Elio I storm up the stairs, feeling her scent intensify as the bond leads me towards her. I have no idea what I’m going to say, I just need to see her. The scent of roses and sunshine, mixed with something sinfully seductive, fills me, calming my beasts as I draw closer to her room. I can only imagine how it would feel to touch her, experiencing those sparks Cahya always talks about... I want them. Everything he has ever told me about mates runs through my head. “They are the second half of your soul, Elio. Go find her,” he urged me for years. “Aaliyah is everything to me... she makes me a better man. I want that for you, brother,” he said earnestly. At first, I dismissed it, considering mates to be a weakness. But now, I know it better than ever before; they are a weakness but I need her. I wish I had listened to him. Secretly, I envied what he had with Aaliyah, and it’s true, he is a better man because of her. A frown appears on my face as I comprehend that the blood oath being v

Kara I switch on the phone in my trembling hand, struggling to press the buttons. The screen lights up and I see the car’s driver slowing down as they approach me. Jamal is long gone and I’m left shaken on the curb. Goddess, what should I do? I search for Gabriel's number and press the dial button, my heart racing. His voice comes through the other end of the line and I break down. “Ka, what happened?” His gentle tone is a stark contrast to the sobs and dry heaves. I managed to stay strong until now, but it’s all too much! I can sense his panic, but I can’t find my voice to speak. “Where are you?” he questions, his firm tone snapping me out of my daze as I watch the car come to a stop. “I’m on the border of Bloodmoon Bay,” I sniffled, and there was a silence on the other end of the phone before he spoke again. “I’ve booked you a room at the Selene hotel. It’s all paid for, and you can order whatever food you like. I’ll be there as soon as possible... do you need me to bring anyth

Elio He gazes at me with indifference, as if my presence holds no significance. He knows she is my mate, that I would feel it. II just can’t understand why he would do it? As I near him, her scent lingers in the air, and I catch sight of one of her curls dangling from his trousers. I want to tear him to shreds, to rip him apart for his betrayal. The only thing that holds me back is that fear mixed in with her scent, not her arousal. My nostrils flare as I stand in front of him. My jaw clenches and clicks. “Is there something you wish to confess?” I demand, my aura erupting with force, causing him to cower. Yet, defiance still flickers in his eyes. I clutch his collar, yanking him closer until our faces are just inches apart. I scrutinise his eyes, searching for any hint of fear, but instead, I find a sense of acceptance - a resignation to his inevitable fate. Which still leaves that nagging question: why would he do this? His nose wrinkles as he gets closer to me, which I don’t under

Kara We’re in Gabriel’s car leaving Bloodmoon bay. The city looks completely different in the cold light of day, but even with the sunbeams, it still doesn’t take away the memory of last night. Perhaps I will come back here another time when things aren’t so raw. It’s one of the cities I wish I had visited. Although now it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I look over at my brother, hoping against hope he will agree to my next request. He looks over at me, his long ginger hair tucked behind his ears. “What?” he asks, knowing he probably isn’t going to like what I am about to say. Apparently, I have a ‘look’ whenever I’m about to ask something he doesn’t want to give me. Not that he ever says no but still. I bite my lip, taking a deep breath before I pluck up the courage to ask. This is probably the only thing he has so far refused me. “I want you to give me the mate bond serum,” I say as confidently as I can. I have thought about it all night. Elio doesn’t want me and I don’t want

Kara “I will consider it okay,” Gabriel tells me as I nod. It’s not a no, I guess that is progress. We sit in the car in silence, the roar of the engine the only sound as I stare out the window as the trees pass. My mind drifts to Elio once again, the pull to go back to him getting stronger the further we go until I have to clamp my lips shut to stop myself from asking Gabriel to turn around. Instead, I turn the radio on, looking for something to tune it all out. I eventually find a catchy tune and begin to bop my head to the beat when I catch the lyrics. URGH it’s a love song. I change the channel looking for something else, and Ed Sheeran comes up to play. Nope, not listening to that. I scan the radio again and again and again. God, do they only make flipping love songs? Growling, I turn the radio off and we reaming, sitting in silence. Gabriel looks over at me, his lips pressed together, and I know he doesn’t enjoy seeing me like this. “Are you hungry?” he asks, and I nod. Gu