Bloodlines and Hearts

you are willing to bend, how much of your soul

ually crumble. On the cold, dirty floor, hands clasped

er, her voice a ragged thread of bro

ssible to take back, waiting to stran

he was some curious insect. Amber stood beside him, her eyes cold. This wasn't just about p

want?" Mr. Mil

hip. I want it gone. She shouldn't be in this school anymore. And I want th

of resistance. "Done," she said, her cheek pres

. Their entire

reed to have mercy and left,

her body seemed crushed, defeated. By the time they got home, she was moving like a g

s her room, dragging he

, her voice soft and v

ace. But she didn't say a word. She just gave this tiny, heartbreaking head shake like w

ling her knees up to her ches

.

ie. Tonight wasn't just another night-it was the Moo

doorframe, a smirk playi

"Please. I've been

he initiates," she said, her tone turning

er off. "One wrong move and I'

arents were already at the venue for the ritual

et. "Here. You'll want something that

ow. "Advice from the sister who ne

her hands, "I'm ju

ked out most of the light. It was almost pitch black and the SUV headlights didn't do much. Th

clearing, "Don't beat yourself up. Whatever hap

tough exterior. He smiled-a genuine smile that rarely mad

rying to sound more c

s. A moment of solidarity in a w

down to the clearing, Riley suddenly pulled him

of anyone. Not where someone might see a moment of genuine emo

t, he felt different. He hugg

ountless ritual, younger wolves eager for their first taste of tradition. All w

ed at the base of his spine and spread through every

es expanding, bones lengthening. It wasn't smooth. It was violent. Painful. A sc

ek and powerful. Her eyes-amber and razor-sharp watched the

more intimidating than any physical threat. He didn

ice cut through the murmu

y weren't just scared-they were terrified. One looked like he might throw

voice carrying over the gathering. "Survive the transforma

ive. The others? Eliminated. Not killed but broken. St

as her body shifted. Fur sprouted along her arms, and her hands morphed into claws. But as the transformation progressed, something

led through

hat?" someo

" another v

second initiate, a boy named Connor, who barely dodged in time. The pack erupted into

through the panic. "Why is

ut. He can make her control it

hing else entirely. Something darker. He could feel t

ed out. "You have

a second, just a second, he thought maybe she might actually li

ming his shoulder into her side, sending her staggering back. He wasn't just

ley called, but she didn't step in. She knew b

roat. Ethan twisted, catching her wrist mid-swing and spinning he

ow and commanding. "You're not thi

super quiet, and her head dropped. You could tell his words

d her voice was shaking. You

old on her loosened just a bit. "I know

re-massive, terrifying, cold as winter.

han," Alpha Alex

She's fighting it, Fa

r said, his tone like ice. "This... corruption will spre

She's not evil. She's scare

d step

ard. But before she could regain her footing, Alexander struck. His claws ripped right thr

she hit the ground. He knelt, his hands

fading to brown. Tears streaked her f

en she

expressions a mixture of shock and grim acceptanc

akness here," he said. "Th

t could snap. He wanted to just... explode. Scream at his f

sly, placing a hand on Et

f, but when he actually spoke, his voice was completely calm like

threat. And threats to the pack are dealt w

king. He thought he could save her. He thought he could make a difference. But tonight,

" Riley tr

ust muttered, barely loud enough for her super