THE STRANGER

Alicia POVThere were three things I knew for certain. Ice hockey smelled like frozen regret, athletic tape could fix most problems, and I was very good at running from my past.Which explained why I was in Lakeside University's athletics basement, organizing a supply closet that looked ransacked by bears."This is fine," I muttered, yanking tangled resistance bands from a shelf. "Totally normal first-day activity."The bands came free suddenly, sending me stumbling into a stack of yoga mats. I caught myself and glared at the chaotic shelves.My phone buzzed. Maren, obviously.MAREN: survived your first hour as lakeside athletic trainer without burning anything down?ME: the day is youngI shoved the phone back and returned to wrestling with equipment. This job was supposed to be a fresh start. The new position means busy Alicia who didn't wake up screaming from nightmares she couldn't remember.The university had been desperate enough to hire me, and I'd been desperate enough to take

Last Updated : 2026-04-20

THE GAPS

Alicia POVThe photo sat on my nightstand, mocking me.Two hours of staring, and I still had nothing. Just a blank space where something important should be.It felt like missing a step in the dark. It was 2:47 AM and I have classes in five hours.I picked up the photo again.Twelve-year-old me looked genuinely happy. The boy's hands on mine, comfortable. We'd known each other well.So where was he in my memories?I tried thinking backward. Middle school was there—awkward haircuts, braces, that mortifying science fair. Eleven, ten, nine, all there.Then twelve hit and there was just... fog. Six months of my life reduced to fragments. I remembered my dad being sad, quiet, and different somehow.But the specifics? Gone.I grabbed my phone and pulled up Dad's contact. He was in Singapore for work, which meant it was mid-afternoon there.He answered on the third ring. "Alicia? Is everything okay?""Define okay.""That's never a good start." He moved, probably stepping away from a meetin

Last Updated : 2026-04-20

THE MEMORY

Desmond POVThe apartment reeked of bleach and regret.I sat on the bathroom counter while Cole pressed gauze against the gash on my ribs, his face caught between concern and fury."You almost shifted," he said."I didn't though.""Close enough that I could smell it from across campus." He taped the bandage harder than necessary. "What happened?""She cornered me in the library. Asked if we knew each other before." I stared at the cracked tile. "She showed me the photo."Cole's hands stilled. "Which one?""The one from when we were kids. Someone scribbled my face out.""Matthew.""Has to be. He wants her rattled.""It's working."I didn't argue. I have carefully kept my distance for five years, and one conversation had nearly shattered everything.Cole followed me into the living room. Our apartment was just two bedrooms, with minimal furniture, and nothing personal. Werewolves didn't do permanent."Matthew called while you were gone," Cole said.My stomach dropped. "What did he want?

Last Updated : 2026-04-20

THE TRUTH

Alicia POVI made it three blocks before my brain overrode common sense.Desmond's face when he'd heard that howl was pure terror barely masked as concern. And the way he'd walked toward the woods like he was expecting something.Nobody walked toward creepy forest sounds at night.Which meant either Desmond had a death wish or he knew exactly what was out there.I pulled a U-turn that would've failed me in driver's ed and headed back.I silenced my phone and pulled into the lot, killing the headlights.The parking lot was empty. No sign of Desmond.But something moved in the shadows near the tree line. Something big.I wanted to stay in the car and call campus security or Maren.But I grabbed the flashlight from my glove compartment and got out."This is how people die in horror movies," I muttered. "Stupid people who ignore every red flag."Trees loomed overhead, blocking out most of the moonlight. My flashlight beam cut through the darkness.I heard a closer howl. My hands started

Last Updated : 2026-04-20

All Chapters of FALLING FOR MY FORGOTTEN HOCKEY STEPBROTHER: Chapter 1 - Chapter 4

THE STRANGER

THE GAPS

THE MEMORY

THE TRUTH