Namesake Novels & Stories

It would take a lot for me to be as tall or taller than this man. “Ms. Blaze.” He says, taking my hand. Like me, he must have had to create a secondary name, or ‘last name’ as Ish had called it. Apparently, having one name isn’t sufficient for humans. So, I took a name that symbolized who I am. It appears that Mr. Rime did as well. “Please, call me Tana.” I say. “Fire goddess. A fitting name. And you shall call me Edur.” He says. Edur means snow. He’s definitely a polar bear.

“Yeah. The only thing I’m apprehensive about is the pain I’ll be in once we are turning. But, Dr. Moreno cleared us and said we are both healthy for the transition.” “What’s your real name, anyway?” I asked. She smiled, “I bet you think Sin is some kind of devilish nickname don’t you?” “Yeah, I do.” I said. “Well, it’s not. It’s short for Sinclair.” She said. “I did not see that coming at all.” I chuckled. “So does that mean you are going to leave your code names behind and start using your actual names?” Canary’s eyes lit up, “I hadn’t even thought about that. I will, if it’s required.” She said, “Hey, are we talking to your parents again? They are serious but fun.”

I reply, breathless, while Christian pulls the chair out for me to sit and sign. I stare down at the keepsake certificate with a smile on my face, my thumb hovering over Christian’s middle name; Ivano. Christian Ivano Roman. They’re such nice names. I think to myself. I let my eyes shift to the other side of the thick paper where my name sits. Hannah Sinclair. Only that something seems a little off. I don’t have a third name. I never have, yet there’s a huge space after Sinclair that indicates otherwise. Like something’s supposed to be there.

She always blames me for the past and never misses a chance to remind me. “Ben, the name of your company is Limone?” Laurel squeaks, sitting up. “I had no freaking idea.” “What’s the inspiration behind the name?” Hillary asks, looking at me. I don’t intend to answer but of course, Jake can’t help himself. “Ben used to be obsessed with lemons since he was five. The name just means lemon in Italian.” “Why Italian?” Laurel looks between us. “His first love’s from Italy,” Jake adds. I grit my teeth.

And of all the people he could partner with, he picked Alexander-fucking-Grayson? “What?” I asked, my voice betraying my disbelief. My eyes darted to Alex, whose lips curved into that infuriating smirk. He was enjoying this. Of course he was. “We were struggling to come up with a name,” Dad explained, walking around his desk to sit down. “So I suggested yours. Simple and elegant!” “That was… really stupid, Dad,” I stammered. “Why would you name it after me?” “Why? What’s wrong with that, Sienna?” Alex interjected, his tone dripping with mock innocence.

“Yeah. The only thing I’m apprehensive about is the pain I’ll be in once we are turning. But, Dr. Moreno cleared us and said we are both healthy for the transition.” “What’s your real name, anyway?” I asked. She smiled, “I bet you think Sin is some kind of devilish nickname don’t you?” “Yeah, I do.” I said. “Well, it’s not. It’s short for Sinclair.” She said. “I did not see that coming at all.” I chuckled. “So does that mean you are going to leave your code names behind and start using your actual names?” Canary’s eyes lit up, “I hadn’t even thought about that. I will, if it’s required.” She said, “Hey, are we talking to your parents again? They are serious but fun.”

It wasn't until my first month of college that I found out the entire pack had been calling me a leech behind my back. The nickname came from Sienna Blackwood—Lucas's partner. To every wolf in Silvermoon, I was just some weakling squatting on pack land. They saw me use Lucas's pass, saw the tiny cabin at the edge of his territory, and filled in the blanks themselves. I went to find Lucas, thinking he'd defend me like he used to when we were pups. But he just waved a hand, didn't even look up from whatever he was doing, and said, "It's just a nickname, Elena. Sienna's joking around. You're being too sensitive." Then he added, "Besides, you're always around me. You use my pass, you live a sto

I said after a few moments. “I guess I should now give it. Seeing you moved in here without even knowing my name, I should give you your props.” He said in a gentler tone. I chuckled at that. “Then I guess you should, Alpha.” He smiled then said boldly, “My name is Nathan but people call me Alpha Nate.” “Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Alpha Nate.” I said and he nodded, “Likewise.” He stretched his hand forth and we sealed our knowledge of each other in a handshake.

Can I, do it? "Yeah sure," I gladly answered even though the truth is I'm hesitant. Will I able to make that on time? "Yes, we will expect you on Monday...ahm, what's your name again?" Aiden asked me. I glance at Tagan before answering Aiden, remember my name Tagan. “Yashashree Celine Amora,” I said. "Yashashree?" Aiden asked, obviously weirded out by my first name. “Yashashree means the Goddess of success, right?’ Tove asks.

A girl in a pink tutu twirled past me. Yeah, that was me… a younger and brighter me. My mother knelt beside her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Chin up, Jasmine,” she whispered. “You are a Goldwyn.” Jasmine. My name is Jasmine. The images shifted. My father’s laugh echoed through the halls. The boardroom. My signature. The merger. Arnold’s hand in mine. His vows. His lies. His tongue in Joanne’s mouth. The lake house.