NIRVANA I yelped. My eyes went wide. My heart pounded frantically in my chest. “What happened?” I stared at Zarah for seconds because I didn’t know how to explain it. “I don’t exactly know.” “Close your eyes and focus.” “Okay.” I took deep breaths and let it go through my mouth. I suddenly saw flowers in the pot. I felt it against my fingertips, the fresh air against my skin. I was about to touch another flower— a hydrangea, but I was back in the room. “Zarah!” I fell, landing on my back, reaching for her hand. “What the hell?” “Ouch.” I rubbed my spine, wincing in pain. “What the hell was that?” Zarah laughed, shaking her head. I’d never seen her laugh, but she was so beautiful and young. “I was here sitting. The next second, I saw flowers in the pot. I don’t know the name of the small red flowers. Then I was about to touch a hydrangea, and I was back in the room, falling on my ass, Zarah. What the hell was that?” “Don’t ask me. You did it yourself,” she said proudly. It w
NIRVANA I had the longest shower in history. In fact, I lost myself in the mist. I could still be there if Knight hadn’t knocked on the door. “I’m done.” I stepped out and wrapped myself in a towel. I found myself staring at the mirror. I looked the same, except the irises in my eyes were slightly lighter. It was probably from the light in the bathroom because I felt the same. “You okay?” Knight came beside me. I knew he was just concerned. After what I had been through, cheating death, I should have been horrified that magic could cheat beyond my understanding. If dying and getting saved by a master warlock counted as unnatural, then I was not a normal human being anymore. I squinted my eyes as I looked at him in the mirror. “If you’ll ask me one more time, I swear I’m gonna punch your nose.” He smiled. “We don’t have to be violent tonight. I’m just checking up on you. Anyway, I brought your clothes here. You said you didn’t want someone touching your things, so they’re still
NIRVANA “I’m sorry.” He sighed deeply. “The food is here. Let’s go before the pizza gets cold.” Guys were already in dining, waiting for us to join them. “Sorry for letting you wait.” “We just came back. The food is still warm,” MacKaye said. “And before we start, I just wanna say thank you for everything, for being here for your alpha when I couldn’t.” When they nodded and felt grateful, I added, “And please, no more asking me if I’m okay. I’ll let you know if I feel weird or being possessed by the great evil warlock.” “How can you tell if you’re being possessed?” Zarah chortled as she took a seat across the table. “When you wouldn’t know what you’re doing anymore. Let’s have dinner.” Knight put two slices of pepperoni pizza on my plate, a slice of garlic bread, and a small calzone before he got himself the same as mine. “I might have to leave tomorrow, honey.” “Why so soon, Grandpa?” “I can’t leave the restaurant. I’m sure you have things to do.” “You can just call Zarah
NIRVANA “Fuck,” he cursed under his breath as he realized what he did. His eyes began to glow. I froze, placing my hand on his chest. “Calm down. It’s fine. It doesn’t hurt, and it didn’t bleed.” He looked at my neck. “I’m so sorry. I never lost control like that.” “Maybe we both need that.” I patted the spot where he bit me. It stung a little, but that was it. I was more horny and unsated. “No, sweetheart.” His voice came out a growl, full of regrets. “I could have hurt you. And you don’t heal fast.” I chuckled. “You don’t want them to see your bite on my neck?” “Fuck, I want to, but when we do the mating. Not like this.” Arching my brows, I teased him. “So what are we exactly doing?” “I ruined it, didn’t I?” I cupped his face when I felt the guilt in his words, gauging his tone. “No. Never.” He got off me and moved to his side, but he still pulled me into his arms. “Next time, tell me to stop.” “Maybe I didn’t want to,” I teased further. “I know this is not the right t
NIRVANA “Be serious, Nirvana,” the female wolf spirit just said my name. “Wait. How do you know me?” I felt goosebumps erupt all over my body. “You died by a dark magic and brought back to life by magic. Your soul has been saved. You are pure and chosen to have an animal spirit to protect you, guide you, and help you protect the people you care about from the evil that walks on earth, but you must never abuse it.” “Excuse me? I’m far from pure. I think you got the wrong, wolfy girl.” “We had never been wrong. I symbolized power, loyalty, and guardianship.” “Uh-huh. I’m dreaming again, am I? But I say hard pass. I died once, and I can’t do it again.” I cleared my throat. “Look, I died and was brought back to life, and I’m taking this second chance to good use, helping people, enjoying life, and being with my loved ones, but not to be controlled by whatever you are. You look cool, though, like an astral projection in Dr. Strange.” “You need me, Nirvana, to help fight evils that
KNIGHT Everything just felt right, and it scared me. It was my first time waking up in the morning with the same woman wrapped in my arms. Nirvana was a light sleeper who liked curling and tangling around me. “Morning.” I kissed her shoulder blade. “Breakfast in bed?” “No way. Zarah and Grandpa are leaving today.” She turned to me to kiss me on the lips, quickly got up, and went to the bathroom. I had to get on my ass as well. I typed an email to my assistant that I’d be taking a vacation for the whole week. When she came back, she was wearing different pajamas. “Did you change your clothes?” “Yup. I kinda fell last night, but I’m good. My butt didn’t hurt anymore.” “Be careful. Where did you fall?” “I slipped in the patio. No biggie. I was just clumsy.” “Okay.” I didn’t know, but I felt she wasn’t telling me the whole story. “I’ll go down if the squad is already awake.” “At this time, they are. I’m going to use the bathroom. See you down in a bit.” When I went down, sh
NIRVANA “I’ll take your grandfather with me and send him home.” I suddenly felt emotional that I wanted to cry. “I’m grateful.” “I’ll see you soon, honey.” Grandpa kissed me on the cheek. “Be safe.” “You, too. Love you, Grandpa.” “Love you, too.” I was still standing even though the portal had disappeared minutes before me. I didn’t know what I would become if I were raised by a different person. I was glad my grandfather was there for me growing up. “Your grandpa is a strong man. He’s going to be okay.” I looked at McKaye. “Yup. After what happened to me, it’s just that I don’t wanna be far from him.” “We can visit him. At least once a month.” “That’s a great idea, Mac.” “Vana, we’re going to the pack house. Are you coming with us?” I turned to Kailin. Knight was standing next to her and smiled at me. “Let’s go?” “Sure.” I climbed on his bike, and he revved it up. It purred and roared off down the road. The trip to the pack house was thrilling as I rode with Knight o
NIRVANA “My team will win, Nirvana.” He smiled confidently, taking a bag of chips from Kailin and a can of beer and soda from McKaye. “Oh, full of confidence. I like that.” “Yes!” Knight just stood up and clapped his hands after his team earned points. “Go, guys! You can win this again.” “We’ll get a touchdown, alpha.” Kaleb teased him. “Good luck, buddy,” Knight teased back. “Who gives the prizes?” I whispered to Kailin. “The alpha.” “Really?” “Yeah. He also sponsors some college boys who can’t afford like the twins. That’s why he’s protective of them, of everyone, actually. Their parents are working class, but they also have kids in high school.” I felt proud of Knight, knowing he wasn’t just about getting rich or being a protective alpha. He truly cared for these people and the boys. “Next month, there will be a game between two packs. We lost in the last game.” “Ouch.” “Yeah. Just by two points,” Knight still proudly said. “Yes!” Kaleb was also competitive, trying to