That morning, I had awakened from a steamy dream about Jace. To my surprise, my panties were wet, and I was ashamed to have had such thoughts of him—he was a vampire, after all. I was still mad about the entire ordeal, and my already confused emotions had become magnified. I felt raw, like layers of my skin were being removed from my body, exposing my weakened state. I hated feeling that way—vulnerable. I didn’t know what I felt toward Jace, and I was afraid to admit that he had grown on me in the brief time we had been together. It was like my brain was in a fog, muddling everything that used to make sense. I shook my head as I gripped the steering wheel of my car and turned on Hawthorn’s street. Lukas picked me up early, and we returned to his house so I could get my beloved popsicle-blue VW Beetle. Since my plan was to get caught by Noctua, we had agreed that it was no use hiding and that I should go about my everyday routine. It had been hard to explain to Moe and Bea the reaso

I heard a faint whistling sound, like when you hit your skull so hard and hear a high-pitch ringing inside your ears. The muscles in my body ached and made me want to scream, but I couldn’t move since I was gagged. I kept still, listening to my surroundings to understand where I was and who was with me. I could hear two people talking hushedly a little further away. I decided it was best to pretend I was still out and maybe listen to their conversation. While I waited for them to say something worth wild, I tested the rope over my wrists and frowned when I couldn’t loosen it. Whoever had done the knot had done a commendable job, which slightly annoyed me. My feet were also bound at the ankles on each chair leg. Fuck. Was this all necessary? It seemed excessive for just a little old me. I continued working on the ropes and stopped when I heard the two men approaching. They didn’t talk about anything of interest to me, but as they came nearer, their subject changed. “Bet you twen

I was lying on a seat and enjoyed the vibrating sensation of movement. My head was light like I was in a dream, but my body was feverish, so I fumbled my fingers over my clothes to remove them. I slowly stripped, pushing down my pants and doing my best to clear my vest so I could cool off. “What are you doing?” A deep, baritone voice asked. I opened my eyes and smiled when I saw Lukas peering at me through the front-rear mirror. If Lukas was in my dream, it was one I never wanted to wake from. “I’m hot,” I mewled as I continued to undress. Lukas stepped on the brakes and stopped the car on the side of the road. He exited and opened the back passenger door to put my clothes back on. When he touched my arm, a bolt of electricity shot between us, and he quickly removed his hand and looked at it with a perplexed expression. “What the…” “I’m burning up,” I repeated, tugging at my T-shirt. I let it fall on the car floor and watched Lukas’s expression rapidly change. I was wearing the

The following morning, Lexie promised me a day of shopping. I tried to talk her out of it, but it was hard saying no to her. The next thing I knew, I was in a shopping centre, and Lexie was pulling my hand at a beauty salon and spa entrance.A lady greeted us, and Lexie wasted no time telling them what she wanted. I hadn’t understood what she had asked, as I was too busy ogling at girls getting their hair or makeup done. How much did this place cost?“Have you ever had a mani and pedi?” Lexie asked, lifting my hands and inspecting my fingernails.I shook my head. I never thought it was necessary. I kept my nails short because it was more practical for chasing skips and punching people at Sal’s gym. I didn’t want broken nails to be an issue, and I never thought I was feminine enough for that….“Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. You’re going to love getting pampered. I used to do this with Julie all the time.” She added with a sad smile.“Have you really not gone out since her death?”“

I sat on Lexie’s front porch, looking out at the forest. I loved it. I would wake in the morning or come out at night, grab my coffee, sit there, and watch the sunrise or sunset behind the tall trees of the thick forest surrounding her home.I pulled on the soft fleece blanket I threw over my shoulders before coming outside, looked at the sky, and listened to the bird. The countryside was growing on me. Lexie told me she bought the house shortly after her mate’s death. I understood why. It was a place where you could find yourself again. I guessed that was why she had no television or internet in her house. She didn’t want the noise from the outside world and simply wanted to be in the present moment.The front door opened, and Lexie walked over and sat beside me on the porch swing. She roped her arms around me and leaned her head on my shoulder.“You look nervous.” She whispered.I fidgeted my fingers against the blanket and pulled on it tighter.“I’m not good with people, so meetin