Patricia As I'm chewing, a hundred thoughts are racing through my mind. I see images of myself using Finn's wind magic and the beastly Dior being hefted off the ground and thrown into a car. Did I end up killing him? "I have a question." Everyone who is gathered around the table gives me their attention. Riley glances between Elijah and me, and I observe the vampire wipe his mouth with a tissue, readying himself to speak. Wesley might be the beta, but it seems Elijah is the one running the operations. I don't blame Wesley for letting his mate be in charge, though. Elijah is intelligent and has lived for so long that he also has enough life experience to make hard decisions. Elijah takes a deep breath, calm and gathered like royalty. "I know what you're going to ask, and we locked him up in your basement." I drop my taco shell. "You did what?" Everyone gives me questioning looks—Wesley raises his eyebrows, and I facepalm. I'm be

Patricia I open the fridge to take out some milk while my bread is in the toaster. Light is dancing in through the window, and Finn is happily eating a burnt toasted sandwich. It was his first attempt using the toaster, and he insisted he didn't need to try making another one. The bread turned black, but his eyes glittered with happiness the moment he realized he had 'cooked' his first meal. I observe Finn from the kitchen counter in secret. My heart might belong to a particular alpha, but that doesn't mean that I'm blind—Finn is cute. He is way bigger and taller than the type I usually ogle at the bar, but then again, so is Dior. "This is so tasty!" Finn licks his fingers before turning to face me, wide-eyed and on the prowl for more toast. I honestly don't understand where the food is disappearing—I've never seen him use the toilet. I sigh and hand him the plate with my luxurious toast. "Fine! You can have my Patricia special with cheese and tomato.

AliceI run as fast as my legs can carry me until my lungs feel like they are filled with lead, and my lips can't grasp any air. My hand reaches out to lean against a tree, and then I royally puke all over my shoes—hopefully, no one saw this golden moment.But I'm never that lucky.A snicker comes from behind me. "Running isn't for witches, I suppose."I turn around to scowl at older Dior, who is standing a few feet away. I'm not afraid of him, neither does he look scary. His face is wrenched with concern, and his lips are seized in an insecure smile. He looks as elegant as ever, but I can't say that I've missed him.For two weeks, Dior has left me gifts, such as chocolate when William spends time protecting Patricia, and yesterday when I was watching Netflix, ice cream magically flew through a portal and landed in my lap. The werewolf cares about me—that much is for sure."Yeah, cardio isn't my thing."Dior leans his uppe

PatriciaMy eyes flash open, and I go into panic mode, breathing wildly while searching the room.I was barely conscious during the entire way home. Dior jumped through a magical rabbit hole, and the other pack members followed, including Wesley and Elijah. I can’t say I remember much—I think I fell asleep in Dior’s arms.And now, I’m back inside my room, blinking in the darkness with alarming fear circling my throat—what if I hallucinated that part about Dior coming home?!My eyes dart around the room until landing on the bulk of a massive man next to me. Dior is taking up half of the bed, and his snores are sending light vibrations through the mattress.Yet, an inner calm falls over me like a blanket when I see the giant next to me. Dior is finally back, and that realization makes me swallow the lump in my throat.“Thank goodness...”Dior is on his stomach, blowing air through his mouth with

Patricia "Have you ever been so scared of the world that the only way to survive is to roar and pretend you're a tiger when, in reality, you're a fraud, a kitten hiding behind a wall?" Dior takes my hand as we stare up at the ceiling. His head is propped up on his palm, and I'm curled to his side. The morning light is dancing in through a crack in the blinds, and part of me doesn't want to get up and save the world. Not when I'm this bubbly and excited about what the future might hold in store for us. "You're not high, are you?" I playfully slap his chest. "Hey!" He chuckles. "Come on! It's too early for poetry, even for you! Like goddamn, what time is it? Eight in the morning, and you're already turning into the female version of Shakespeare?" I'm cracking up but trying hard not to, and while I try to sound strict, my voice comes out all giggly instead. "Shut up, Lavigne!" Dior breathes a laugh and pulls me to him. It's a mira