Lottie and I quickly entered the house as it started drizzling, seeking refuge from the light shower that had begun. We decided to make the most of our time indoors and took out our class notes from the day to update our notebooks.As we worked on our school assignments, the gentle sound of rain tapping softly against the windows created a cozy and peaceful atmosphere in the house. The scent of wet earth seeped through the cracks, adding a touch of freshness to the air.Amid discussions about the latest topics in class and occasional jokes, time flew by. Lottie and I supported each other, sharing ideas and helping out with difficult points, making studying much more manageable.As the rain continued outside, we remained immersed in our studies, completely absorbed in the world of mathematics and history. Although school assignments could sometimes be challenging, it was always comforting to have Lottie by my side, turning even the most boring moments into something fun and enjoyable.

The air in the room was filled with tense silence, only broken by Lucas's ragged breaths. Kessler and I exchanged looks, both knowing that this was just the beginning of a long and challenging journey."We need to better understand his transformations," Kessler said as he struggled to stand up. "It's getting harder each time."I nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility. "We can't let him go through this alone," I replied, looking at Lucas who was now resting more peacefully. "We have to find a way to help him control his changes."Kessler leaned over the nearby table and pulled out an old book, its pages worn with time. "There might be something here," he said, carefully flipping through the book. "This diary belonged to someone who went through the same thing. Maybe their experiences will give us a clue."As Kessler read aloud, I stayed watching Lucas. In his wolf form, he still retained a part of his essence, a connection that hadn't been severed despite the transformations. I g

The sun shone warmly over us as Kessler and I relaxed at the picnic. The fresh country air, mixed with laughter and camaraderie, made the day feel perfect despite the challenges we still faced ahead.After taking several photos and enjoying the delicious food Kessler had prepared, we lay on the blanket, looking at the sky. White clouds floated lazily, and a bird flew by, momentarily breaking the silence."This is just what we needed," I said, intertwining my fingers with Kessler's. "A moment of peace before facing whatever comes next."Kessler nodded, his gaze fixed on the sky. "That's true. But it's also important to remember why we're fighting. Moments like this give us the strength to keep going."I turned to him, admiring his strong and determined profile. "Thank you for being here, Kessler. I don't know what I would do without you."He looked at me, his eyes full of a tenderness that made me feel safe and loved. "I'll always be here for you, Eva. We're a team, and I won't let you

I felt as if the world was collapsing around me. The word "mate" echoed in my mind, carrying a weight that was hard to grasp."What... what do you mean by that?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.Kessler looked down, as if he couldn't bear to see my reaction. "In our world, mates are predestined. It's a deep, almost unbreakable bond. Even though my heart belongs to you, she feels that bond more intensely. It's a connection that goes beyond simple attraction."Lucas, who had been silent until now, intervened. "It's complicated, Eva. Riley is convinced that Kessler belongs to her. And that makes her dangerous."The pieces began to fall into place in my mind. Riley's threats, her persistence, it all made more sense now. But even so, I couldn't accept that it was enough to justify her behavior."So, what are we supposed to do? Keep running? Live in fear of her attacks?" I asked, my voice rising with desperation.Kessler looked at me, his eyes filled with sadness and determination. "No.

Kessler held me firmly, his warmth giving me a sense of security despite my worries. "Eva, we'll face this together. Your dad has the right to know me, and I want him to accept me—not just for you, but because I don't want you to have to choose between us."I hugged him back, trying to calm my nerves. "You're right. This is an opportunity for him to understand us better."I returned to class, though my mind remained preoccupied with that night's dinner. I tried to focus on the lesson, but the hours dragged by. Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. I gathered my things and headed to the exit, where Kessler and Lucas were already waiting for me."Ready to go see Kessler's mom?" I asked, trying to sound enthusiastic."Yeah, let's go," Lucas replied. "The sooner we get information about Riley, the better."We walked together to Kessler's house. Kessler's mom, a middle-aged woman with dark hair and piercing eyes, greeted us with a warm smile. She invited us into the