the forest.I kept replaying the scene in my mind over and over again as I sat on an uncomfortable old wooden chair at a table with a silver shackle wrapped around my wrist, chaining me to the wall. I rapped my fingers on the table, listening to echoes that bounced off of the wall

Orion“Alastor and I are going to Silver Crescent….” before I could finish my sentence, Rose’s head snapped up from my chest, and she pushed herself away from me. Her face was an open book, the fear, confusion, and curiosity screamed from every pore.“But, why?” She clambered to her feet, fishing her hoodie from the floor and throwing it on, hiding her skin from me.“I want to take a look for myself, but this time only you and Harriet will know where Alastor and I are.” I slid out of my chair and collected my clothes off of the floor. I grabbed Rose’s sports bra, socks, and shoes and placed them on the edge of my desk. I felt her eyes glued to me, but not because of my nudity or arousal.“And I want to go let Delilah run free in the woods, but that’s a stupid idea right now too.” Her eyes threw daggers at me with every word she spoke.“Come on, Rose,” I sighed as I slipped back on my boxer briefs and jeans. My belt clasp jingled as I fumbled around

Matt“Didn’t you know the night of the fire Hodges was talking to Kroll and a pack warrior caught him? Hodges killed the warrior because he didn’t want to be connected to the rogues. I think Kroll said it was the Beta.”My blood began to boil, and my vision went red. This sick bastard murdered his best friend and then has been living with me like he had a clean conscience. I was fuming, ready to leap to my feet and try to rip the chain out of the wall but warm waves of electricity licked underneath my skin. The thoughts of strangling Hodges with the chain locking me away from Pan disappeared as Pru’s hand rested on my cheek. Just one touch, she was able to grab ahold of me before I spun out of control.“That was my dad….” I trailed off as I looked into Pru’s chocolatey brown orbs. My anger still roared inside of me but looking into her eyes numbed the pain that was fighting for control.“Oh, Matt.” Pru almost whispered as she latched her arms around my ne