r, remembering our

laughter when the Werewolves attacked, catching the Vampires of

brings a mix of grief and rag

th Humans, and the Werewolves did not. There are ten Werewolves for every Vampire, and hundreds of Humans for both of our species combined.

Maria Salazar's refusal to meet with me is a concern. Es

erewolves, diplomatic talks

Werewolves

rre

the Alpha tell you

hered separately. The Alp

e wh

your age. As brutal as Raymond, perhaps, but more open-minded. He believes

y. "Good luc

ought I can't quite place. "You know why I chos

ce. "Co

hat was happening around you, always lost in your own world. The other child

ore they could even talk. And don't you remember when I was seven, when the councilmen's kids stole my clothes an

is conversation. I take a slow, ste

cat (screw you, Emelia), and... well, okay, no job right now, but I'll find

ined myself not to

you mentioned

stretches on before he responds. "When a Werewolf an

ng my fingers against it in impatience.

erewolves are animals, always will be. But we're on the brink of extinction, and the survival of the m

hits me, and I cover my eye

go

ar." I don't know why I've switched to ourTongue, but I see his reaction, the slight

his?" I ask, already

ntense, knowing. A

Only Emilia ever got me to laugh like this. It feels foreign, almost unreal. M

lood? Because you've go

good of the many, and the good of the

kes it even worse. It's

a job, Agony.

, this is mental." I try to hold it

r would convince me to- I

N

ld convince me to

here's no expectation of a real marriage. It would be in name only. A year in Werew

g away from him. The words are so ridiculous, they don't even make s

r our second. The council has agreed we must act. Several members offered their rela

horrified. "You're treating th

a Werewolf to us. Someone important to him. She'll stay wit

e. I take a deep bre

mething about how everyone involved is bound to end up slaughtered, how I can't believe the audacity b

go

im, I can feel the familiar rhythm of his blood beneath my skin. Slow, steady, always the same. It's a heartbeat that's been with m

m. To myself. "Raymond's

oint out, my voice steady. "By th

re children were born in

n't c

nd Humans join forces to take our land, they'l

it." I meet his gaze directly, my resolve firm. I slide my phone into my pocket

harp, pointed, like he's

regret or doubt-runs through me. H

steady, assessing. I can almost feel the

ought away. I can't go back to that. T

someone else," I

our people. This could reha

, cold and hot all at once. It pushes me forward, keep

managed to rehabilitate themselves in my eyes." I take a few casu

nutes aren

My phone beeps a

ppen to show, that's his problem, not mine. "I can assure you,

go

into his voice now, and it's almo

Werewolf-Vampire MLM scheme and try to sell me dietary supplements. Do make sure Vel

rt searching f

ther opportunity in

for the door, throwing it

the first

stepping out, then turn back to face him.

d you ju

fusion dancing across his features-al

r Werewo

a name. Who-?" My

repeats, his b

me-what's hi

on flickering behind them. Af

Draven

ng under my feet, then up at the ceiling. The air around me feels too thin. I take a series

lia's college graduation would be too cas

I guess I'm g