Riptide Novels & Stories

"Now, tell me something useful, or this gets much uglier." Tears streamed down his face as he babbled incoherently. "Alright, alright! There's a shipment coming in! Derick's expecting it tonight. Guns, drugs—it's big!" I nodded, absorbing the information. "Where?" He hesitated, and I pressed the knife against his throat. "Where?" "The old docks, by the river! Midnight!" he cried out. "That's all I know, I swear!" I stepped back, wiping the blade clean. "Good. You've been surprisingly helpful." I turned and walked to the door, calling out to Ironhead, who was standing guard. "Take care of him," I said, my voice cold. "And make sure there's nothing left."

And I preferred it that way—until Mum decided we had stayed away long enough and returned us to this polished world of glass smiles and corporate charm. I step beside Helia just as he turns to introduce me. “Mr. and Mrs. Richmond Hills,” he says, “my younger twin, Hulio Ripples. Hulio, meet Richmond and Scarlet Hills.” Richmond extends a hand, his grip firm but easygoing. Salt-and-pepper hair, well-fitted suit. His wife, Scarlet, glitters beside him, elegance incarnate.

Uncle Peter told me something that made my legs go numb. The meeting that was about to happen was to discuss the future launch of a Five star hotel in our town. Uncle Peter was to join the meeting and be a part of this discussion as the representative along with our Mayor Mr Paterson. He was worried that the future of his resort was in danger and so was the nature and landscape of our town. He wanted me to accompany him as his companion to represent his side of the things in the meeting.

She chirped, smiling from ear to ear. “Alec, look honey! Look at this–” Mom yelled out and then stopped when she saw River. Please Mom, please don’t say anything dumb, I pleaded with my eyes hoping she could read them. “Umm, Riv’s, this is my Mom, Trisha Madden. Ma, this is River…” I trailed off trying to remember her last name. After all these months, I never asked her what her last name was. “Hi, River!” Mom pulled her into a hug. Dammit, Ma! I’m sure River had a couple of questions flash through her mind.

But I liked that proximity and how he didn’t let such an important moment for us turn awkward because of our wolves’ desperation. “Ria means river. River that keeps flowing no matter what’s in front of it. It overcomes every obstacle. If a path is blocked, it carves an alternative path. If there’s a boulder in front of it, it smashes through it or just gently passes by. It always carries destructive power, but still nurtures life by giving its everything. River keeps flowing. It keeps crossing all limits, all barriers to unite with the sea that is its destiny. I will keep flowing too until I meet my destiny. I promise…”

he says. I sighed and closed the door. Fair enough. I peed and felt completely free. By then Romeo was back with a towel and shirt. He threw it on my face and slammed the door shut. I felt bad but what can I do? I deserved this. I look at his hoodie I was still putting on, there were some blood on it. Which I doubt he'll collect back. I strip off my clothes and washed my skin then my hair. Then I realized the dye was beginning to wash off and return to my natural black hair.

I kissed him back, with all I had. “Ahem,” I heard, turning to see a couple standing with two babies. Ridge pulled back and laughed out loud, he laughed with his whole body and I loved how sincere it was, it meant it. “Tyra, this is my Beta, Pike and his mate Mindy,” Ridge said, letting go of my hips. I moved toward the couple, desperate for a peek at the pups. They were both swaddled and looked so cozy. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Tyra, I hope you’re settling in well,” Mindy said.

he asked her. “Because he told me,” Dani said. “Dani, do you know what imprinting is?” Slade asked her. “No,” she said. “Slade…” I warned him but he shook his head at me. “Imprinting is a gift and it only happens to wolves. It’s a connection to your soulmate, the person that you’re meant to be with. You can try and fight it, but it’s futile because that bond exists for a reason and it pulls you to that other person. You feel things that you can’t explain and it’s the one thing in our life that’s a guarantee. The one you imprint on will be yours forever if you respect that bond,” Slade said.

On the tile by the pool stairs, the word RIP had softened at the edges, the letters blurring as if something beneath the glaze were breathing. Outside, mothers began to cry.

“She and Riley go for early morning rides all the time. It’s for the glass, but she says it’s the best time to watch the Goddess Selene defy Zeus so she, Helios, and Eos can see each other. Whenever Riley is grounded, I take her and we howl at the moon together before it sets.” “The glass?” I furrow my brow. “The smoothness of the early morning water before the current churns it up for the day. It’s called glass.” Maggie smiles. “I haven’t been surfing since before the kids were born, but I still remember that ride.” “She and Riley live for it.” Nick leans back and folds his heavy arms over himself. “We really messed this up, didn’t we?” Eva frowns.