Standing with my arms crossed, I glare sternly at Lottie and her mischievous little siblings. They're annoyingly unfazed by my outburst - carbon copies of the ultimate cocky bastard, Kadeem. “You do not have two fathers," I say. "You can only have one, and it's not Dr. Jack - it's Kadeem!" Kadeem, who's been eye-level with Lottie, stands and looks at me with raised eyebrows. Instant regret hits me square in the chest and I curse under my breath, though the quints expressions are a Christmas morning kind of joy. I glance at Kadeem, my cheeks burning. “It’s okay,” Kadeem whispers weakly to me. “I KNEW IT,” Erbao erupts. He rushes to stand in front of Kadeem. “I knew it,” he says, looking up at him fiercely. Kadeem breaks into a crooked smile and reaches out to hug him. “I wanted it to be you.” Erbao melts into him. “I hoped it was you.” Kadeem smooths his hair. “I’m all yours,” he says softly. “You’re our real father,” Silas asks. Behind his glasses, his eyes are bri

 I tug at the pleated skirt clinging to my waist. Other than my first date with Jack, I can't remember the last time I've worn anything so remotely girly.Of course, I had to quash some of the femininity by throwing on a faded Taylor Swift tee over it, along with my white Keds. I re-tuck the shirt and bat away the feelings of self-consciousness.Hannah is taking care of the kids this afternoon so I can accomplish two major goals:1. Job.

 Kadeem’s date was trying her damndest to get him to focus on her - sipping coquettishly from her straw in their shared cup of Coke, leaning in close, and running her hand suggestively up his thigh.He cast her a dismissive glance and grabbed her hand firmly so she'd stop rubbing it against his leg like a cat. He turned back to the flickering cinema screen, but his eyes weren't really on it.A few rows ahead, Ardal sat with her own date - an obnoxious jock Kadeem felt a seething hatred for. His arm was slung over her shoulders while they shared popcorn and smiles in the

The woods were utterly still until Layla finally broke the silence. Her voice was calm and calculated as she spoke, “Red Moon is stagnant. And not just Red Moon - the werewolf world is..." She let out a breath of disgust. "Weak."Some heat entered her voice. “Hell, the entire magical universe needs a shakeup.”"This is reckless, Layla," an unfamiliar voice hissed. "If the Alpha knew-""He's Gone With the Wind," Layla drawled. "A dinosaur."Rumblings ricocheted through the gathering of Weres."Stop it," a woman growled angrily. "Patrick, she's nothing but a girl with her head in the clouds."A whispery argument broke out, and quickly grew louder.Kadeem's eyes darted around. He could feel the tension thicken in the air around them. It was now or never if he and Ardal wanted to make their escape undetected."Sasha," Layla said slyly, “Cedric trained you in combat. How long has it been since you’ve seen a real fight? You’re nothing more now than a lapdog.” Layla’s tone grew more cunning

 “Ardal,” Jack says, “Have you experienced any side effects - any changes at all?” My hand drifts unconsciously to the scar on my neck. “From the bite?” He nods. “I’m not sure,” I say hesitantly. “What about you? Has anything... happened?" “Yes,” he says solemnly. “A few things. If you didn’t notice anything at all, your reaction must have been very mild." “And for you, it wasn’t?”He frowns. “Pretty glaring,” he says grimly. “I’m not a werewolf anymore.” I can't help it. I gasp audibly. “Fully, anyway,” he continues, “I can't access the wolf side of me anymore. It's like it’s shut away somehow. Maybe gone for good, I don't know." "I'm so sorry, Jack." I can't imagine losing that vital part of me - that identity and the connection with the pack. I glanc