Xander “Please everyone,” Aurora, her voice steady but infused with urgency, sought to calm the agitated crowd. "Mr. Xander discovered our existence two years ago when he traced my blood donation in the city. He figured out I was a werewolf but kept it secret from everyone, including the government. He's been compensating me for my blood bi-monthly donation for his research. And he's even willing to offer compensation for your blood." An old widow, her eyes a peculiar blend of skepticism and keen interest, stepped forward. She brandished her old shotgun, its barrel ominously pointing towards Aurora and me. The wrinkles on her face deepened as she spoke, her voice a reflection of her financial desperation, "How much is he paying?" "$5,000 for a pint," Aurora answered promptly. The room erupted into a symphony of shocked murmurs. Some still thought it was a good price, a family could live on only $2,500 a month if they were frugal. Meanwhile, some of the younger people were thinking

Within the vast, dimly lit expanse of the repurposed factory, now transformed into a makeshift prison, an air of palpable tension hung heavily. The two-story building was segmented into numerous private cells, each imprisoning individuals from four towns – a mix of Alphas, Betas, and Omegas ensnared during the operation. These cramped quarters, typically housing two or three captives, bore the weight of their fear and uncertainty. In one such cell, a family of four huddled together, their faces ghostly pale. "Alpha Jack, what are they doing?" asked a woman with a pale face. She was comforting her two children, who hadn't awakened from the tranquilizers. "I don't know," answered the man, peering outside from the jail bars. "We will find our way out; just be calm for now." *** Lucas I was standing in the center of the factory inside a small arena, visible from all the cells. I could see all the prisoners from my place, their expressions a mix of fear and defiance, peering through th

Aurora As the nocturnal sounds of the forest filled the air and the cold wind blew, the heat from the bonfire tried to reach everyone. Yet, the air around the bonfire crackled with a mix of emotions as Nathan turned his gaze to me, his eyes softening. "We'll go to Europe as well," he promised, his voice low and sincere. "When you're ready, I'll take you there. All expenses are on me." ‘Finally!’ I responded graciously, my smile warm and appreciative. "Thank you, Nathan, you're wonderful," I said, my tone carrying a hint of playfulness. "I would love to." ‘Since I haven't chosen you yet, I won't be going with you for sure, but with Xander, I'll make sure to get the most expensive travel package from him, or I'll never sell my blood to him anymore.’ Xander turned to Selena. "How about you, Selena?" Selena a spirited young woman in her twenties radiating the essence of a protester and a free-spirited hippie on a journey of self-discovery. I realized that her prolonged friendship and

Aurora’s POV Tears streamed down my cheeks, my voice breaking with every word. "You were my only friend, Xander. The only one I truly believed in. How could you do this to me? Don't you understand how much Bianca has hurt me? How could you betray me?" "She promised me that if I kissed her, she'd stop hurting you. She said she'd leave you alone for good," Xander explained, his grip on my hand unyielding despite the turmoil. "And you believed that woman? You kissed her!" My voice rose in disbelief and anger. "You kissed the person who hurt me, my enemy! What am I to you, Xander?" Silence hung heavily between us, Xander’s face pale and his mouth unable to form words. "If she told you to engage in a relationship with her, would you do that too?" My voice escalated, the questions piercing the air like arrows. “So you'd be her faithful slave! And I'm the mistake that caused you to do this?” Xander remained silent, his eyes downcast. "If she told you to leave me, would you obey her?" M

Aurora’s POV I sat by the bonfire, drinking my beer like it was water. My emotions were in turmoil; today had truly been a challenging day, filled with a variety of problems, most of which were emotional. To make matters worse, I was betrayed by my one and only best friend! "Are you okay?" Nathan asked, returning with a box of pizza. "Is there a problem?" Ethan chimed in. "She hasn't said anything since she got back." "No problem," Nathan replied, his voice warm. "It's just... Xander is dating Bianca now. I made a good call leaving her." Nathan sat beside me, adding, "Maybe they've been seeing each other behind my back for a while." 'No way. The scientist freak never leaves his lab or his house. He doesn't even know Bianca until today,' I thought, my skepticism evident. "It's also good that Xander's with Bianca. We can be there for Aurora," Ethan suggested optimistically. "No," I protested without thinking, immediately regretting my outburst at the shocked faces of Nathan and Et