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
LIANA“So… what information did you find from your tabs?” I inquired, curious."Well, to start with, Lara only goes out after midnight because she volunteers at an old-aged home during the night shift," he explained patiently. "And as for James and Lara having a relationship, it's not that. James also only lives in that apartment complex, not as Lara’s boyfriend."Sara leaned forward, her brow furrowed in confusion. "So Lara's boyfriend is somebody else entirely?" she asked, seeking clarification.Zaylen nodded again, his expression serious. "Yes," he confirmed, and it made me question a lot of things, my anger returning."If you knew all of that, then why did you charge me so much for visiting their neighborhood if they are harmless?" I demanded sharply, my hands resting firmly on the table.Zaylen met my gaze evenly, his expression serious. "I never said they are harmless," he replied evenly. "They are harmful to you, Liana, not to others. Besides, these two aren't smart enough for
LIANAThe meeting hall was grand and imposing, its high ceilings and ornate decorations designed to instill a sense of reverence and authority. As Zaylen led me inside, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves. I had been in this room before, but this time was different. This time, I was here to be scrutinized as Zaylen's mate, as the potential Luna of the pack.The elders were already assembled, their expressions ranging from curiosity to skepticism. I recognized Marcus and Sophia among them. Sophia gave me a warm smile, while Marcus's gaze was hard and unyielding."This is Liana," Zaylen announced, his voice strong and proud. "Everyone, I present to you my mate and the future Luna of our pack."Sophia nodded approvingly. "Welcome, Liana. It's good to see you again.""Thank you, Sophia," I replied, my voice steady but my heart pounding.Marcus, however, was less welcoming. "So, this is the human girl who recently discovered her werewolf heritage," he said, his tone dripping wi