ALAIA After Isabella left, Luna Bella wasn’t in the mood to keep shopping. I tried to comfort her, but we all returned to the packhouse. Fortunately, I thought the trip wasn’t a bust as I admired the dress we picked for the mating ceremony. Mating ceremony. I couldn’t believe I was here. Granted, it wasn’t the person I would have loved to be mated to, but Isaiah was definitely close. He was tall, handsome, and charismatic. He had the body of an Adonis, soft, curly black hair, and his eyes... His gray, stormy eyes were to die for. He was the complete opposite of my James. They were both tall and handsome, but James was ginger with green eyes and freckles. It was weird thinking of James while lying on my mate’s bed. Yet, after all this time, my love for him never faltered. My thoughts returned to when James and I hung out in my pack before Maria was his mate. No matter how crappy my day was, he always found a way to make me feel better. Whether with a joke or a snack he stole from

THIRD PERSON VIEW Zelda, Zira, Isabella, and Luna Bella sat in the living room as an uncomfortable silence filled the air. Isabella and Luna Bella avoided eye contact while Zelda looked at her daughter, Zira, to do something. Zira looked at her mom and mouthed, “What?” “I don’t know, something,” Zelda mouthed back. Zira sat there trying to think of something to say, but nothing presented itself but one. Luna Bella was scary when she was pissed, and Zira knew the slightest mistake could set her off. So, what she said next was crucial. “So,” Zira started putting on her best smile, “a lot has happened in the past twenty-four hours, right? I survived a rogue attack. Isaiah found his mate. Isabella’s mate is a girl. This should be a celebration of all celebrations, am I right?” Zelda face-palmed herself while Luna Bella and Isabella looked at Zira like she was crazy. This is what happens when you leave it up to your daughter. Zelda thought. Yup, that’s my best friend. Ru

ISAIAH I grabbed my mother’s hands. I wish I could convey to her my love for Alaia. Every time I think of her, my heart fills up with joy. “Mother, I am sure Alaia is good for me. I can feel it every time I think of her. She will make a great Luna and eventually a great mother.” My mother smiled at this and kissed my hands. “I just wish your sister would understand how much I want her to be happy. To be set for life.” “Sometimes you have to let us be who we are. We’ll eventually learn what works for us. As long as we know you’re in our corner. I think Isabella started wanting to please you, but in return, she wasn’t true to who she is.” I really wanted her to understand from Isabella’s point of view. “If Isabella loves Victoria and Victoria loves Isabella, then why get in the middle of that?” My mother stared at me as if I had said something foreign. “Because they have no future. I’ve seen it with that family. Someone always disappoints the other, leaving us to deal with the af

VICTORIA It’s been over one hundred and sixty-eight hours since I last saw Isabella. My aunt checked in a few times before leaving for work. Coming home didn’t really improve my mood. I thought the pain would disappear by rejecting her, but now it feels worse. Why do I still want her? “The rejection was false. You never wanted to leave her,” Rae told me. “Still, I shouldn’t be the one in pain. She’s the one who didn’t want to fight for us,” I snapped back. “Then we should have stayed and fought for her. Maybe we could’ve made her stronger,” Rae countered. “I don’t want to fight for her,” I cried. “Then why are you still holding on to her shirt?” I looked down at the shirt clutched to my chest. This was my pastime. Sitting on my bed, breathing in her scent, brought both pain and pleasure. “Rae, I don’t know what to do.” “Yes, you do. Go get our mate back,” Rae said without explaining how. “Easier said than done, Rae. I can’t just go back.” Rae huffed at me and di

ISABELLA I woke up really early today. After that little showdown with my mom, I stayed with Zira for two weeks. I looked over to my best friend with her mouth wide open, drooling, wetting her pillow, and smiled. Had to do a lot of groveling to get her to stay and not leave. She’s been such a great support these weeks. Staying up watching romantic movies, eating our weight in desserts, and singing into the night. Even on days when she wasn’t feeling good. I had to find a way to repay her. I carefully got out of bed, trying not to wake her, and packed my things. I quietly exited the room and headed for the front door. I heard Mrs. Lake making breakfast in the kitchen and stopped by to say goodbye. “Good morning, Mrs. Lake.” “Oh, Isabella. Good morning. Breakfast?” She asked, gesturing towards the spread on the table. “Oh no. I’m fine,” I said as my stomach protested loudly. She laughed and practically pushed me into a seat at the table. “Just take a seat and fill a plate. Ca