LIANAI stirred in the warmth of Zaylen's embrace, feeling his strong arms around me. For a moment, I was content, safe in his protective hold. But something nagged at me, pulling me from the edges of sleep. With cautious movements, I slipped out of his arms, careful not to wake him. The room was dimly lit by the moonlight filtering through the curtains as I made my way to the balcony.The night air was cool against my skin as I settled into a chair, gazing up at the thin sliver of the moon hanging in the sky. Its pale light cast a melancholic glow over everything, as if it too carried the weight of unanswered questions."Hi, Moon Goddess," I whispered, the words feeling strange and foreign on my tongue. "You know, it's a little strange for me to suddenly start believing in you. But Zaylen and the others do. They have faith in you. And I… I have faith in them. So I will trust them on this as well."Leaning back, I let out a sigh, my breath mingling with the crisp night air. "They
LIANA“Well, it’s a very interesting thing,” Zaylen let out. “I think it's better if we sit and talk about it. I remember your feet hurting from dancing so much before we went to sleep.”I smiled at his words. He remembered every tiny detail. He was the perfect boyfriend one could ever ask for. I nodded and we sat on the balcony lounge chair, the cool midnight breeze brushing against my skin as I glanced nervously at Zaylen. His dark eyes twinkled with a mix of amusement and affection, making my heart race.“So,” I began, trying to sound casual, “you were going to tell me about this ‘marking’ thing…”Zaylen’s lips curled into a playful smirk. “Yes. The infamous marking. The werewolves’ version of a commitment ceremony, minus the white dress and expensive cake.”I raised an eyebrow. “Does it involve any less bloodshed than your usual shenanigans?”“Depends,” he teased, stepping closer. “But for you, I promise to keep it as blood-free as possible.”I couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s re
LIANAThe next day, I sat at my desk in the office, unable to shake the nagging feeling that Lara was behind all this. Every file I opened, every email I read, the thought kept creeping back into my mind. I wanted to ask Zaylen for help, but I knew he wouldn’t support this hunch without some legit evidence.I glanced around the office, my eyes scanning for someone who might be able to help. Just then, I spotted Sara entering the room, her presence sparking a sense of hope within me.I stood up and walked over to her. "Sara, can I talk to you for a moment?" I asked with an innocent smile.She looked up, a bit surprised but nodded. "Sure, Lia. What’s up?"“Actually, I need a tiny bit of help from you,” I uttered, grinning at her sheepishly.She arched an eyebrow, scanning my expression. “Are you sure it is a tiny help?” “Uh… well, first hear me out,” I urged.“Fine.” She pulled a chair and sat next to me. “Tell me. What do you have in your mind?” I sucked in a deep breath and starte
LIANAAs the workday drew to a close, Sara and I prepared to leave the office. My mind raced with thoughts of our plan, excitement and nerves buzzing in equal measure. Just as we stepped into the hallway, we were confronted by Jordan.I tensed immediately, a wave of panic washing over me. Shit, did Zaylen share my suspicion of Lara with Jordan? Did Jordan now guess we are heading out to investigate her? My heart pounded as I braced myself for his confrontation.But instead of accusing us, Jordan smiled warmly. "Hey, Sara," he began, his tone soft. Then he looked at me. “Umm… Liana, I need to talk to Sara for a minute.”I nodded with a smile. “Sure.” Jordan took Sara to the side and started, "Hey, I am really sorry about the last few days. We haven’t been able to go on dates together for some time. Things have been so hectic."I could still hear them clearly, despite standing at a distance.Sara's face softened, and she smiled back at him. "It’s okay, Jordan. I understand. We both h
LIANAAs Sara kept driving, I stared out the window, lost in thought, until she broke the silence."You know," she began, her voice tentative, "if we show up looking like ourselves, Lara might take notice of us easily. We should probably get some disguises."I turned to her, considering the idea. "Disguises? Like wigs and stuff?"Sara nodded, her eyes bright with determination. "Exactly. We need to blend in, not stand out."I mulled it over for a moment before nodding. "You are right. Let's do it."Sara grinned and took a sharp turn, heading toward the nearest shopping mall. "This is going to be fun."We parked the car and made our way into the bustling mall, the cool air conditioning a welcome relief from the summer heat. The mall was alive with activity, people milling about, the sounds of chatter and laughter filling the air.Our first stop was a quirky little costume shop tucked away in a corner of the mall. As we stepped inside, the vibrant colors and eclectic array of costumes
LIANAI froze the moment I came face to face with James, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. Every nerve in my body screamed for me to run, but I stood rooted to the spot, terrified he would recognize me. I could almost feel Sara's breath hitch behind me, her fear mirroring my own. The seconds stretched into an eternity as I braced for the inevitable confrontation.My mind raced with the potential fallout. If James recognized us, all our careful planning and risky visit would be for nothing. Everything we had worked for would collapse like a house of cards. I could already see our plans unraveling, leaving us exposed and vulnerable.But then, in a twist that left me reeling, James simply walked past us. His eyes barely skimmed over us, showing no hint of recognition. It was as if we were invisible, just two more faces in the crowd. I could hardly believe it. The tension drained from my body, replaced by a mix of relief and confusion. Had we really just escaped unnoticed, o
LIANA"What are you two doing here?" I blurted out, my voice betraying a mixture of surprise and anxiety.Zaylen's expression was a mix of concern and disapproval as he glanced between Sara and me. "We can ask you both the same question," he replied evenly, his voice tinged with a hint of reproach. "Weren't you about to have a fun girls’ night with Sara? Is this your idea of fun?"Zaylen's protective instincts were as sharp as ever, and I knew we had some explaining to do.Before I could respond, Jordan stepped forward, his presence adding another layer of tension to the already charged atmosphere. "No, Zay, you are wrong," he interjected smoothly, his voice calm but laced with a hint of amusement. "They were just about to chill at home and binge-watch movies."Zaylen nodded with a mocking smile. “Oh, right. They both told us different things."I exchanged a panicked glance with Sara, our disguises suddenly feeling flimsy under the scrutiny of our significant others. James might not
LIANAI sat at the café table, tension palpable in the air as I laid out the pieces of information I had gathered about Lara. Sara sat beside me, quietly supportive, while Zaylen and Jordan listened across from us."Lara sometimes leaves her home only after midnight," I began, my voice steady despite the frustration bubbling beneath the surface.Zaylen raised an eyebrow skeptically. "That doesn't specify she is going to murder people," he countered, his tone cautious.I sighed, feeling more frustration knotting in my stomach. "She is in a relationship with James again," I continued, hoping this detail would strike a chord.Zaylen leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Again, Liana, not related," he insisted, his skepticism unwavering.My frustration peaked, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "She also attended the same high school as the murder victims," I added pointedly, hoping this detail would finally break through his skepticism.Zaylen was speechless for a moment, his