Many years ago, long before humans became aware of our existence, we werewolves lived in the shadows, unseen and unheard. Often, it was difficult to feed because among humans, there were those who hunted us; the Hunters. They killed my kind, and only a few managed to escape, never to return. One of those murdered by the Hunters was Gena Boyer, my girlfriend and mate. She died before my eyes, and I was helpless, unable to do anything but watch. Since then, nightmares of her death have haunted me. Gwen, Gena's best friend, blames me for what happened, calling me a coward for not saving her.Despite countless defenses, it doesn't change the fact that I failed to save Gena. Centuries passed, leaving me without a mate, someone to support me and warm me on cold nights. I had lost hope of finding anyone until one dark and stormy night when I met her—Gena, my mate, or so I thought. Instead, it was her doppelganger, Maria Jose Clark, whom I found unconscious on my way home from work."Where am

The following morning, I had to wake up early for a meeting, and as I passed by Maria's bedroom, I assumed she would still be asleep. However, when I entered the kitchen, Maria was already preparing breakfast in the same attire from the night before."Good morning," I greeted as I took a seat at the table, observing her movements with her messy hair in a bun."Good morning, how are you?" she replied, turning to glance at me from the kitchen door."I don't like tea," I stated abruptly as she placed a cup in front of me."Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know," she responded, her hands trembling slightly as she reached for the bread.Trying to ease the tension, I joked, "It's okay, Gena, I can make an exception," accidentally using another name."Wait! What did you just call me?" Maria asked, her curiosity piqued.Realizing my slip, I chuckled nervously and deflected her question to avoid further inquiry.After dropping Maria off at school, I headed to my meeting with my late parents' business i

Maria's sudden change in demeanor caught me off guard. She stood there, her gaze piercing through me, waiting for my response. "Maria, please have a seat," I gestured to the chair across from me. "And you can call me Mr. Elijah for now." She complied and sat down, but her eyes remained fixed on mine, filled with uncertainty and a hint of defiance. "Alright, what is it that you wanted to say?" I prompted, trying to maintain a calm demeanor despite the turmoil of questions swirling in my mind. "I know this may sound strange, but I've been feeling different lately," Maria began, her voice wavering slightly. "There are moments when I feel like I'm not myself, like there's another presence inside me." Her words sent a chill down my spine, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease creeping over me. "What do you mean, another presence?" I inquired, my tone cautious. "It's hard to explain," she continued, fidgeting with her hands. "But sometimes, I have these urges and thoughts th

Maria pov Three years ago, I lost my Dad, Mom and I had to leave our home and come over to New Orleans. We don't have a huge house but the little money dad left with us, Mom used it to purchase a house and the remaining balance left she used it to enroll me in school. At my other school, I wasn't the one you'd call miss popular but the one who'd hide in the shadows and make sure nothing and no one sees her, including the bullies at the school… "Baby! Get Ready?”Mom yelled my name all the way from the kitchen, I hear her loudly signing to the song playing on the radio, Jason Gary's, my parents favorite song, Mom hasn't stop talking about the day she and dad met each other. I met her dancing with dad's photo at the kitchen table. "Good morning Mom," I approached her and touched dad's photo at the table as well. Mom's head turns, she looked at my dress, asking if I am ready for school, I shake my head, going to the refrigerator, I brought out bottle water, and I opened the cap and

I got home some hours later, I saw mom talking to Mrs. Rita; Candy’s mom at the living room. I ask after her daughter my friend and she tells me if I didn’t see her at school today; Mom ask me the same question, although Candy did not tell me anything, but the good thing about being best friends, is you'd always have to make up stories for them. Candy did not attend school today and I ended up telling both lies to her mom and my mom.She fucking owes me an explanation when she sees me in school tomorrow… I left Mom and Mrs. Rita talking, mom already had my lunch served at the table, when I walk into the kitchen; at the table, there was a white plate of food covered in a bowl for me.I open the plate; I noticed mom prepared spaghetti and meatballs. I carried the plate and again walk past her talking to Mrs. Cecilia.I hear her complaining about the man she is dating; Surprise, I did not even know, and my best friend didn’t even bother to tell me.Mom came to look forme after a whi