All Chapters of TORN BETWEEN MATES: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Theme: Resilience and Unity (Aria’s POV) As Xander and I are left in the wake of Caleb's scary threat, the wind takes the sounds of his taunt as his dark figure disappears into the darkness. Fear permeates every breath I take, and my heart thuds in my chest. But, I will not allow fear to win. Not right now. I get the strength I need to balance myself as Xander's hand tightens around mine. "What does he want, Aria?" There is a look of uncertainty in his eyes, yet his voice is silent and watchful. "I don’t know, but whatever it is, it can’t be good." I shook my head, trying to ignore the fear that Caleb left behind. "He’s playing games, trying to break us." Xander tightens his jaw. "Then we deny him access. Together, we will face this. We've made it through worse." I can feel the storm of feelings beneath the surface, his confidence is comforting. He is worried about the future, about us, and me. I do, however, feel a glimmer of hope as I look into his eyes. We are not alone

Theme: New Beginnings and Rising Challenges Aria's POV The crisp morning air is suffused with dew and the promise of a new beginning. From the summit of the hill, I can see the settlement below, where the pack is rising with the sun. It should feel like peace and accomplishment. Rather, a strange anxiety grips my chest. The beauty doesn't make my stomach turn even if the horizon is gleaming gently and the sky is colored with morning hues. I try to get rid of the sensation by putting my arms around myself. "Is it possible to feel victorious and unsettled at the same time?" I whisper, almost to myself. Xander's constant steps behind me catch my ear. He comes to me and stands next to me, his warmth comforting, but I see his jaw tight as though he feels it too. With a calm yet inquisitive tone, he asks, "Something on your mind?" I hesitate for a second before biting my lip. "I simply feel that everything is too basic. This quiet, this calmness, after everything we've

Theme: Revealing Enigmas (Aria's POV) The tent is dimly lit as the dawn slowly breaks. Since last night, Xander and I haven't communicated much. We both know that we can't ignore the uncomfortable stillness between us for very long. Something more significant is involved, something we still don't fully comprehend. The sea is getting higher. I can't get the warning out of my head. It resembles a puzzle with an excessive number of missing pieces. Xander is seated across from me at the large table, and we are surrounded by old maps and manuscripts. He studies another tattered page of what appears to be a faded legend, his brow furrowed. I make an effort to concentrate, but my mind keeps returning to the hushed discussions and the unexplained deaths that washed up. "What did you discover?" I break the silence and inquire at last. Something flickers when Xander's eyes rise to meet mine: worry, possibly even fear. Although he doesn't exhibit it frequently, I've known him long enough

Theme: Threats Unleashed (Aria's POV) The lookout words stay in my chest, making my pulse accelerate. "Something living," he whispered. There's something inside the water. It makes my skin crawl to think about it. The water is become more than just a nightmare. It is on its way to us. There is no time wasted by Xander. With acute, focused attention, he wonders, "How far out?" With his chest still heaving from his sprint, the scout swallows. "Alpha, near to the shore. It's tough to identify, but the waves were different. The sea didn't look to be right. Something under the surface is in action. "Have you noticed it?" I ask, scarcely lifting my voice above a whisper. The scout stops and turns to look at me. "No, Luna. But, we feel it…as if the water itself was monitoring us. I got a chill down my back. Is the sea, watching us? I know in my heart that he's accurate, even if it seems ridiculous. I have also experienced the whispers and the draw. The sea is no longer only a pla

Theme: Desperate Measures Aria’s POV Xander: "They're using magic and fear to control us. We have to find a way to break the curse. His words are so pressing they hang in the air. Though I can see the determination in his eyes, there is yet a hint of doubt there as well. He himself does not know how to end it. Like if it were reaching into my soul, the eerie tune starts again, this time slower but more relentless, and my chest tightens. Aria: "Xander, what if we can't?" What if it's too late already? The worry has held me like a vice, and I hate how weak my voice sounds. I can't get rid of the feeling that we're losing no matter how hard we try. Xander puts his hands on my shoulders and takes a step closer. I feel grounded by his warm touch. "Don't talk like that," noted Xander. We'll work something out. You underestimate your strength. With his best efforts to comfort me, his comments simply serve to underline my weakness. I'm not sure how much longer I can resist the m