I lean against the flimsy sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I know I’m not the classical version of beautiful. But my skin is clear of blemishes, and my green eyes aren’t as rare as Rome’s honey-colored eyes, but they are still uncommon enough. I frown when I eye my hair. The vibrant fiery red draws all the attention from any decent features I have. That’s the problem, my hair. And my pale complexion is littered with freckles that try to consume my face. My fingers curl over the side of the sink as I remember Falcon’s face when he watched Rome sit down. That jealous monster gnaws at me from the inside, unlike anything I have ever felt as the lights flicker in the bathroom. I have been envious before. Shit, I live to be envious, apparently. Watching the kids at the school getting to learn while I sat across the street. Or when their loving parents came to pick them up. I was envious of anyone who got love or attention when I lingered in the allies hoping for a spot of food

***Laney POV***I place my hand between our lips, stopping the kiss Falcon was undoubtedly about to give me. A kiss I want so badly to accept and find comfort in, one I can not accept. Not right now, not when I’m falling apart. I don’t want a kiss to fix what’s broken. I want it because he wants me and cares for me. When he saw Rome, I could see the look in his eyes. It was more than her beauty that took him off his feet.His eyes are open as he watches me, placing a gentle kiss on my fingers that block his advance. He reaches up, pulling my hand down and resting his head against my forehead. Both our eyes close as I allow myself this one small moment in time with him. He came for me like he promised he would. Like he says he always has, but I feel he is keeping things from me. Important things that might alter our working relationship.“I am sorry. That was brazen of me.” He whispers and I let out a shaky breath, pulling away from him, removing my body from his warm arms. Falcon rema

I would give anything to get inside Laney’s head right now as we settle down to camp for the night. She sends me a glance, looking away when our eyes lock, her hair cascading down over her face, hiding the blush I know is back. It was idiotic but unavoidable to not only say those things but kiss her back. Obviously, I knew I would eventually give in. The magic that surrounds us, binds us together like a damn bungee cord, is too much to fight. Yet this time, it felt like it was more on my terms rather than the whispered chants of a witch in the wind. Laney is everything I told her she was. And for once, I firmly believe that I think that of my accord. Though I will never really know, which makes being absolute about what I am doing all that much harder. Monty and Laney have been laughing and chatting nonstop the whole way. After the embarrassment of being caught kissing me, she moved back into being the cheerful girl with a positive outlook, no matter the shit that has tried to bring

The moment I sense movement, I growl and leap toward it, Rome right on my heels as I land on a large man with a grunt. He tosses me to the side, my spine cracking against a tree trunk as I whimper, trying to stand. Rome snarls in anger, burying her teeth deep in his arm as he transforms into a dark brown wolf, whining as he tries to shake her. As I take a wavering step forward, a hand clamps onto my neck, the cold from his touch noticeable even through my thick fur. Vampire. I let my body fall limp, trying to play dead, before whipping my head around and trying to latch onto his wrist. My teeth graze his skin but find nothing to grasp onto as he raises me higher. He holds me just far enough away that my short wolf's legs can not touch him, so in an instant I shift back to human form, his icy fingers losing grip on the fur that is now just my sweaty neck and he drops me. He has no time to think as I jump up to standing and throw my palm into his perfect nose. A gross crunch vibrates

By the time we make it to the human town, Laney and Rome both look exhausted, and the sun is fully up. The heat of it hammering down on us, though Monty looks completely unbothered by not only the heat but the rays that seem to have no effect on his vampire skin. For the second time, I wonder how he can withstand the sun when it so clearly affected his brothers. Though we are all classified as supernatural–werewolves, vampires, and witches–There are many differences to each of us. Werewolves, of course, include the few other shifters that do indeed exist, but witches are an array of beings. They can be humans, vampires, or even a select few who are werewolves. It’s for that reason that witches are the mediator between the rest of us, though it doesn’t always work out if Abbie or Annika are any indications. Two witches spinning spells and lie to the two other races, pitting us against each other. Some idiots trust too easily, and I used to be one of those idiots. But vampires? They k