Leah took a deep breath, her resolve strengthening. She nodded, slowly rising from her seat, her eyes briefly meeting the principal's with a mixture of gratitude and sadness. The armed men created a path, their presence a silent reminder of the force they were prepared to employ if necessary.As Leah stepped out of the principal's office, she couldn't help but wonder what awaited her at the Institute. Every step felt like a burden, her head bowed low, weighed down by the overwhelming circumstances as she made her way through the corridor.The murmur of students grew louder. She could sense their curiosity and concern, their eyes following her every move. Among the crowd, her gaze met Jamie's, who was wearing a wide grin.Instantly, a surge of rage coursed through Leah's veins, reminding her of what had conspired between them earlier. Leah raised her head, her eyes filled with a mixture of emotions she couldn’t make sense of. Just as Leah approached the waiting truck, a voice cut thr
Maggie sauntered into the dimly lit bar, her hips swaying with each step she took. She wore a tight-fitting black dress that accentuated her curves, and her long blonde hair flowed down her back like a waterfall. Maggie lived in a small town in New York City and was a popular figure as she always partook in the town’s shows and lived a very simple life.The air was thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat, and the sounds of raucous laughter and clinking glasses filled the room.As she made her way to the counter, she glanced around the room, taking in the sight of the werewolves and humans mingling together. Some were dressed in leather jackets and ripped jeans, while others wore elegant suits and ties. Maggie didn't care about their appearances or their identities; all she wanted was a good time.The bartender, a grizzled old werewolf named Hank, greeted her with a toothy grin. "What'll it be, darlin'?" he asked.Maggie leaned against the counter, letting her cleavage spill out of
Maggie couldn't take it anymore. The constant whispers and stares, the gossip and judgement, it was all too much. She knew she had to get out of that small town and start anew somewhere else, where nobody knew her name or her past.Maggie sat at the kitchen table in her small apartment, staring at a map of the United States spread out before her. She had saved up enough money from her job at the bar to make a fresh start, but she wasn't sure where to go.As she traced her finger along the map, her eye was drawn to a small dot in the middle of the desert: Las Vegas.Maggie had never been to Vegas, but she had heard stories. It was a place where people went to reinvent themselves, to start over and leave their past behind. Maybe it was the perfect place for her.The decision made, Maggie wasted no time. She packed up her few belongings, said goodbye to the few friends she had made in town, and hit the road.It was a long drive, but Maggie didn't mind. She watched the miles roll by, th
You heard of Raphael?" Sarah asked in a hushed tone.Maggie's heart skipped a beat at the sound of Raphael's name.“Who”? Maggi asked again this time to be sure of the name Sarah just called."You know, the werewolf who got banished for supposedly killing a human." Sarah continued expecting Maggie to know all about itMaggie raised an eyebrow, curious but trying to play along. "Raphael? No, what's going on with him?""Well, rumor has it that he's back in town," Sarah replied, her voice dropping even lower. "And get this, the rumor also says that he's back in town searching for his mate and children. Can you imagine?"Maggie's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Raphael's mate and children. Maggie's eyes widened. Her heart couldn’t stop racing non stop at this point.She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Raphael. The name brought back a flood of memories, memories she had long buried.As Sarah continued talking about Raphael's rumoured return to town, Maggie sat there in utter
It was Sarah.She picked it up, expecting to hear Sarah's voice on the other end."Hey, Sarah. What's up?" Maggie asked, trying to sound calm."I just wanted to remind you that my boutique launch is today," Sarah said, her voice chipper and upbeat.Maggie's heart sank. She had completely forgotten about the launch. Sarah had been telling Maggie about it all week but Maggie had totally forgotten about it. Maggie had not been herself since Sarah told her about Raphael at the cafeteria. It had slipped her mind."Oh my god, Sarah. I completely forgot," Maggie said, feeling guilty."That's why I'm calling, silly. I wanted to remind you. And I'm also having a little get together party tonight to celebrate. You should come," Sarah said, her voice still cheery.Maggie hesitated. She wasn't sure if she was up for a party tonight, with everything going on."I don't know, Sarah. I've got a lot on my plate right now," Maggie said, trying to come up with an excuse."Nonsense. You need to take a b
Maggie's heart pounded in her chest as she hurriedly waved her hand in the air, desperately trying to flag down a passing cab.Her eyes darted across the busy street, searching for any sign of an available vehicle. Finally, her gaze locked onto a yellow taxi approaching from a distance. Without hesitation, she lunged forward, her arm outstretched, as she caught the driver's attention.The cab slowed down, and Maggie, adrenaline coursing through her veins, rushed to the backseat. She flung open the door and gestured frantically for her children Luke and Leah, to join her. They hurriedly followed suit, their faces filled with concern and confusion."Hurry” Maggie said to the cab driver.Maggie's breath was ragged as she settled into her seat, quickly buckling her seatbelt. The cab driver, a middle-aged man with a graying beard, glanced at Maggie through the rearview mirror. "Where to, miss?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity."Just go!" Maggie practically shouted, her voice on
Sarah stumbled into her apartment in the early hours of the morning, her exhaustion evident in the heavy bags under her eyes and the weariness etched across her face. She closed the door behind her, the sound echoing through the stillness of the space. As she made her way further into the room, she spotted Maggie sitting on the couch, a dim light casting a soft glow around her.Sarah approached cautiously, her voice gentle. "Hello there," she said lightly, a glimmer of concern in her eyes.Maggie looked up, her gaze meeting Sarah's. "Hello Sarah," she replied, her voice subdued yet welcoming. "Why are you still awake?" Sarah asked"I guess I just wasn't sleepy yet," Maggie admitted, her voice trailing off.Sarah sighed, concern washing over her as she took in the scene before her. Luke and Leah were fast asleep, their bodies curled up on either side of Maggie, seeking comfort in her presence. "Maggie, you should be resting too," Sarah said gently, stepping closer to the couch.Magg
"You weren't quite yourself throughout the whole night." Sarah continued"I'm sorry about that," she replied, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "It's just..the kids' father is in town," Maggie repliedMaggie then took a deep breath“Raphael... Raphael is the father of the kids.”Sarah almost choking on her coffee, coughs “What?”“I know it's a shock”. Maggie replied nervously. I should have told you earlier, but I didn't know how to bring it up”.Sarah couldn't believe what she had just heard. The words echoed in her mind, refusing to sink in. “How did it happen?” Sarah's voice trembled as she posed the question, desperate for answers. The room fell into a heavy silence, as if time itself had frozen. Maggie took a deep breath, preparing herself to reveal a chapter of her life she had long kept hidden.For the next hour, Maggie poured out her heart to Sarah, recounting the life she once lived in the bustling streets of New York City before finding herself in the glitzy realm of